Last Updated on November 15, 2024 by CREW Editorial
With interest rates beginning to dip from their recent highs, homeowners have a rare opportunity to optimize borrowing costs. But waiting for renewal to take action may leave savings on the table. The Cascade Mortgage Strategy offers a proactive way to capture lower rates without the risk of going variable by strategically prepaying mortgage segments and resetting them at current rates.
This is an effective strategy, which can help property owners make the most of today’s shifting market conditions. Now is an excellent time to implement it.
Timing Is Everything Don’t Wait for Renewal to Act
Timing plays a critical role in mortgage management. Many property owners wait for their renewal date to adjust their strategy. The problem is that they’re at the mercy of the market when that day arrives. If rates happen to be high, they’re stuck renewing at those levels.
The Cascade Mortgage Strategy turns that reactive approach on its head. Instead of waiting, homeowners can make annual prepayments. Each time they do, they can reset that portion of their mortgage at the lower, current rate allowing them to capture savings as they happen, not just when the full mortgage renews.
How the Strategy Works: Incremental Savings, Big Impact
Here’s a practical example: Suppose a homeowner makes a $100,000 prepayment this year. Rather than leaving that payment sitting idle, they can roll it into a new segment of their mortgage at today’s lower rate say 4.25% instead of the original 5%.
The magic lies in repetition. By making these prepayments each year, homeowners can take advantage of multiple rate resets. Even if rates bounce around, you’ll have secured savings on parts of your mortgage along the way. Over time, the reduced rates lower the blended interest rate of the overall mortgage, leading to substantial savings.
Tailored Financial Flexibility
The Cascade Mortgage Strategy offers homeowners two key benefits enhanced cash flow and accelerated debt reduction. After resetting a mortgage segment at a lower rate, the homeowner has the flexibility to either:
- Lower their monthly payment to free up funds for other priorities, such as savings or investments.
- Maintain their current payment and use the lower interest rate to pay off the mortgage faster, building equity more quickly.
Every homeowner’s situation is different. This strategy allows you to tailor your approach depending on whether you need to improve cash flow or pay down debt faster.
Proactive Risk Management in an Uncertain Market
While interest rates are trending down now, there’s no guarantee the decline will continue. That’s the beauty of the Cascade Mortgage Strategy; you can lock in savings along the way, without waiting for rates to hit rock bottom. If rates rise again, you’ve already secured lower rates for portions of your mortgage.
This approach reduces the risk of rate hikes catching homeowners off guard at renewal. By resetting segments over time, the strategy builds a financial cushion that smooths out future market fluctuations.
Implementing the Cascade Strategy
It’s one thing to understand the strategy, but knowing exactly how to apply it is key. Each step, from calculating prepayments to resetting segments and managing your blended rate needs to be done correctly. Getting professional support ensures the strategy is being optimally applied.
For homeowners looking to lower their mortgage costs without going variable, this is a key strategy to consider. Don’t wait until renewal start capturing savings today and build long-term financial flexibility.
A Smarter Way to Manage Your Mortgage
With rates moving in the right direction, the Cascade Mortgage Strategy offers homeowners a chance to lower their borrowing costs, improve cash flow, and mitigate the risks of future rate hikes. This strategy is all about taking control of your mortgage not leaving it to chance, so make your mortgage work for you.
Eva Neufeld brings over two decades of experience in both mortgage planning and real estate investment, helping clients make informed decisions to improve their financial well-being. As the founder and owner of Mortgage Tailors, she specializes in crafting mortgage strategies that align with the unique goals of real estate investors. Eva’s approach is rooted in personalized advice and advanced financial planning, enabling Canadians to leverage their real estate portfolios more effectively and achieve long-term financial success. She specializes in strategies designed to help pay off mortgages faster, supporting her clients in building wealth through thoughtful mortgage management and offering guidance on cascade mortgage strategies.
You can contact her at eva@mortgagetailors.com.
