Mortgage refinancing in Canada is a popular way for homeowners to reduce monthly payments, lower interest rates, or access home equity for other needs.
By replacing your existing mortgage with a new one, you can benefit from better terms that fit your current financial goals.
Is mortgage refinancing in Canada that simple? Home loan refinancing can be tricky, and mistakes can be costly. However, when done correctly, it can help you achieve your financial goals more quickly.
This guide will help you avoid refinancing pitfalls. It covers the importance of shopping around for the best rates, the impact of ignoring your credit score, and the total cost of refinancing. Additionally, it will discuss the meaning of a loan term, planning for the future, and the potential penalties for breaking your current mortgage. By being aware of these common mistakes, you can make smarter choices and maximize refinancing benefits.
To ensure you're fully prepared for this important financial decision, let's explore a list of common refinancing mistakes you should avoid.
1. You Should Not Choose the First Rate Offered to You
One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is failing to shop around for the best mortgage rates when refinancing. This means accepting the first offer they get without comparing rates from multiple lenders. Homeowners often get their first and only offer from their bank or mortgage provider thinking they will give them the best deal.
This mistake can lead to choosing a higher interest rate option and unfavourable terms, which can end up costing more money over time. People often make this mistake because they aren't aware of how important it is to compare rates or because it is convenient to accept the first offer they receive.
Ensure you research and compare rates from different lenders. We recommend comparing various banks, credit unions, and online lenders to see who offers the best deal. By doing a bit of research and creating a spreadsheet of all the rates and terms you find, you can secure a better interest rate and save a lot of money in the future.
Don't rush into home loan refinancing. Explore your options to make an informed decision for your financial future.
2. You Should Not Ignore the Associated Fees
Another common mistake of homeowners when refinancing is focusing solely on lowering their interest rate while ignoring other associated costs, such as mortgage registration fees, mortgage discharge fees, appraisal fees, legal fees, and even prepayment penalties. Based on our experience, mortgage registration fees can range from $70-150, mortgage discharge fees from $200-350, appraisal fees from $300-600, and legal fees from $750-$1,250 in Canada.
If these expenses are overlooked, refinancing benefits can be diminished or even undone. This can result in financial strain and higher overall payments than initially expected.
It's crucial to consider every expense associated with refinancing. We recommend calculating the total costs, including all fees, and comparing them to the potential savings from a lower interest rate. You can do these preliminary calculations on your own, or consult a financial advisor who has the expertise to provide a more accurate estimate.
Ensure that your savings outweigh the costs. By having a comprehensive understanding of the total financial impact of refinancing your mortgage, you can make a more informed decision. This can help you avoid surprises and ensure that refinancing truly benefits your financial situation.
3. You Should Not Ignore Your Credit Score
Refinancing your mortgage without checking your credit score is another common mistake. If your credit score is low, it can lead to less favourable terms and higher interest rates, resulting in more expensive loans. This is because lenders see you as a higher risk. Many people make this mistake because they assume their current credit status is good, don't know their credit score, or don't realize how crucial it is in the refinancing process.
Always check your credit report before applying for refinancing. Look for any errors and have them corrected quickly. To improve your credit score, focus on paying down existing debt and ensuring timely payments on all your accounts.
For example, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada recommends people monitor their payment history by making payments on time, using their credit wisely, keeping credit accounts open for longer, and limiting credit applications to improve and protect their credit score. By doing this, you could secure better rates and terms, making refinancing more beneficial.
4. You Should Not Extend Your Loan Term Unnecessarily
Lengthening your mortgage term to have lower monthly payments can be helpful if you're focused on immediate financial relief. However, people are often not fully aware of the long-term implications and costs. They might opt for extending their loan term because of short-term budget constraints or unexpected financial changes.
While this might reduce your immediate financial burden by lowering your monthly payments, it often means you'll pay much more interest over the life of the loan. You can use an online mortgage calculator to determine how much interest you might pay.
If you are considering this option, ensure the new term aligns with your long-term financial goals and that the overall cost savings are clear. Consider consulting a financial advisor to fully understand the impact of extending your loan term. Always balance immediate needs with long-term financial health to ensure refinancing is truly beneficial.
5. You Should Not Overestimate Your Home's Equity
Overestimating your home's equity when refinancing your mortgage is another common mistake homeowners make. Assuming your home is worth more than its actual market value can not only lead to disappointment but also potential issues when trying to secure suitable refinancing terms. For example, you might think that renovations or an improved housing market have significantly increased your home's value, but this may not be true.
We recommend getting a realistic estimate of your home's value from a professional real estate appraiser before refinancing. This ensures you have an accurate idea of your home's worth. Additionally, we recommend conducting your own research by reviewing recent sales of comparable homes in your area to gain a clearer understanding of the market.
6. You Should Not Neglect Future Plans
Not thinking about your future plans when refinancing your mortgage may lead to significant issues. For instance, refinancing without consideration of how long you intend to stay in your home is a common mistake. If you move shortly after refinancing, you might not recover the associated costs, potentially leading to financial loss.
People commonly overlook other implications, such as the impact on retirement savings or other financial goals. These mistakes are often made when focusing on short-term benefits without considering long-term housing plans.
We recommend assessing your future housing plans before deciding to refinance. Ensure it aligns with your timeline and financial goals. You can consult with a financial advisor to understand how refinancing fits into your broader financial and housing plans. This can ensure that refinancing supports your long-term financial well-being and avoids unnecessary expenses.
7. You Should Not Ignore Prepayment Penalties
Overlooking prepayment penalties in mortgage refinancing can surprise you with hidden costs, diminishing the benefits. For example, prepayment penalties could be calculated as three months' interest or based on the interest rate differential (IRD). These penalties can vary depending on factors such as interest rates, the remaining term on your mortgage, and the amount being repaid. According to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada on an outstanding mortgage balance of $200,000 with a 6% interest rate and 36 months left on a three-year term, the RDI would be $12,000.
These penalties can significantly increase your expenses, reducing or negating savings from a lower interest rate or other benefits. This can lead to financial stress and frustration. People often make this mistake when they fail to read the mortgage terms carefully or misunderstand the implications of prepayment clauses.
Take the time to fully understand the terms of your current mortgage, especially regarding prepayment penalties. Consider these costs when determining whether refinancing is worthwhile. Discuss this with your lender or a financial advisor to ensure you understand these penalties clearly. By taking this step, you'll gain a better understanding of any additional costs you may be subject to.
8. You Should Not Procrastinate when Locking in the Interest Rate
Failing to lock in the interest rate when refinancing your mortgage can lead to missed opportunities and increased costs. This mistake occurs when you don't secure a favourable interest rate, leaving you vulnerable to potential increases before closing. Interest rates can fluctuate because of economic factors and even small changes can affect your monthly payments significantly.
Homeowners often seek to refinance when rates are low to reduce their monthly payments or shorten their loan term. However, if rates increase before finalizing the refinance, you could have a higher rate than expected, negating potential savings.
People often make this mistake because of procrastination or trying to predict future rate movements. Once you are comfortable with the offer, act quickly to secure your interest rate. We suggest that you lock in your interest rate before you need it. You can lock in a rate 30 to 120 days before closing. Consult with your lender about the best timing and ensure you're ready to secure the best rate possible.
9. You Should Not Overlook the Fine Print
Failing to read the fine print in your mortgage agreement can lead to unexpected fees or restrictions, especially if you plan to exit your current agreement and refinance. This mistake happens when you overlook contract details, including terms, conditions, and penalties for breaches. People often make this mistake by relying heavily on verbal contract explanations or failing to review legal documents thoroughly.
Be sure to carefully read and understand all terms and conditions before signing. If needed, consider seeking assistance from a knowledgeable friend, family member, or legal professional who can review the contract with you. Asking questions and clarifying any unclear points can also help ensure you fully understand mortgage agreement implications. By being proactive and diligent in reviewing the fine print, you can prevent potential issues if you decide to refinance your mortgage in the future.
10. You Should Not Defer Filing your Taxes
Not filing your taxes or failing to keep them up to date can create significant challenges when looking to refinance your mortgage. When homeowners neglect to file their taxes regularly, they typically have incomplete financial documentation.
In Canada, up-to-date tax filings are crucial for obtaining a mortgage or refinancing. Lenders use tax returns to verify income and assess financial stability. This is especially critical for self-employed individuals whose income documentation relies heavily on tax filings. Incomplete tax records can delay refinancing processing and may even result in higher interest rates or less favourable terms.
We recommend ensuring all tax filings are current and organized before applying for refinancing. Consider speaking with a tax professional to keep your filings and financial documentation current.
Why People Make These Mistakes
Many people make mistakes when refinancing their mortgage due to a lack of awareness or understanding. Homeowners often underestimate the complexities involved, which can lead to missing details or making assumptions that result in financial setbacks. Here is a list of reasons why people make these common mistakes:
- 1: Homeowners may lack awareness about the complexities of refinancing, including the importance of reading the fine print and understanding financial terms. This can lead to overlooking crucial details or making assumptions that can have financial implications in the future.
- 2: Misunderstanding financial terms and implications is another common pitfall. Concepts like prepayment penalties or the total cost of refinancing may not be fully understood, leading to unexpected expenses or missed opportunities for savings.
- 3: Overconfidence in your financial situation can also be a factor. You might assume your credit score or home value is higher than it is, leading to poor decisions when negotiating terms or considering plans.
- 4: Procrastination and poor planning also contribute to mistakes. Delaying actions, like locking in favourable interest rates or updating tax filings, can lead to missed opportunities or complications during refinancing.
- 5: Failing to seek professional advice can leave you vulnerable to errors or misunderstandings. Consulting with experts can provide clarity and guidance, ensuring informed decisions and smoother refinancing experiences.
Conclusion
When considering mortgage refinancing in Canada, you should be aware of common mistakes homeowners make so you can avoid them. Mistakes include not shopping around for the best rates, ignoring the total cost of refinancing, not checking your credit scores, extending the loan term unnecessarily, and overestimating home equity. Other errors involve failing to lock in interest rates, not reading the mortgage agreement's fine print, and neglecting to file up-to-date taxes.
These mistakes often come from not researching, misunderstanding financial terms, overconfidence, procrastination, and not seeking professional advice. To avoid these pitfalls, it's crucial to thoroughly research and plan, seek expert guidance, and review relevant mortgage refinance tips to make informed decisions.
Making well-informed choices may help you achieve the best refinancing terms and support your long-term financial goals.
