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Real estate agent showing an apartment to a couple.

Are you thinking about buying a home but feeling unsure because of what’s happening in the market? You’re not alone. Let’s break down what’s going on in simple terms and how it might affect your plans.New Plan to Build More Homes Prime Minister Mark Carney just launched a big $25 billion plan called Build Canada Homes. The goal? Build nearly 500,000 new homes a year by working with private companies. That sounds great, but there’s a catch: the homes might not be affordable for everyone because there are no rules to keep prices down.Interest Rates Still High The Bank of Canada kept its key interest rate at 2.75% in June 2025. Fixed mortgage rates are still over 4%, which is still below the 30 year average. It’s important to know that the key interest rate is NOT the rate you can get on your mortgage. The Bank of Canada’s rate mostly affects variable rate mortgages. Fixed mortgage rates are more influenced by bond markets.In places like Toronto, home sales dropped by over 23%, and even more for condos. People are holding off, waiting for better rates.Immigration Changes Are Slowing Down Demand Canada also decided to welcome fewer new permanent residents in 2025 to ease pressure on the housing market. But this comes with a new challenge - not enough workers to build the homes we need. This could lead to higher construction costs and slower building.What This Means for You Right now, there’s more supply on the market, so buyers might find short-term deals. But fewer new homes being built could push prices back up later. Rent is also coming down in some cities like Toronto -good news if you’re still deciding whether to rent or buy.Worried About Getting a Mortgage? With banks tightening their rules, now is the time to work with a mortgage broker who has access to many different lenders. This gives you more choice and increases your chances of finding a mortgage that fits your situation - especially if your bank says no. A broker can shop around for you and help you understand all your options.Bottom Line: The housing market is shifting. If you’re thinking about buying, now is a good time to explore your options and plan ahead.Let’s talk about how we can make homeownership work for you, even in this changing market. <a data-mce-href="https://calendar.app.google/fDBW3LjGc7RDE3LU6" href="https://calendar.app.google/fDBW3LjGc7RDE3LU6" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">Book a call HERE</a>.

Canada’s Housing Market: What You Need to Know Right Now

Friendly insurance manager or mortgage broker meeting with clients at her office

Many Canadians are sitting on the sidelines, waiting for mortgage rates to drop before buying a home. In fact, a recent BMO survey shows that 67% of people are holding off for better rates. But is waiting really the smart move?Let’s break this down in simple terms.Why Waiting Can Be Risky It might feel like you're being smart by waiting, but here are a few things to consider:<ul><li>You can't time the market. Predicting interest rate movements is nearly impossible. It’s a bit like gambling and hoping for a perfect hand.</li><li>Rates could go up instead. Just because rates went down recently doesn’t mean they’ll stay down for a long time.</li><li>You might face stiff competition later. When rates do eventually drop, everyone who’s been waiting could jump back into the market, leading to bidding wars and higher home prices.</li></ul>Today’s Rates Are Actually Pretty Good Here’s something most people don’t realize: over the past 30 years, the average 5-year fixed mortgage rate has been about 4.59%. Right now, it's around 4.44%. That’s actually lower than the long-term average.We’ve gotten used to ultra-low rates from the last decade, but those were the exception, not the norm. When you look at the big picture, today’s rates are very reasonable.<figure id="figure-1ixau1ly8rmaoe0qek"><img id="1ixau1ly8rmaoe0qek" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2J9vjGc9W74flmVl6sYFomP3jxGMA9EG5rqUkpN36a2YthNXjFr4pTAtAc45Vg9R.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2J9vjGc9W74flmVl6sYFomP3jxGMA9EG5rqUkpN36a2YthNXjFr4pTAtAc45Vg9R.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Inflation Changes the Math When you factor in inflation, mortgage rates today are even more attractive. “Real” interest rates - the cost of borrowing after adjusting for inflation- are currently lower than usual.That means you’re paying less in real terms to borrow money. But this won’t last forever. Inflation is still a concern, and if it rises again, rates could follow.Other Risks That Could Push Rates Higher There are also global factors that affect our mortgage rates, like:<ul><li>Rising U.S. debt and interest rates</li><li>Global investor concerns</li><li>Possible trade tensions</li></ul>If Canadian bonds become less attractive to investors because of these issues, our mortgage rates could go up too—even if the Bank of Canada doesn’t raise its key overnight rate.The Bottom Line Waiting for the “perfect” rate could backfire. Not only are today’s 5-year fixed rates already below average, but the future could bring higher rates and more competition for homes.&nbsp;If you’re planning to stay in your home for the long term, locking in a 5-year fixed rate now could offer you:<ul><li>Predictable monthly payments</li><li>Protection from rising rates</li><li>Peace of mind</li></ul>Rates don’t need to hit rock bottom for you to make a smart move. They just need to make sense for your situation - and right now, they do.Let's connect today: <a data-mce-href="http://www.calendly.com/snezhana" href="http://www.calendly.com/snezhana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Book a Call Here</a>

Should You Wait for Lower Mortgage Rates? Maybe Not...

<h3>Bank of Canada Rate Update</h3>On April 16th, 2025 the Bank of Canada held its overnight rate at 2.75% after 7 straight cuts—but don’t let that pause fool you.🔍 Important clarification: The overnight rate is NOT the same as the banks' Prime Rate. While the BoC rate stayed at 2.75%, the Prime Rate remains at 4.95%.Meanwhile, tariffs from the US are disrupting everything. If they escalate, Canada could face a recession AND higher inflation—a mix known as stagflation. Why does it hit us harder? Because our economy is more trade-dependent than the US.Despite the uncertainty, economists expect more BoC rate cuts this summer, which could trigger a rebound in home sales. Prices are already softening, inventory is up—meaning this might be your window to buy or refinance before the market shifts again.To get a better understanding of how interests rates are set, let’s go back to some basics:Fixed-rate mortgage rates in Canada are priced off of Government of Canada 5-year bond yields that are, in turn, influenced by the U.S. Treasuries. Variable-rate mortgages are affected by the Bank of Canada's monetary policy, namely interest rate hikes and cuts that, in turn, impacts commercial banks' Prime lending rate.Understanding the Prime Rate in Canada: The Prime Rate is the interest rate that major banks in Canada use to set interest rates for variable loans/mortgages and lines of credit. It’s influenced by the Bank of Canada’s Overnight Rate, which is the rate at which banks borrow and lend to each other overnight.&nbsp;Consider the prime rate as the foundation upon which these other interest rates are built. As the prime rate in Canada fluctuates, the interest rate you pay on your adjustable/variable rate mortgage also adjusts accordingly.If you are like me, and you like to look at numbers, here is a table summarizing the Prime Rate changes in Canada from 2010 to today:&nbsp;<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; float: left;" data-mce-style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; float: left;" data-mce-selected="1"><tbody><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">Effective Date</td><th style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">Prime Rate</th><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">Change</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">April 16th, 2025</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">4.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">0.00%</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">March 12th, 2025</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">4.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.25%</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">Jan 29th, 2025</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">5.25%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.25%</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">Dec 11th, 2025</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">5.45%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.50%</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">October 23, 2024</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">5.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.50%</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">Sept 4, 2024</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">6.45%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.25%</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">July 24, 2024</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">6.70%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">June 5, 2024</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">6.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">July 12, 2023</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">7.20%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">June 8, 2023</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">6.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">January 25, 2023</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">6.70%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">December 8, 2022</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">6.45%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.50%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">October 27, 2022</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">5.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.50%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">September 8, 2022</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">5.45%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.75%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">July 14, 2022</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">4.70%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+1.00%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">June 2, 2022</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">3.70%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.50%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">April 14, 2022</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">3.20%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.50%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">March 3, 2022</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">2.70%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.50%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">March 30, 2020</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">2.45%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.50%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">March 17, 2020</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">2.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.50%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">March 5, 2020</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">3.45%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.50%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">October 25, 2018</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">3.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">July 12, 2018</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">3.70%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">January 18, 2018</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">3.45%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">September 7, 2017</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">3.20%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">July 13, 2017</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">2.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">July 16, 2015</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">2.70%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.15%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">January 28, 2015</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">2.85%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.15%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">September 9, 2010</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">3.00%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">July 21, 2010</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">2.75%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">June 2, 2010</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">2.50%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr></tbody></table>As always, I am here to answer any mortgage related questions that you may have and help you crunch any numbers that you don’t quite understand - <a data-mce-href="http://www.calendly.com/snezhana" href="http://www.calendly.com/snezhana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">book a call here</a>.

Bank of Canada Rate Update

Emma and Ryan recently got engaged and are eager to buy their first home together.While Emma has never owned property, Ryan sold his downtown condo a year ago before they met. As they start house hunting, they wonder if they can access first-time homebuyer benefits as a couple. "I owned before, but Emma hasn't - what does that mean for us?" Ryan is wondering.According to the <a data-mce-href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/rrsps-related-plans/what-home-buyers-plan/participate-home-buyers-plan.html" href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/rrsps-related-plans/what-home-buyers-plan/participate-home-buyers-plan.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Government of Canada's website</a>, in order to qualify as a first-time homebuyer, you must not have, at any time in the current calendar year or the preceding four calendar years, lived in a home you owned, or jointly owned, or that your spouse or common-law partner owned or jointly owned, anywhere in the world.<h3>First-Time Homebuyer Incentives in Canada in 2025</h3>There are numerous benefits to being a first-time homebuyer in Canada in 2025. To understand why Ryan was asking the question, let’s walk through each program to see what Emma and Ryan qualify for. Since Ryan sold his property only a year ago (not the required four years to qualify as a first-time homebuyer), they would face some limitations as a couple.<h3>Home Buyers' Plan (HBP)</h3>In Emma and Ryan's case, Emma can withdraw up to $60,000 from her RRSP tax-free as a first-time buyer, but Ryan cannot. Why? Because the HBP requires participants to not have owned a home in the previous four years, and Ryan is only one year out from his condo sale. However, they can still leverage Emma's eligibility to access $60,000 from her RRSPs tax-free for their down payment.<h3>First Home Savings Account</h3>Emma would be able to open and take advantage of the First Home Savings Account. Similar to the HBP definition,&nbsp; she will be considered to be a first-time home buyer if she did not, at any time in the current calendar year before the account is opened or at any time in the preceding four calendar years, live in a qualifying home as her principal place of residence that either:<ul><li>she owned or jointly owned OR</li><li>her spouse or common-law partner (at the time the account is opened) owned or jointly owned</li></ul><h3>Land Transfer Tax Rebates</h3>Some good news for Emma and Ryan - they may still qualify for partial land transfer tax rebates. These programs vary by province and municipality:Under the Ontario Land Transfer Tax Rebate, Emma could claim her portion (up to $4,000) of the provincial rebate on her share of the property, while Ryan wouldn’t qualify for his portion.If Emma and Ryan’s new property is in Toronto, they would be on the hook for the Toronto Land Transfer Tax. However, similar to the provincial program, Emma could claim her portion of the Toronto Land Transfer Tax rebate (up to $4,475). <h3>First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit</h3>Emma would be eligible to claim this $5,000 non-refundable tax credit on her tax return, providing up to $750 in tax relief. Ryan wouldn't qualify since he’s owned before.<h3>Planning Their Purchase</h3>Given their situation, Emma and Ryan decide to structure their purchase strategically:<ul><li>They maximize Emma’s RRSP contributions before buying to take full advantage of her HBP eligibility.</li><li>They consider putting a larger portion of the home in Emma’s name to maximize the land transfer tax rebate (may not work for every couple).</li><li>They plan to claim the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit through Emma. </li></ul>It is highly recommended to talk to your real estate lawyer to determine your eligibility status. They will review your specific situation, including your ownership history and that of your spouse, to determine your eligibility for various federal, provincial, and municipal programs.<h3>&nbsp;Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):</h3> Q: Could Ryan use the HBP if they wait three more years to buy?A: Yes, once Ryan passes the four-year mark from his previous home sale, he would regain first-time buyer status for the HBP.Q: Does it matter that Ryan's previous property was a condo, not a house?A: No, all types of residential properties count as homeownership, including condos, townhouses, and detached homes.Q: Should they consider waiting to buy until Ryan qualifies for all programs?A: This depends on their specific circumstances, including current rental costs, market conditions, and financial goals. They should weigh the benefits of waiting against current market opportunities.Q: Say Ryan’s condo was actually in the USA (as opposed to Canada), does he qualify as a first-time buyer?A: The criteria for a first-time homebuyer according to the government is that Ryan cannot have owned a property anywhere in the world in the past four years.Remember, while having one spouse who previously owned property may limit some benefits, careful planning can help you maximize the advantages still available to you. Let's get started on your pre-approval and figure out what the numbers will look like for you. <a data-mce-href="http://www.calendly.com/snezhana" href="http://www.calendly.com/snezhana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Book a call here</a>

Can I Qualify as a First-Time Homebuyer if I Owned Property Before?

<h3>How Does the Prime Rate Affect You?</h3>On March 12th, 2025 the Bank of Canada has cut its overnight key interest rate by 25 bps to 2.75%. While the Bank noted that economic growth was stronger than expected, ongoing uncertainty due to fluctuating U.S. tariff threats is limiting consumer spending and business investment. Given this environment—and with inflation remaining close to the 2% target—the Bank has decided to lower its policy rate by 25 basis points.Key Points:<ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));">Lower rates have helped boost the economy and housing market.</li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));">Inflation is steady but could rise slightly as tax breaks end.</li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));">Job growth has been strong, but trade tensions may slow things down.</li><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));">The Bank is keeping an eye on inflation and future rate changes.</li></ul><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));">I have received so many calls and emails from clients and potential borrowers asking how the drop in the Bank of Canada’s overnight rate affects their existing mortgage.&nbsp;The answer is: it depends whether you are in a Fixed, Variable or Adjustable Rate mortgage!!But first, let’s go back to some basics:Fixed-rate mortgage rates in Canada are priced off of Government of Canada 5-year bond yields that are, in turn, influenced by the U.S. Treasuries. Variable-rate mortgages are affected by the Bank of Canada's monetary policy, namely interest rate hikes and cuts that, in turn, impacts commercial banks' Prime lending rate.Understanding the Prime Rate in Canada: The Prime Rate is the interest rate that major banks in Canada use to set interest rates for variable loans/mortgages and lines of credit. It’s influenced by the Bank of Canada’s Overnight Rate, which is the rate at which banks borrow and lend to each other overnight.&nbsp;Consider the prime rate as the foundation upon which these other interest rates are built. As the prime rate in Canada fluctuates, the interest rate you pay on your adjustable/variable rate mortgage also adjusts accordingly.If you are like me, and you like to look at numbers, here is a table summarizing the Prime Rate changes in Canada from 2010 to 2024: This table captures the key changes in the prime rate along with the dates and the magnitude of changes from 2010 to today.<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; float: left;" data-mce-selected="1" data-mce-style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; float: left;"><tbody><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">Effective Date</td><th style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">Prime Rate</th><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">Change</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">March 12th, 2025</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">4.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.25%</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">Jan 29th, 2025</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">5.25%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.25%</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">Dec 11th, 2025</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">5.45%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.50%</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">October 23, 2024</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">5.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.50%</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">Sept 4, 2024</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">6.45%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.25%</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">July 24, 2024</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">6.70%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">June 5, 2024</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">6.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">July 12, 2023</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">7.20%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">June 8, 2023</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">6.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">January 25, 2023</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">6.70%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">December 8, 2022</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">6.45%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.50%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">October 27, 2022</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">5.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.50%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">September 8, 2022</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">5.45%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.75%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">July 14, 2022</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">4.70%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+1.00%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">June 2, 2022</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">3.70%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.50%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">April 14, 2022</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">3.20%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.50%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">March 3, 2022</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">2.70%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.50%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">March 30, 2020</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">2.45%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.50%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">March 17, 2020</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">2.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.50%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">March 5, 2020</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">3.45%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.50%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">October 25, 2018</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">3.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">July 12, 2018</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">3.70%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">January 18, 2018</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">3.45%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">September 7, 2017</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">3.20%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">July 13, 2017</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">2.95%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">July 16, 2015</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">2.70%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.15%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">January 28, 2015</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">2.85%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">-0.15%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">September 9, 2010</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">3.00%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">July 21, 2010</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">2.75%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr><tr style="border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="border-color: #000000;"><td style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 40px; border-color: #000000;">June 2, 2010</td><td style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 25%; border-color: #000000;">2.50%</td><td style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;" data-mce-style="width: 20px; border-color: #000000;">+0.25%</td></tr></tbody></table>If you have an Adjustable or Variable rate mortgage or a line of credit, your interest payments will fluctuate with changes in the prime rate. &nbsp;Changes in the prime rate can also impact the interest rates on savings accounts and other investments.For Those Who Already Have a MortgageAdjustable Rate Mortgage: Your payments will decrease by approximately $25 per month for every $100,000 you owe.Variable Rate Mortgage: Some mortgages have static payments, and despite that your interest rate will go down, you will not see a decrease in your mortgage payment. Simply, &nbsp;more of your payment will go towards the principal, and less towards interest.Fixed Rate Mortgage: There will be no changes.For Those Who Are Getting a Mortgage (Pre-approved or Approved)Adjustable/Variable Rate Mortgage: Your pre-approval or approval will have its "prime rate" lowered, and your estimated payments will decrease by approximately $25 per month for every $100,000 you are about to borrow.Fixed Rate Mortgage: There are no significant changes to the fixed rates at this time. Fixed mortgage rates are closely tied to the yields on Government of Canada bonds, particularly the 5-year bond yield. As bond yields rise or fall, fixed mortgage rates tend to follow.As always, I am here to answer any mortgage related questions that you may have and help you crunch any numbers that you don’t quite understand - <a data-mce-href="http://www.calendly.com/snezhana" href="http://www.calendly.com/snezhana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">book a call here</a>.

How Does the Prime Rate Affect you?

Businessman signing a legal real estate contract agreement, home Insurance.

Trade policy may seem far removed from real estate, but when it comes to tariffs, the ripple effects can impact everything from mortgage rates to home affordability. CIBC highlights four key reasons why President Trump might limit new tariffs, and each of them ties back to the broader economy—including housing.<h3>1. Stock Market Reactions&nbsp;</h3>Trump closely watches the stock market, often using it as a measure of his success. When markets reacted negatively to previous tariff announcements, his administration quickly granted temporary exemptions (like Canada and Mexico’s 30-day reprieve on steel and aluminum tariffs). If new tariffs cause another selloff, he may soften his stance to stabilize investor confidence.<h3>2. Rising Gas Prices</h3>Tariffs on Canadian energy imports would likely push up gas prices—something Trump would want to avoid. Unlike other goods, there’s no quick alternative to Canadian oil, meaning higher costs would hit consumers immediately. More expensive fuel increases transportation and construction costs, which could lead to rising home prices.<h3>3. Inflation Pressures</h3>Broadly applied tariffs mean higher prices on imported goods, driving up inflation. Since Trump often criticizes inflation in campaign speeches, he’ll be hesitant to introduce policies that make it worse. Higher inflation could also push the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates elevated—bad news for mortgage borrowers hoping for lower payments.<h3>4. Timing &amp; Political Risk&nbsp; </h3>The negative effects of tariffs—rising prices, job losses, and economic uncertainty—would be felt quickly, while any benefits (such as bringing manufacturing jobs back) take much longer to materialize. With elections on the horizon, Trump may avoid policies that create immediate financial pain for voters.<h3>What This Means for Mortgage Rates &amp; Housing&nbsp;</h3>If new tariffs push inflation higher, the Bank of Canada and the Federal Reserve may be forced to keep rates elevated, making borrowing more expensive. But doesn't necessarioy mean you can take advantage of negotiating the price of your new home or real estate investment.👉 Thinking about buying, refinancing, or investing? Let's connect: <a data-mce-href="http://www.calendly.com/snezhana" href="http://www.calendly.com/snezhana" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">www.MortgageCall.ca</a>

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