rbt
Senior Member
When someone buy a place as an investment, they always choose longer amortization terms, like 35 years combined with variable rates...
Not always. People don't invest for the same reason or expect to sell at the same time. Folks in it for the mid term (10 to 15 year) might try something shorter to build significant equity in the property. Principal paid on the property is income too -- easily extracted during mortgage renewal (essentially any time for variable) or with a 2nd mortgage added.
Many banks will give clients with very good credit a 2nd mortgage for the same terms and duration as the first, expiring on the same day. Essentially it becomes a top-up of the 1st mortgage.
Investors who are on the edge, cannot afford to top up principal for mortgage payments, will certainly do their best to minimize the principal contribution and interest rates; possibly to the detriment to building their equity depending on the duration they intended to hold the property for.