📅 Last Updated: September 6, 2024
✏️ Written By Lisa Rennie
🕵️ Fact-Checked by Caitlin Wood

Mortgages Lethbridge - Compare Providers

ProviderLoan AmountRateTerm (Months)Rating
00 Up to $50,000Prime – 46.96%3 - 120
Up to $50,000
1001709683200 Dashloansup to $1,250 12%-32% 90 - 150 days
up to $1,250
231700524800 Parachute$5,000 - $25,000 24.99% - 29.99% 30 or 60
$5,000 - $25,000
151695254400 GoLoans$1250 16.06% (nominal) - 31.99% (effective) 3 - 5
$1250
31692748800 BreeUp to $350 0% Up to 65 days
Up to $350
81688083200 City Lending Centers (CLC)$150 - $1,600 10 - 35% 3 - 6
$150 - $1,600
1001686182400 Northstar Brokers$300 - $3,000 18% + fees 6
$300 - $3,000
1001686182400 Deposit My Cash Now$300 - $3,000 18% + fees 6
$300 - $3,000
1001686182400 My Next Pay$300 - $3,000 18% + fees 6
$300 - $3,000
61683676800 Windmill Microlending$15,000 6.7% Up to 60 months
$15,000
11670889600 Fora$1,000 - $15,000 19.9% - 34.9% -
$1,000 - $15,000
71666051200 Nyble$250 0% -
$250
1001643932800 FlexMoney$500 - $15,000 +18.9% APR 6 - 60
$500 - $15,000
1001734612767 29.9% - 46.9% APR   12 - 60
301637280000 Symple Loans$5,000 - $50,000 5.75% - 22.99% Up to 84
$5,000 - $50,000
1001623369600 AfterpayVaries 0% 6 or 8 weeks
Varies
21620777600 Spring FinancialUp to $35,000 9.99% - 46.96% 6 - 60
Up to $35,000
171607558400 Helium Loans$500 - $50,000 6.99% - 46.99% 12 - 36
$500 - $50,000
1001598918400 LM Financial$1,000 - $15,000 - -
$1,000 - $15,000
1001598832000 LM Credit$500 – $15,000 + 25.99% 9 - 60
$500 – $15,000
1001595980800 FlexiLoans$200 - $1,200 25% - 32% -
$200 - $1,200
1001593561600 PayBright- 0+ 2 - 60
-
1001589155200 Moves Financial$2,500 15.65% AIR 13 - 26
$2,500
1001582243200 LendCare- - Up to 60
-
1001580947200 ECN Capital- - -
-
1001580860800 SimplyBorrowed$500 - $5,000 - 12 - 24
$500 - $5,000
1001580860800 Pebble Cash$350 - $1,000 - 2 - 12 weeks
$350 - $1,000
161580774400 goPeer$1,000 - $25,000 8.99% - 34.99% APR 36 or 60
$1,000 - $25,000
1001579478400 North’n Loans$100 - $1,500 - -
$100 - $1,500
1001579478400 MDGUp to $5,000 29.78% - 44.8% 36 months
Up to $5,000
1001579219200 Loan or Credit$100 - $25,000 +4.9% -
$100 - $25,000
1001576713600 Flexiti Financial- Up to 35% -
-
181576713600 Financeit$500 - $100,000 6.99% - 14.99% 12 - 240
$500 - $100,000
1001575590400 Climb1800- 2900 15.99% 23 - 36
1800- 2900
1001562198400 Pylo Finance$500 - $15,000 15.99 - 39.99% 6 - 60
$500 - $15,000
1001560124800 Fresh Start FinanceUp to $15,000 29.99% - 46.96% 9 - 60
Up to $15,000
191552262400 Money Mart$1,000 - $15,000 29.9% or 46.90% 6 - 60
$1,000 - $15,000
1001569974400 Private Loan Shop$500 - $50,000 15 - 30% -
$500 - $50,000
1001551830400 Progressa$1,000 - $15,000 19% - 46.95% 6 - 60
$1,000 - $15,000
1001551398400 My Canada PaydayUp to $1,500 15% - 19% 14 days
Up to $1,500
1001551398400 Mr. Payday$100 - $1,500 15% - 17% 14 -31 days
$100 - $1,500
1001551398400 Money Provider$500 - $1,000 28% - 32% -
$500 - $1,000
1001551398400 Loan Express- - 14 days
-
181546128000 Loan AwayUp to $5,000 19.9% - 45.9% APR 6 - 36
Up to $5,000
1001551139200 Lendful$5,000 - $35,000 9.9%+ 6 - 60
$5,000 - $35,000
151551139200 LendDirectUp to $15,000 29.99% to 46.93% APR Open-end
Up to $15,000
1001550534400 Health Smart Financial Services$300 - $25,000 7.95%+ 36 - 60
$300 - $25,000
1001550534400 GoDay$100 - $1,500 - 14 days
$100 - $1,500
1001569974400 iCashUp to $1,500 Varies by province up to 62 days
Up to $1,500
1001550534400 Focus Financial Inc.Up to $1,500 Up to 59% APR 14 days
Up to $1,500
191550534400 FlexFi$2,500 + - -
$2,500 +
1001550534400 Eastern Loans$500 - $1,000 28% - 32% 3 -5
$500 - $1,000
1001550534400 DMO Credit$300 - $1,000 38% APR 3 - 4
$300 - $1,000
1001567555200 Cash Depot$300 - $3,000 18% + fees 6
$300 - $3,000
1001549238400 Credit 700$500 - $1,000 28% - 32% 4 - 5
$500 - $1,000
1001549238400 Credit2Go$250 - $1,000 29% APR 3 - 4
$250 - $1,000
201548720000 Ledn$500 - $1,000,000 7.9% 12
$500 - $1,000,000
1001548720000 ATB FinancialUp to $5,000 - 12 - 60
Up to $5,000
1001548720000 Amber Financial$1,000 - $50,000 4.6% – 49.96% 3 - 60
$1,000 - $50,000
1001548633600 Affirm Financial$300 - $7,500 29.9% - 39.9% 6 - 60
$300 - $7,500
1001548633600 310 Loan$50 - $1,500 - 14 days
$50 - $1,500
161545264000 Ferratum$2,000 - $10,000 18.9% - 54.9% 12 - 60
$2,000 - $10,000
51545264000 SkyCap Financial$500 - $10,000 12.99% – 39.99% 9 – 36
$500 - $10,000
1001545264000 Fast Access Financial$500 – $10,000 Starting at 9.90% 12 - 36
$500 – $10,000
21543622400 Fairstone FinancialUp to $60,000 19.99% - 39.99% 6 - 120
Up to $60,000
101545264000 Consumer Capital Canada$500 - $12,500 19.99%+ 12 - 60
$500 - $12,500
1001545350400 LaminaUp to $1000 30% 3 - 5
Up to $1000
1001545350400 Loans SOSUp to $5,000 60% 6 - 60
Up to $5,000
1001545350400 Cashco FinancialUp to $7,000 -Up to 48.99% Up to 60 months
Up to $7,000
1001545350400 UrLoan$500 - $2,500 29% - 46.95% 6 - 36
$500 - $2,500
51545350400 LoanMeNow$500 - $1000+ 28%-32% 3
$500 - $1000+
1001545350400 Captain Cash$500 – $750 28% – 34.4% 3
$500 – $750
1001545350400 BC Loans$500 – $750 23% - 34.4% 3 – 12
$500 – $750
1001545350400 Urgent Loans$300 - $1500 27% - 35% 3 - 4
$300 - $1500
41545264000 easyfinancial$500 - $100,000 Starting at 29.99% 9 - 84
$500 - $100,000
31545264000 Mogo FinanceUp to $5,000 47.72% -
Up to $5,000
101545177600 Borrowell$1,000 - $35,000 5.99% - 29.19% 36 - 60
$1,000 - $35,000
181545177600 Magical Credit$100 - $20,000 Up to 46.8% Up to 60
$100 - $20,000
1001569974400 Speedy CashUp to $1,500 15% - 23% 14 days
Up to $1,500
ProviderLoan AmountRateTerm (Months)Rating
00 Up to $50,000Prime – 46.96%3 - 120
Up to $50,000
31725321600 iCommissionup to $40,000 - -
up to $40,000
81714089600 Primed Loans$10,000 + 4%-45% 90 days+
$10,000 +
71714089600 OnTap Capital $10,000 to $2,000,000 10%+ Up to 36
$10,000 to $2,000,000
21669852800 Driven$5,000 - $300,000 - 3 - 24 months
$5,000 - $300,000
1001648512000 2M7 Financial Solutions$10,000 - $250,000 Varies 6-12
$10,000 - $250,000
1001620345600 TD Bank- - 12 - 60
-
1001611878400 Accord Financial$5,000 - $30,000,000 - Up to 18
$5,000 - $30,000,000
171607558400 Helium Loans$500 - $50,000 6.99% - 46.99% 6 - 36
$500 - $50,000
1001598918400 Loop- - -
-
1001592438400 Core Capital Group Inc- - -
-
1001585612800 BarterPay- 0.9% - 12% 6 months - 5 years
-
1001581984000 Clearbanc$10,000 - $10,000,000 6% - 12.5% -
$10,000 - $10,000,000
1001581033600 GE Capital- - -
-
1001581033600 We Can Financial- - -
-
1001581033600 Wajax Equipment- - -
-
1001580947200 Key Equipment Financing- - -
-
1001580947200 Corl$10,000 - $1,000,000 - -
$10,000 - $1,000,000
1001580860800 Yellowhead Equipment Finance Ltd- - -
-
1001580860800 Specialty Truck Financing- - -
-
1001580860800 Travelers Financial- - -
-
1001580860800 Peel Financial- - -
-
1001580860800 Pioneer Financial Services$5,000 - $1,000,000 - -
$5,000 - $1,000,000
1001580860800 Polaris Leasing- - -
-
1001580860800 Patron West- - -
-
1001580860800 Payabilityup to $250,000 - -
up to $250,000
1001580860800 Planet Financial- - -
-
1001580688000 RiseUp to $10,000 - -
Up to $10,000
1001580256000 Merchant Growth$5,000 - $500,000 - 6 - 18 months
$5,000 - $500,000
1001579478400 Onesta- - -
-
1001579478400 Lionhart Capital$10,000- $30,000,000 Min 4.95% -
$10,000- $30,000,000
1001579478400 Lift Capital- - 12 - 120
-
1001579478400 Leaseline- - 24 to 60
-
1001579478400 Lease Direct- - -
-
1001579478400 John Deere- - -
-
1001579046400 Hitachi Capital Canada- - -
-
1001578873600 Guardian Leasing- - -
-
1001577059200 Export Development Canada- - -
-
1001577059200 Essex Lease Financial Corporation- - -
-
1001577059200 Equilease- - -
-
1001575849600 Alliance Financing Group LTD$5,000 - $150,000 15% + 6 - 24
$5,000 - $150,000
1001575849600 CanaCapUp to $250,000 - -
Up to $250,000
1001575590400 CLE Capital- - -
-
1001575590400 Canada Equipment Loan- - -
-
11545955200 SharpShooter Funding$5,000 - $150,000 Fee-Based: Starting at 9% 12 - 60
$5,000 - $150,000
1001552262400 First West Credit Union$500,000 - $10,000,000 - -
$500,000 - $10,000,000
1001548720000 ATB FinancialUp to $5,000 Prime +7% or 8% 36 - 60
Up to $5,000
1001552262400 Laurentian Bank of CanadaUp to $250,000 - Up to 10 years
Up to $250,000
1001552262400 HSBC Bank Canada- - -
-
1001552262400 National BankUp to $1,000,000 - -
Up to $1,000,000
1001551830400 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)$10,000+ - Up to 15 years
$10,000+
1001551830400 ScotiabankUp to $1,000,000 -   Up to 15 years
Up to $1,000,000
1001551830400 Bank of Montreal (BMO)Up to $500,000 - Up to 10 years
Up to $500,000
1001551830400 Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)$5,000 - $10,000 - Up to 7 years
$5,000 - $10,000
1001551398400 CWB National Leasing$3,500+ - -
$3,500+
1001551398400 Money in Motion$10,000 - $1,000,000 4% - 14% 12 - 84
$10,000 - $1,000,000
1001551139200 Lease LinkUp to $75,000 - Up to 18
Up to $75,000
1001550534400 FundThrough$500-$50,000 0.5% weekly 12 week cycles
$500-$50,000
1001550534400 Econolease Financial Services Inc.$1,000 - $1,000,000 6% - 20% -
$1,000 - $1,000,000
1001550534400 Easylease CorpUp to $5,000,000 4.5% 24 - 72
Up to $5,000,000
1001550534400 Dynamic Capital- - -
-
1001550534400 Capify$5,000 - $200,000 - -
$5,000 - $200,000
1001549411200 Canadian Equipment Finance$50,000 - $12,000,000 - 24 - 96
$50,000 - $12,000,000
1001549411200 Capital Key$5,000 - $1,000,000+ - 1 - 60
$5,000 - $1,000,000+
1001549238400 Cashbloom$5,000 - $1,000,000 - 3 - 24
$5,000 - $1,000,000
1001548720000 BFS Capital$5,000 - $5,000,000 - 4 - 18
$5,000 - $5,000,000
1001548720000 BDCUp to $100,000 6.05% + 60
Up to $100,000
1001548720000 Baron Finance$10,000+ 18% - 22% -
$10,000+
1001548720000 B2B Bank$10,000 - $300,000 4.70% - 5.45% -
$10,000 - $300,000
1001548633600 AOne Financial SolutionsUp to $5,000,000 5% - 10% 12 - 60
Up to $5,000,000
101545177600 Borrowell$1,000 - $35,000 5.6% – 25.5% 36 – 60
$1,000 - $35,000
1001545264000 iCapital$5,000 - $250,000 - 3-18
$5,000 - $250,000
1001545264000 Lendified$5,000 - $150,000 - 3 - 24
$5,000 - $150,000
61545350400 IOU Financial$5,000 – $100,000 15% + 12 – 18
$5,000 – $100,000
1001545264000 Company Capital$5,000 – $100,000 Starting at 6.87% 3 – 18
$5,000 – $100,000
51545177600 Journey Capital$5,000-$300,000 15% - 25% 4 - 24
$5,000-$300,000
41545177600 Lending Loop$5,000 – $500,000 Starting at 5.9% 3 – 60
$5,000 – $500,000
51545264000 SkyCap Financial$500 - $10,000 12.99% – 39.99% 9 – 36
$500 - $10,000
1001561507200 Thinking CapitalUp to $300,000 - -
Up to $300,000
ProviderLoan AmountRateTerm (Months)Rating
00 Up to $50,000Prime – 46.96%3 - 120
Up to $50,000
31632960000 SafeLendUp to $50,000 15.99% + 12 -72
Up to $50,000
81624233600 Auto Credit DealsUp to $50,000 29.99% – 46.96% 12 - 96
Up to $50,000
171607558400 Helium Loans$500 - $50,000 - 24 - 60
$500 - $50,000
1001594339200 Alphera Financial Services- - -
-
1001582761600 Go Auto- - 12 - 96
-
61582761600 Eden Park- 11.9% - 22.9% Up to 84
-
1001581033600 WeFinanceCars- + 4.9% -
-
1001581033600 Walker Financial Services- - -
-
1001580688000 Rifco- - -
-
1001579478400 National Powersports Financing- - -
-
1001579478400 LMG Finance- - -
-
1001579478400 Loans2Go- - -
-
1001578873600 iA Auto Finance- +8.99% -
-
1001578873600 Gamache Group- - -
-
1001551830400 Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)$5,000 - $10,000 - up to 84
$5,000 - $10,000
1001552262400 Laurentian Bank of CanadaUp to $250,000 - 12 - 60
Up to $250,000
1001552262400 National BankUp to $1,000,000 - up to 96
Up to $1,000,000
1001551830400 DesjardinsUp to $100,000 - 6 - 96
Up to $100,000
1001551830400 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)$10,000+ - 12 - 96
$10,000+
1001551830400 ScotiabankUp to $1,000,000 - up to 96
Up to $1,000,000
1001577059200 Daimler Truck Financial- - up to 72
-
1001577059200 DealerPlan Financial- - -
-
1001575849600 Coast Capital Savings- Starting at 4% Up to 84
-
1001575849600 Canada Auto Finance$5000 - $45,000 4.90 % - 29.95% APR 36 - 72
$5000 - $45,000
1001575849600 Credit River Capital Inc- - -
-
1001575590400 Capital Trust Financial- - -
-
1001575590400 Canadian Truck Loan- - -
-
1001575504000 Canada Car Loans- - -
-
1001574985600 Calmont Leasing- - -
-
61569974400 Car Loans Canada$7500 - $59,995 3.95% + 12 - 96
$7500 - $59,995
1001562112000 Car Creditex- Up to 49.9% -
-
1001561507200 Auto Capital Canada- - -
-
1001561507200 Carfinco- - Up to 84
-
11560124800 Canada DrivesUp to $100,000 3.99% - 19.9% 24 -96
Up to $100,000
1001551830400 Prefera FinanceUp to $30,000 - -
Up to $30,000
1001548720000 Approve Canada- - -
-
1001548633600 2nd Chance Automotive- 4.2%+ -
-
51545264000 SkyCap Financial$500 - $10,000 12.99% – 39.99% 9 – 36
$500 - $10,000
1001545177600 Splash Auto Finance by RifcoUp to $50,000 - -
Up to $50,000
1001545177600 Carloans411$5,000 – $40,000 - 12 – 72
$5,000 – $40,000
1001545177600 AutoArriba- - Maximum 84
-
ProviderLoan AmountRateTerm (Months)Rating
00 Up to $50,000Prime – 46.96%3 - 120
Up to $50,000
1001578873600 Instant Loans Canada$1,000 - $35,000 - 24 - 60
$1,000 - $35,000
1001545264000 BHM FinancialUp to $25,000 - 12 - 60
Up to $25,000
ProviderLoan AmountRateTerm (Months)Rating
00 N/AN/AN/A
N/A
31726531200 Lotly$15,000 + 6% - 16% 12 - 60
$15,000 +
71708473600 Blue Pearl MortgageVaries Varies 1 - 10 years
Varies
51700524800 Rocket Mortgage- - -
-
61696377600 Mortgage Maestro- 5.69% + -
-
1001695945600 Mortgage Intelligence- - -
-
1001695772800 QuestMortgage- - -
-
41690934400 Neo MortgageVaries 5.54%+ Varies
Varies
21688601600 nestoMin $100,000 5.34%+ 2 - 10 years
Min $100,000
31679616000 Frank Mortgage$100,000 - $2 million Fixed, variable, or adjustable rates 1 - 5 years
$100,000 - $2 million
1001627344000 Peoples Bank- 1.94% - 2.45% 12 - 60
-
1001581033600 Mortgage Alliance- 2.74% - 6.30% 12 - 120
-
1001580947200 Paradigm- - -
-
1001580860800 Verico- - -
-
1001580860800 True North Mortgage- 2.64% - 4.45% 12 - 120
-
1001580860800 Tangerine$50,000+ 2.74% - 3.49% 12- 120
$50,000+
1001580860800 Think Financial- - 36 - 60
-
1001580860800 Turnedaway- - -
-
1001580860800 REICO- - -
-
1001580688000 Motusbank- 2.79% - 6.00% 6 - 60
-
1001579478400 Mortgage Architects- 2.74% - 3.70% 6 - 120
-
1001578873600 IntelliMortgage- - -
-
1001578873600 Invis- 2.69% - 3.95% 6 - 120
-
1001577059200 Equitable Bank$25,000 - $800,000 4.59% - 5.64% 6 - 60
$25,000 - $800,000
1001577059200 Dominion Lending Center- - -
-
1001577059200 Fisgard Asset Management- -- -
-
1001577059200 First National Financial LP- 2.84% - 7.30% -
-
1001574985600 CMLS Financials$100,000 - $750,000 - 12 - 120
$100,000 - $750,000
1001574899200 CHIP Reverse Mortgagemin 25,000 3.89.% - 4.84% 12 - 60
min 25,000
1001574899200 CanWise- 2.23% - 4.45% -
-
1001560124800 Centum- 2.89% - 3.79% -
-
1001548806400 Capital Direct$10,000 - $1,500,000 Varies 12 - 24
$10,000 - $1,500,000
1001548720000 Broker Financial Group Inc.- 2.41% - 3.84% -
-
1001548720000 Bridgewater Bank- - -
-
11517097600 Alpine Credits$10,000+ Based on equity -
$10,000+
ProviderServicesRating
00 Debt Consolidation Program, Debt Settlement Program, Consumer Proposal, Bankruptcy Consultation
N/A (Referrer)
1001732233600 Money Mentors Credit Counselling, Orderly Payment of Debts (OPD) Program
1001576540800 BDO Credit Counselling, Bankruptcy, Consumer Proposal
1001576540800 Full Circle Debt Solutions Inc Credit Counselling, Debt Management Program
1001576368000 Consolidated Credit Credit Counselling, Debt Management Program
1001576454400 4Pillars Debt Restructuring, After Care - Credit Rebuilding Program, Corporate Debt Restructuring

Looking to buy a home in Lethbridge in the near future? If so, now would be a great time to start looking into securing a mortgage to help you finance this large purchase. Unless you’re planning to buy the home in an all-cash deal, a mortgage will be a required part of the purchasing process.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about mortgages in Lethbridge.

Get a Mortgage Pre-Approval in Lethbridge

Before you even start the search for a new home in Lethbridge, it’s extremely helpful to start with a pre-approval first. A mortgage pre-approval letter is basically a promise from your lender that you can get approved for a certain mortgage amount based on your current financial and credit situation.

Your lender will require certain information from you in order to get the pre-approval process started and determine whether or not you can secure a home loan, and if so, for how much. Typical documents required may include:

  • Letter of employment
  • Banks statements
  • Pay stubs
  • List of assets and debts

Your lender will also check your credit score, which is a crucial component of the lending process and provides information about the type of borrower you would be.

Even though a pre-approval is not mandatory, there are a couple of important reasons why you may want to get pre-approved for a mortgage in Lethbridge.

Know how much you can afford. It would be extremely helpful to focus on homes that meet your budget rather than arbitrarily looking at properties that are far more expensive than you can afford. Not only is this a time-saver, but it can also help you avoid disappointment.

Be more competitive in a seller’s market. If you’re competing with other buyers looking at homes in Lethbridge, you want to be able to stand out to sellers and show them that you are a serious buyer who’s also financially qualified to close on a deal. Even if you’re not in direct competition with other buyers, a pre-approval letter will help sellers nudge in your favour and help sweeten the deal.

Keep in mind, however, that pre-approval letters are only good for a certain amount of time – usually from 90 to 120 days. After that, the pre-approval will expire and will no longer apply.

Saving For a Down Payment in Lethbridge

While mortgages help you finance a home purchase, you still need to come up with a down payment to get the process started. Depending on the type of mortgage you decide to go with, you’ll have to come up with a minimum amount.

For instance, conventional mortgages require a minimum down payment of 20% of the purchase price of the home you intend to buy, and a high-ratio mortgage requires a down payment minimum of only 5% of the purchase price.

Can you borrow your down payment? Click here to find out.

Of course, depending on the price of the home, the down payment amount will fluctuate from one deal to the next.

That said, you can expect the down payment amount to be a hefty number, especially given the rising prices of homes these days. For instance, a 5% down payment on a $400,000 home purchase would equate to $20,000.

That’s a big number to have to come up with. As such, it’s important to start saving early enough in order to be able to come up with these funds when the time comes to buy a home.

Here are some tips to saving for a down payment in Lethbridge:

  • Open a dedicated savings account for your down payment
  • Have your savings automatically deducted from your paycheck and deposited directly into your dedicated savings account
  • Cut back on spending
  • Pay down your high-interest debt (such as credit card debt) to free up that money to be used for a down payment
  • Borrow from family and friends
  • Borrow from your RRSPs in the form of a First-Time Home Buyer’s Plan

Mortgage Insurance Rules in Lethbridge

Certain rules apply in terms of mortgage insurance depending on how much of a down payment you put toward your home purchase. Conventional mortgages, which require a 20% down payment, do not require additional payments in the form of mortgage default insurance premiums.

On the other hand, high-ratio mortgages require additional mortgage default insurance premium payments. That’s because a lower down payment amount means a higher loan amount required. Any loans that are made for more than 80% of the purchase price of a home place lenders in a riskier position.

In order to compensate lenders in the event that mortgage default occurs – which is more likely with a higher loan amount – mortgage insurance can provide coverage. This unique type of insurance may cover lenders, but it is actually paid for by the borrower.

Types of Mortgages Lethbridge

When it comes time for you to apply for a mortgage in Lethbridge, you have a few options:

  • Conventional mortgages – as already mentioned, conventional mortgages are those that require a 20% down payment. In exchange for such a high down payment amount, borrowers can avoid having to pay into mortgage default insurance.
  • High-ratio mortgages – Also explained earlier, these types of mortgages require a minimum down payment of 5% of the purchase price of a home. Because down payment amounts are less than 20% of the purchase price of a home, mortgage default insurance payments are required.
  • Fixed-rate mortgages – Mortgages come with interest rates. The loan amount taken out will have to be paid back in full at some point in the future, along with interest that the lender charges. These rates can vary depending on the lender, the market, and the borrower’s financial health. A fixed-rate mortgage simply means that the rate remains fixed throughout the mortgage term and won’t change during that time, despite what may happen in the outside market.
  • Variable-rate mortgages – Unlike fixed-rate mortgages, a variable-rate mortgage comes with an interest rate that may fluctuate at different intervals. They usually come with an “introductory period” in which the rate is typically lower than that of a fixed-rate mortgage. Once that period ends, the rate can change in either direction.
  • Open mortgages – These mortgages allow borrowers to increase their outstanding principal amount sometime in the future. Borrowers can then borrow more money from their lender, though there is usually a cap on any additional loan amounts borrowed.
  • Closed mortgages – These mortgages feature a prepayment limit, which means borrowers are only permitted to pay up to 15% of the mortgage original principal amount every calendar year.
  • Second mortgages – Homeowners who have built up at least 20% equity in their homes (which is the market value of their home minus any principal balance outstanding) may be eligible to secure a second mortgage, or a home equity loan. These types of loans use the equity in a home to be used as cash to cover any type of large expense.

Credit Score Needed to Secure a Mortgage in Lethbridge

One of the most important factors involved in assessing a borrower’s ability to get approved for a mortgage in Lethbridge is their credit score. This number – which is valued from anywhere between 300 to 900 – measures a borrower’s credit health and paints the picture of a borrower’s past financial activity.

Generally speaking, a financial past that includes making bill payments on time and not spending too much in credit card expenditures will translate into a higher score. On the other hand, a history of missed payments and spending up to the limit on credit cards will have a negative effect on a credit score.

Generally speaking, a credit score of at least 680 is required to get approved for a traditional mortgage, though this may depend on other factors, including the lender, the borrower’s income, assets, debt load, and down payment amount.

For more information about minimum credit score requirements, click here.

What if You Have Bad Credit?

If your credit score is less than 680, you may have other options available to you:

Work with an alternative lender – Rather than applying for a mortgage with a conventional lender in Lethbridge, consider working with a private alternative lender who has experience dealing with bad credit borrowers. These lenders will focus less on your credit score and more on your income, assets, down payment amount, and most recent payment activity.

Get a cosigner – If you know anyone close to you who has good credit and is willing to back you up, consider asking them to cosign on the loan with you. If they do, they will be responsible for taking over your mortgage payments in the event that you default on your mortgage.

Make an effort to fix your credit score – If your credit score is lagging, consider holding off on buying a home for now and take some time to improve your score. You can do this by taking any one of the following steps:

  • Make timely bill payments
  • Don’t spend any more than 20% to 30% of your credit card limit to keep your credit utilization ratio low
  • Make more than just your minimum credit card payment amounts
  • Avoid applying for new loans or credit
  • Keep your old credit accounts open (especially those with a remaining balance)

Hidden Costs of Buying a Home in Lethbridge

The purchase price of a home itself is already a huge expense. But there are other expenses related to buying a home that you should be aware of:

  • Mortgage interest
  • Appraisal fees
  • Lender fees
  • Underwriting fees
  • Attorney fees
  • Title fees
  • Home inspections
  • Property taxes
  • Home insurance
  • Utilities
  • Maintenance
  • Repairs

To learn more about the hidden cost of buying a house, check this out.

Comparing Different Mortgage Products in Lethbridge

Just like you would probably shop around to compare prices for different consumer goods, you should also comparison shop for different products with different lenders to find the best (and cheapest) mortgage product available. Some of the things to look at among different mortgages include:

  • Interest rate
  • Term
  • Amortization period
  • Penalty fees
  • Prepayment options

Mortgage Payment Options

A mortgage in Lethbridge is a type of installment loan, which means the entire loan amount is gradually paid off in full by making installment payments. But the frequency with which you make your payments will depend on your needs and what your lender is able and willing to offer. Payment frequency options include:

  • Weekly
  • Accelerated bi-weekly (payments every two years)
  • Semi-monthly (two payments per month)
  • Monthly

Mortgage Amortization Periods

Eventually, the full loan amount will need to be repaid. When you take out a mortgage, the maturity date will be specified in your contract. This is the date that the entire loan amount will need to be paid off in full, which is also known as the amortization period.

There are different amortization period lengths, which range from short-term to long-term. Short-term amortizations require the loan amount to be repaid in a shorter amount of time, which means bigger payments will need to be made. But lots of interest can be saved since the loan amount will be paid off a lot sooner.

Long-term amortization periods are popular because the payment amounts are much smaller, making them more affordable for many borrowers. But they take longer to pay off and require more to be paid in interest overall.

Looking to Apply For a Mortgage in Lethbridge?

If you’re considering buying a home in Lethbridge in the near future and are in need of a mortgage, call Loans Canada. We can connect you with a reputable lender in the mortgage sphere who can offer you the ideal mortgage product for you. Call Loans Canada today!

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