Mortgage Terms

Posted by Ernestina Birova on February 20, 2013

Most commonly used Mortgage TermsHere is an explanation of most commonly used mortgage terms used in association with the Real Estate Transaction. 

One of the most common sources of confusion for prospective home buyers is the difference between a mortgage term and amortization period. A typical mortgage in Canada has a 5-year term with a 25-year amortization period.

Mortgage Term

The Mortgage Term is the length of time you commit to the mortgage rate, lender, and associated mortgage terms and conditions. The term you choose will have a direct effect on your mortgage rate, with short terms historically proven to be lower than long-term mortgage rates. The term acts like a ‘reset’ button on a mortgage. When the term is up, you must renew your mortgage on the remaining principle, at a new rate available at the end of the term.

Amortization Period

Is the length of time it will take you to pay off your entire mortgage.  This is usually up to 25 years for a new mortgage.  Longer amortization periods reduce your monthly payments, as you are paying your mortgage off over a greater number of years. However, you will pay more interest over the life of the mortgage.

Appraisal

Is the process of determining the value of property, usually for lending purposes. This value may or may not be the same as the purchase price of the home.

Assumable Mortgage

Is the type of financing arrangement in which the outstanding mortgage and its terms can be transferred from the current owner to a buyer. By assuming the previous owner’s remaining debt, the buyer can avoid having to obtain his or her own mortgage.

Blended Payments

Are payments that consist of two components: a principal and an interest. They are paid on a regular basis (e.g. weekly, biweekly, monthly) during the term of the mortgage. The principal portion of payment increases, while the interest portion decreases over the term of the mortgage, but the total regular payment usually does not change.

Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation – CMHC

It is a division of the Government of Canada that acts as Canada’s national housing agency. The CMHC’s mandate is to help Canadians access a variety of affordable housing options. It also researches housing and real estate trends in Canada and around the world, providing research to consumers, businesses and other government divisions. The major activity of the CMHC, and the one for which it is best known, is mortgage loan insurance, which insures approved lenders (such as Canada’s chartered banks) against borrower default. Mortgage loan insurance provides approved borrowers access to low-cost mortgage rates. CMHC approved buyers may purchase property with as little as 5% down payment.

Certificate of Search or Abstract of Title

A document setting out instruments registered against the title to the property, e.g. deed, mortgages, etc.

Closed Mortgage

A mortgage agreement that cannot be pre-paid, re-negotiated or re-financed before maturity, except according to its terms.

Collateral

Properties or assets that are offered to secure a loan or other credit. Collateral becomes subject to seizure on default.

Conventional Mortgage

It’s a mortgage that does not exceed 80% of the purchase price of the home. Mortgages that exceed this limit must be insured against default, and are referred to as high-ratio mortgages.

Debt-Service Ratio

Is the percentage of the borrower’s gross income that will be used for monthly payments of principal, interest, taxes, heating costs and condominium fees.

High Ratio Mortgage

If you don’t have 20% of the lesser of the purchase price or appraised value of the property, your mortgage must be insured against payment default by a Mortgage Insurer, such as CMHC. And the availability of government-backed mortgage insurance is restricted to homes with a value of $1 million or less.

Interest Rate Ceiling

It is the absolute maximum rate of interest that a financial institution can charge for an adjustable rate mortgage or loan.

Mortgage

A debt instrument, secured by the collateral of specified real estate property, that the borrower is obliged to pay back with a predetermined set of payments. Mortgages are used by individuals and businesses wishing to make large value purchases of real estate without paying the entire value of the purchase up front.

Mortgages are also known as liens against property, or claims on property.

Mortgage Banker

A company, individual or institution that originates, sells and services mortgage loans.

Mortgage Broker

Is the matchmaker between a home buyer and a lender whose goal is to originate a mortgage loan. The broker draws from a pool of various lenders to find the right match.

Mortgagee

Is an entity that lends money to a borrower for the purpose of purchasing a piece of real property. By accepting a mortgage on the real property, the lender creates security in the full repayment of the loan in the future.

Mortgagor

It is an individual or company who borrows money to purchase a piece of real property. By granting the lender an interest in the property, which allows it to lend the funds with an accurate assessment of risk, the mortgagor provides the lender with a guarantee for the full repayment of the loan. (Also known as a “chargor”.)

Total Debt Service (TDS) Ratio

The percentage of gross income needed to cover monthly payments for housing and all other debts and financing obligations.

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