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GemInite
Nov 8th, 2009, 10:43 PM
I'm a bit confused about how interest rates work. I was under the impression that if rates went up then your monthly would go up. But according to TD/RBC if rates change your monthly payments stay the same it's just the amount that's paid to interest that changes. Does this apply to just variable?

I guess I'm confused because I read all the articles where they are like be prepared for when interest rates go up you'll have to pay more.

http://www.tdcanadatrust.com/mortgages/select.jsp

Fixed rate or variable rate

When you take out a fixed-rate mortgage, your interest rate will not change throughout the entire term of your mortgage. As a result, you'll always know exactly how much your payments will be and how much of your mortgage will be paid off at the end of your term.

With a variable-rate mortgage, your rate will be set in relation to TD MORTGAGE Prime at the beginning of each month. In other words, it may vary from month to month. Historically, variable-rate mortgages have tended to cost less than fixed-rate mortgages when interest rates are fairly stable.

When rates change, your payment amount remains the same. However, the amount that is applied toward interest and principal will change. If interest rates drop, more of your mortgage payment is applied to the principal balance owing. This can help you pay off your mortgage faster.

Royal banks page
http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/products/mortgages/mortgage-rates-overview.html

Variable Rate Mortgage

With a variable rate mortgage, mortgage payments are set for the term, even though interest rates may fluctuate during that time. If interest rates go down, more of the payment is applied to reduce the principal; if rates go up, more of the payment is applied to payment of interest. Variable rate mortgages may be open or closed.

A variable rate mortgage provides you with the flexibility to take advantage of falling interest rates and to convert to a fixed rate mortgage at any time.



- Barry C.

zombie999
Nov 8th, 2009, 10:55 PM
Your payment amount will not change. If the rates go up, it will cost you more as the amortization of your mortgage will increase.

AllWheelDrift
Nov 8th, 2009, 11:31 PM
Your payment amount will not change. If the rates go up, it will cost you more as the amortization of your mortgage will increase.
Actually, it varies between lenders. I have a variable open mortgage with Scotia and my payment changes with the interest rates.

Also, I believe if rates go up enough, your payments will increase to keep the amortizaton from becoming negative.

zombie999
Nov 9th, 2009, 12:37 AM
Actually, it varies between lenders. I have a variable open mortgage with Scotia and my payment changes with the interest rates.

Interesting, I was talking about RBC variable closed.

Also, I believe if rates go up enough, your payments will increase to keep the amortizaton from becoming negative.

My triggering rate is 20%. If prime goes that high, there will be trouble.

GemInite
Nov 9th, 2009, 01:18 AM
so say I'm on a 25 year amortization at today's rates.

How will that affect my payments when interest rates go up?

ns_guy
Nov 9th, 2009, 09:07 AM
so say I'm on a 25 year amortization at today's rates.

How will that affect my payments when interest rates go up?

Generally for a variable rate mortgage, your payments will remain the same but the amount of your payment being applied to principal and interest will vary.

Example: let's say currently you pay $1000/mth to your mortgage. Right now, your last payment paid $800 in interest to the bank, and $200 was applied to principal. Next payment, you might pay $799 in interest and $201 in principal if interest rates stayed the same. However, by the time your next payment is due, interest rates have increased...you pay the same $1000payment however because interest rates increased, you are now paying $810 in interest and $180 in principal to the bank. Because less is now going towards principal - it will take you longer to pay your mortgage back (increased amortization). To compensate for this, you will need to increase your payments or apply a prepayment to lower your amortization down to the original length you wanted.

GemInite
Nov 9th, 2009, 10:10 AM
If I go on a variable how will I be able to track how much is going to the interest vs. principal? Is this something the lender will set up for me?

Or is there a calculator?

We plan on paying aggressively so I would not see making extra payments an issue when interest rates go back up.

ns_guy
Nov 9th, 2009, 10:34 PM
If I go on a variable how will I be able to track how much is going to the interest vs. principal? Is this something the lender will set up for me?

Or is there a calculator?

We plan on paying aggressively so I would not see making extra payments an issue when interest rates go back up.

RBC has this calculator, although any bank should have the tool to print this for you in person (CIBC does I know). In person at the bank, they can show you different prepayment scenarios + the affect of accelerated payments too. Enter the information for your mortgage, then click calculate. Choose your payment frequency on the left (monthly, bi-weekly etc.) then click "Show amortization table" on the right of the page. Once it opens, click "Show full amortization table" and it shows you the full information on each payment.

upupnorth
Nov 10th, 2009, 09:34 AM
Lots of great calculators here, Canadian specific ones too:
http://dinkytown.net/