Index Growth Slows Further In January

Should I renew or refinance my mortgage? Millions of Canadians are reaching the end of their mortgage term, eager to secure the best possible rate. While many focus on renewing their existing mortgage, they may overlook the possibility of refinancing—a decision that could make a big difference in their financial picture.  What’s the Difference Between Renewal and Refinance? Renewal: At the end of your mortgage term (commonly 5 years), you need to “renew” your loan to keep it active. When you renew, your mortgage balance and amortization period (the total time you have to pay it off) stay the same. You can renegotiate your interest rate, but you can’t borrow additional funds or change the original loan amount. Example. You bought a home in June 2020 and had a mortgage of $400,000. After a 5-year term at 1.70%, your outstanding mortgage balance will be around $332,939.71, assuming you haven’t made any extra payments. At this point, you’ll need to renegotiate a new interest rate and choose a new term based on your remaining balance. Refinance: Refinancing allows you to restructure your mortgage. You can change the loan amount, extend the amortization period, and often access your home’s equity. This flexibility gives you the option to lower monthly payments, consolidate debt, or free up cash for other purposes like renovations or investing. Example: Say your home’s value has grown significantly since you first purchased it. Through refinancing, you could borrow more against that increased equity, giving you funds to complete a kitchen renovation, start a small business, or pay off higher-interest debts. The Impact of Rising Rates If you locked in a 1.70% fixed rate five years ago, today’s rates—often over 4.50%—may feel like a big leap. Simply renewing might leave you with a payment shock. Refinancing, however, gives you the ability to adjust your monthly obligations, even as rates rise, by stretching out your amortization or accessing equity for financial goals.