What Is A Mortgage Commitment Letter? Do I Need One?

Introduction: The Appeal of Lower Monthly Payments For many first-time homebuyers in Canada, the 30-year mortgage amortization option might seem the key to homeownership. It offers lower monthly payments , making homes more affordable, especially in high-demand markets like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. But there's a catch that many Canadians don’t fully consider until much later. While your monthly mortgage bill may be manageable, the cost of a 30-year amortization often lies in the significant interest you'll pay over time. So, the big question is: Are you saving money or just spreading out the cost with a more long-term financial burden? What Is a 30-Year Mortgage Amortization? In Canada, most conventional mortgages default to a 25-year amortization. However, with a larger down payment or when using alternative lenders, a 30-year amortization becomes available. This extended term means lower monthly payments, but significantly higher interest paid over the life of the loan. Amortization is how your loan is structured to be repaid. With a 30-year amortization, each mortgage payment covers part of the principal and the interest . In the early years, much of your payment goes to interest. That’s where the cost sneaks in. Lower Monthly Payments… But at What Cost? A longer amortization makes the monthly payments seem more manageable. For example, someone buying a home for $700,000 with a 20% down payment would borrow $560,000 . Here’s a simplified comparison at a 4.5% fixed interest rate: 25-year amortization : $3,099/month → ~$370,000 in total interest 30-year amortization : $2,823/month → ~$458,000 in total interest That’s over $80,000 more in interest paid over the lifetime of the mortgage. And remember, rates in Canada tend to fluctuate. If you renew at higher rates after your term, the costs can climb even further. Real-Life Example: Meet Raj in Ontario Raj, a 32-year-old IT consultant in Mississauga, was excited to secure his first home. With housing prices high, he opted for a 30-year amortization to reduce his monthly costs. It seemed manageable—just over $3,000/month. However, his mortgage broker at Frank Mortgage showed him the numbers: with a 25-year amortization, his monthly payment would be $350 higher, but he would save more than $90,000 in interest . Raj chose the 25-year option and plans to make lump-sum prepayments when his income increases, taking advantage of the flexible prepayment options standard in Canadian mortgage terms. How Interest Adds Up: A Glimpse at Amortization Let’s break down how the interest piles up in the early years:

Feeling hesitant about entering the housing market today due to political or economic uncertainty is understandable. The landscape can seem unpredictable—interest rates shift, housing supply fluctuates, tariff news hits the headlines and policies change. As a mortgage broker, we see this uncertainty every day. But here’s the truth: while there is much beyond your control, mastering the factors that you can control is what will make the biggest difference in your journey to homeownership.