Tag Archives: mortgage rates

Your Mortgage Renewal Is Coming: 7 Moves to Make Before You Sign

For years, Canadians were warned about the mortgage renewal wave.

Now, for many homeowners, that wave has arrived.

Millions of Canadian mortgages have been renewing after borrowers locked in historically low rates in 2020 and 2021. For homeowners coming off rates below 2%, even a relatively modest increase in their mortgage rate can create a meaningful change in their monthly payment.

But here’s the mistake we see too often:

Treating renewal as a paperwork exercise instead of a financial planning opportunity.

When your mortgage comes up for renewal, you aren’t simply choosing a new interest rate.

You’re deciding how your mortgage fits into the next few years of your financial life.

Here are seven things to consider before signing your renewal offer.

Renovations That Actually Add Value: Where to Spend Your Money in 2026

Not every renovation is an investment.

Some improvements make your home more enjoyable to live in. Others make it easier to sell. And some can add meaningful value to the property.

The challenge is knowing the difference.

If you’re planning to spend $10,000, $30,000, or even $100,000 on your home, the question shouldn’t simply be:

“What would look better?”

It should be:

“Where will my money create the most value?”

In 2026, buyers are increasingly looking for homes that are well maintained, energy efficient, functional, and move-in ready. That means some of the highest-value renovations aren’t necessarily the biggest or most expensive projects.

Here are some of the improvements worth considering if you’re looking to increase your home’s appeal and potentially improve its resale value.

Why Your Mortgage Should Be Built Backward From Your Exit Strategy

Most people choose a mortgage by looking at what works today.

What rate can I get?

What payment can I afford?

How much will the bank approve?

Those questions matter. But they’re only part of the mortgage decision.

A mortgage is rarely going to stay exactly the same for the next 25 or 30 years. You may sell your home, move, refinance, access equity, buy an investment property, receive a large increase in income, or approach retirement.

So instead of asking only:

“What’s the best mortgage for me today?”

A better question is:

“Where am I likely going, and how should my mortgage be structured to help me get there?”

That’s what we mean by building a mortgage backward from the exit.

House Hacking in Canada: How to Turn Your First Home Into an Investment

For many Canadians, buying a home feels like the biggest financial commitment they will ever make.

But what if your home could also help pay for itself? That’s the basic idea behind house hacking: buying a property that you live in while generating rental income from part of the property. That income can help reduce your monthly housing costs, accelerate your equity growth, and potentially make it easier to take your next step into real estate investing. You don’t necessarily need to own multiple rental properties to start thinking like a real estate investor. In some cases, your first home can be the beginning of your investment strategy.

Why Paying Down Your Mortgage Faster Isn’t Always the Best Financial Move

If you own a home, are thinking about buying or selling a home, or have a mortgage renewal coming up, today’s episode is here to help you make the best financial decisions in this changing market. Ultimately my goal is to save you some money when it comes to all this, or at least make things less stressful for you.

The Build Wealth Canada Podcast: 4 Mortgage Rule Changes That Give You More Power in 2026: Fixed vs Variable, Stress Test Changes, Should You Break Your Mortgage?

If you own a home, are thinking about buying or selling a home, or have a mortgage renewal coming up, today’s episode is here to help you make the best financial decisions in this changing market. Ultimately my goal is to save you some money when it comes to all this, or at least make things less stressful for you.

The Build Wealth Canada Podcast: Are You Overpaying on Your Mortgage? New Mortgage Rules, the Impact of Tariffs, and the Fixed vs Variable Rate Mortgage Dilemma

If you own a home, are thinking about buying or selling a home, or have a mortgage renewal coming up, today’s episode is here to help you make the best financial decisions in this changing market. Ultimately my goal is to save you some money when it comes to all this, or at least make things less stressful for you.

Secret Mortgage Hacks: Insider Knowledge From a Mortgage Broker | Capital Compounders Show (EP #13)

In this conversation, I share my journey with host Robin Speziale of paying off my mortgage in just over three years and discusses various strategies for home buyers in Canada. I highlight the importance of understanding mortgage types, the current challenges in the real estate market, and the role of mortgage brokers compared to banks.

The Burn Your Mortgage Podcast: Hope is Not Lost for Homeownership – Creative Options for First-Time Homebuyers with Alex Kjorven

In my interview with Alex, we discuss barriers to homeownership, shared Equity to break into the market, co-owning the home with an investor.

The Build Wealth Canada Podcast: How to Save Money on Your Mortgage + 2024 Housing & Interest Rate Update

With inflation slowing down here in Canada, we are starting to hear talks about the Bank of Canada no longer planning to increase our interest rates, or maybe even lowering them.