| When you’re looking for Alberta lowest mortgage | | | | rates with less than 20% down will be mortgaged at |
| rates, it’s important to know the most important | | | | higher rates. |
| facts about finding a good rate. Whether you are | | | | 5. Low-ratio mortgages have less rigid requirements |
| looking for a new mortgage or to refinance, keep the | | | | than other loans, which means that the interest rates |
| following mortgage facts in mind as you look for | | | | are also lower. |
| Alberta’s lowest mortgage rates. | | | | 6. If you took a 40-year loan down to 35 years on a |
| 1. Mortgage lenders consider your mortgage in arrears | | | | house worth $200,000 at a 6% interest rate, you’d |
| if you have missed more than three monthly payment | | | | increase your rate $41. However, over the long haul |
| dates within a year (thus, making it harder to | | | | you could save up to $49,000 in interest with the |
| refinance). | | | | shorter term. |
| 2. “Sub-prime” borrowers are considered by | | | | 7. High-ratio mortgages that start the term with |
| lenders to meet lower than average industry credit | | | | interest-only payments or home equity loans can also |
| standards. Typically, borrowers with a low credit score | | | | benefit from amortization reduction like the scenario |
| or state income will look for a sub-prime mortgage. | | | | mentioned above. |
| These rates are typically higher than other financial | | | | 8. When your lender refers to “total debt |
| rates. | | | | service” ratio, it’s referring to the ratio of gross |
| 3. “Near-prime” market is the section of | | | | income to debt and housing related payments. |
| borrowers that are close to the industry standard for | | | | 9. With the purchase of mortgage insurance, a lender |
| lending, but are still a little below the mark. | | | | who would need to put 20% down might be able to |
| 4. A “low-ratio” mortgage means that the | | | | put as little as 5% down with the purchase of |
| loan-to-value ratio is 80% or less. Typically, mortgage | | | | insurance. |