Just to clear a few things up:
- Those rates you see on ratespy and the other rate websites are generally the ones that come with the highest discharge fees. In addition - believe it or not, the big banks will almost always have higher discharge fees than the "smaller ones" you elude to. Those are often referred to as "monoline lenders", meaning they only offer mortgages.
- Generally best rates are found with monoline lenders
- Brokers generally don't charge fees unless the deal is private, which yours would not be. Each lender pays the broker what's called a "finder's fee", so services should be free.
It's important to be aware of all your options before proceeding. Proceed with the "rock bottom rates" that can be restrictive (not portable/higher discharge fees) or proceed with a rate that's slightly higher (which may only mean an extra $5-15/month for a condo) with no restrictions and standard penalties. Is your mortgage portable?
It seems your situation moving forward is uncertain, so if it were me, I would lean towards a mortgage that has a good rate, but is also flexible. Flexibility in real estate is crucial, and you should always plan for the what-ifs.
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