 
  					Shave years off your mortgage
 
  Whether you are buying your first home, or have been making mortgage payments for years, you may be thinking about reducing this obligation, faster. In fact, changing your term, the payment amount and even making lump sum payments could pay down your mortgage more quickly.
Reduce the amortization period 
        The amortization period is the length over which the debt is carried. 
        By reducing this time period, from 25 years to 15 years, you will save 
        thousands in interest. The following chart shows these savings. 
| Interest rate | *Monthly payment | *Monthly payment | difference | interest | 
| (per annum) | 15-year | 25-year | savings | |
| 7% | $893.26 | $700.43 | $192.83 | $49,332.18 | 
| 8% | $948.16 | $763.21 | $184.95 | $58,299.80 | 
*Compounded half-yearly, not in advance.
        **Interest savings over the life of the mortgage, assuming constant interest 
        rate throughout amortization period.
        Based on figures obtained from RBC Royal Bank 
 Make lump-sum pre-payments
        Many lending institutions allow for lump sum payments. On the anniversary 
        date you can make a payment of a specified amount towards the mortgage. 
        You may also be able to double up on regular payments on any payment date. 
        These double-up payments are applied to the principal.
Increase the amount of your payments
        Any additional amount you can make on your principal reduces the amount 
        of interest. Check with your lender when you have additional cash reserves. 
      
