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Best Neighbourhoods Around the GTA for Halloween Fun
Looking for a little spooky spirit this season? (updated for 2026) These GTA neighbourhoods go all-out for Halloween. From jaw-dropping decorations to full candy bags and family-friendly fun. Whether you’re taking the kids trick-or-treating, looking for insta-worthy shots or just love a good haunted stroll, you’ll find plenty of festive spots to explore across the…
Mortgage Talk Can be Confusing, Don’t Make this Mistake
The U.S. bond market is facing some head winds and this could have serious impact on our side of the border. Because U.S. and Canadian five-year yields have had a 0.93 correlation over the last thirty years, when the U.S. yields jump, Canadian yields (including those that drive fixed mortgage rates) tend to follow suit.…
Don’t fall for this renewal trap
The banks are betting on you falling for this mortgage renewal trap… You get an envelope or email from your lender, a rate, a signature line and a deadline. It’s a mortgage renewal letter designed to feel like a form to complete rather than a decision to make. But what if taking an extra week…
Pros and Cons of Extending Amortization
Feeling the renewal squeeze? Let’s talk amortization If your mortgage is up for renewal soon, you’re in good company. One strategy Canadians are leaning on: extending their amortization period. Amortization refers to the period of time in years that a borrower will take to repay the loan in full. When borrower enters his initial mortgage,…
What affects mortgage rates in Ontario?
How are mortgage rates determined in Ontario? What affects fixed mortgage rates? Fixed mortgage rates are primarily driven by the bond market, specifically Government of Canada bond yields, since lenders use bonds to fund fixed-rate mortgages. When bond yields rise, fixed rates tend to follow; when they fall, fixed rates usually ease too. Related Read:…
Mortgage Scams in the GTA
Mortgage scams are getting more sophisticated. Here’s what to watch for. If it feels like mortgage fraud warnings are showing up more often lately, that’s because they are. Ontario’s regulator has issued a string of public warnings this year about unlicensed individuals arranging private mortgages, and at least one recent GTA case involved a lender…
Equity and Renewing Your Mortgage
The Bank of Canada dropped its latest Financial Stability Report this month, and one number is worth paying attention to: roughly 9% of GTA mortgage holders could have trouble refinancing when their mortgage comes up for renewal in 2027. If home prices dip another 10%, that number climbs to 12%. Don’t panic just yet: almost…
Mortgage Renewal: 3-Year vs 5-Year Fixed Rate
Renewing soon and asking yourself ,”should I choose a 3-year or 5-year fixed mortgage at renewal?” You heard it here, the 3-year fixed rate mortgage is making a comeback. While variable rates have generally moved lower over the past year, fixed mortgage rates are being pushed around by bond markets and some lenders have already…
Self-Employed Mortgage Woes: Here’s what you can do
In the GTA, “self-employed” covers a lot of ground. Contractors, consultants, realtors, creatives, Uber drivers, business owners, side-hustlers with three income streams. The challenge? Traditional mortgage rules were built for people with predictable paycheques and tidy T4s. Real life in Toronto looks a little different though. Lately, lenders have been paying even closer attention to…
Pre-Con Deal Trouble in the GTA
A couple of years ago, buying pre-construction in the GTA felt like a smart, forward-thinking move. Lock in today’s price, wait for the build, move in later. Simple enough. Fast forward to now with the GTA condo crisis, and for some buyers… the math is not mathing. Higher interest rates, stricter lending, and falling condo…