Financial Learning Centre
Housing & Mortgages
The financial side of housing in Canada — renting versus buying, down payments, how mortgages actually work, and the costs that show up after the purchase price.
Last reviewed October 2, 2026
Reviewed for accuracy and clarity by Sandeep Singh before publication. Learn about our editorial process.
Buying a home is usually the largest financial decision most Canadians ever make, and most of the real decisions happen before anyone talks about a specific property — how much to put down, what a mortgage actually costs over time, and whether renting is genuinely the worse option it's often made out to be.
This section is being built out to cover that decision in plain language, without assuming a six-figure down payment or a specific city's prices.
Featured beginner guides
Fixed vs. Variable Mortgage in 2026: Choosing When Rate Spreads Are This Close
The gap between the best fixed and variable mortgage rates has narrowed to almost nothing in 2026. Here's what's actually driving each rate, what narrows or widens the gap, and a framework for choosing that doesn't depend on predicting the Bank of Canada.
5 min read
Housing & MortgagesCanada's Housing Market Slowdown: What September's Numbers Mean for Buyers and Sellers
National home sales fell 7.7% year over year in September 2026, and CREA has now cut its annual forecast three times. Here's what the data actually shows, why it's happening, and how it changes the calculus for buyers and sellers.
5 min read
Housing & MortgagesHow Mortgages Work in Canada: Down Payments, Rates, and Amortization Explained
Minimum down payments, mortgage insurance, the stress test, and the difference between your rate and your amortization — the mechanics behind every Canadian mortgage, explained with real numbers.
7 min read
All Housing & Mortgages articles
Fixed vs. Variable Mortgage in 2026: Choosing When Rate Spreads Are This Close
The gap between the best fixed and variable mortgage rates has narrowed to almost nothing in 2026. Here's what's actually driving each rate, what narrows or widens the gap, and a framework for choosing that doesn't depend on predicting the Bank of Canada.
5 min read
Housing & MortgagesCanada's Housing Market Slowdown: What September's Numbers Mean for Buyers and Sellers
National home sales fell 7.7% year over year in September 2026, and CREA has now cut its annual forecast three times. Here's what the data actually shows, why it's happening, and how it changes the calculus for buyers and sellers.
5 min read
Housing & MortgagesHow Mortgages Work in Canada: Down Payments, Rates, and Amortization Explained
Minimum down payments, mortgage insurance, the stress test, and the difference between your rate and your amortization — the mechanics behind every Canadian mortgage, explained with real numbers.
7 min read
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