31 Oct

Choosing Your Amortization Schedule

General

Posted by: Michael Hallett

Choosing Your Mortgage Amortization

Selecting the length of your mortgage amortization period – the number of years it will take you to become mortgage free – is an important decision that will affect how much interest you pay over the life of your mortgage. While the lending industry’s benchmark amortization period is 25 years, and this is the standard that is used by lenders when discussing mortgage offers, and usually the basis for mortgage calculators and payment tables, shorter or longer timeframes are available – to a maximum of 35 years.

The main reason to opt for a shorter amortization period is that you will become mortgage-free sooner. And since you’re agreeing to pay off your mortgage in a shorter period of time, the interest you pay over the life of the mortgage is, therefore, greatly reduced. A shorter amortization also affords you the luxury of building up equity in your home sooner. Equity is the difference between any outstanding mortgage on your home and its market value.

While it pays to opt for a shorter amortization period, other considerations must be made before selecting your amortization. Because you’re reducing the actual number of mortgage payments you make to pay off your mortgage, your regular payments will be higher. So if your income is irregular because you’re paid commission or if you’re buying a home for the first time and will be carrying a large mortgage, a shorter amortization period that increases your regular payment amount and ties up your cash flow may not be the best option for you.

I will be able to help you choose the amortization that best suits your unique requirements and ensures you have adequate cash flow. If you can comfortably afford the higher payments, are looking to save money on your mortgage or maybe you just don’t like the idea of carrying debt over a long period of time, you can discuss opting for a shorter amortization period.

Advantages of longer amortization

Choosing a longer amortization period also has its advantages. For instance, it can get you into the real estate market sooner than if you choose a shorter period. When you apply for a mortgage, lenders calculate the maximum regular payment you can afford. They then use this figure to determine the maximum mortgage amount they are willing to lend to you.

While a shorter amortization period results in higher regular payments, a longer amortization period reduces the amount of your regular principal and interest payment by spreading your payments out over a longer timeframe. As a result, you could qualify for a higher mortgage amount than you originally anticipated. Or you could qualify for your mortgage sooner than you had planned. Either way, you end up in your home sooner than you thought possible.

Again, this option is not for everyone. While a longer amortization period will appeal to many people because the regular mortgage payments can be comparable or even lower than paying rent, it does mean that you will pay more interest over the life of your mortgage.

Still, regardless of which amortization period you select when you originally apply for your mortgage, you do not have to stick with that period throughout the life of your mortgage. You can always choose to shorten your amortization and save on interest costs by making extra payments when you can or an annual lump-sum principal pre-payment. If making pre-payments (in the form of extra, larger or lump-sum payments) is an option you’d like to have, your mortgage professional can ensure the mortgage you end up with will not penalize you for making these types of payments.

It also makes good financial sense for you to re-evaluate your amortization strategy every time your mortgage comes up for renewal (at the end of each term of your mortgage, whether this is 3, 5 or 10 years, etc…). That way, as you advance in your career and earn a larger salary and/or commission or bonus, you can choose an accelerated payment option (making larger or more frequent payments) or simply increase the frequency of your regular payments (ie, paying your mortgage every week or two weeks as opposed to once per month). Both of these features will take years off your amortization period and save you a considerable amount of money on interest throughout the life of your mortgage.

DREAM TODAY. OWN TOMORROW.

Michael Hallett 604 616 2266 or michaelhallett.ca

7 Oct

October 2011 Newsletter

General

Posted by: Michael Hallett

Welcome to the October issue of my monthly newsletter!

This month’s edition offers tips on boosting your credit, as well as examines do-it-yourself renovations versus hiring a professional. Please let me know if you have any questions or feedback regarding anything outlined below.

Thanks again for your continued support and referrals!

 

 

Planning ahead to ensure your credit is healthy before applying for a mortgage can translate into a better mortgage rate and product – which can save you significant money throughout the term of your mortgage.

Following are five steps you can use to help attain a speedy credit score boost:

1) Pay down credit cards. The number one way to increase your credit score is to pay down your credit cards. Revolving credit like credit cards seems to have a more significant impact on credit scores than car loans, lines of credit, and so on.

2) Limit the use of credit cards. Racking up a large amount and then paying it off in monthly instalments can hurt your credit score. If there is a balance at the end of the month, this affects your score – credit formulas don’t take into account the fact that you may have paid the balance off the next month.

3) Check credit limits. If your lender is slower at reporting monthly transactions, this can have a significant impact on how other lenders may view your file. Ensure everything’s up to date as old bills that have been paid can come back to haunt you. Your best bet is to pay your balances down or off before your statement periods close.

 

4) Keep old cards. Older credit is better credit. If you stop using older credit cards, the issuers may stop updating your accounts. As such, the cards can lose their weight in the credit formula and, therefore, may not be as valuable – even though you have had the cards for a long time. You should use these cards periodically and then pay them off.

5) Don’t let mistakes build up. You should always dispute any mistakes or situations that may harm your score. If, for instance, a cell phone bill is incorrect and the company will not amend it, you can dispute this by making the credit bureau aware of the situation.

If you have repeatedly missed payments on your credit cards, you may not be in a situation where refinancing or quickly boosting your credit score will be possible. Depending on the severity of your situation – and the reasons behind the delinquencies, including job loss, divorce, illness, and so on – I can help you address the concerns through a variety of means and even refer you to other professionals to help get your credit situation in check.

As always, if you have any questions about you credit situation or your mortgage in general, I’m here to help!

 

 

Many homeowners these days are willing to get their hands dirty with home improvement projects in the hopes of saving money – especially with the fabulous free courses being run by many home improvement superstores on an ongoing basis.

But although some projects can be tackled by homeowners, the do-it-yourself (DIY) route isn’t always the most economical – or safest, for that matter.

It’s often difficult to determine if a project entails more than you can realistically handle. Most people tend to gauge the complexity of a project by doing research online, as some DIY websites grade a project’s difficulty. But you should also look at the tools that are required for the job. If you come across complex tools you know little about, it may be best to call in an expert.

If you’re unsure about your ability to correctly finish a project, get an expert opinion before proceeding. Sometimes, you may end up spending more money to repair a bungled DIY job than if you had hired someone to do it right from the onset of the project.

Following are some examples of when you may want to consider turning to a pro:

When safety is an issue. Getting involved with your home’s electrical system can be risky. Not only could you be electrocuted, but doing a job incorrectly could also create a safety hazard within your home’s structure. Another often unsafe DIY project includes extending a gas line. If you don’t know how to check for gas leaks, for instance, this DIY project could lead to an explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning. As well, if you’re considering tackling a project that involves heights, make sure you have the know-how to safely complete the job or call in an expert. Even some power tools can be beyond your capabilities and result in serious injury or death. It’s always important to remember that potential money savings aren’t worth risking safety.

 

When water is involved. Leaks and water damage can lead to more costly and complicated repairs. If left unfixed, they can lead to mould, which affects air quality and, if found during an inspection, can be a deal breaker on a home sale. Water-related projects don’t have to strictly involve your home’s pipes. Putting in a skylight may seem like a DIY job you can handle. Do it incorrectly, however, and you could end up with a leaky roof, water damage and mould.

If the costs of materials or tools are too high. Sometimes the costs of materials and the expense associated with making a mistake are enough to make hiring an expert a no-brainer. For something like crown moulding, for instance, you need an expensive tool and the material itself is costly. A kitchen cabinet can cost a couple hundred dollars and, if you order incorrectly, there may be a restocking fee and special orders may be non-returnable. Being off on measurements for granite countertops can also prove to be a costly error.

If the project is too big. If you’re planning on replacing all the windows in your home or remodelling your kitchen, think twice about how much of the project you want to take on yourself. Often, you can leave the heavy lifting to the experts, and work on the finishing touches, such as painting or tiling backsplashes. But, while installing hardwood or laminate flooring can be a good DIY project, its complexity will largely be determined by its scale. For instance, installing laminate flooring in a small, square bedroom is often manageable for homeowners to do on their own. But doing a larger-scale flooring project – involving a transition between rooms or perhaps around a kitchen island – is where people often get tripped up.

If you decide to call in an expert, make sure you do your research, get multiple quotes, ask friends and family for referrals and check references. Unfortunately, there are many contractors who claim to know what they’re doing and then get in over their heads, which could end up costing you in the end as well.

Remember that when doing renovations, I may be able to help find an economical financing solution for you by accessing your home equity.

 
 
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