Michelle's Mortgages in London Ontario: Watch out for the Collateral Charge Mortgage

Watch out for the collateral charge mortgage.

It sounds like a good idea… and sometimes it is. A “collateral charge mortgage” is offered by several Canadian banks. Here’s how it works: the bank registers the mortgage for more than the value of the home at closing. The benefit: it can be easier to tap into your equity later. However, it also has the effect of, well, locking you in to the lender.

We’re not always big fans of the collateral charge mortgage – because we’re all about keeping your options open. Collateral charge mortgages are very difficult to transfer to another lender. So you might see a great rate or mortgage feature at another lender… but it’ll cost you; generally, you would need to start from the beginning and pay new legal fees.

The reason so many Canadians are choosing independent mortgage brokers is for choice and expertise. We don’t believe that lenders should tie the hands of homebuyers. Not sure what your lender has offered you, or want a second opinion? Give us a call. Maybe you’ve got a good deal. Or maybe knot!