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Mortgages

Our guides, tips and articles will help you navigate Canada’s housing market with ease.
Best Mortgage Rates

Best 5-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates In Canada

Compare customized 5-year fixed mortgage rates from Canada’s best lenders and brokers for free. Find the lowest mortgage rate and apply for the home loan that best fits your needs.

Compare the Best Mortgage Rates in Alberta

Compare the Best Mortgage Rates in Alberta

Compare Alberta mortgage rates from Canada’s top lenders and brokers in minutes. Easily find the best mortgage rate for your needs.

Compare the Best Mortgage Rates in British Columbia

Compare the Best Mortgage Rates in British Columbia

Compare B.C. mortgage rates from Canada’s top lenders and brokers in minutes. Easily find the best mortgage rate for your needs.

The Best Mortgage Rates in Ontario

The Best Mortgage Rates in Ontario

Compare customized mortgage rates from Canada’s top lenders to find the best mortgage rate for your needs.

The basics
What Is Home Equity?

What Is Home Equity?

Home equity is the value of the ownership stake you’ve built up in a home that you own. In simple terms, it’s the difference between the value of your home and how much debt you have remaining on your mortgage. Building home equity can be done in two ways: Paying down your mortgage Increasing your […]

How Does a Mortgage Work in Canada?

How Does a Mortgage Work in Canada?

Anyone who’s buying a home will likely need a mortgage. The question is, how does a mortgage work in Canada? It’s a straightforward financial product, but what can confuse people are the different options and interest rates available. Since purchasing a home will likely be the most significant expense of your life, you’ll want to […]

Buying a House In Canada: The First Four Steps

Buying a House In Canada: The First Four Steps

For many Canadians, buying a house is a dream scenario. Not only does owning a home allow you to build wealth, but it also gives you more control over your living circumstances compared to renting.  But the cost, responsibility and hard work that comes with being a homeowner isn’t for everybody. Before buying a house, […]

Should You Rent or Buy?

Should You Rent or Buy?

There’s a common belief that renting is throwing away money. Since you’re paying someone else’s mortgage, you’d be better off buying and building equity for yourself, the argument goes. While this may be true in some cases, the numbers don’t always add up. The buy-or-rent question requires careful consideration as it can have a sizable […]

Help for first-time home buyers
First-Time Home Buyer Guide: Incentives and Strategies to Get You That First Property

First-Time Home Buyer Guide: Incentives and Strategies to Get You That First Property

With its lack of supply and strict mortgage guidelines, Canada’s real estate market can be a dispiriting place for first time home buyers. But there are a number of incentive programs and home buying strategies you can leverage to improve your chances of nabbing that elusive first property. Understanding them can be a helpful first […]

Canada’s RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan: How it Works, Who Can Use It

Canada’s RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan: How it Works, Who Can Use It

The Home Buyers’ Plan, or HBP, is a government-run program that allows Canadians to withdraw up to $35,000 from their RRSPs.  The funds can be used by HBP applicants to buy or build a home for themselves or for a relative with a disability. An added benefit of the HBP is that accessing your RRSP […]

How the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive Can Help You Buy a House

How the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive Can Help You Buy a House

If saving a large enough down payment is the obstacle standing between you and buying your first property, the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive might provide just the boost you need.. The First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, or FTHBI, is a shared equity program that allows you to borrow 5% or 10% of a home’s purchase price […]

Know your options
Fixed vs Variable Mortgage Rate: Which Is Better For You?

Fixed vs Variable Mortgage Rate: Which Is Better For You?

Comparing fixed- and variable-rate mortgages typically comes down to two factors: predictability and cost. With a fixed-rate mortgage, you’ll know exactly what your interest rate and mortgage payments will be for the duration of your mortgage term. With a variable-rate mortgage, your rate and payments can fluctuate. That uncertainty creates risk for the borrower, which […]

Understanding Open and Closed Mortgages

Understanding Open and Closed Mortgages

It doesn’t matter if you’re applying for a new mortgage or renewing your current one, you need to decide if you want to go with a closed or open mortgage. While the vast majority of homeowners go with closed mortgages, there are a few occasions where an open mortgage may make more sense. Depending on […]

Mortgage Pre-Approval: What It Is, How to Get It

Mortgage Pre-Approval: What It Is, How to Get It

It’s risky making an offer on a home before knowing the mortgage budget you’re working with. That’s the kind of information a mortgage pre-approval is designed to provide. A mortgage pre-approval involves a lender taking a close look at your finances, including income and debts, and providing a mortgage offer that stays in effect for […]

Amortization Period Vs. Mortgage Term

Amortization Period Vs. Mortgage Term

Two important components of any mortgage are the amortization period and the mortgage term. Not only do these two factors determine when you’ll become mortgage-free, but they also will help define your overall costs, interest rates and monthly payments. To put it simply — an amortization period is the total length of time it takes […]

Ready to buy a house?

Buying a home will likely be the largest purchase of your life, so make sure you know what affects housing affordability.

Managing your mortgage
How to Renew Your Mortgage

How to Renew Your Mortgage

If you still owe money on your mortgage when the current term is up, you’ll need to renew it for another term. At this point, you get a chance to reassess everything that affects your mortgage, including your choice of lender, interest rate, payment frequency and the length of your new term. As such, your […]

What Happens If You Break Your Mortgage Contract?

What Happens If You Break Your Mortgage Contract?

If you’re a homeowner and you’re thinking about selling your home, or you want to refinance for better mortgage rates, then you’ll likely need to break your mortgage. Unfortunately, you’ll have to pay a penalty to do so, but it may actually benefit you. Here’s what you need to know. What it means to break […]

Porting or Transferring a Mortgage

Porting or Transferring a Mortgage

Porting a mortgage, also known as transferring a mortgage, is a process all homeowners should be familiar with. The porting process allows you to apply your current mortgage terms to a new home loan with the same lender — all without breaking your mortgage contract. Porting a mortgage allows you to sell your house in the […]

The latest
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