Top Burning Mortgage Questions Canadians Are Asking

Deciding to buy a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will make in their lives. Maybe that’s why the internet is currently abuzz with Canadians looking for answers to a slew of mortgage-related questions. They don’t just want to know how to qualify or how much to borrow, they’re curious about the fine print and the available options. The genuine “who, what, where, when and how” of homeownership.

Whether you’re taking your first steps toward homeownership, buying your next home, approaching mortgage renewal, or simply exploring ways to optimize your existing mortgage, you’re not alone in wondering about these important decisions. We’ve gathered the top most burning questions Canadians are asking right now, and provided clear, actionable answers to help you navigate your mortgage journey with confidence.

What homebuying mistakes can cost me money?

Not fully taking into account all of the cost associated with buying a home could negatively impact your overall budget.. So, ensure you reserve funds for costs like taxes, insurance, real estate fees, lawyers’ fees and home inspections. It’s important to consider all closing costs when buying a home.

Should I take a 3 or 5-year fixed mortgage term right now?

There are many personal financial factors to consider when you are trying to evaluate between a three year or five-year fixed term mortgage. What it really boils down to is your ability to afford the payments for three years vs. five years, within your budget. Breaking a mortgage can get expensive, so you want to make sure you are well informed and realistic about what you can afford for the next three to five years. Try our mortgage payment calculator to estimate future payments or contact an RBC Mortgage Specialist who can help walk you through your options.

What’s the number one thing to do when getting a mortgage?

Have a proactive conversation with a mortgage advisor early in your home-buying journey. When you share your financial goals with an expert early on, you’ll have a better understanding of your options and feel comfortable making decisions. Connect with a mortgage specialist in your area today.

Can I switch mortgage lenders at renewal?

Yes, you can totally switch your lenders at renewal. At RBC we’ll do all the legwork and cover up to $1,100 in switch fees.
The key steps to switching your mortgage to RBC:

1) Reach out to RBC

If you’re an existing RBC client, you can start your switch online using RBC Mortgage Mover.

New to RBC? Find a mortgage specialist in your area.

2) Sign a permission form for RBC to access your mortgage details at your current financial institution

When you initiate the switch to RBC you will be asked to sign a permission form that allows Royal Bank of Canada to obtain a mortgage payout statement from the financial institution that currently holds your mortgage.

3) Sign final mortgage documents

Sign the final mortgage documents once everything is approved.

What you’ll also need to switch your mortgage:

• Verification of employment and income
• Proof of property insurance
• Valid identification
• Information about your existing mortgage (i.e. maturity date, mortgage account number, etc.)

Your Mortgage Specialist will be there to support you and advise you of any other documents you may need along the way.

Should I take a fixed or variable mortgage right now?

It’s impossible to predict rate expectations over the next few years with absolute certainty, because macro-economic conditions can change rapidly.

As for the age-old question of a fixed vs. variable interest rate mortgage: it depends on how you budget your payments for the next three to five years. There are some key differences between the two types of mortgages.

Benefits of a fixed rate mortgage include:

• Consistent mortgage payments: your monthly principal and interest payments remain the same throughout the term.
• Budget-friendly: with predictable payments, you can plan your finances more effectively, knowing exactly how much you need to set aside each month.
• Rate protection: you are shielded from rising market interest rates, ensuring your payments don’t increase even if rates go up.

What to consider with a fixed rate mortgage:

• Higher starting rate: fixed rates often begin higher than variable rates, which means you might pay more initially.
• Missed opportunities: if market interest rates drop, you won’t benefit from lower rates unless you refinance or renew your mortgage.
• Prepayment penalties: if you decide to sell or refinance and break a fixed mortgage contract early, it can result in significant penalties. This applies to a variable rate as well.

Benefits of a variable rate mortgage:

• Potential savings: variable rates have often been lower than fixed rates, potentially saving you money over the life of the mortgage.
• Lower penalties: penalties for breaking a variable rate mortgage early are typically much lower. Pre-payment charge is either 3 months interest or Interest Rate Differential.
• Flexibility: post lenders allow you to switch to a fixed-rate mortgage at any time without incurring a penalty.

What to consider with a variable rate mortgage:

• Payment uncertainty: as interest rates fluctuate, your payments or the principal-to-interest ratio may change, making it more difficult to budget effectively.
• Rate increase risk: if interest rates rise significantly, reaching the trigger rate, your payments may increase, or a larger portion may go toward interest, potentially extending the time it takes to pay off your mortgage. With some other financial institutions, payment may increase with any increase in prime rate.
• Risk tolerance: variable-rate mortgages may not be ideal if you prefer financial stability or have limited room in your budget to accommodate potential payment increases.

Meeting with a mortgage advisor to discuss the market, your personal situation and expectations is always key to understanding your options.

Can I switch from variable to fixed mortgage mid-term?

Yes, banks do have policies to give you the flexibility to switch from a variable to a fixed rate term.

At RBC, convertible variable rate mortgages can be switched at any time (including at maturity), without incurring a prepayment charge, provided you choose a fixed rate closed mortgage with a term of one year or longer at the interest rate being offered at the time of conversion. Switching from variable to fixed must meet or exceed time remaining in term, i.e. if there are 3 years left in a variable term, fixed options must be 3 years or more.

This option may appeal to homeowners who feel more comfortable with a fixed rate that is locked in for the term, protecting against any future rate changes within your term and keeping your amortization timeline on track.

Before you early renew, make sure you talk to your lender in case there are any fees associated with changing your mortgage mid-term.

Make sure you review the legal documentation associated with your mortgage to learn about the specific terms and conditions associated with switching your mortgage.

What is the optimal downpayment for each property price range?

Getting pre-approved online will help you understand how much you can afford. You can also speak with a mortgage advisor who can help you with your overall picture to optimize your cash flow.

There are different downpayment tiers. 20% downpayment or more can help you obtain a conventional mortgage or a Homeline Plan with no default insurance required.

If your down payment is less than 20%, the following are the down payment requirements for default insured mortgages:

• 5% for residential properties with purchase price up to $500,000
• 10% for the portion of the purchase price from $500,001 to $1,499,999.

The default insurance premium will be calculated based on the full amount of the down payment / amount remaining.

Should I make biweekly payments instead of monthly?

Mortgage payment frequency does make a difference, as more frequent payments help you save interest costs over time, allowing you to pay off your mortgage faster. For example, if you move from a monthly payment to a bi-weekly accelerated payment, you end up making 26 payments a year versus 12 monthly payments. Since there are 52 weeks in the year and you are making a mortgage payment every other week, you’re making one extra monthly payment every year, which is applied directly against your principal.

There is value in making bi-weekly or weekly payments, but the key is what’s most comfortable for your budget. This can be changed and revisited, so focus on a comfortable path and seek advice periodically when you want to explore options.

If your salary is bi-weekly, you may want to match your mortgage payments. Making mortgage payments more frequently can save interest costs in the long run. Accelerated bi-weekly payments can save additional interest costs and reduce your amortization.

Your amortization period is the number of years you will need to pay off your mortgage. The length of your amortization period can affect how much interest you pay over the life of your mortgage.

Historically, the standard amortization period has typically been 25 years. However, shorter and longer time frames may be available depending on the amount of your down payment, and certain other factors.

A shorter amortization period can help save you money as you pay less in interest over the life of your mortgage. Your regular mortgage payment amount would be higher as you are paying off your balance in less time. However, you may build the equity in your home faster and be mortgage-free sooner.

A longer amortization period typically lowers your monthly payments. However, you will pay more interest over the life of your mortgage, and it may take longer to build the equity in your home.

How do you get pre-approved for a mortgage?

A mortgage pre-approval is a significant milestone because a lender is making a 120-day rate guarantee to you and providing you the maximum mortgage lending amount you may be pre-approved for. It entails a credit check to understand your liabilities prior to the 120-day guarantee, providing you with reassurance while you shop for a home. Pre-approvals are subject to terms and conditions; therefore, it is important to be accurate with the information you provide in your pre-approval application.

Note that online pre-approval is not a guaranteed loan, nor a commitment of financing. If you wish to move forward with mortgage financing you will need to provide documentation that verifies income, downpayment, property valuation, plus additional supporting document validation, and various other checks prior to closing. To start your homeownership journey, complete your pre-approval application online.

You can also connect with a mortgage specialist to get tailored advice for your pre-approval. When working with a mortgage advisor you may also be asked to provide financial documents to verify your financial information so that they can better support you.

Given that your circumstances may change in the time between getting pre-approved and the time you’re ready to make a purchase, there may be differences in what you can afford. As a result, it is important to connect with an RBC mortgage advisor to discuss any changes to your financial situation.

What are the steps self-employed individuals should take to secure a mortgage?

Being able to prove that you can effectively make your mortgage payments in the long term is critical. To increase your chances of securing a mortgage with a lender, a strong business case and full understanding of your background is key, especially if standard criteria cannot be met. This enables the lender to assess your request on an exception basis.

For newly self-employed individuals, it would be helpful to understand their ability and capacity to service a mortgage long term, which can be better understood through some of the following:

• Business structure, history of the business (new or existing, recently taken over)
• Previous personal employment experience
• Previous experience of being self-employed
• Future prospects for the business, etc.

Everyone’s financial circumstances are different, so having a conversation with a mortgage specialist can help determine how to best proceed.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Your mortgage journey is unique. The right answers depend on your personal financial situation, goals and timeline. Whether you’re just starting to explore homeownership or ready to make a move, connecting with an RBC Mortgage Specialist can help you explore your best options. Plus, you could qualify for a limited time offer to receive up to $5,900 in value with an eligible RBC mortgage.