Find and compare the best mortgage rates from various banks, credit unions, monoline lenders, and mortgage brokers, using the mortgage search tool. The lenders and brokers you see in the search results are some of Canada's largest and most reputable mortgage lenders.
You'll find a variety of mortgage rates using the search tool. Most mortgages are provided directly by the lenders themselves. Other mortgages are supplied by intermediary mortgage brokers who have access to volume discounts from the lenders.
When you're comparing mortgages, don't just focus on the interest rate. Consider the type of interest rate and term type you'd want on your mortgage as well. With the mortgage search tool, you can find fixed rate and variable rate mortgages, along with term types of closed, open, or convertable. Each of these options has its positive and negative attributes, so be sure to know what kind of mortgage you want before you start your search.
You'll also want to know the length of the term you want on your mortgage. Do you want to lock into a longer-term mortgage agreement or a shorter-term mortgage? Most people opt for a term length of 5 years, which gives them some short term flexibility and some long term predictability as well. Mortgage terms of 5 years, also come with lower interest rates than most other term lengths.
Use this mortgage search tool to find the most competitive mortgage rates in Canada. In the search box area, you’ll find the following options that you can play around with to find the best mortgage to suit your needs.
In some cases, the interest rate can be different. Lenders typically have lower discounted rates available that aren’t public. The rates you see advertised by lenders are called "posted rates." Often, mortgage lenders can give you a much better interest rate than their publically posted rates.
The interest rate you end up receiving could also differ depending on your credit history. The stronger your credit score and income stability, the more likely you’ll receive a better rate from a lender.
Some brokers and lenders may already advertise their lowest rates upfront. In this case, you'll receive their best rate no matter what. In either case, it's always best to try and negotiate with the lender or broker for a better mortgage rate, should they be able to offer it.
The mortgage term is the period that you'll commit to a specific mortgage contract with a particular mortgage lender. In Canada, most mortgage terms are 5 years in length, but they can be shorter or longer depending on your needs.
On most mortgages, if you end your mortgage term early, you'll face a mortgage penalty charged by your lender. The mortgage penalty amount depends on the interest rate on your current mortgage and on the amount of time left before your mortgage term expires.
Once your mortgage term expires, you're free to renew your mortgage or renegotiate your mortgage entirely. You're also free to switch to a new mortgage lender under an entirely new mortgage agreement.
A fixed rate mortgage is a mortgage where its interest rate is locked in for the entire mortgage term and never changes. If interest rates change, your mortgage payments will stay the same. Fixed rate mortgages offer predictability when it comes to your mortgage. You’ll know exactly how much your mortgage payments will be on each payment date.
A variable rate mortgage is a mortgage where its interest rate can fluctuate as the Bank of Canada policy interest rate fluctuates. When interest rates move up, you pay more interest on your mortgage loan. When interest rates go down, more of your payment goes towards paying down the principal amount.
Variable rate mortgages typically have lower interest rates than fixed rate mortgages. They could be a good option if you believe interest rates will remain low for the duration of your mortgage term. However, you’ll also take on the risk that if interest rates rise, so will you’re interest expenses.
A closed term mortgage is a mortgage where you can’t make extra payments towards your mortgage principal, or increase your mortgage payments, beyond a set amount prescribed by your lender every year. In the mortgage industry, making extra payments on your mortgage is referred to as making a prepayment.
Typically, most mortgage lenders will allow you to make prepayments of anywhere from 10% to 20% of your original mortgage principal every year. They also usually allow you to increase your mortgage payment by up to 20% every year as well.
Prepayment limits, on closed term mortgages, vary from lender to lender. If you exceed your prepayment limits, your mortgage lender will charge you a penalty fee. When comparing mortgage rates, also compare the prepayment limits and associated penalties for exceeding them.
An open term mortgage allows you to make unlimited extra payments (also called prepayments) towards your mortgage balance whenever you want during the mortgage term. There are no limitations on making prepayments. You're free to pay off your mortgage entirely at any point during the mortgage term.
Open term mortgages are great if you anticipate receiving a large cash influx during your mortgage term, and you want to use it to pay down your mortgage. They're also a great option if you'll be selling your home in the next year, and you want to end your mortgage term early.
Typically, open term mortgages have higher interest rates than closed mortgages. They also have shorter term lengths, such as 6 month or 1 year terms.
A high ratio mortgage is a mortgage where you put less than 20% down payment on your home purchase. If you put less than 20% down payment on your mortgage, you are required to have mortgage default insurance. These types of mortgages are called "high ratio" or "insured" mortgages. Most lenders will offer slightly lower rates on insured mortgages, but much of the interest savings can be offset by the added mortgage insurance premiums you'll have to pay.