The friction has eased Two important changes make renewal shopping  more competitive and fair: For insured mortgages:  The Canadian Mortgage Charter  expects that insured borrowers can switch lenders at renewal without re‑doing the stress test (MQR) —increasing competition and access to the cheapest deal. For uninsured mortgages:   OSFI  removed the prescribed MQR for straight switches  (no increase to loan amount or amortization) when moving to another federally regulated le

Two powerful accounts, now stronger together The First Home Savings Account (FHSA)  lets first‑time buyers contribute $8,000 per year , $40,000 lifetime , with tax‑deductible contributions  and tax‑free qualified withdrawals  toward a first home. Uptake has been strong: ~484,000 contributors in 2023 , with median contributions of $8,000 ; by April 2024, 750,000+ accounts opened . Budget 2024  raised the HBP withdrawal limit to $60,000  (from $35,000), extended the repayment g

The highlights: Affordability tools for first‑time buyers and new builds Recent federal reforms deliver two major changes: 30‑year amortizations  are now available to all first‑time homebuyers  and to all buyers of newly built homes , reducing monthly payments versus 25 years. (Effective Dec 15, 2024 .) The insured mortgage price cap increased to $1.5M  (from $1.0M) to reflect market realities, enabling more purchases with <20% down  under default insurance. (Effective Dec 15

The quick take After a year of rate cuts through 2024–2025, the Bank of Canada (BoC)  ended 2025 by holding the policy rate at 2.25% , signalling a period of stability heading into 2026. Variable-rate borrowers should see steadier payments, while fixed rates will continue to track bond yields. National home sales and prices are expected to rebound modestly  in 2026. Where the policy rate stands now The BoC’s target overnight rate is 2.25% (Dec 10, 2025)  after a series of red

By December, winter has already settled in with snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. While the time for pre-winter prep has passed, there’s still plenty you can do to keep your home safe, efficient, and comfortable throughout the season. Here’s what homeowners should focus on now:     1. Keep Your Roof and Gutters in Check Snow and ice can wreak havoc on your roof and drainage system: Watch for Ice Dams: If you notice icicles forming along your roofline, it could indicate an

When it comes to choosing a mortgage, most people focus on one thing — the rate. And while getting a great rate is important, it’s not  the whole story. Some mortgages look like a great deal on paper but come with fine print that can cost you thousands later on — in penalties, restrictions, or missed flexibility. That’s why I always tell clients: before you sign anything, make sure you understand what you’re agreeing to. Let’s go over a few of the most common “gotchas” to wat

If you’ve started looking for a home, you’ve probably heard the terms pre-approval  and pre-qualification  tossed around a lot. They sound similar, and even some lenders use them interchangeably — but they’re not  the same thing. In fact, knowing the difference could be what saves you from falling in love with a home you can’t afford — or missing out on one you could. Let’s clear up the confusion so you can shop for your next home with confidence. 1. What a Pre-Qualification

When it comes to mortgages, most people focus on one goal: getting the lowest rate. And don’t get me wrong — that’s important. But here’s something I always tell my clients: The real savings come from how you manage your mortgage, not just what rate you get. There are smart, easy strategies you can use to shave years off your mortgage — without tightening your budget or sacrificing your lifestyle. Let’s go over a few of my favourites. 1. Switch to Accelerated Payments — Small

When it comes to choosing a mortgage, one of the first questions I get is: “Should I go fixed or variable?” It’s a great question — but here’s the truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best option depends on you  — your goals, your comfort level with change, and your long-term plans. Let’s walk through the differences together so you can feel confident knowing you’re making the right choice for your situation — not just following what everyone else is doing. 1. The

When your mortgage term comes up for renewal, your bank will usually make things super easy  for you. They’ll send you an email or a letter with a simple “click here to renew” button — no meetings, no paperwork, no questions asked. Sounds convenient, right? But that convenience can quietly cost you thousands of dollars  over your next term. Let’s talk about why your renewal deserves just as much attention as getting your first mortgage — and how I can help you make sure you’r

Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but it can also be overwhelming—especially when it comes to finances. Many buyers...

Your home isn’t just a place to live—it’s one of your biggest financial assets. Over time, as you pay down your mortgage and property...

When most Canadians think of getting a mortgage, their first thought is: “I should go to my bank.” But what if your bank only represents...

When you start thinking about buying a home, the excitement usually begins with browsing listings online or visiting open houses. But...

When your mortgage term comes to an end, your lender will typically send you a renewal letter in the mail or by email. It usually looks...

Your down payment is the money you pay upfront when buying a home. In Canada, the rules are straightforward but can vary depending on...

Did you know that 70% of homeowners just sign the renewal offer from their bank without shopping around? That’s like leaving free money...

Before you start shopping for your dream home, getting pre-approved is a must. A pre-approval tells you exactly how much you can borrow...

Choosing between a fixed-rate and variable-rate mortgage can feel like flipping a coin — especially in a market with unpredictable...

With so much online advice, it’s easy to fall for mortgage myths. Let’s bust a few: ❌ Myth: Fixed rates are always safer In reality, a...