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 Mortgage Dictionary
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The Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP) is Canada's national designation for mortgage professionals. Launched in 2004, the AMP was developed by CIMBL as part of an ongoing commitment to increasing the level of professionalism in Canada's mortgage industry through the development of educational and ethical standards.
There are two types of adjustments for which a buyer can be charged on closing;
The process of paying off the principal balance owed of the mortgage through scheduled, systematic repayments of principal and extra payments of principal at irregular intervals. Usually associated with a target period (the standard being 25 years) over which the initial blended payment is calculated. The maximum amortization period available in Canada is 40 years. This is an estimate of the current value of the property for the lender (the 'subject property'), using one or both of the following techniques;
The "assessed" value of a property is a historical, static estimate of the value of your property used by a municipal (local) government as a basis for calculating annual property taxes. An "assessment notice" from the municipality contains the "assessed value" and when multiplied by the current "mill rate" the property taxes for the year can be calculated. In some municipalities, the mill rate is provided on the assessment notice and in others it is provided separately Most Provinces allow a legal assignment of interest in a mortgage to have full legal effect without having to discharge and re-register the existing one. This is particularly useful in:
The A mortgage which a qualified buyer can take over from the current owner of a property upon its sale. Assuming a mortgage can provide a buyer with a below market interest rate, (if rates are now higher), as well as saving on the legal costs of creating and registering a whole new mortgage. "Assumption" entails a simple amendment to the mortgage document registered on title (see "switch").
A closed mortgage can often be "opened" for the purpose of extending the term. Most lenders will blend the penalty for breaking (usually an Interest Rate Differential) with the rate for the new extended term. The idea is to get a lower rate and protect against rate increases in the future
"Paying down" the mortgage rate by paying the lender a premium at time of funding. This is often used as a marketing feature by new home builders, particularly on high ratio second mortgages.
A Realtor who acts contractually on behalf of the buyer. Traditionally, and still in most cases, the Realtor is the Agent of the Sellers and is paid by them out of the proceeds of the sale. A Buyer's Agency Agreement allows a Realtor (with full disclosure to the sellers or their agent) to negotiate on behalf of the buyer, with no legal conflict of interest. The seller still pays the Buyer's Agent fees, but this is always spelled out and acknowledged in the Offer to Purchase.
A federal crown corporation which administers the "National Housing Act" (NHA), and through which all federal housing policies and programs are implemented.
The highest rate that a borrower will pay within a defined time period. Examples are; the rate committed on a commitment letter or a mortgage pre-qualification (also known as a "rate hold"); or the maximum rate that will be paid by the borrower during the term of a "protected variable rate mortgage". A lender will usually have to incur a cost to insure against rate increases during the capping period. This insurance is called a "hedge". The final exchange of consideration and legal completion of a transaction, involving either a house purchase, a mortgage registration, or both. A mortgage whose terms state that it cannot be paid out, even with a penalty, unless the lender agrees. In some cases, a closed mortgage may be discharged at a defined cost, usually Interest Rate Differential (IRD), but sometimes with a punitive penalty such as full interest to maturity.
A written commitment from a lender to lend mortgage funds to specific borrowers as long as certain conditions are met within a specified time period before closing. A key component of the commitment, particularly in a period of volatile interest rates, is the "rate hold", where a lender may "cap" a rate for a defined period, such as 60 days or 90 days. Commitments on financing for new homes, which usually have longer closing dates, can be negotiated between the lender and the builder and be held for as long as 6 months, and even a year.
Required in many municipalities throughout Canada before a property transfer can take place. This is an acknowledgement from the building department that the property either has, or is clear of outstanding work-orders. Work-orders are specific clean-up or fix-up requirements that the owner must complete, particularly before a transfer of ownership.
Some local utility companies (hydro, gas, oil) charge a fee on closing to connect new buyers up to their service. More normal, however, is an extra charge on the first billing. A mortgage usually amounting to 80% (Loan to Value ratio) or less of the value of the property. This allows you to convert your mortgage to a new one of longer term while it is still in effect.
A record of an individual's payment history available at a credit bureau. Individuals can order a copy of their own report by contacting their local bureau.
Failure to make monthly mortgage payments as agreed, or to meet certain other terms of a mortgage agreement. This feature (not offered by all lenders) allows you to double up your mortgage payments anytime without penalty. This feature is often associated with the ability to "skip" an equivalent number of payments. This can be used either to accelerate the pay-off of a mortgage (as it is an enhanced prepayment privilege) or to manage a volatile cash flow. For example, commission-based individuals such as Realtors could "double-up" with each commission cheque, and "skip" during low cash flow periods.
The amount of cash paid towards the purchase transaction by the buyer of a home. This is also known as the purchaser's initial "equity" in the property.
The difference between the value for which you could sell your property and what is owed against it. There is an important distinction from "down payment" to a lender. For example, if a buyer purchases a home without a down payment, he/ she can have "equity" if the value of the property quickly goes up.
First Mortgage A mortgage registered before all others on title. Gives the lender a primary lien/charge against your house and property that has precedence over all other mortgages. Priority is determined by the date and time registered, so a first mortgage was literally and legally registered "first". A new first mortgage can therefore only be registered as a "first" mortgage upon the discharge of an existing one if the holder of a second mortgage "postpones" (i.e., "puts back in time") to a time immediately following the registration of the new first mortgage.
This allows buyers to obtain up to 95% financing on properties up to a certain value. The loan must be insured against default by Genworth Mortgage Insurance Corporation or CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation). This maximum home value will vary according to location (local Realtors should know the applicable limit) and eligibility can vary with personal circumstances.
Canada's only private mortgage insurer. For more details see Mortgage Insurance.
The percentage arrived at by dividing your monthly shelter costs (principal, interest, property taxes, heating and half of condo fees) by your gross monthly income and multiplying by 100. This is used by all lenders as a yardstick by which to measure the ability of a borrower (or borrowers) to make mortgage payments. For example, most lenders require that this ratio be no more than 32% for a particular application, while others allow higher limits.This is also the maximum qualifying GDS for most default insurance applications.
A mortgage which is greater than 80% (Loan To Value ratio) of the value of the property. Normally requires insurance to be paid to protect the lender. (see Mortgage Insurance)
A report commissioned by a property owner or purchaser, usually to verify the condition of a property prior to the "firming up" of a Real Estate transaction. The scope and detail may vary, but most reports indicate the specific problem and the cost to repair. Unfortunately, no licensing is required, and this service is not specifically regulated other than by general consumer protection legislation. The best safeguard against inadequate work is to ask for the resume of the Inspector, and if possible check references from previous customers.
A penalty for early prepayment of all or part of a mortgage outside of its normal prepayment terms. This is usually calculated as "the difference between the existing rate and the rate for the term remaining, multiplied by the principal outstanding and the balance of the term". Example.
A tax payable to the Provincial Government by the purchaser upon the transfer of title from a seller. This is a claim made against a property for the payment of a debt or obligation related to the property or its owners. The percentage of the value of the property for which a mortgage is required. This ratio is important in determining whether or not default insurance is required, and if so, what the cost of that insurance will be (see "Mortgage Insurance") For example, if the property value is $200,000, the down payment available is $20,000 and the required mortgage is $180,000. The LTV is $180,000/$200,000 or 90%.
A rate that multiplies by each one thousand dollars of property assessment to give the annual real estate taxes.
A registered agent who negotiates with lenders on behalf of a borrower to obtain the best overall mortgage for that borrower's circumstances. Mortgage Brokers are particularly useful in financing "non standard" situations which cannot be funded by a major national lender. This is possible because a Mortgage Broker has access to lenders who do not advertise nationally or operate retail locations.
Also known as the "lender" — the funder and holder of the mortgage. If your down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price of the property, the lender is going to require either private mortgage insurance or public mortgage insurance through Genworth Mortgage Insurance Corporation or Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CMHC). The fee is calculated as a percentage of your mortgage. This is known as default insurance. (Please note that ORIGIN will calculate this amount for you automatically if your mortgage falls into this category.)
A service of a local Real Estate Board which publishes and exchanges details of properties registered with them. While this used to be for the exclusive use of registered Realtors, it is now possible for a private individual to "list" a property without committing to pay a Realtor a "listing commission" if the property sells. The majority of properties sold in Canada are sold through the local MLS.
Special levies can be charged by municipalities to recover the cost of special services, if these services cannot, for some reason, be funded out of general revenues, or apply primarily to home buyers. Examples: Water meter installation; road improvements, sewer improvements.
This allows you to pay back the borrowed funds without notice or penalty. There are two types of open mortgages:
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Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP)