“The faster you pay off a mortgage, the more you save in interest,” says Louis-François Éthier, product manager at National Bank.
The truth is, paying off a $100,000 mortgage in a short period of time is extremely difficult without both a sizable and stable income, and relatively few expenses. A small regular payment stretched out over a longer amortization period (the total time required to pay off the mortgage) is usually considered an expensive strategy. This is because mortgage payments mostly cover interest and little of the principal until the interest is paid, so it can take decades to pay off the balance.
“The amount of your mortgage payments should be based on your overall budget,” says Louis-François Éthier.
How much of your budget should go toward mortgage payments?
Most financial institutions recommend that no more than 30% of your total budget go towards mortgage payments, municipal taxes, and heating. “It’s the classic ratio in the industry: mortgage to total debt,” says Mr. Éthier. “It’s crucial to also consider other debts, such as car loans and balances on credit cards. Mortgage counsellors can help you make the right choice.”
Of course, the expected time if would take to pay off the mortgage directly influences the amount that we spend on our regular payments. Continue reading
