Guides for the Canadian market.
Plain-language deep-dives on the rules, math, and decisions every Canadian home buyer needs to understand.
For First-Time Buyers
8 guidesHow much mortgage can I afford in Canada?
Learn the GDS and TDS rules Canadian banks use to calculate your maximum mortgage amount.
Read article →GuideMinimum down payment in Canada: 2025 rules
Exact minimum down payment requirements for every price range, CMHC premiums, FHSA explained, and the new December 2024 rule changes.
Read article →GuideFirst-time home buyer incentives in Canada: 2025 guide
Every government program available to Canadian first-time buyers — FHSA, RRSP HBP, land transfer tax rebates, and how to stack them for maximum benefit.
Read article →GuideThe Canadian mortgage stress test explained: 2025 rules
How the OSFI stress test works, what the qualifying rate is, how much it reduces your borrowing power, and 6 strategies to pass it.
Read article →GuideMortgage pre-approval in Canada: what it means and how to get it
The difference between pre-approval and pre-qualification, what documents you need, how long it lasts, and how to get the best rate hold.
Read article →GuideHow to improve your credit score for a mortgage in Canada
What credit score you need for a Canadian mortgage, what is hurting your score, and 8 proven strategies to improve it before you apply.
Read article →GuideFirst-time home buyer GST rebate Canada 2026
Canada's new GST rebate eliminates up to $50,000 in tax on new homes for first-time buyers. Who qualifies, which homes are eligible, and how to stack it with Ontario's HST removal and the FHSA.
Read article →GuideWhat income do you need to buy a home in Canada in 2026?
City by city breakdown of the minimum household income needed to qualify for a mortgage in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa and every major Canadian city at 2026 mortgage rates.
Read article →Mortgage Basics
7 guidesFixed vs variable mortgage rates in Canada
Fixed or variable — learn how each works, the real cost difference, and which type suits your Canadian mortgage situation.
Read article →GuideCondo mortgage rules in Canada
How condo fees affect your qualification, what lenders look for in a condo building, pre-construction risks, and the status certificate explained.
Read article →GuideNew construction mortgage in Canada
Deposit structures, rate holds, occupancy fees, GST/HST, builder delays, and everything you need to know before buying pre-construction in Canada.
Read article →GuideMortgage amortization in Canada: 25 vs 30 years explained
The real cost difference between 25 and 30 year amortization, who qualifies for 30 years, how it affects the stress test, and the accelerated payment strategy.
Read article →GuideCanadian mortgage rate forecast 2026
Where Canadian mortgage rates stand in 2026, Bank of Canada forecast, fixed vs variable rate outlook, and what the renewal crisis means for borrowers.
Read article →GuideCMHC insurance explained
How down payments under 20% trigger mortgage default insurance — and what it costs you.
Read article →GuideClosing costs across Canada
From BC's Property Transfer Tax to Ontario's LTT — every upfront cost broken down by province.
Read article →For Investors
1 guideFor Homeowners
7 guidesMortgage renewal in Canada: what to do when your term ends
What happens at mortgage renewal, how to get the best rate, whether to switch lenders, and the biggest mistakes Canadians make at renewal.
Read article →GuideHome equity line of credit (HELOC) in Canada
How a HELOC works, how much you can borrow, current rates, smart uses, and the risks every Canadian homeowner needs to understand.
Read article →GuideHow to break a mortgage in Canada without a massive penalty
How IRD penalties are calculated, when breaking your mortgage makes financial sense, and strategies to minimize your break cost.
Read article →GuideSecond mortgage in Canada: how it works and when it makes sense
How second mortgages work, how much you can borrow, current rates, second mortgage vs HELOC, and when using one makes financial sense.
Read article →GuideBridge financing in Canada: what it is and how it works
How bridge financing works, when you need it, what it costs, and how to avoid the gap between buying and selling your home.
Read article →GuideMortgage renewal in Canada 2026: what to expect and how to prepare
1.2 million Canadians are renewing in 2026 facing payment increases of $375-700/month. How to get the best renewal rate and manage the payment shock.
Read article →GuideSelf-employed mortgage in Canada: how to qualify in 2025
How lenders calculate self-employed income, what documents you need, the best lenders for self-employed Canadians, and strategies to improve your qualification.
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