05/10/2023
The recent surge in variable mortgage rates has emerged as a significant concern for Canadians with variable mortgages, resulting in an increase in negative amortization. For those unfamiliar with the concept, negative amortization occurs when the bank strives to maintain a constant monthly payment, despite the rise in interest rates from a 1.5% APR to an unsettling 6%. As a consequence, the current monthly payment becomes insufficient to cover the interest and principal sum. Their mortgage balance is growing instead of being paid down.
This leads to an elongated amortization period, stretching from 25 years to a daunting 75 years for some, or even 90 years as seen in the media lately. Clearly, this is not an ideal scenario for either the borrower or the banks.
Real estate observers say a new mortgage code of conduct promised in the federal budget will be handy for Canadians facing financial difficulties, but they still feel the economic plan was lacking needed housing affordability measures.