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· If the payments are about the same, you will be further ahead financially by making payments on a mortgaged home rather than paying rent on a house or apartment.

· Paying down your mortgage is like earning the interest that you are paying on it, tax free.

· Making no attempt to repay a mortgage is the worst thing that a borrower can do.

· The size of mortgage that you qualify for will be greatly affected by the level of your debt at the time of your mortgage application.

· When renewing your loan or selling your house, look for options and features that afford you with the maximum amount of flexibility.

· The faster you pay down your mortgage, the sooner you will have extra capital for investments.

· Look for a mortgage that offers the best prepayment privileges.

· Increasing the frequency of mortgage payments will reduce overall interest costs.

· As a general rule, you should not spend more than 30 per cent of you gross combined family income on mortgage payments.

· When purchasing a home, always remember that the price is negotiable and that you can make a counter offer.

· Remember that flexibility allows a homeowner to exploit their cash flow and pay down the principal faster. The flexibility is negotiated before you sign on the dotted line, not after.

· Shop around for the lowest possible interest rate when purchasing a mortgage or any other loan.

· Beware of the mortgage pre-approval trap as it might have you paying too much for your dream home. Just because you can borrow a large sum of money doesn't mean that you should necessarily spend that much.

· Remember that if you are changing mortgage lenders, the same qualifying factors may apply. You may be facing both legal and appraisal fees so investigate all associated costs before you act.

· Shop around for the best deal on a mortgage before getting the pre-approval in writing. You can reduce the amount of interest paid over the life of your mortgage by opting for a shorter amortization period.

· If you are guaranteed an appreciation rate that is a few points above inflation and the monthly costs of renting are the same as buying, it is a good time to purchase a home.

· Typically, lenders are looking for you to invest 25 per cent of the appraised value as a down payment towards a home. They will normally advance the balance of 75 per cent.

· If interest rates have fallen when the time comes to refinance your mortgage, continue the same monthly payment schedule to pay off the principal sooner than anticipated.

· If your monthly mortgage payment is an odd amount, ask the lender to round it up. For example, paying an additional $21.92 per month on an $800 monthly mortgage payment may not seem like a lot but it amounts to several thousand dollars over the life of the loan.

· Making weekly payments on your mortgage is an effective way of paying off the debt quickly.

· When the interest rates of most lenders are at the same level, the only way for them to compete is through the terms and conditions of the mortgage.

· Visit the bookstore to find publications on home ownership and obtaining a mortgage.

Zee (zdravko) Dimov, RRS
RE/MAX Ultimate Realty Inc.
416-569-5396
zdimov@trebnet.com
Real Estate Made Real E-Zee for You!

This is not intended to solicit clients or properties currently under contract