Report hints at why BMO went to 2.99%

New analyst reports are hinting at why BMO moved to offer that trendsetting 2.99 per cent rate, at the same time suggesting the offer may come back to bite it – and, indeed, the industry. The big bank trod out that historical interest rate early last month, kicking off three weeks of the unprecedented originations […]

Average Canadian’s consumer debt hits $25,960

The average consumer’s debt load climbed to a record high $25,960 at the end of 2011, although annual data from a credit bureau report released today suggests that the Canadian love affair with debt is waning. Consumer debt, which excludes mortgages, edged 1.4 per cent higher in the fourth quarter of 2011 from the previous […]

How home closing costs can add up

Home buyers are often advised to set aside one-to-three per cent of the purchase price of their house for closing costs.  These fees are explained during the home buying process, but it is helpful to ask questions so you fully understand how these costs can affect  your budget. Legal fees: On average you should budget $600 […]

Mortgage fraud on the rise

MONTREAL — Consumer credit company Equifax uncovered roughly $400-million worth of mortgage fraud in Canada last year, an “eyeopening” number industry experts estimate represents only a fraction of the cheating taking place in the country’s real estate market. Atlanta-based Equifax says many financial institutions are tightening lending and, as a result, deceit in the property […]

Paying off your mortgage early can cost you

Paying off your mortgage early seems like great financial planning since you’re freeing up money that can be put towards savings. But discharging a mortgage early can mean a prepayment penalty because the bank loses money. If you had a two-year term and paid the mortgage in full after 16 months, the bank is out eight months […]

Two steady housing years ahead: CMHC

Canada’s housing market has two good years ahead of it yet, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said Monday, with low interest rates and a “moderately” expanding economy keeping price corrections at bay. The Crown corporation – which insures Canadian mortgages – has had a consistently rosier view of the market than many private sector forecasters. Canadian banks […]

Mortgage brokers undercut banks

Mortgage brokers are once again undercutting the banks and some are willing to buy down your rate — eating part of their commission in the process — to gain customers. Steep mortgage discounts from the major banks have all but disappeared from the market, leading mortgage brokers to make sacrifices for market share amid new […]

TD, RBC end 2.99% mortgage deals early

After briefly offering record-low rates of less than 3% on some of its mortgages in response to its rivals, Canada’s two biggest banks have pulled back their offers prematurely. Toronto-Dominion Bank, Canada’s second-largest bank, raised its special four-year closed fixed rate mortgage 40 basis points to 3.39%, effective Wednesday, while also introducing a special five-year […]

Why mortgage penalties are so hard to understand

By Peggy Mackenzie If you want to break your mortgage, there are two ways to calculate the penalty. One uses three months’ interest and the other uses the Interest Rate Differential (IRD).  The bottom line is that with either method, if you want to take advantage of lower interest rates, it’s going to cost you. […]

CHILTON TAKES A SWIPE AT REVERSE MORTGAGES

The list of detractors of reverse mortgage has another name added to it: David Chilton, otherwise known as ‘the wealthy barber’, after the title of this famous book on personal finance. At a speaking engagement Thursday night in Scarborough, Ont., Chilton discussed various mistakes people make while managing their financial affairs. Taking out reverse mortgage, […]

« Previous Page — Next Page »