Shop before you Renew
At mortgage renewal time is important to keep in mind that all financial institutions
are about making a profit. Unfortunately, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation (CMHC), between 60-70% of Canadians ignore this at mortgage renewal
time and sign the letter and mail it back without taking time to review their options.
A bank isn’t going to automatically drop your interest rate from 6 to 5% just because
your credit score has improved. This is why it is so important to shop around before
you renew.
If you want to make sure you are getting the best rate you can, it is a good idea
to contact a mortgage broker. Brokers have access to the lowest rates, and once
you have their quote, you can call the original financial institution and notify
them that if they do not match the rate, you will leave. Typically, a lender will
match the rate, and may even beat it. If your lender chooses not to match, then
it is time to leave. A reduced interest is simply too important to ignore as the
savings can add up to many thousands of dollars over the term of your loan and can
also reduce your monthly payments.
One of the best things about renewal is that it is free, meaning there are no penalties
for renewal. In some cases; however, a renewal requires a new appraisal which can
costs between $300-600. As long as you have a clean credit history, and have made
all your mortgage payments on time, the financial institution granting the loan
should take care of this. In addition, there is also a $100-200 discharge fee that
confirms you have a new lender. You are not responsible for this.
Note: If you have credit problems you may be responsible for mortgage renewal costs,
if you are in doubt contact your lending institution to be sure.