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Overview Of The Best 7-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates In Canada
Learn the basics to see if a 7-year fixed-rate mortgage is right for you.
Most Canadians know about a 5-year term mortgage, but even longer-term mortgages are available.
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 7-year terms are better or not better for you, and what to do next when your mortgage term ends.
Understanding A 7-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage?
A 7-year fixed-rate mortgage allows you to lock into a fixed rate with a specific lender for seven years. Even if the market rate changes, your mortgage rate and regular mortgage payment will not change for the entire agreement term.
A 7-year mortgage term gives you the unique opportunity to enjoy peace of mind without worrying about short-paying your mortgage principal due to 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 7-year mortgage keeps you in a relationship with a specific lender for seven 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 seven years, your relationship with the lender can be open or closed, commonly referred to as an open-term or closed-term mortgage. 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 7-year term without incurring a prepayment penalty. An open-term mortgage allows you to fully pay off, negotiate, or refinance your mortgage at any time without incurring a prepayment penalty.
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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 7-year term agreement.
This is not to be confused with amortization, which is how long you are expected to ultimately pay off the entire loan. The most common amortization periods in Canada are 25 years and 30 years.
Let’s say your mortgage has a 7-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 7-year fixed-rate mortgage implies that your mortgage contract with the lender will expire (or mature) seven years after the mortgage registration date.
Because your mortgage rate is fixed for the entire 7-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 seven years of the mortgage term.
What Happens At The End Of A 7-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage?
At the end of the 7-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 seven years to three years, seven years or even one year.
There are many reasons why you may choose to refinance your mortgage after the end of the 7-year term:
To lower your interest rate;
To pay off your mortgage sooner by shortening the term;
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 Bank, Haventree Bank, Scotia Bank, and Bridgewater Bank, are required to provide you with a renewal letter at least two days before the end of your current mortgage term.
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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A 7-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 seven years;
are you not looking at changing or refinancing your mortgage for the next seven years; or
are hoping for a change in your financial, credit, or family needs that may warrant a lifestyle change.
On the flip side, a 7-year fixed-rate mortgage would not be suitable for you if:
you are expecting a drop in the mortgage rate. Locking into a contract for seven years does not offer the flexibility to benefit from declining the mortgage rate; or
want a lower mortgage payment. Mortgage rates for four-year and 5-year fixed terms are lower than that of a 7-year term fixed-rate mortgage.