Canadian mortgage insights, rate analysis, and home buying strategies from Alex McFadyen.
RBC says Canadian housing affordability is the best it has been since 2022. Here is what the Q1 2026 numbers show, city by city, and why the improvement may be near its ceiling.
Statistics Canada data shows a $19.2 billion stall in new variable-rate mortgages, even as rates have fallen. Discover the real math and psychology driving this trend in 2026.
Nobody can forecast rates past a year, and new C.D. Howe research backs that up. The 3-line rate-risk read and the 5 questions that pick your mortgage term without a forecast.
The government announced a $3.2 billion plan to buy 2,200 empty BC condos, but the real taxpayer funding is closer to $300 million. With no details on price or eligibility, it looks more like a developer bailout than an affordability plan.
Mortgage life insurance is optional, and your lender cannot make you buy it. An honest, no-pressure look at what it covers, how it compares to term life, and how to decide.
The BC and federal governments announced a $3.2 billion plan to buy empty condos. This isn't about affordability; it's a bailout for developers that will keep prices high.
Thinking about financing a new truck? That $1,000 monthly payment could be costing you more than you think. We break down the math to show how that same money could become a $73,000 down payment in five years.
If your home is worth less than you paid, your mortgage renewal can feel like a trap. Learn the difference between a renewal, refinance, and switch, and discover a key strategy for insured mortgages.
A new ceasefire announced by President Trump could impact Canadian mortgage rates by lowering oil prices and easing inflation fears. Here's what it means for your renewal.
Some Canadian homeowners are hitting a renewal problem they didn't see coming. Even with perfect payment history, a drop in home value can trap you with your current lender, removing your ability to switch for a better rate.
The Bank of Canada held its key rate at 2.25% on June 10, 2026, but the story isn't that simple. We break down why the BoC might be missing a recession and what it means for your mortgage renewal or purchase.
Canada added 88,000 jobs in May 2026, but this isn't the good news you think it is for your mortgage. This strong report is pushing bond yields and fixed rates higher.
Canada is in a technical recession, but what does that really mean for house prices, interest rates, and your mortgage? Let's break down the numbers and what you can actually control.
The 2026 CMHC survey says fewer Canadians are worried about mortgage payments. But the real story is that 31% are cutting spending on groceries and essentials to cope.
You might not connect the price at the pump with your mortgage, but they're directly linked. Rising gas prices push up inflation, forcing the Bank of Canada to keep interest rates high.
Navigating mortgage qualification as a Canadian business owner can be tricky due to tax write-offs. Learn the traditional and stated income paths to homeownership.
Recent shifts in bond yields are reshaping Canadian mortgage rates, impacting both new buyers and those facing renewal. Understand how these changes affect your fixed rate and discover strategies to secure the best mortgage for your situation.
Canada's housing market is stuck, not crashing. Five forces are keeping it that way, and the biggest risk for owners isn't a price drop. It's renewal payment shock under the stress test.
CMHC's 5% down option for prefab homes works in specific situations and falls apart in others. The CMHC-approved builder list, foundation rules, and resale dynamics are the gating factors most buyers don't check first.
Fixed mortgage rates in Canada follow Government of Canada bond yields plus a 1.50-2.00% spread, not the Bank of Canada overnight rate. Here's why bonds have been volatile through 2026, and how to time a rate hold around the indicator that actually matters.
The headline rate decision is usually priced in before the Bank of Canada speaks. The Monetary Policy Report and press conference are where the information that actually moves your mortgage lives.
A mortgage co-signer in Canada is a full joint borrower, not a backup signature. Joint and several liability, TDS impact that blocks your own borrowing, and an exit strategy that has to be planned upfront.
The STR investment play that minted operators 2016-2022 is functionally dead in most of BC after Bill 35. Mid-term rentals, designated resort areas, and principal-residence operation are the remaining viable paths.
When a mortgage payment jumps you have four to six real options, not one answer. The right call depends on cash flow, time horizon, and rate outlook. Here's the framework I used on my own renewal.
The average Canadian homeowner has lost $52,000 in home equity since 2022, driven by softer prices, higher payments, and slower principal reduction. Here's what it means for HELOC access, refinancing capacity, and what to do about it.
The 2025-2027 renewal cohort is the largest concentration of mortgage payment shock in Canadian history, with roughly half facing jumps above 40%. The defensive moves start 12 months before renewal, not 90 days.
Federal and provincial programs supporting struggling home developers will produce some incremental supply but don't address the structural causes of Canada's housing shortage. The affordability impact for buyers will be modest.
Cosigning a mortgage makes you 100% liable for the full balance. A mortgage broker breaks down the 3 traps that destroy families and the 3 alternatives that protect both parents and first-time buyers in Canada.
BMO slashed credit limits for 46,000 Canadians with zero warning. A mortgage broker breaks down the 3 red flags your line is at risk and the 4 moves that protect your HELOC and personal line of credit.
Generation Squeeze proposed a surtax on homes over $1M. I pulled 4 real client scenarios and ran the actual math. The numbers are not what the headlines suggest.
Bill C-4 passed the Senate on February 26, 2026, giving first-time buyers up to $50,000 back in GST on new construction. Here's who qualifies, the real savings numbers, and what economists are warning about.
Steel at 50%, lumber at 45%, and a new 10% global tariff — here's how the tariff landscape is impacting housing costs, mortgage rates, and what 1.3 million renewing Canadians should do right now.
Three million Canadians have a HELOC and most are using it wrong. Here are the three strategies that actually build wealth — and the one $300K mistake destroying homeowners' finances.
Navigating the Canadian housing market in 2026 requires strategy. We'll explore which markets might be challenging for first-time buyers and where more opportunities could emerge, backed by data and mortgage insights.
Are Canadians truly leaving the country due to housing and mortgage pressures? We dive into the data, explore the root causes of this trend, and share expert insights on Canada's affordability crisis.
Is your mortgage coming up for renewal in 2026? Don't wait for your bank's offer. Learn critical strategies to navigate higher rates, understand the stress test, and secure the best terms for your Canadian home.
Are you a Canadian homeowner with a variable rate mortgage? A Bank of Canada rate hike could unexpectedly increase your monthly payments by a significant amount, potentially $1,000 or more. Learn how trigger rates work and what you can do.
Strong Canadian job numbers are dimming hopes for quick interest rate cuts, impacting homebuyers and homeowners. We dissect the economic signals and what they mean for your mortgage strategy in 2025 and beyond.
Over a million Canadians are set to face significantly higher mortgage payments when their fixed-rate terms expire in 2026. Learn why this is happening and what proactive steps you can take to prepare for potential payment shock.
Canadian HELOC debt has exploded, putting financial strain on many homeowners. Learn why this is happening, the risks involved, and practical strategies to manage or reduce your HELOC.
Canada's housing market has seen an unexpected shift. Discover what this "flip" means for your homeownership journey, whether you're buying or renewing.
A recent OSFI rule change impacts how lenders assess rental income, making it tougher for Canadian investors to qualify for mortgages. Understand the shift and how to adapt your investment strategy.
Wondering how much mortgage you can truly afford in Canada? We break down the '4.5x rule' and explain the real factors lenders use to determine your maximum borrowing power, including the stress test and debt ratios.
The idea of 50-year mortgages is gaining traction, but could this extended amortization actually harm Canadian homeownership? We dive into the risks and why it might not be the solution we need.
Canada's latest budget dropped a massive $78.3 billion deficit, sparking concerns for homebuyers. We break down what this means for mortgage rates, housing affordability, and your real estate goals in 2025.