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
6 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 →Mortgage Basics
4 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 →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
4 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 →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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