Mortgage news, insights & guides
Timely Canadian mortgage market updates, rate analysis, and plain-language guides to help you decide with confidence.
30 articles
Credit & debtCMHC Hasn’t Changed the 600 Rule—But Credit Can Still Shape Your Rate
CMHC’s Fall 2026 report did not announce a new credit-score rule for insured purchase mortgages. The key takeaway for buyers is that the 600 minimum is only an eligibility floor—your broader credit profile can still affect approval and pricing.
November 3, 20263 min readRead article
RatesBank of Canada Raises Rate to 2.50%: What Borrowers Should Do Now
The Bank of Canada raised its policy rate by 0.25 percentage points on October 28, 2026 — its first hike since July 2023. For mortgage holders and buyers, the main message is simple: do not assume borrowing costs are about to fall.
October 28, 20263 min readRead article
Market updateCMHC Summer 2026 Housing Outlook: Softer Market, Rising Ontario Arrears
CMHC’s July housing outlook pointed to weak demand, softer prices and easing rentals in 2026. The newer development is CMHC’s October 27 warning that Ontario mortgage arrears are expected to keep rising through mid-2027.
October 27, 20263 min readRead article
HomeownershipCanadian Mortgage Arrears Doubled Since 2022: What Homeowners Should Know
A new Benchmark Canada release shows Canadian mortgages at least 90 days overdue have doubled since August 2022. The national rate is still low by long-run standards, but the trend is a clear signal for homeowners and buyers to review affordability earlier.
October 21, 20263 min readRead article
RatesLoonie Rises After Alberta Vote: What to Watch for Mortgages on Oct. 28
The Alberta referendum coincided with a stronger Canadian dollar, but it did not change mortgage rules or determine the Bank of Canada’s next move. The real dated event for borrowers is the Bank’s October 28 policy announcement and Monetary Policy Report.
October 20, 20263 min readRead article
Home buyingCan You Add Basement Suite Costs to a Mortgage in Canada?
Yes, in some cases you may be able to buy a home and finance the cost of adding a legal secondary suite — but it depends on the mortgage route, lender, insurer and local requirements. A newer CMHC refinance update also matters for existing homeowners, but it is a separate program from a purchase mortgage.
October 13, 20263 min readRead article
First-time buyersFHSA vs RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan: Which Down Payment Tool to Use First
The FHSA and RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan can both help eligible Canadians buy a first home, but they work very differently. For many buyers, the practical starting point is to explore the FHSA early, then treat any RRSP withdrawal as a repayable commitment.
October 5, 20263 min readRead article
Personal financeReverse Mortgage Rates Are Moving: What Canadians 55+ Should Know
Reverse mortgages can still help eligible homeowners access equity without selling or making monthly payments, but late-2026 pricing changes have made lender comparison more important. Here’s what changed, what stayed the same, and what to weigh before using home equity in retirement.
September 29, 20263 min readRead article
Home buyingMortgage Broker Use Rises in Canada as Buyers Seek Advice, MPC Survey Finds
A July 2026 Mortgage Professionals Canada survey shows more recent buyers are using mortgage brokers — and not just to find a lower rate. The bigger shift is toward advice on lender choice, mortgage structure, paperwork and the full application process.
September 23, 20263 min readRead article
RenewalsMortgage Renewal in Canada: Staying With Your Lender Is Easier, Not Always Cheaper
Recent stress-test changes make renewing with your current lender more attractive for some Canadians, especially if your finances have changed. But the convenience of staying put can come with a real price if you accept the first offer without comparing.
September 16, 20263 min readRead article
Credit & debtFast Credit Fixes Before a Mortgage: What Actually Helps in Canada
In the months before a mortgage application, Canadian lenders want to see real, transparent credit improvement — not last-minute tricks. Here’s what can move the needle in 30 to 90 days, and what may raise more questions than it answers.
September 14, 20263 min readRead article
Home buyingMortgage AI in Canada: Faster Underwriting, More Accountability in 2026
New 2026 mortgage AI tools are promising faster document review and more explainable underwriting — but Canadian shoppers still want clear disclosure, human oversight and the ability to question decisions.
September 9, 20263 min readRead article
RatesBank of Canada Holds at 2.25% Again: What Changed on September 2
The Bank of Canada kept its overnight rate at 2.25% for a seventh straight decision, leaving prime-linked borrowing costs broadly unchanged. The important update is the Bank’s stronger concern about inflation risks from tariffs and elevated energy prices, which may delay rate relief for borrowers.
September 2, 20263 min readRead article
RatesFixed Mortgage Rates Face New Pressure as Trade War Escalates
A late-July U.S. tariff announcement and further August escalation have pushed bond yields higher, putting Canadian fixed mortgage rates under pressure even as the Bank of Canada is expected to hold steady. For buyers and renewing homeowners, the key issue now is not just the overnight rate — it is how quickly bond-market moves show up in lender pricing.
August 28, 20263 min readRead article
Credit & debtThe 30% Credit Card Rule in Canada: What Mortgage Shoppers Should Know
Credit utilization is one of the biggest factors in your Canadian credit score, and it can also affect how mortgage lenders view your overall debt risk. Here’s how to lower revolving balances in a practical, mortgage-friendly way.
August 22, 20263 min readRead article
Market updateRent or Buy in Canada in 2026? Easing Rentals Change the Decision
Canada’s rental market is finally easing after years of intense pressure, giving many Canadians more room to wait before buying. With softer home prices, subdued sales and more rental choice in major cities, the rent-versus-buy decision is becoming less rushed and more strategic.
August 15, 20263 min readRead article
Home buyingNewcomer Mortgages in Canada: What Lenders Are Looking for Now
Newcomers may still be able to qualify for a Canadian mortgage even with limited Canadian credit history. The biggest factors are proof of status, Canadian employment, credit evidence and the size of your down payment.
August 10, 20263 min readRead article
RefinancingRefinance Plus Improvements in Canada: Use Future Home Value to Fund Renovations
Refinance Plus Improvements is not new, but more lenders are now highlighting clearer, appraisal-based options for renovation financing. Here’s how it works, what changed in recent lender guidelines, and where the risks are.
August 4, 20263 min readRead article
Market updateCanada’s Two-Track Housing Market: Condos Cool as Affordable Regions Stay Hot
Canada’s resale market looks balanced nationally, but the local reality is sharply split. Toronto and Vancouver condos are facing heavy supply and softer prices, while many lower-cost regions and low-rise segments remain competitive.
July 27, 20263 min readRead article
Credit & debtShould You Consolidate Debt Before Applying for a Mortgage in Canada?
Debt consolidation can make your finances easier to manage before a mortgage application — but it can also create new issues if it is timed poorly or leads to more borrowing. Here’s how to think through the decision before you apply.
July 23, 20263 min readRead article
Market updateCanadian Housing Affordability Is Improving — But It Depends Where You Live
Canada’s housing market is showing early signs of better affordability, but the improvement is uneven. In high-cost markets, softer demand may create openings, while more affordable regions remain competitive and, in some cases, are still setting price records.
July 17, 20263 min readRead article
RatesBank of Canada Holds at 2.25% Again: What the July Decision Means
The Bank of Canada kept its policy rate unchanged on July 15, extending the current rate environment for Canadian borrowers. For mortgage holders, renewing homeowners and buyers, the main message is stability — but not relief yet.
July 15, 20263 min readRead article
HomeownershipA Practical Canadian Home Maintenance Plan to Protect Your Home and Budget
Rising home costs make proactive maintenance more important than ever. A simple seasonal, monthly and annual routine can help prevent damage, support insurance claims, and make renovation or repair costs easier to plan for.
July 8, 20263 min readRead article
RenewalsMortgage Delinquencies Are Rising in Canada: What Renewing Borrowers Should Know
New Equifax and CMHC data show mortgage stress is increasing as higher-rate renewals hit household budgets. Delinquencies remain low overall, but the pressure is concentrated among more leveraged borrowers and owners carrying other debts.
June 29, 20263 min readRead article
Personal financePersonal Finance for Canadian Homeowners: 6 Practical Moves
Higher living costs, debt payments and mortgage renewals are putting pressure on many Canadian households. Here are practical ways homeowners can protect cash flow, build a safety net and make more intentional mortgage decisions.
June 22, 20263 min readRead article
Credit & debtHow to Improve Your Credit and Debt Profile Before a Mortgage
Before you apply for a mortgage, lenders look at more than your credit score. This practical guide explains how to clean up your reports, lower balances, manage debt, and show lenders that your credit is under control.
June 18, 20263 min readRead article
HomeownershipHow Canadian Homeowners Can Budget for Repairs, Debt and Renewals
Homeownership costs do not stop at the mortgage payment. This practical guide shows how to plan for repairs, debt, renewal pressure, renovation financing and available federal supports without becoming house poor.
June 16, 20263 min readRead article
Market updateBank of Canada holds at 2.25%: what June's decision means for your mortgage
The Bank of Canada left its policy rate unchanged again in June. Here's why rates are stuck, and what it means whether you hold a variable, fixed, or are shopping for a new mortgage.
June 11, 20265 min readRead article
RenewalsCanada's 2026 renewal wave: how to handle a rate reset without overpaying
More than a million Canadian mortgages renew in 2026 — many jumping from pandemic-era lows to today's rates. Here's how to prepare for the payment shock and keep your options open.
June 4, 20266 min readRead article
First-time buyersUsing the FHSA in 2026: a first-time buyer's playbook
The First Home Savings Account remains one of the most powerful tools for Canadians buying their first home. Here's how it works and how to combine it with other programs.
May 28, 20267 min readRead article