18 Sep

Navigating Canada’s Mortgage Environment: Key Trends and What They Mean for You

Latest News

Posted by: Charlotte Ferguson

Navigating Canada’s Mortgage Environment: Key Trends and What They Mean for You


The Canadian mortgage market continues to evolve under pressure from changing interest rates, tightening housing supply, and shifting borrower behavior. For prospective homebuyers, current owners considering refinancing, or those just keeping an eye on the market, understanding these developments is crucial.

  1. Interest Rate Pressures Persist
    Mortgage rates remain a big factor. Even where there’s talk of easing from the Bank of Canada, lenders may be cautious. Borrowers are keeping a close eye on rate trends, especially as they plan for long-term affordability.

  2. Supply Constraints Fuel Competition
    In many regions, home supply remains tight. That scarcity is driving up home prices, making it more challenging for buyers—especially first-timers—to find affordable options. New construction is part of the solution, but it often takes time for new housing stock to come on stream.

  3. Buyer Behavior Adjusts
    Homebuyers are getting more cautious. Many are stretching search areas, recalculating budgets, or waiting out the market to see if conditions improve. Fixed vs. variable rate choices are being weighed more carefully given economic uncertainty.

  4. Refinancing and Mortgage Strategy Are Key
    For current homeowners, refinancing or restructuring existing mortgages is a topic of interest—particularly for those who locked in higher rates and are looking for ways to lower payments. Mortgage advisors are emphasizing personalized strategies: looking at amortization changes, payment schedules, or switching product types.

  5. Policy & Regulatory Impacts
    Government and regulatory policies continue to influence the landscape. Measures related to zoning, permitting, and incentives for affordable housing can either ease or exacerbate supply issues. Meanwhile, mortgage rules (e.g., stress tests, down payment requirements) shape what borrowers can do.

What This Means for You

  • If you’re buying, get clear on what you can afford after factoring in all costs—closing, taxes, insurance, maintenance.

  • If rates drop, it might be worth having a plan for how to take advantage (e.g. refinance).

  • If you own already, review your mortgage term and type to see if better options exist.

  • Stay informed about policy changes in your area—sometimes even small regulatory shifts can open up opportunities.

Conclusion
Canada’s mortgage market isn’t in a static place—it’s in flux. With the right information and advice, both buyers and existing homeowners can find ways to make good decisions. It pays to stay informed, flexible, and proactive.

18 Sep

Canadian Mortgage Market at a Crossroads: Balancing Supply, Demand, and Affordability

Housing Market

Posted by: Charlotte Ferguson


Canada’s mortgage and housing markets are facing a pivotal moment as multiple forces converge: limited housing supply, affordability concerns, and shifting demand dynamics.

On one hand, affordability challenges are mounting. Rising borrowing costs in recent years left many households stretched, and while some relief may come with potential Bank of Canada rate cuts, affordability remains a barrier for many buyers—especially first-timers.

At the same time, tight supply continues to keep competition high. Canada’s housing shortage, particularly in urban centres, means even small shifts in interest rates can have outsized impacts on buyer demand and pricing. Industry experts stress that increasing supply—through new builds and policy support—will be critical to easing long-term affordability pressures.

Mortgage professionals are also seeing more clients weighing options carefully, from fixed vs. variable products to extended amortizations. Brokers emphasize that now, more than ever, tailored advice is essential to help borrowers navigate market uncertainty.

Looking ahead, the market’s balance between supply, affordability, and demand will determine how resilient Canada’s housing sector remains in the face of economic pressures.

👉 Whether you’re buying, refinancing, or just exploring options, expert guidance can help you make the right move in today’s market.

8 Sep

What the Latest BoC Rate Change Means for Buyers in Kitchener-Waterloo

Housing Market

Posted by: Charlotte Ferguson

Local Market Insights: What the Latest BoC Rate Change Means for Buyers in Kitchener-Waterloo

On July 30, 2025, the Bank of Canada announced its latest interest rate decision, holding the overnight rate steady at 4.25%. This is big news for buyers and homeowners in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Here’s what it means for you:

  • Stability in borrowing costs: With no rate hike, variable-rate mortgage holders can breathe a little easier.

  • Confidence for first-time buyers: A steady rate environment helps with planning and budgeting.

  • Local housing trends: We’re seeing balanced activity in our region—demand is steady, and homes are selling close to asking, but buyers still have room to negotiate.

Whether you’re entering the market for the first time or considering refinancing, it’s important to know how these decisions affect your personal situation. Mortgage strategies aren’t one-size-fits-all—I’m here to help you find the best fit.

29 Apr

Mark Carney wins Canada election

General

Posted by: Charlotte Ferguson

Mark Carney wins Canada election

Prime minister pledges to protect Canada and tackle the nation’s housing shortage

Mark Carney wins Canada election

In one of Canada’s most consequential elections in decades, Mark Carney secured a historic victory.

However, it remains uncertain whether his Liberal Party will reach the 172-seat threshold needed for an outright majority, with full results expected by early Tuesday morning.

The election was widely seen as a referendum on leadership strength against external threats, particularly President Donald Trump, who inflamed tensions by threatening to annex Canada and imposing heavy tariffs.

“As I’ve been warning for months, America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country,” Carney told supporters Monday night. “These are not idle threats. President Trump is trying to break us so America can own us. That will never… ever happen.”

Carney’s firm stance quickly drew praise on the international stage.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, wrote on X: “I look forward to working closely together, both bilaterally and within the G7. We’ll defend our shared democratic values, promote multilateralism, and champion free and fair trade.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed the sentiment, posting: “In a time of global uncertainty, I look forward to continuing to work with you to build on the enduring friendship between our nations, in the shared interests of all our citizens.”

Carney’s path to leadership

Carney, 60, brought extensive financial experience to his political debut. A former investment banker, he previously served as the head of the Bank of England during Brexit and the governor of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis.

Despite never holding elected office before, Carney was named leader of the Liberal Party in March. His background in finance and calm demeanor helped persuade voters he was the candidate best equipped to counter Trump’s unpredictable policies.

Carney defeated Pierre Poilievre, the 45-year-old leader of the Conservative Party. Poilievre had led the polls for more than a year, at one point with a 27-point advantage over the Liberals. His momentum shifted after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned in January, giving the Liberals a much-needed boost.

The turning point came as Trump intensified his attacks on Canada’s economy and sovereignty, culminating in a provocative social media post on election day suggesting Canada could become the 51st US state.

Poilievre’s campaign, characterized by Trump-style rhetoric, including a “Canada First” slogan, promises of tighter borders, smaller government, and opposition to “wokeness,” resonated early on. However, his perceived alignment with Trump ultimately damaged his standing with voters.

This loss marks the Conservative Party’s third consecutive defeat in federal elections, leading analysts to predict internal debates over its future direction.

Carney’s promises

In addition to foreign policy concerns, housing emerged as a pivotal issue throughout the campaign. Experts believe no single party has a full solution, but acknowledge progress is being made.

“I don’t think any of the parties are going to have enough to solve the crisis, but they are moving in the right direction,” said Mike Moffatt, senior director of policy and innovation at the Smart Prosperity Institute.

The Liberal Party’s housing platform includes a plan to double the pace of homebuilding, targeting 500,000 units per year over the next decade. A new crown corporation, Build Canada Homes, would lead this effort by directly engaging the federal government in home construction.

Read next: Housing policies a key issue for Canadian voters ahead of election

“Well, the federal government’s been doing this a little bit since 2017. Carney is suggesting he take it further and actually act as a developer and create a new crown corporation,” Moffatt explained.

However, Moffatt cautioned that while the plan is ambitious, scepticism is warranted. “It’s an ambitious plan, but I think a little bit of skepticism is warranted because it is so ambitious, creating a new crown corporation out of scratch to be a developer, it’s going to be a challenge for the government to pull off,” he said.

He also highlighted structural obstacles: the federal government has no direct control over municipalities, limiting its ability to mandate lower development charges, which Moffatt said all parties agree are “far too high.”

“What they can do is, create a bunch of incentive programs and try to incentivize municipalities to do the right thing, but they can’t force them to do it, and there’s always challenges around coming up with agreements and actually making sure that those municipalities live up to their word,” he noted.

25 Apr

DETERMINING THE BEST MORTGAGE…FOR YOU!

Mortgage Rates

Posted by: Charlotte Ferguson

So you have saved, and saved and you are finally ready to start house hunting…but before you do, there are a few things that you should be looking into BEFORE you start buying. Namely, your mortgage options. Did you know that there are various mortgage products? Or that each mortgage product has it own personality? They Read More