What’s The Difference Between An Open Mortgage And A Closed Mortgage?
You may have heard about open mortgages or closed mortgages, and are wondering what’s the difference between both.
An open mortgage typically allows the borrower to pre-pay all of the mortgages, besides renewing or refinance at any time before maturity. This also means that you can switch your lenders at any time you wish. The catch is that this flexibility to pay back the mortgage whenever you like usually comes with a higher interest rate.
An open mortgage may be an ideal solution for those who know they are receiving a large sum such as an inheritance and want to put this money onto their mortgage, or are intending to sell their home in the near future. Open mortgages can also be a good choice for those whose income will vary over time, such as self-employed individuals who will exceed the pay down allowance permitted on a closed mortgage.
A closed mortgage typically allows you to prepay a limited amount each year without a penalty, usually between 15 to 25% of the original principal amount. This type of mortgage may also include the ability to increase the size of your regular payments, up to double in many cases.
The basic advantage of a closed mortgage is that they almost always have a better rate compared to an open mortgage, although it pays to understand the pre-payment provisions in the fine print. Looking to pay off your debt early and have a closed mortgage? This type of mortgage loan may be renegotiated or refinanced in most cases with a pre-payment penalty.
The details can vary from lender to lender, so it’s better to talk to a mortgage broker early on when you’re starting to think about what financing is best for you. Your Mortgage Consultant will have the latest info on the product choices, rates, and recent interest rate trends in the Canadian financial market.
