A variable-rate mortgage gives you the chance to take advantage of the current low Prime Rate. The interest rate on your mortgage is usually set below Prime, which can result in lower initial payments compared to a fixed-rate mortgage.
With this type of mortgage, the interest rate can change over time based on fluctuations in the Bank Prime Rate. The good news? If the Prime Rate goes down, your payments could go lower too! However, if the Prime Rate goes up, your payments might increase.
There are different types of variable-rate mortgages:
1. Some let you keep your monthly payment the same for up to 5 years, while the interest rate changes.
2. Others have payments that adjust directly with changes in the Prime Rate, so your payments will go up or down depending on how much the rate moves.
While variable rates can give you the potential for savings when rates are low, they can also increase if rates rise. It's a great option for those who are comfortable with some flexibility in their payments and want to take advantage of lower rates.