See how extra payments can save you thousands in interest and shorten your mortgage
Making extra payments toward your mortgage principal can significantly reduce the total interest you pay and help you become mortgage-free faster. Even small additional payments can make a big difference over time.
Interest saved with prepayments
Mortgage paid off 0 years faster
For every dollar you prepay, you save approximately $0.00 in interest charges. This represents a guaranteed return equivalent to your mortgage interest rate.
Mortgage prepayments are additional payments you make toward your mortgage principal, beyond your regular scheduled payments. These extra payments directly reduce the amount you owe, which decreases the interest charged and can significantly shorten your amortization period.
Add a fixed amount to each regular payment. Even $50-$200 extra per payment can save thousands over the life of your mortgage.
Make one-time larger payments, typically from bonuses, tax refunds, or windfalls. Most lenders allow 10-20% of the original principal per year.
Permanently increase your regular payment amount, up to a certain percentage (often 15-20%) of the original payment.
Switch from monthly to accelerated bi-weekly or weekly payments, making the equivalent of one extra monthly payment per year.
Most Canadian mortgages allow prepayments within certain limits:
Always review your specific mortgage agreement for prepayment terms. Closed mortgages have prepayment limits, while open mortgages allow unlimited prepayments but typically have higher interest rates.
Prepayments have the greatest impact early in your mortgage when most of your payment goes toward interest. A $1,000 lump sum in year 1 saves much more interest than the same payment in year 20.
Remember that mortgage prepayments are made with after-tax dollars and mortgage interest on your principal residence is not tax-deductible in Canada. However, if you have a rental property or home office, a portion of your mortgage interest may be deductible.
Check out our other calculators to plan your complete mortgage strategy.
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