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Welcome to the Mortgages for Less blog! Here, you'll find expert advice, industry news, and helpful tips to guide you through every step of your home financing journey. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or looking to refinance, our blog is your go-to resource for staying informed and making smart mortgage decisions.

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October 9, 2026
At renewal time, an Edmonton-area family rolled $60,400 of credit cards, a line of credit and an overdraft into their mortgage — freeing up about $1,680 a month and paying their home down instead of just re-signing a higher rate. A real Alberta refinance case study.
October 7, 2026
Nearly 60% of new CMHC-insured buyers now take a 30-year amortization. See exactly what it costs a $100K first-time buyer — and the simple move that erases it.
October 7, 2026
An Alberta landlord refinanced one rental to make a 20% down payment on another. Her bank sent both files back. A second lender approved them.
October 6, 2026
A retired Calgary couple's bank declined their $310,000 refinance on the stress test. A second bank approved it, cutting their monthly payments by $1,876.
October 5, 2026
Learn when mortgage default insurance is required in Canada, how its premium works, and how to weigh a smaller down payment against waiting.
October 3, 2026
Greater Edmonton's median home price was $435,000 in September 2026, flat on a year ago. Inventory rose 16.4% and months of supply climbed to 4.1.
October 2, 2026
Calgary's benchmark home price was $566,700 in September 2026, down 0.5% from August and 0.8% from a year ago. Sales held steady at 1,650 and the market stayed balanced at 3.9 months of supply. Full stats and what it means for buyers.
October 2, 2026
Instead of signing her lender's 4.24% renewal offer, an Edmonton homeowner switched to 3.99% and used her home equity to wipe out $30,000 of 18% credit-card debt — replacing $900-a-month minimums with a $124 line of credit and freeing up about $815 a month. A real Alberta renewal and debt-consolidation case study.
September 30, 2026
An Edmonton-area homeowner kept the family home and bought out his ex's $48,563 share by refinancing $356,000 at maturity, with no prepayment penalty.

October 9, 2026
How an Edmonton-Area Family Turned a Mortgage Renewal Into a $60,000 Debt Reset
At renewal time, an Edmonton-area family rolled $60,400 of credit cards, a line of credit and an overdraft into their
Read more
October 7, 2026
Should a First-Time Buyer Choose a 25- or 30-Year Mortgage?
Nearly 60% of new CMHC-insured buyers now take a 30-year amortization. See exactly what it costs a $100K first-time buyer
Read more
October 7, 2026
Can you use the equity in one rental to buy another?
An Alberta landlord refinanced one rental to make a 20% down payment on another. Her bank sent both files back.
Read more
October 6, 2026
What if your bank declines your refinance because of the stress test?
A retired Calgary couple's bank declined their $310,000 refinance on the stress test. A second bank approved it, cutting their
Read more
October 5, 2026
Mortgage Default Insurance in Canada: What Homebuyers Are Paying For
Learn when mortgage default insurance is required in Canada, how its premium works, and how to weigh a smaller down
Read more
October 3, 2026
Edmonton Housing Market Update (September 2026): Is It Turning Into a Buyer’s Market?
Greater Edmonton's median home price was $435,000 in September 2026, flat on a year ago. Inventory rose 16.4% and months
Read more
October 2, 2026
Calgary Housing Market Update (September 2026): Are Home Prices Still Falling?
Calgary's benchmark home price was $566,700 in September 2026, down 0.5% from August and 0.8% from a year ago. Sales
Read more
October 2, 2026
How an Edmonton Homeowner Beat Her 4.24% Renewal Offer and Cleared $30,000 of Debt
Instead of signing her lender's 4.24% renewal offer, an Edmonton homeowner switched to 3.99% and used her home equity to
Read more
September 30, 2026
How do you buy out your ex’s share of the house without breaking your mortgage?
An Edmonton-area homeowner kept the family home and bought out his ex's $48,563 share by refinancing $356,000 at maturity, with
Read more