Best 4-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates In Canada

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Best 4-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates In Canada

Best 4-year fixed mortgage rates from top mortgage lenders in Canada. Rates are updated daily. Select a mortgage to view more details.

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Overview Of The Best 4-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates In Canada

It can sometimes be confusing to decide between a 5-year and a 4-year term mortgage because of the short time lapse between them. There is only a one-year difference between these two mortgage terms. But this difference can cost you or save you thousands of dollars in interest payments and probably pre-payment charges. 

You will learn all you need to know to make the right mortgage term decision. We cover the rationale when selecting your mortgage term, why 4-year terms are better and not better for you, and what to do next when your mortgage term ends.

Understanding A 4-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage?

A 4-year fixed-rate mortgage allows you to lock in a fixed rate with a specific lender for four years. Even if the market rate changes, your mortgage rate and regular mortgage payment will not change for the entire agreement term. 

A 4-year mortgage term gives you the unique opportunity to enjoy peace of mind without worrying about short-paying your mortgage principal because of a change to the market rate. The payment is stable for the entire term of your contract.

How Fixed-Rate Mortgage Affects The Relationship With Your Lender

A 4-year term mortgage keeps you in a relationship with a specific lender for four years.

You are bound by all the “terms and conditions” of the mortgage agreement and are obligated to make regular mortgage payments while in a relationship with the lender.

During these four years, your relationship with the lender can be open or closed, commonly called open-term or closed-term mortgages.

The main difference between these terms is your ability to pay off the mortgage during your mortgage agreement with the lender. 

A closed-term mortgage cannot be negotiated, refinanced or paid off in full before the end of the 4-year term without incurring a prepayment penalty.

An open-term mortgage allows you to fully pay off, negotiate, or refinance your mortgage anytime without a prepayment penalty. 

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How Does A 4-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Work?

Mortgage contracts are designed to last for a specific period. This is called a mortgage term.

The “term” is the time you contract to hold the loan with a specific lender. 

You can either renew your mortgage contract with the same lender or take your mortgage to a new lender through a process called mortgage refinance after the  4-year term agreement. 

This is not to be confused with amortization, which is how long you are expected to pay off the mortgage loan ultimately. The most common amortization periods in Canada are 25 years and 30 years. 

Let’s say your mortgage has a 4-year fixed-rate term, amortized over 25 years, with a monthly payment of $2,000 to $3,000. 

In Canada, a mortgage term can range from six months to 10 years. A 4-year fixed-rate mortgage implies that your mortgage contract with the lender will expire (or mature) after four years from the mortgage registration date.

Because your mortgage rate is fixed for the entire  4-year term, your monthly payment will not be affected by the rate changes in the market, and it will stay the same every pay period for the entire four years of the mortgage term.

What Happens At The End Of The 4-year Fixed Rate Term?

At the end of the 4-year term, you can choose to either renew or refinance the mortgage.

Refinancing The Mortgage

Mortgage refinancing allows you to replace an existing mortgage with a new mortgage under different terms and conditions. Refinancing a mortgage will enable you to customize your mortgage more, such as switching the rate type from fixed to variable, switching the terms from four years to three years, four years or even one year.

There are many reasons why you may choose to refinance your mortgage after the end of the 4-year term:  

  • To lower your interest rate,  
  • To pay off your mortgage sooner by shortening the term; 
  • To convert from a fixed-rate mortgage to a variable-rate mortgage and vice versa; 
  • To cash out on the equity in the home for debt consolidation, for a financial emergency, or to finance a significant investment.

Renew the Mortgage or Switch Lenders

Mortgage renewal is continuing your previous mortgage contract to a new term. Other features of your mortgage will remain the same as your interest rate, which will be reassessed to match the market rate, and the term, which will start as a new term.

When you renew the mortgage, your amortization period and the loan balance will not change from your current balances.

Federally regulated lenders, such as TD, First National, and EQB, must provide you with a renewal letter at least two days before your current mortgage term ends.

The renewal statement will contain the following information: 

  • the balance or remaining principal at the renewal date; 
  • the interest rate; 
  • the payment frequency; 
  • the term; and 
  • any charges or fees that apply.

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Is a 4-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Right for You?

A 4-year fixed-rate mortgage will be right for you if you: 

  • want to enjoy a predictable and consistent mortgage payment each month for the next four years;
  • are you not looking at changing or refinancing your mortgage for the next four years; 
  • are you hoping for a change in your financial, credit, or family needs that may warrant a lifestyle change or
  • Want to enjoy a cheaper fixed-term mortgage? 4-year fixed-rate mortgages usually have lower mortgage rates than a five-year fixed-rate mortgage. 

 

On the flip side, a 4-year fixed-rate mortgage would not be suitable for you if: 

  • You are expecting a drop in mortgage rates within a few months. A fixed-rate term mortgage does not offer the flexibility to benefit from a decline in the mortgage rate.
  • You want a lower mortgage payment. Mortgage rates for one-year, two-year and three-year fixed-rate terms are lower than that of a 4-year fixed-rate mortgage.
  • Reestablishing your credit or financial situation will take longer than four years.

Which Is Better – A 4-Year Fixed-Rate or 5-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage?

A 4-year fixed-rate mortgage is better if: 

  • You want a lower rate. 4-year fixed rates are often lower than a comparable 5-year fixed rate;
  • you have to refinance the mortgage within the next four years to pay off other debts or cash out on the equity to finance other large investment projects like buying a second home and more or
  • you are less than likely to sell the house before the end of the 4-year term. 

 

A 5-year fixed-rate mortgage is better if: 

  • you want the security of a predictable and consistent payment for longer than four years;
  • you do not expect a change in your financial, personal, or family situation soon;
  • you intend to live in the house for at least the next five years or 
  • you do not plan to change the mortgage structure in the next five years.

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