Quantcast
Variable, or fixed? - Beyond.ca - Car Forums
Page 1 of 3 1 2 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 46

Thread: Variable, or fixed?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    A slow bike & an even slower car.
    Posts
    6,336
    Rep Power
    31

    Default Variable, or fixed?

    Someone please educate me a little here. Buying a condo ASAP (like, possibly tomorrow) and have preapproval in place for a variable mortgage. However, a few people are telling me to lock in at 4.06%.

    Insights from anyone?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Not Aspen
    My Ride
    Two from Freemont
    Posts
    9,807
    Rep Power
    45

    Default

    In the past, people on Variable have always done better (paid less interest). It all depends on your risk tolerance.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    My Ride
    Acura TL, 2016 Yamaha FZ-07
    Posts
    1,091
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    Rates are coming up and more than likely will keep going up slowly, so like what Benyl mentioned, it depends what your risk tolerance is like. Have you ever tried talking to a broker about a mix of fixed/variable rate? It might be something you want to check out.

    If you're buying a condo and you want to put an offer to it, just pay the down payment with conditions that you get your papers all worked out. If it's brand new I think you also have 10 days so you still have some time to shop around for the best mortgage for you.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Calgary AB
    My Ride
    2020 Subaru Forester Sport
    Posts
    2,967
    Rep Power
    41

    Default

    you could always go variable and then convert to fixed, my buddy at TD bank can hook you up. PM me for details

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    A slow bike & an even slower car.
    Posts
    6,336
    Rep Power
    31

    Default

    I'm using Todd Purcell from www.purcellmortgageteam.com. He recommended that I stay variable and that the rates are likely to climb to around 4% over the next while. His mortgage is a variable so I guess that says something...

    I'm not risk adverse, so I think I'll stick with variable. A 1.75% interest rate is rockin, even if it's short term...

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    CBR 929
    Posts
    627
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    They do say historically over a 25 year mortgage a variable rate and a closed rate average to be very close, with a variable mortgage having a slight edge over a closed.

    I have been in a variable rate for the last 8 years and do not plan on converting anytime soon.

    [url]

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Calgary, AB
    Posts
    2,340
    Rep Power
    23

    Default

    The problem is currently interest rates can not go any lower for variable rate mortgages. The reason the variable rate mortgage has traditionally outperformed a fixed rate mortgages is because the rate could go down.

    However, right now the only direction a variable rate mortgage can go is UP. And you can rest assured - it will go up - very soon. You can read about it, and listen to the Bank say they won't change it until July, but then you will hear about them reverting on that promise too!

    IMO, now may be one of the few times a fixed rate mortgage will win over a variable.

    All these people (including myself) who have variable rate mortgages that were signed in the last couple years are laughing. But that is because the bank gave us prime less 0.75 basis points. Of course, in 2011 or 2012 when those sweet fucking mortgages are expiring, all those who are laughing NOW will be CRYING when they have to renew at 5.5%. But back to Prime LESS variable mortgages. Near as I can tell, you can not get this anymore from anyone anywhere. They aren't doing that anymore - and most banks that I have spoken to recently are now offering only prime PLUS 0.6 basis points.

    So, if you have a 2.85% mortgage rate NOW on a variable rate, and the central bank raises the rates by 1% in June or July (and they will, you watch and see! - Hey, it might just be 0.5, but I bet the take the whole 1.0) Either way, if it is 0.5 then you are suddenly at 3.35% and if they take the whole 1.0 then you are at 3.85% right out of the gate.

    If you are able to get a 3.5x fixed rate mortgage now (could be tough) - probably going to get a 4.0x+% fixed rate - I've got a sneaky feeling that you're going to do well if you can lock that rate for 4 or 5 years.

    One thing is for certain - variable rate mortgages IMO are more dangerous right now than they have ever been in the past. Simply because they can not go down - only up - and it's going to get crazy when they do. I think this is why so many people are trying to get their shit sorted out NOW because they know change is coming. It's easy for me to believe that the prime lending rate could be back up to 4.5 or 5.0 by the end of 2012 or early 2013. Which puts your variable +0.6% mortgage rate at 5.6% in just 2 years. At which point you'll be wishing to heck you'd locked in at 4.0% for 5 years and you're laughing all the way until 2015.

    Time will tell. But right now I'd bet on a fix rate mortgage - not variable. First time I've ever even considered a fixed rate. I thought that was just for crazy people. :-)
    Last edited by Z_Fan; 05-11-2010 at 12:29 AM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    Treg/B7
    Posts
    219
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Banks are offering prime - 0.25 not prime plus.... Also the gap is huge between 2% variable and the 4.5% for a 5 year fixed. Prime will have to come up substantially in the next two years to get to where fixed is now. Variable has and will always win over fixed because the banks try to predict what will happen with rates. Banks would not offer fixed mortgage they think they will lose on....

    Banks are making a killing on people locking in because of fear of rates coming up. For sure they will come up the question is how fast. At the end of 5 years to average out to 4.5% the prime would have to be about 7% from the 2% we are at now(Given equal increases)

    This is the same as investing in stocks vs putting money into a savings account. Those that like piece of mind pay for it with less returns. In the case of mortgages they pay for it with more money paid towards interest.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Far Away
    My Ride
    CRF 250L
    Posts
    152
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Originally posted by Rarasaurus
    Banks are offering prime - 0.25 not prime plus.... Also the gap is huge between 2% variable and the 4.5% for a 5 year fixed. Prime will have to come up substantially in the next two years to get to where fixed is now. Variable has and will always win over fixed because the banks try to predict what will happen with rates. Banks would not offer fixed mortgage they think they will lose on....

    For anyone who think prime is going to have to move up "Substantially" look at a chart of the prime lending rate. It dropped "substantially in a few months"

    It dropped like a rock. What exactly is stopping it from rising like a rocket?
    TRUTH: it's the new hate speech.
    In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act. - Orwell

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Posts
    1,289
    Rep Power
    23

    Default

    .
    Last edited by kaput; 04-02-2019 at 07:45 PM.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    fiat abarth
    Posts
    212
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    i love how interest rates look like a giant middle finger.

    to contribute to the thread,

    I ran some numbers for you, comparing 5 year interest rate terms.

    We are going to assume that you pay $450/ $100k of mortgage

    @4.5%, you are going to pay $21,964 of interest in the 5 years

    @1.75%, you are going to pay $9132 of interest
    but it is unrealistic to assume a constant interest rate, so I assumed that interest rate going increasing 1% per year until year 5, so year1 = 1.75 year2= 2.75 year 3=3.75 year4= 4.75 and year5 = 5.75

    the interest you would pay in this case is $18,658, so you would be still ahead. Under this scenario, if your variable is higher than 2.688% then you would better off with a fixed, or if you think interest rates are going up higher than 1% per year.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    A slow bike & an even slower car.
    Posts
    6,336
    Rep Power
    31

    Default

    Okay, heres' where I'm at.

    I have until Monday to decide: variable at 1.65% (dropped 0.10%), or lock in at 3.84% for 5 years.

    Very, very torn. Was thinking variable all the way, but a 3.84% lock-in rate is very appealing.

    I do not have the education to speculate where the market will go. Some will say prime will hit 5% in five years, others are saying higher, and even more are saying lower.

    I can afford both, and my risk level is pretty good. I have room in my budget to go up.

    What would YOU do?

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    Treg/B7
    Posts
    219
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    With Variable at 1.65% i would definitely go that route, especially if you can handle the rise in prime. Variable winning over fixed most the time in the past is a very good reason alone to go variable. Now there is also a large spread between variable and fixed.

    Where are you getting 1.65%? I will be signing a new mortgage soon too, and at 1.65% i would not hesitate to take variable if you can handle the risk

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    Born in Stuttgart
    Posts
    330
    Rep Power
    16

    Default

    Originally posted by A790
    Okay, heres' where I'm at.

    I have until Monday to decide: variable at 1.65% (dropped 0.10%), or lock in at 3.84% for 5 years.

    Very, very torn. Was thinking variable all the way, but a 3.84% lock-in rate is very appealing.

    I do not have the education to speculate where the market will go. Some will say prime will hit 5% in five years, others are saying higher, and even more are saying lower.

    I can afford both, and my risk level is pretty good. I have room in my budget to go up.

    What would YOU do?
    I would take the 3.84%.
    I tend to follow historical data in that a 5%+ prime in a matter of a couple years is reasonable.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    My Ride
    Subaru Outback
    Posts
    1,125
    Rep Power
    28

    Default

    What about doing 1/2 your mortgage on the variable and the other half at the 5 year fixed?

    I'm in the exact same situation as you right now, but my 5 year fixed rate is 4%. I'm probably going to just lock in at the 5 year fixed rate as I tend to be risk adverse when it comes to mortgages. To me, the current fixed rates are very reasonable

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    A slow bike & an even slower car.
    Posts
    6,336
    Rep Power
    31

    Default

    Originally posted by Rarasaurus
    With Variable at 1.65% i would definitely go that route, especially if you can handle the rise in prime. Variable winning over fixed most the time in the past is a very good reason alone to go variable. Now there is also a large spread between variable and fixed.

    Where are you getting 1.65%? I will be signing a new mortgage soon too, and at 1.65% i would not hesitate to take variable if you can handle the risk
    Using Todd Purcell from http://www.purcellmortgageteam.com

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    Civic SI / Ducati Monster
    Posts
    819
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    Originally posted by A790
    Okay, heres' where I'm at.

    I have until Monday to decide: variable at 1.65% (dropped 0.10%), or lock in at 3.84% for 5 years.

    Very, very torn. Was thinking variable all the way, but a 3.84% lock-in rate is very appealing.

    I do not have the education to speculate where the market will go. Some will say prime will hit 5% in five years, others are saying higher, and even more are saying lower.

    I can afford both, and my risk level is pretty good. I have room in my budget to go up.

    What would YOU do?
    3.84% is a fantastic 5yr rate, and I'm assuming it's a closed term mortgage. Are there any prepayment terms?

    I'm variable with my mortgage, and a lot of my clients are as well. However, what i am getting a lot of them to do is base their payments on 5% interest instead of the 1.69% that they are actually paying, and the difference is payed as a pre-payment. I do this for a few reasons:

    1)It allows my clients to do some long term budgeting. I would NEVER recommend variable for someone who doesn't have the cash flow to support it, nor to someone who might be having some major lifestyle changes in the next few years (kids, going back to school, ect). That being said if you are basing your payments on 5% and bank prime goes from 2.25% to 4%, all that happens is the prepayment portion of each payment is less, but the total payment made stays the same.
    2) With interest rates as low as they are, a lot of people are eager to just take the lower payments and spend the excess cash on other stuff. However, basing the payments on a higher interest rate is going to shorten your amortization so that when interest rates rise, and they will, due to the declining balance that interest is based on, more of your payments are going to principle.


    I hope that makes sense, as i am used to drawing it out on a piece of paper

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    the upside-down
    My Ride
    Edge Sport, F-150 EcoBoost
    Posts
    1,011
    Rep Power
    18

    Default

    Originally posted by A790
    Okay, heres' where I'm at.

    I have until Monday to decide: variable at 1.65% (dropped 0.10%), or lock in at 3.84% for 5 years.

    Very, very torn. Was thinking variable all the way, but a 3.84% lock-in rate is very appealing.

    I do not have the education to speculate where the market will go. Some will say prime will hit 5% in five years, others are saying higher, and even more are saying lower.

    I can afford both, and my risk level is pretty good. I have room in my budget to go up.

    What would YOU do?
    CM, That's good situation to be in.

    We bought 2 years ago and went variable. we were at Prime minus 0.6%, it was nice, interest rates hit the floor and we continued to pay the same amount, paying off more principal along the way.

    A few months ago i started hearing rumours about interest rates going up. Now you can sweat and stress over it as much as you want, but eventually, rates will go back up. I switched to a locked in rate of 3.89 for another five years...was able to do so with no fees because I stayed with the same company. While I could have paid off extra principal for probably another year or so, I balanced that with locked in rates also increasing and decided the security of a locked in rate while things are changing is what I need right now.

    Locking in for 5 years anywhere around 4% is a great deal historically. No shame there. It is all risk tolerance. I switched from variable to locked in because I was getting uneasy with the interest rates.

    Based on your situation, I would pick a threshold and then go with variable. So...say you would not want to lock in any higher than 5.5%. Go variable and check in on rates every month. If locked in rates started getting higher than your threshhold rate...think about locking in. This is exactly what I did. 4% was my threshold and I decided to lock in when it got to 3.89%. I'm happy.

    Good Luck.

    DP.

    P.S. one of my best friends was a mortgage broker and helped me make my decisions, and set me up with my mortgage and I am super happy with it. He is now an energy trader at TransAlta but still does mortgages on the side for fun...he doesn't need the money. If you want to talk to him I can get you together. His paycheck does not depend on what you decide so his advice would not have any ulterior motives.
    Last edited by freshprince1; 05-28-2010 at 11:34 AM.
    freshprince
    -Jan 2006-

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Calgary, AB
    My Ride
    A vehicle or two
    Posts
    4,436
    Rep Power
    32

    Default

    I dunno cam... that's a pretty good fixed rate.

    The way I see it, it really depends how much risk you wish to take. Personally, we played it safe and went with a 3-year 3.4% rate. It is true that the rate would have to increase substantially to make it more worthwhile than going with a variable. But as it has been said - this CAN happen. Traditionally, mortgage rates are usually much higher than we are seeing right now.

    We are also already seeing and hearing about a trend of rates going up. The only question is: How high will they go, and how quickly? If the rates only CREEP up for the next few years, then one would guess that the variable would be the best choice. If they were to jump up, then maybe not.

    One of the reasons we played it safe is because of the current markets. Over the last couple of years, they have been up and down, and it seems everything economically is very uncertain. I am not sure what it would take for rates to skyrocket, but we were willing to pay more to have the security of knowing we would not be screwed. (At least for 3 years)

    Congrats on the new place!

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    341
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    I know some have said in this thread that they can see rates 5% plus, but in reality wouldnt that halt/slow growth to a point where it will create economic instability?

    With the decline in markets just recently as well as the considerable declines in the last few years, I cant see BOC wanting to shock the system by bumping up rates past 5%-6% in 5 years.

    Now comparing variable vs fixed, If you have a prime- 0.5% it'll take a good few years, estimating 1% per year increase from BOC, to erase/match gains that would otherwise be made from a variable rate should you choose a variable. This comparing a prime-0.5% to say, locking in now at 5yr 3.85% fixed.

    I guess we'll see in the coming months what we have to work with after BOC raises the bar.

Page 1 of 3 1 2 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Fixed or Variable? Best Mortgage for Right Now

    By cdnsir in forum Real Estate / Finance
    Replies: 24
    Latest Threads: 08-15-2009, 10:20 AM
  2. Got offered a 4% variable open.

    By old&slow in forum Real Estate / Finance
    Replies: 10
    Latest Threads: 08-05-2008, 05:29 PM
  3. Variable Rate or Fixed Mortgages

    By variance in forum Real Estate / Finance
    Replies: 12
    Latest Threads: 01-10-2008, 11:12 AM
  4. variable lift rocker

    By albi455 in forum Mechanical
    Replies: 0
    Latest Threads: 08-21-2005, 03:26 AM
  5. Replies: 0
    Latest Threads: 05-05-2003, 11:02 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •