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Mortgages

How to switch your mortgage

July 26, 2024
4
min read

As your mortgage term reaches maturity and interest rates change, you might consider making a mortgage transfer to another bank or credit union.

Couple gets keys to new house

Thinking about switching your mortgage?

“A mortgage transfer is the process of moving your mortgage over from one lender to another,” says Chris Saffie, Personal Banking Manager at Cambrian.

“You usually do this when your mortgage is up for maturity at the end of your term, but in some circumstances, you might want to switch sooner – for example, to refinance your mortgage to pay for renovations or to take advantage of a better offer.”

We met with Chris to talk about how mortgage transfers work, and why you should switch your mortgage to Cambrian!

Why should I transfer my mortgage?

A few common reasons why you might do so include:

  • You can get a better rate elsewhere. “The mortgage landscape is ever changing. There’s a good chance that the lender you signed up with 5 years ago no longer has the best rate,” says Chris.
  • You aren’t happy with your current prepayment privileges. “Some lenders are restrictive with prepayment penalties, whereas Cambrian is a lot more flexible. With us, you can prepay up to 20% of your original mortgage balance every year without penalty.”
  • You want personalized advice. “As a Cambrian member, you’ll get responsive service and tailored advice when discussing how to structure your mortgage – that’s the difference our personalized advice makes.”
  • Simplify your finances by moving your mortgage to the same place you bank. Already a Cambrian member? By moving your mortgage over, you won’t have to make payments from different accounts.

What should I consider before making a mortgage switch?

“If you’re breaking your mortgage term, you may want to check with your lender what the penalty will be,” says Chris.

“When you transfer a mortgage before it reaches maturity, a typical pre-payment penalty could be 3 months of interest or the interest rate differential. It's best to check with your current lender to confirm.”

“Make sure you’re striking the balance between getting the best rate, the prepayment terms you need, and the mortgage term that suits your financial goals. We can check if it’s feasible to make the switch now, or if it’s better to wait out the end of your term.”

“If your existing mortgage is maturing, you can move it to Cambrian for free, because we cover your transfer fees.”

How to transfer your mortgage to another bank or credit union

We make the process of switching your mortgage simple! Follow these steps:

  1. Start by applying for your new mortgage online.
  2. Once we receive your application, we’ll contact you to schedule a time to review it together. From there, we‘ll determine the best rate and term options for your financial needs, and gather the documents we require.
  3. In some cases, you may need to have your home appraised to determine its value.
  4. Sign the final documents & fund the newly transferred mortgage!

What are the benefits of switching my mortgage to Cambrian?

We cover your transfer fees

“We make it easy to do your banking in one place, because we pay your transfer fees and give you free banking through Unfee,” says Chris.

When you transfer your mortgage to Cambrian, we cover the following fees:

  • Title Insurance Fees. We’ll cover the fees for First Canadian Title to protect you in the event of title or land survey issues.
  • Discharge Fees. When you transfer your mortgage, your current financial institution must give up the rights to your property. This is known as “discharging” your mortgage. Cambrian covers up to $235 of discharge fees.
  • Property Valuation Fees. As part of the mortgage transfer, we may require a property value appraisal to establish the value of your home, and we’ll cover the fees.

Competitive rates

“We offer among the lowest rates in the market, which makes Cambrian a very cost-effective place to have your mortgage,” says Chris.

On top of that, as a Cambrian member, you bank for free!

Personalized advice

“We can give you guidance on what’s best suited for your needs,” says Chris.

“When working with a Cambrian Advisor, you get to sit down with a lending expert who knows all the different options available to you. We take the time to evaluate and understand your financial position.”

Thinking about switching mortgage lenders at renewal? Let’s talk!

“There’s a lot to consider before you switch your mortgage to another bank or credit union,” says Chris.

First, you must determine:

  • The mortgage term and interest rate you’re choosing
  • The amortization period and how it will affect monthly payments
  • If you want to add additional money for home renovations or debt consolidation
  • And more!

“When you meet with one of our advisors, we’ll perform a holistic review of your finances to determine the position you’re in and choose a mortgage that sets you up for financial success!”

Ready to get started on switching lenders? Book a meeting today!

Today’s Rates

*All rates and yields subject to change without notice.
5 Year Fixed Special Offer
4.50
%
4 Year Fixed Special Offer
4.50
%
3 Year Fixed Special Offer
4.70
%
5 Year Variable Closed Mortgage
5.65
%
Variable Open Mortgage
6.45
%

Want to Discuss with an Advisor?

We would be happy to discuss your unique situation with you.
Our goal is to make complex topics like this one, simple.

“I had a wonderful experience at Cambrian. I've been with the same institution for the last 21 years and all the fees and restrictions have finally pushed me into wanting to make some changes.

My advisor was prepared for my arrival with all the documents ready and waiting. He took the time to go over each one...”

Read full client story
Stephan

on his experience with Cambrian

five stars
4.9

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