It's easy to get caught up in interest rates and move-in dates, but if you want to make a smart home-buying decision, you've got to know some important mortgage details.

Here's a run down of six important mortgage terms and tips for choosing the option that's right for you:

1. Fixed and variable

With a fixed rate mortgage, your interest rate and payments won't change for the term of your contract. Because the rate is guaranteed, it's usually higher than the variable mortgage rate over the same term.

With a variable rate mortgage, the interest rate changes according to your bank's mortgage prime rate. When the interest rate drops, more of your payment goes towards the principal (your original borrowed amount). When the interest rate increases, more of your payment goes towards interest. If your payments no longer cover the required interest, your payment amount will go up.

So what's right for you?

If rates are expected to go up in the near future, you may want to go with a fixed rate. This is also a good choice if you have a strict budget and would like your monthly payments to stay consistent. On the other hand, if you can handle some potential fluctuation in your payments, a variable rate can save you a lot of money—in the short and possibly long term.

2. Term

Your mortgage term is the length of time your mortgage details are guaranteed. Shorter terms generally offer lower rates, but you'll have to renew earlier (when rates might be higher).

So what's right for you?

The most common term is five years, but, depending on your mortgage, you can go as short as six months or as long as 10 years. Think about how long you'll stay in your home and what rates are expected to do in the next few years.

3. Open and closed

With a closed mortgage, it's difficult (and expensive) to pay off your mortgage early or switch lenders before your term is up—but you will receive a better rate for your commitment. With an open mortgage, your rate is usually higher but you can make extra payments, pay off your mortgage entirely, or switch lenders at any time.

So what's right for you?

If you're confident you can commit to your mortgage contract for the full term, a closed mortgage is the way to go. Not so sure? Open gives you more flexibility.

Our Mortgage Finder Calculator can help narrow your decision.

4. Amortization

Amortization is how long it will take you to pay back your full mortgage (the original borrowed amount plus interest). In Canada, the maximum amortization period is 25 years.

The longer your amortization period, the lower your mortgage payments will be—but the more you'll end up paying in interest.

For example, using a $200,000 mortgage at 5% (per annum):

So what's right for you?

Reducing your amortization allows you to minimize your interest payments and pay down the principal faster—which is always a good thing. Figure out your budget and go with the shortest amortization period that you can afford.

Our Mortgage Comparison Calculator can help with the math.

5. Payment schedule

You can make your mortgage payments monthly, semi-monthly (twice a month), bi-weekly (every two weeks), or weekly. Semi-monthly and bi-weekly may seem like the same thing, but in reality, bi-weekly payments can save you thousands in interest and help you pay off your mortgage years earlier. This is because, with semi-monthly payments, you'll make 24 payments a year (two per month); with bi-weekly, you make 26 payments a year (half of the year's 52 weeks). That's two extra payments every year—which can add up to thousands in savings.

Using a $200,000 mortgage at 5% (per annum):

So what's right for you?

It's probably most convenient to align your mortgage payments with your paycheques—but if you get paid semi-monthly (on the 15th and 30th of every month, for example) and your budget can accommodate the extra two payments of the bi-weekly option, you should go for it. The savings can be huge.

6. Portability, blending and extending, skip payments, and pre-payments

These are a few options that may be available to you, depending on your mortgage.

Portability: If you decide to move before the end of your term, you may have the option to transfer your existing rate, loan balance, and maturity date to your new home without paying any penalties.

Blending and extending: Another option if you're planning on buying a new home or renewing your mortgage early, blending and extending allows you to blend your current rate with a new rate, while adding your new mortgage term on the end of your current term.

Skip payments: Some lenders allow you to skip one or two months of mortgage payments every year, a good option if your income fluctuates.

Pre-payments: You may have the option of increasing your payments by a certain per cent each year or prepaying up to a certain per cent of your loan each year, making a big dent in your principal.

Again, using a $200,000 mortgage at 5% (per annum):

Mortgage options can be overwhelming, but if you figure out the level of risk, commitment, and budget you're comfortable with, it should narrow your decision. A mortgage specialist can help you explore and understand these options before you sign on the dotted line, so you end up with a home that makes your whole brain happy.

If you still have questions about the home buying process, our complete guide to buying a home in Alberta has you covered.

Here you'll find information about just starting your house search all the way up to closing the deal, and everything in between, to help you feel confident about taking the leap to home ownership.