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One of the most common sources of confusion for prospective home buyers is the difference between a mortgage term and amortization period. A typical mortgage in Canada has a 5-year term with a 25-year amortization period.

  Mortgage term Mortgage amortization
Description The length of time you are committed to a mortgage rate, lender, and conditions set out by the lender.
The length of time if takes you to pay off your entire mortgage.
Time frame 6 months - 10 years CMHC-insured mortgage: Maximum 25 years Non CMHC-insured mortgage: 35-40 years (lender dependent)

Mortgage term

The mortgage term is the length of time you commit to the mortgage rate, lender, and associated mortgage terms and conditions. The term you choose will have a direct effect on your mortgage rate, with short terms historically proven to be lower than long-term mortgage rates. The term acts like a 'reset' button on a mortgage. When the term is up, you must renew your mortgage on the remaining principle, at a new rate available at the end of the term.


chart


Source: Bank of Canada, 5-year mortgage rate


Mortgage amortization period

The mortgage amortization period, on the other hand, is the length of time it will take you to pay off your entire mortgage. The maximum amortization period in Canada is 35 years; however on July 9th 2012, the maximum amortization period on CMHC insured mortgages will be reduced to 25 years. Longer amortization periods reduce your monthly payments, as you are paying your mortgage off over a greater number of years. However, you will pay more interest over the life of the mortgage.

Maximum amortization reduced to 25 years on July 9th, 2012

In June 2012, Minister Flaherty announced that the maximum amortization period on all CMHC insured homes would be reduced from 30 to 25 years. CMHC insurance is required on all home purchases with a down payment of 20% or less. Therefore, if you are putting more than 20% down on your purchase, some lenders may accept an amortization period of greater than 30 years.

Prior to this, on March 18th 2011, the maximum amortization on CMHC insured mortgages was reduced from 25 to 20 years.

Many home buyers choose shorter amortization periods resulting in higher monthly payments if they can afford to do so, knowing that it promotes positive saving behaviour and reduces the total interest payable. For example, let us consider a $300,000 mortgage, and compare a 25-year versus 30-year amortization period.

Short vs. long term amortization periods

 

Scenario A
Shorter amortization
(25 years)

Scenario B
Longer amortization
(30 years)

Difference
(Scenario B-A)
Mortgage amount $300,000 $300,000 -
Amortization period 25 years 30 years -
Interest rate 5.1% 5.1% -
Monthly payment $1,762 $1,620 ($142)
Total interest $228,580 $339,659 $111,079

The mortgage payments under scenario B are smaller each month, but the home owner will make monthly payments for 5 additional years. The total interest saved by going with a shorter amortization period exceeds $100,000.

For the savvy investor, these savings should be compared to the opportunity cost of other investments. Using the example above, the monthly savings of $142 under scenario B, could be invested elsewhere, and, depending on the rate of return, could come out ahead after 35 years.

Prepayment privileges set out by your lender will determine whether you can shorten your amortization period, by either increasing your regular monthly payments and/or putting lump sum payments towards the principal, without penalty. However, beyond these privileges, you will often incur costly penalties for making additional payments. According to the Canadian Association of Mortgage Professionals, 24% of Canadians took advantage of prepayment options in 2009.

Popularity of mortgage term and amortization periods

  Age group
  18-34 35-54 55+ All ages
1 year term 5% 7% 6% 6%
2-4 year term 27% 18% 12% 20%
5 year term 66% 65% 69% 66%
6-10 year term 3% 9% 10% 7%
>10 year term 0 0 2% 1%

Source: Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP) Fall 2010 Consumer Report

A 5-year mortgage term, at 66% of all mortgages, is by far the most common duration. A further breakdown shows that an additional 8% of mortgages have terms exceeding five years, while 26% of mortgages have shorter terms, including 6% with one year or less and 20% with terms from one year to less than four years.

  Type of purchase
  New purchase
All mortgages
Up to 25 years
58% 78%
30 years
12% 8%
35 years
30% 8%
40 years
0% 6%

Source: Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP) Fall 2010 Consumer Report

The most common mortgage amortization period, on the other hand, is 25 years. However, 42% of new mortgages had amortization periods exceeding 25 years. This is an interesting observation considering amortization periods were only extended to 35 years in 2006.1 Beginning March 18th 2011, the maximum amortization period on all CMHC insured homes will be reduced from 35 to 30 years. 

 

[1] CAAMP Fall 2010 Consumer Report

[2] Mortgage amortization period reduced to 30 years on CMHC insured mortgages as of March 18th, 2011

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