Economic forecasting seems to be getting more and more difficult. Who would have thought a year ago that interest rates would fall to the current level? We had an increase in fixed rates that started in 2007 and pretty much continued to December 2008. During this time many buyers thinking this was the trend decided to lock into fixed rates. Home buyers locked in their mortgage at the 5 year fixed rate which was around 5.75%. Today we can get a 5 year rate as low as 4.29%. If you have a fixed rate mortgage it makes sense to re-evaluate whether it would be worthwhile to switch to a lower interest rate mortgage.

Breaking your mortgage will result in a prepayment penalty payable to your current lender. The question is whether the savings from the lower interest rate is enough to cover the penalties and any closing costs on the new mortgage. Each situation would have to be addressed on an individual basis. I have run into several cases where there has been significant benefits to switching to a lower rate.

Here is one such scenario:

• Mortgage amount – $188,393
• Term – 5 yr term with 2 yrs remaining on mortgage, – 22 year amortization
• Interest rate at 5.75% – interest payable over next two years – $20,923
• Interest rate of 4.29% – interest payable over next two years – $15,587
• Difference equals $5336
• Prepayment penalty of $1,865 – 3 months interest penalty

Difference in monthly payment: $153.95
The other huge benefit is that you are now in a 5 year mortgage at a rate of 4.29%, imagine the additional savings you will receive from the remaining 3 years.
What if you are only 1 year into a 5 year term, most lenders would charge you interest rate differential!

• Mortgage Amount – $230,615
• 1 year into a 5 year term
• Interest rate at 5.75%
• New interest rate 4.29%
• Remaining interest on current mortgage $50,250
• Interest on new mortgage $37,274
• Penalty would be Interest rate differential =

Difference in monthly payment: $189.85

The borrower had 2 options in this case – switch to a 4 yr term mortgage at 4.39% or get a variable rate at 3.8%. Here is the total interest he would pay over the remaining 4 years of his mortgage based on these terms:

• 4 yr term – $59,263
• Variable rate mortgage – $50,037
• Stay at the current mortgage for the next 4 years – $75,500

The client saves $25,463 (or $75,500 less $50,037) by switching to a variable rate mortgage. The net savings is $15,463 (or $25,463 less $10,000 penalty).