TD Drops Its 10-Year Fixed To 4.99%

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If the fear of rising rates makes your arm hairs stand up, consider this new option from TD:  a 10-year fixed rate of 4.99%.

. Q0 ^5 h' B. B: D* @* _TD says it’s the bank’s lowest 10-year rate ever.  It’s definitely one of the lowest long-term rates we remember a bank advertising.
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* m* ^# l5 U( WOn the face of it, 4.99% for 10 years seems like a relative gem for a variety of reasons:

    * Fixed rates are almost guaranteed to go higher in the next 12-18 months (Yes, we know, famous last words…). Where they stop, nobody knows.
    * Just 15 months ago people were paying over 5% for 5-year mortgages.
. l* X0 j+ M# h" h9 ?    * 4.99% is low for even 5-year rates, when viewed over the long term. In the last 10 years, for example, discounted 5-year rates have averaged 5.22%.

- E( `( e% t1 ?; p+ [! a& uSo if you want a 10-year term, TD’s offer is compelling.

0 f! f. q2 i" k& U8 N+ z6 }/ bBut a 10-year isn’t ideal for everyone.
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To illustrate, try comparing the obvious alternative:  two successive 5-year fixed mortgages.
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4 n+ m1 O; d5 y1 ?+ _) FIf you:
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& K! z% E9 h6 O+ F0 g6 x, X& ?' p. n- p    * Get an initial 5-year fixed rate of 3.69%
+ C! B- T2 b) P8 Z3 W6 ]    * Set your amortization to 25-years
    * Make the same payments on the 5-year fixed that you would with a 10-year fixed (for the first five years),
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3 S6 w$ k9 E' Y6 T" y…then 5-year rates would have to increase roughly 4% by renewal (in five years) in order for the 10-year fixed to save you more money.
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& |  |  n) m! ?! k# fThat’s possible, but if we are to believe that Canada is in an era of modest growth and low inflation, it doesn’t seem overly probable. Indeed, very few economists seem willing to predict 4% higher rates within 60 months.

3 D; x. G9 o+ C( X# `- aWhatever the case, ‘safety’ comes at a price and insurance is rarely cheap. On a $200,000 mortgage amortized over 25 years, you’re guaranteed to pay over $12,000 more interest for a 10-year fixed in the first five years.  Is it worth it?  The odds suggest it probably isn’t (see: 10-year Fixed or 5-year Fixed).

Every homeowner is different though. If you’re unsure about the best term for you, talk to a mortgage professional for a 2nd opinion.

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