Amortization Period
The number of years that you take to fully pay off your mortgage (not the same as your mortgage term). Amortization periods are often 15, 20, or 25 years long.
 
Appraised Value
The estimate of the value of the property offered as security for a mortgage loan. This appraisal is done for mortgage lending purposes and may be less than the purchase price of the property.
 
CMHC - Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is home to Canadians. In everything they do, CMHC helps Canadians live in safe, secure homes. As the Government of Canada's national housing agency, CMHC plays a major role in Canada's housing industry.

CMHC develops new ways to finance home purchases. They encourage innovation in housing design and technology. CMHC’s mortgage loan insurance helps Canadians realize their dream of owning a home.

CMHC assistance helps low-income and older Canadians, people with disabilities and Aboriginals live in decent, affordable homes. They create jobs for Canadians with products and services that help the housing industry export its knowledge and skills to other countries.

CMHC's leading-edge research improves the quality and affordability of housing. To help Canadians benefit from their housing expertise and make informed decisions, CMHC has become Canada's largest publisher of housing information. They also have Canada's most comprehensive selection of information about homes and housing.
 
Closed and Open Mortgages
A closed mortgage agreement does not provide for payout prior to maturity. A lender may permit payout under certain circumstances but will levy a penalty charge for doing so if such exceeds certain limits, if any, specified in the mortgage (i.e. 20% prepayment provision). An open mortgage allows prepayment / repayment at any time without penalty.
 
Closing Date
The date on which the sale of the property becomes final and the new owner takes possession.
 
Conventional Mortgage
A mortgage loan which does not exceed 80% of the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price of the property. A mortgage that exceeds that limit must be insured under the practices of most major financial institutions.
 
Debt Service Ratios
The Gross Debt Service Ratio (GDSR) is the percentage of gross annual income required to cover payments associated with housing (mortgage principal and interest, taxes, secondary financing, heating, and 50% of condominium fees, if any). The GDSR should not exceed 32% of the gross annual income.
 
The Total Debt Service Ratio (TDSR) is the percentage of gross annual income required to cover payments associated with housing (GDSR) and all other debts and obligations, such as payments on a car loan. The TDSR ratio should not exceed 40% of gross income. For self-employed / commission sales applicants, net income is used for GDSR and TDSR ratio calculations.
 
Down Payment
The amount of money (usually in the form of cash) put forward by the purchaser. It represents the difference between the purchase price and the amount of the mortgage loan.
 
Equity
Equity is the difference if positive between the price for which a property could be sold and the total debts registered against it.
 
Fixed Rate and Adjustable Rate Mortgages
A fixed rate mortgage is one for which the rate of interest is fixed for a specific period of time (the term).
 
An Adjustable Rate Mortgage is one for which the rate of interest changes as CIBC Prime Rate changes, usually not more than once a month.
 
High Ratio Mortgage
A mortgage loan which exceeds 80% of the lesser of the appraised value or purchase price of the property. This mortgage must be insured and borrowers must pay an application fee and the insurance premium (which may be added to the mortgage) to the insurer.
 
Interest Adjustment Date
A date, usually up to one month before monthly mortgage payments begin, when interest on monies advanced before that date is calculated and must be paid by the borrower.
 
Loan to Value Ratio
The ratio of the loan to the appraised value or purchase price of the property, whichever is less, expressed as a percentage.
 
Maturity Date
The last day of the term of the mortgage agreement. The mortgage agreement must then be renewed or the mortgage balance paid in full.
 
Mortgagee
The lender.
 
Mortgagor
The borrower.
 
Offer to Purchase
A formal, legal agreement which offers a certain price for a specified real property. The offer may be firm (no conditions attached) or conditional (certain conditions must be fulfilled).
 
P.I.T.
Principal, Interest, and taxes.

Penalty
A fee charged by the lender when the borrower pays off all or a portion of a mortgage more quickly than provided for in the mortgage agreement.

Port
Porting a mortgage means taking your current mortgage, with its rates and terms and moving it to another property.
 
Refinance
To arrange a new mortgage for an increased amount. The old mortgage(s) is paid off (discharged) from the proceeds of the new loan. This type of loan is also referred to as equity take out.
 
Renew
To extend a mortgage agreement with the same lender for another term. The length of the term and the conditions (such as the rate of interest) may be changed.
 
Term
The length of time which a mortgage agreement covers. Payments made may not fully repay the outstanding principal by the end of the term, because the amortization period may be longer.