Should I lock in at 5 year or variable mortgage interest rate?

Another great question from an interested reader, and my answer below

Hi Mark,

After looking through a whole bunch of Google results, I found yours the
most intelligent and sensible. So, if you don't mind, I would like to ask
you this at this point in time, as your posting is somewhat old:

I am being offered these two options before my March 2 renewal date on a
$202,000 mortgage with 23 yr. amortization:

1). 5 Year Closed @ 3.81% - 23 Year Amortization with Weekly Regular
Payments: $252.77

2). 5 Year Variable @ Prime Minus 0.35% (currently 1.90%) - 23 Year
Amortization with Weekly Regular Payments: $208.32

Which one would YOU choose?

Thanks.
--
H.S.A. Harry, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Hi H .,

I am a firm believer in paying that mortgage off. We may never see today's'
rates again. I would go with option 2 and have your bank lower your
amortization on renewal until the payment is $250 per week. This should
reduce your amortization to about 18.2 years, see the calculator here:
http://www.mississauga4sale.com/mortgage-amortization-creator.htm

Then in 5 years when it comes time to renew, you will only have 13 years
left to go on your mortgage.

Even if the prime rate increases, which it is supposed to, the 5 year
variable has to climb to about 5.5% for you to be even compared to the 3.81%
mortgage for 5 years and you will still be ahead of the game. Reason is, it
may take 2 years to reach 5.5%, if ever, and then you have saved a pile in
interest in the first 2 years of your mortgage. You should be earning more
in 2 years from now and look at it as an investment in yourself.

Also, in 3 years, you can renew that 5 year mortgage and who knows, there
may be some good specials out there that you can take advantage of.

You should be better off in the long run going short term, read my
experience here:
http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Lock-In-Short-Term-Long-Term-Mortgage.htm

All the best!
Mark

Mississauga Real estate and GTA real estate mortgage interest rates

these are the current posted and attainable interest rates in our local
marketplace.
Enjoy!
Mark

TERM POSTED Obtainable RATES*
6 Month 4.60% 3.75%
1 Year 3.75% 2.75%
2 Year 4.05% 2.85%
3 Year 4.65% 3.44%
4 Year 5.14% 3.89%
5 Year 5.85% 4.12%
7 Year 6.80% 5.15%
10 Year 6.90% 5.20%
Variable Rate 2.55%
Prime Rate 2.25%
* Rates may vary and are subject to change without notice OAC.
Rates Last Updated: Thursday, July 16, 2009

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/selling-process.htm> Thinking of Selling?
Best Mortgage Rates
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/mortgage-rates-mark.htm> Current Home
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/TREBprice.htm> Prices Search MLS
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/mls-ca-real-estate-mississauga.htm>
Newsletter
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/newsletter/latest_newsletter.htm>
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
* BUS 905-828-3434
* FAX 905-828-2829 *CELL 416-520-1577
* E-MAIL <mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga Real Estate
Information Request> : mark@mississauga4sale.com
<mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga Real Estate
Information Request>
Website <http://www.mississauga4sale.com/index.htm> :
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/index.htm> Mississauga4Sale.com

* Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you
like a Complimentary
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/internet-evaluation.htm> & Quick
Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
* Power of Sales and Foreclosures
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Power-Sales-Bank-Sales-Alert-Request.htm>
* If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate
newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/popupquestion.htm> Real Estate Newsletter
sign up
* See seasonal housing patterns
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/TREBavg1995date.htm>
* Would you like me to send you a 2009 Calendar
<http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Calendar-Order-Form.htm> ?

Save over $300 per month on a $300k mortgage with Today's mortgage interest rates!

This article talks about the recent lowering of the prime rate and it's effect on interest rates

With the drop of 50 basis points (1/2%)to the prime rate by the Bank of Canada last week, we have seen virtually every lender adapt this change by lowering their prime rates to a new record low of 2.5%. The next BOC rate announcement is set for April 21st, where a cut of another 25 basis points is expected. This will most likely be the final cut, after all, anymore cuts and they would be paying us to take mortgages! Anyone with a 'prime minus' variable rate should have a very large smile on their face :)

As of today, we are starting to see some downward movement on fixed rates. The lowest available 5 year fixed rate now is 4.19% (30 day quick close) and the one year fixed as dropped to 3.25%! Will the fixed rates come down further than this? We will have to wait and see.

The prime rate is then expected to remain relatively stable for the remainder of the year.

With mortgage rates this low, and with the fallen prices of homes, there has never been a better time in history to buy real estate then right now. This is a time that anyone in this business should be excited about. Even if homes were to depreciate another 3% for the year, the amount they end up saving at today's interest rate more than makes up for it!

Last year at this time, the lowest 5 year fixed rate was 5.99%..... a 1.8% difference from the lowest rate today.

Here is an example of how today's interest rates are better: A $300k mortgage at last years rate of 5.99% amortized over 25 years would have a monthly payment of $1,917. The same mortgage at today's rate of 4.19% would have a monthly payment of $1,609..... a difference of $308! Multiply that difference over the 5 year term and you have saved $18,480. That's $18,400 that stays in your pocket as opposed to going into the banks.

Let's look positively upon the financial opportunity in front of us right now. It is there. Let's make it happen!

Today's lowest rates that I can find:

1 year fixed 3.25%

2 year fixed 3.99%

3 year fixed 3.99%

4 year fixed 4.25%

5 year fixed 4.34%

5 year fixed 4.19% (30 day quick close)

I hope this finds you Happy and Healthy!

All the Best!

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• Power of Sales and Foreclosures
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2009 Calendar?

blogger labels to create new blogger labels for future posts

this post is necessary to create more of my new blogger labels

For more information please contact A. Mark Argentino

A. Mark Argentino, Broker, P.Eng.,
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
2691 Credit Valley Road, Suite 101, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 7A1

BUS. 905-828-3434
FAX. 905-828-2829
E-MAIL: mark@mississauga4sale.com
Website: Mississauga4Sale.com

If you need funds for improvements when you purchase

If you need more funds when purchasing or refinancing with improvements

Increase to the market value of the property is limited to 10% of the property’s as-improved market value

v First Advance – based on the properties as is value up to 95% LTV

v Improved Value – up to 10% of the market value after improvements. Advance after the improvements are completed.

v Down Payment – Based on improved value minimum 5%.

v EXAMPLE

Current market value $117,000

Acceptable as-improved market value of property $130,000

(i.e. maximum increase to market value = $130,000 x 10% = 13,000)

1^st advance up to 95% of current market value, and subsequent advance up to 95% of as-improved market value.

Products available for improvements that exceed 10% of the property’s as improved market value.

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS Newsletter
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mailto:mark@mississauga4sale.com?subject=Mississauga
Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling your home in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• If you have not already signed up to receive my monthly real estate newsletter, you may do so here: On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns
• Would you like me to send you a 2008 Calendar?

Have you heard of the new 50 Year Mortgage?

You've no doubt seen 30 year and even the 40 year mortgage in the past year or so. But now, a Canadian mortgage and credit company is offering a 50 year amortization mortgage. Yes, you heard it right, 50 years!

The company is called Centum and they say they offer mortgage financing, home equity loans and debt consolidation especially designed for first time buyers and those with good, bad or marginal credit. Their site is labuick .com

It will likely not be too long before the other major lenders follow the lead!

Does this mean that you need to buy your first home at 15 years old to have it paid off by retirement? ;-))

http://www.mississauga4sale.com/bestrate.htm

Read more about:

• Interest Rates
• Power of Sale Properties
• Price Trends
• or Search the MLS and more at my website

Thank you for reading my blog and if there is anything else I can help you with please don't hesitate to contact me,

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.

Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
›mark@mississauga4sale.com
8 Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns

Mortgage Rates and Factors to calculate payments

Mortgage Rates and Factors to calculate payments

When calculating mortgage payments, there are quick factors that can be used for a particular interest rate. For example, if the interest rate is 5.95% then the factor is 6.37 per $1,000 in mortgage, thus if you want to know the payments on a $120,000 mortgage at 5.95% then you would multiply $120,000 x 6.37/1,000 = $764.40

The table below shows current rates and their factors.

Discounted Rate (OAC)/ Cost Factor per Thousand

1 Year 6.00% / $6.40

2 Year 6.10% / $6.46

3 Year 6.05% / $6.43

4 Year 5.95% / $6.37

5 Year 5.79% / $6.27

7 Year 6.20% / $6.51

10 Year 6.30% / $6.58

5 Year Variable 5.15% / $5.90

See my mortgage calculators at this page: http://www.mississauga4sale.com/mortgage-payment-calculator.htm

read more about Mortgage Interest Rates

Search the MLS or read more about Interest Rates, Power of Sale Properties, Price Trends and more at my website.

Thank you for reading my blog and if there is anything else I can help you with please don't hesitate to contact me,

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.

Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mark@mississauga4sale.com
8 Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns

Mortgage Calculators - help with your payments and income qualification

Online Mortgage Calculators This edition of my blog writings has the latest and best rates for Canadian mortgages. At mortgages, we work on your behalf to find the mortgage that suits your needs. Best of all - our service is "free" for the asking It's the selected lender that gets YOU the best rate. *(O.A.C., E.&O.E.)

• Examples of Current Mortage Interest Rates • Explore Mortgage Scenarios with Helpful Calculators on dominionlending.ca

Terms Posted Rates Discounted Rates 1 YEAR 7.40% 5.65% 2 YEARS 7.55% 6.05% 3 YEARS 7.55% 5.90% 4 YEARS 7.55% 6.04% 5 YEARS 7.54% 5.90% 7 YEARS 7.85% 6.25% 10 YEARS 8.15% 6.30% Rates are subject to change without notice. *OAC E&OE Prime Rate is 6.00%.

Variable rate mortgages from as low as Prime minus 0.60%. Rates are subject to change without notice. Fixed mortgage rates shown in table above and quoted variable mortgage rates are available nationally to qualified individuals. Lower rates may be available to those with higher credit scores or higher net worth – check with your mortage Expert for full details. *O.A.C., E.& O.E. Explore Mortgage Scenarios with Helpful Calculators on mortgages When you're starting to think about what mortgage approach would be beneficial, my online mortgage calculators can help uncover some possible strategies. The Mississauga4Sale website at mortgages features a full line-up of mortgage tools which allow borrowers like you explore mortgage scenarios before speaking to a mortgage expert. If you're planning on buying a home, you can calculate: • the mortgage amount for which you can comfortably qualify, • your mortgage payments along with an amortization schedule to discover what you would owe in five years, • savings realized by making prepayments on your mortgage. If you currently have a mortgage, you can calculate: • how large a home equity line of credit you may be eligible for, • how much interest you could save by refinancing your mortgage, • how to accelerate paying off your mortgage debt. By visiting mortgages and clicking on "Calculators" on the main page, you can access a range of easy-to-use calculators that will provide you with ample insight into all aspects of mortgage financing.

I wish you all the best.

Search the MLS or read more about Interest Rates, Power of Sale Properties, Price Trends and more at my website.

Thank you for reading my blog and if there is anything else I can help you with please don't hesitate to contact me,

Mark

A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate

Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.

Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
2 FAX 905-828-2829 ÈCELL 416-520-1577
› E-MAIL : mark@mississauga4sale.com
8 Website : Mississauga4Sale.com

• Thinking of selling in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
• On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
• See seasonal housing patterns