Mortgage
First-Time Home Buyer Guide to Getting a Mortgage in Canada
Learn the essential steps to secure your first mortgage in Canada, from pre-approval to closing, with guidance on down payments, the stress test, and CMHC insurance.
Lucas Gagnon
Author
Writes about Canadian mortgages: fixed versus variable rates, the OSFI stress test, and CMHC insurance, guiding first-time buyers and renewers through qualifying and choosing a term.
- mortgage
- refinance
- home-buying
- mortgage-renewal
Published articles
Mortgage
Using the Home Buyers Plan Calculator in Canada: How Much You Can Withdraw and What You Owe Back
Learn how the Home Buyers Plan calculator helps you determine your RRSP withdrawal limit and repayment schedule when buying your first home in Canada.
Mortgage
Bi-Weekly Versus Monthly Mortgage Payments in Canada: The Real Dollar Savings
Discover how switching from monthly to bi-weekly mortgage payments can save you thousands in interest and shorten your amortization period.
Mortgage
How to Calculate Rental Yield on Investment Properties in Canada
Learn how to evaluate rental property returns using gross and net rental yield calculations to make informed Canadian real estate investment decisions.
Mortgage
Investment Property Mortgages in Canada: How to Qualify and What Lenders Require
Investment property mortgages require at least 20% down, pass the OSFI stress test, and prove you can carry both properties, lenders count only 50-80% of projected rental income.
Mortgage
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) in Canada: How It Works
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) lets Canadian homeowners borrow against their home equity with a revolving credit line. Learn how HELOCs work, eligibility requirements, and when they make sense for your financial goals.
Mortgage
Bridging Loans in Canada: Buying Your Next Home Before Selling
Compare bridging loans, HELOCs, and other strategies for buying your next Canadian home before your current property sells.
Mortgage
How to Refinance Your Mortgage in Canada and When It Makes Sense
Learn when refinancing your Canadian mortgage saves money, how to compare costs against savings, and the step-by-step process to switch lenders or renegotiate your term.
Mortgage
CMHC Mortgage Insurance in Canada: When You Need It and What It Costs
CMHC mortgage insurance protects lenders when your down payment is less than 20 per cent. Learn when it's required, how much it costs, and how to calculate your premium.
Mortgage
How the Bank of Canada Rate Decisions Affect Canadian Mortgage Rates
The Bank of Canada's policy rate directly influences variable mortgage rates and indirectly shapes fixed rates through bond markets, impacting renewal and refinancing costs across Canada.
Mortgage
How the Mortgage Stress Test Works in Canada
Learn how Canada's mortgage stress test affects your borrowing power and what qualifying rate you need to pass.
Mortgage
How Bank of Canada Rate Decisions Affect Mortgage Rates in Canada
Learn how Bank of Canada policy rate changes directly influence variable-rate mortgages and indirectly shape fixed-rate pricing across Canadian lenders.
Mortgage
Why the Bank of Canada's Interest Rate Cut Is No Silver Bullet for Mortgages in Canada
A Bank of Canada rate cut offers relief, but mortgage term structure, the stress test, and housing supply mean borrowers won't see instant savings.
Mortgage
How the Bank of Canada Interest Rate Shapes Your Mortgage in Canada
Understand how the Bank of Canada policy interest rate decisions directly influence your fixed or variable mortgage payments, the OSFI stress test, and your next renewal.
Mortgage
Canada's Mortgage Stress Test: What Borrowers Need to Know
Canada's mortgage stress test checks whether a borrower could still afford payments if rates rose. Here is how it works, why lenders use it, and what to review before applying.
Mortgage
Mortgage Stress Test in Canada: Everything You Need to Know
The mortgage stress test checks whether you could still afford your mortgage at a higher qualifying rate. Here is how it works in Canada and why it affects your buying power.
Mortgage
Why Canada Is Keeping the Mortgage Stress Test
Canada's mortgage stress test remains a central part of mortgage approval. Here is why OSFI and lenders still see it as important.
Mortgage
CMHC Mortgage Insurance Calculator in Canada: Estimate Your Premium
CMHC mortgage insurance is usually required when your down payment is less than 20%. This guide explains what goes into the premium and how to estimate it before you make an offer.
Mortgage
Ontario Land Transfer Tax in Canada: Calculate What You Owe and the First-Time Buyer Rebate
Ontario land transfer tax is a closing cost based on the home's purchase price. First-time buyers may qualify for a provincial rebate, and Toronto buyers may also owe municipal land transfer tax.
Mortgage
Bank of Canada Holds Interest Rates Steady: Impact on the Canadian Housing Market
When the Bank of Canada holds its policy rate, the immediate effect on housing and mortgages depends on your mortgage type and renewal timeline.
Mortgage
What a Bank of Canada Rate Pause May Mean for Mortgage Rates in Canada
When the Bank of Canada pauses its policy interest rate, the impact on Canadian mortgage rates depends on whether you have a variable or fixed-rate mortgage, and whether you are renewing, refinancing, or buying.
Mortgage
How to Prepare for Your Mortgage Renewal in 2026-2027
Learn the essential steps to prepare for your mortgage renewal, negotiate better rates, and avoid costly mistakes during the 2026-2027 renewal period.
Mortgage
When Does It Make Sense to Refinance Your Mortgage in Canada
Learn when refinancing your mortgage makes financial sense, how to calculate potential savings, and what costs to consider before making the switch.