There’s a bit of a push and pull happening in the market right now, and it’s important to understand both sides. On one hand, rising oil prices and inflation concerns are pushing bond yields higher, which is putting upward pressure on fixed mortgage rates. On the other hand, the Canadian economy is clearly slowing, and that should limit how aggressive the Bank of Canada can be moving forward. My main takeaway: Don’t just watch prices right now. Watch supply. Listings are star

The Bank of Canada has announced that it is holding its benchmark interest rate at 2.25% . This decision was widely expected, but the reasoning behind it matters—especially if you have a mortgage, are up for renewal, or are thinking about buying. Let’s break it down in a simple, easy-to-understand way. What’s Happening in Canada Right Now? The Canadian economy is showing mixed signals : The economy shrank slightly (0.6%)  at the end of 2025 Consumer and government spending ar

The Purpose of the Home Inspection.... When buyers include a home inspection condition in an offer, many people assume it’s only about checking the physical condition of the property — the furnace, the roof, the wiring, or the foundation. Those items are certainly part of the process, but the purpose of the inspection period is actually broader than that. Buying a home often happens quickly. A buyer may spend a short amount of time viewing a property and then submit an offer

But for many borrowers, the rate itself is not what creates stress at renewal. The real risk is everything that changes quietly in the years leading up to it. By the time a renewal notice arrives, most households are no longer in the same financial position they were when they first qualified. Income evolves, debt accumulates, credit shifts, and lender rules move in the background. When those changes stack up, the outcome at renewal is often decided before the rate conversati

A significant wave of Canadian mortgages is set to renew through 2026. Bank of Canada staff estimate roughly 60% of outstanding mortgages will renew in 2025 and 2026 . For many homeowners — especially those who secured ultra-low fixed rates in 2020 or 2021 — renewal could bring meaningful payment increases. In many cases, I’m modeling potential payment jumps in the 15% to 20% range , depending on the rate environment and remaining amortization. The difference between a stress

What It Means for Canada’s Housing Market For the first time in decades, the federal government is stepping directly back into the business of building homes. A bill tabled in Parliament last week would give the Canada Lands Company fully enshrined Crown corporation status — with expanded authority to acquire land and partner directly with private builders. At the same time, Ottawa is restructuring Build Canada Homes into a formal Crown corporation with similar powers. Transl

Ontario’s housing market is entering a transition year. After one of the weakest periods in decades, activity is expected to improve in 2026 — but this is shaping up to be a measured recovery, not a return to peak-market conditions. According to the latest outlook from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the province is moving toward stabilization. The key word for 2026 is balance . Here’s what that means for Ontario — and how buyers, sellers, and investors sh

The Bank of Canada held its policy interest rate today, keeping borrowing costs steady for now. While this brings a sense of short-term stability, it does not  mean mortgage rates are locked in place — especially when it comes to fixed rates. Here’s what Canadian homeowners need to understand about this decision and what it signals for the months ahead. What the Rate Hold Means for Homeowners A rate hold means the Bank of Canada’s overnight rate remains unchanged at 2.25% . T

Even though recent economic data out of Canada and the U.S. continues to show softness, mortgage funding costs moved higher to start the week. What’s important to understand is that these rate movements weren’t caused by Canadian fundamentals, but by global bond markets. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening, why it matters, and how it may impact your mortgage strategy. Why Mortgage Rates Jumped The key driver of this week’s rate increase came from overseas.The Bank of Japan

After being in this business for 17 years, I’ve seen a lot of changes—from the mortgage world itself to the broader economic landscape that shapes everything we do. When you’ve been watching rates, debt levels, and government policy as long as I have, you start to see how the past quietly sets the stage for where we’re headed next. Inspired by the release of the 2025–26 Federal Budget, we recently took a deep look at how Canada’s finances have shifted over the last decade. It