This Vs That Volume 2

Michael Hallett • September 23, 2015
This is a sequel to This Vs That, which I published last month on my blog.

A good idea always has an encore presentation. Heck, Rambo was so good they made another four movies. Here are a handful of more terms used in the real estate and mortgage industry and hopefully the explanation will provide some clarity.

Mortgagor vs Mortgagee

The mortgagor is the borrower and the mortgagee is the lender.

Portable vs Assumable Mortgage

The act of porting mortgage allows the borrower to transfer the terms, conditions and interest rate of the current mortgage to the home the borrower would like to purchase. There is sometimes a blend and extend that usually occurs as well. An assumable mortgage allows the purchaser to assume or take over the responsibilities and liabilities under the mortgage from the vendor.

Deposit vs Down Payment

The deposit is a sum of money negotiated in a real estate purchase/sale transaction by the seller and buyer upon removing subjects. It's a sign of following through with the transaction in good faith. The deposit is then held "in-trust" with the Realtor and then transferred to the lawyer for completion. The down Payment is a sum of money required by the lender to seek financing to purchase the subject property. The percentage of down payment may vary from scenario to scenario as lender policies can shift with the economy. The deposit is a portion of the down payment. For example, if the purchase price of the home is $450,000 and the buyer is putting $45,000 (10%) down to secure 90% financing, the deposit is $15,000 (held in "in-trust") upon removing subjects then only $30,000 is required to be paid to the lawyer at completion.

Closed vs Open Term

A closed mortgage that is terminated prior to the maturity date will be levied a penalty, either 3 months interest or an Interest Rate Differential calculation. An open mortgage, if terminated prior to maturity will not be charge a penalty at all. One could have a Fixed Closed or Fixed Open mortgage and the same applies to variable, one could have either an open or closed term.

Term vs Amortization (Life of the Mortgage)

The term of the mortgage represents the duration of the contractual obligation to the lender. Terms range from 6 months, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 year terms with some lenders offering 7 and 10 year terms. Amortization or the life of the mortgage is the process of repaying a loan by way of periodic payments. These payment amounts are a combination of principal and interest. The most common amortization schedule that borrowers follow is 25 years. The latin word admortire means "to kill." Most borrowers want to kill their mortgage as fast as possible.

Chattel vs Fixture vs Real Property

Chattels are articles of personal property like TVs, car, computer, bikes etc. A fixture is a chattel that has become attached to real property over time. There is a 2 part test to consider the intended and purpose of affixation. Real property generally consists of land and whatever is erected, growing upon or affixed to the land.

Freehold vs Leasehold Property

The owner of the freehold interest has full use and control of the land and the buildings on it, subject to any rights of the Crown, local land-use bylaws, and any other restrictions in place at the time of purchase. In some cases, you might purchase the right to use a residential property for a long, but limited, period of time, this is called a leasehold interest. Leasehold interests are frequently set for periods of 99 years.

Will there be a This Vs That Volume 3 - stay tuned to find out!

SHARE

MY INSTAGRAM

MICHAEL HALLETT
Mortgage Broker

LET'S TALK
By Michael Hallett July 22, 2026
When you’re buying a home, two terms often cause confusion: deposit and down payment . While they’re related, they serve very different purposes in the homebuying process. Here’s what you need to know. What Is a Deposit? A deposit is the money you provide when you make an offer on a property. Think of it as a show of good faith that proves you’re serious about purchasing. How it works : Typically, you provide a certified cheque or bank draft that your real estate brokerage holds in trust. If your offer is accepted, the deposit remains in trust until the deal moves forward. If negotiations fall through, the deposit is refunded. Connection to your down payment : Once the sale is finalized, your deposit becomes part of your total down payment. Why it matters : The amount is negotiable, but a larger deposit can make your offer more attractive in a competitive market. Keep in mind, however, that if you back out after conditions are removed, you risk losing your deposit. What Is a Down Payment? Your down payment is the amount you contribute toward the purchase price of your home when securing a mortgage. Minimum requirement : In Canada, the minimum down payment is 5% of the home’s purchase price. Anything less than 20% requires mortgage default insurance. Sources : Down payments can come from your savings, the sale of another property, RRSP withdrawals (through the Home Buyers’ Plan), a gift from family, or even borrowed funds. Example: How They Work Together Imagine you’re buying a $400,000 home with a 10% down payment ($40,000). When you make your offer, you provide a $10,000 deposit . Once conditions are met, that deposit is transferred to your lawyer’s trust account. At closing, you add the remaining $30,000 to complete your full down payment. The lender provides the rest—$360,000—through your mortgage. The Bottom Line Your deposit shows commitment and secures your offer, while your down payment is what makes the mortgage possible. Together, they work hand in hand to get you into your new home. 📞 If you’d like clarity on deposits, down payments, or any other part of the mortgage process, let’s connect. I’d be happy to walk you through it step by step.
By Michael Hallett July 15, 2026
The Bank of Canada announced today that it is holding its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%. The tone of today's announcement is notably more optimistic than previous months. Here's what's changed and what it means for you.