GST Rebate for First-Time Homebuyers Comes Into Effect

General Angela Calla 18 Mar

Great news – the GST Rebate for First-Time Homebuyers has finally come into effect!!

Announced last spring by the federal government, the bill received Royal Assent last week and eliminates “the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for first-time home buyers on new homes up to $1 million and reducing the GST for first-time home buyers on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million.”  The Canada Revenue Agency will now be able to start processing rebate claims.

Please note that the rebate will generally apply to agreements of purchase and sale entered into on or after March 20, 2025, and before 2031.

If you have clients that were first time home buyers and purchased a new home under $1,500,000 between March 20, 2025, and today you should reach out and make sure they apply for the rebate.  We are combing through our files so that our clients are notified, but you should do the same, in particular if they did not use us.

We will soon update our website to incorporate these latest changes and will notify you when done.  Stay tuned for further emails and as always, thanks for the support.

 

Article courtesy of Tony Spagnuolo of Spagnuolo LLP

Angela Calla is a mortgage renewal and debt elimination expert with over 20 years of industry experience. She is also a multi-award-winning mortgage professional. Since beginning as a mortgage broker in 2004, Angela has helped thousands of Canadians optimize their mortgage strategies, eliminate debt, and build wealth through real estate.

She is the best-selling author of The Mortgage Code, which equips readers with the tools to make informed financial decisions. Additionally, she is the host of Canada’s longest-running finance radio show on CKNW, where she simplifies mortgage advice and empowers listeners to take control of their financial futures.

Angela has been recognized as Business Leader of the Year (2020) by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneur of the Year (2019) by the City of Port Coquitlam. She is also a sought-after speaker and educator, delivering accredited training for real estate boards across Greater Vancouver.

Angela is a frequent go-to source for media and publishers across the country. For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at hello@countoncalla.ca or at 604-802-3983.

Click here to view the latest news on our blog. 

March 2026 Newsletter

General Angela Calla 4 Mar

March is peak maple syrup time here in Canada – when the sap starts to flow from tapped trees into sugar houses across Quebec (where 90% of Canada’s liquid gold is produced). Maple syrup not only tastes great but also has zinc, magnesium, B2, calcium, potassium and even antioxidants. It’s unrefined and unprocessed and offers a lower glycemic index compared to refined sugars. So head on out to a sugar shack (or grocery store) and indulge in a piece of healthy Canadian heritage!
Fraud Awareness: Essential Info for Today’s Digital World
March is fraud awareness month, a great reminder that no matter who you are, scams are lurking right around the corner (or in the next email, call or post!). 2026 will undoubtably throw more sneaky, compelling, and downright dastardly scams than ever. So, we’re going to look at how and why fraud scams work, spotlight the techniques scammers use, give you tips on how to recognize a scam, and teach you what you can do to protect yourself.
Why do scams work? 

Here are my 4 E’s of an effective scam:

  1. Ego: Some people think they are too smart to fall prey. Their overconfidence says they don’t need to be cautious and that exposes them to unnecessary risk.
  2. Evolution: Scams are diverse and sophisticated – it’s not a Nigerian Prince asking you to share his millions anymore! The constant changing and diversification of scams is fuelled by new technology, making it harder to spot a fake.
  3. Education: A lack of awareness means you’re a step behind a fraudster, and you’re unlikely to recognize the newest and greatest plots.
  4. Exposure: We’re online a LOT, constantly seeing fake ads, sharing our email addresses to get discount codes, commenting on social media posts – you name it. We constantly expose ourselves to predators.

Techniques Scammers Rely On

The first strategy scammers use is emotional manipulation. They’ll create uncomfortable feelings like fear or urgency to get you to act quickly. They’ll also go the sympathy and goodwill route to appeal to your good nature and empathetic side so you help them.

The second strategy scammers use is cognitive bias. It’s our predisposition to a certain mindset that would make you more willing to comply. A few examples:

  • Optimism Bias: You don’t automatically suspect a scam
  • Truth Bias: You assume people are telling the truth
  • Authority Bias: You trust and comply with authority figures (like police or government)

The third strategy scammers use is influence. They’ll compliment you or pretend to have similar likes so they build a relationship with you. They’ll act as experts or authorities so that you trust them. And, they’ll commit to it, starting slow and building over time and increasing their requests.

How Did Scammers Get So Good?

They practice. They aren’t afraid to fail. They don’t take no as an answer. And, perhaps most importantly, they embrace technology. It catches victims unaware and drastically improves their reach and persuasiveness. Here are their fanciest tools.

  1. AI: AI makes it easy for scammers to create professional-looking websites, social media content, online ads, fake photos, persuasive emails and texts, and so much more.
  2. The Dark Web: Scammers can buy nearly any data they want, plus fake identities, malware tools, stolen credit card numbers, ransomware, a fake escrow service or even hire hackers.
  3. Deepfakes: Fake videos that clone real people and real voices are easy to create with free or cheap specialized software. These fake videos can promote products, laud fake charities or causes needing donations, even endorse ponzi schemes and pump-and-dump investments.
  4. Spoofing software: Fraudsters can mimic legitimate phone numbers, emails, or websites and even trick you into thinking you’re dealing with a real person you know.

Red Flags 

Scammers aren’t just straight up asking for your SIN and banking info anymore. Here are some common themes to watch for:

  • Urgency, including limited time offers or requests to act now
  • Threats, like an account will be closed, you’ll be arrested, or a fine is forthcoming
  • Uncommon payment forms, like wanting gift cards, cryptocurrency, or Venmo transfers
  • Secrecy, warning you not to tell friends or family or alert law enforcement
  • Poor quality, like spelling errors, weird links, or other telltale signs AI has been hard at work
  • Reciprocity, as in you get hired but you pay for your own training, or you won a prize but you have to pay to receive it

How to Avoid Falling for Scams 

If you don’t want to be blindsided by a scam, the first step is to know that scams exist. Staying current on the latest schemes will go a long way. Be skeptical about almost everything online! Installing ScamShield, call blocking or anti-virus software can help prevent a scam artist from contacting you. Multi-factor authentication is a great way to stop scammers from accessing your online accounts.

If you get faced with a scam, take a step back and think about the legitimacy of the situation. Call a trusted friend or loved one and run the situation by them. Just hearing it out loud might make you come to your senses! Practice saying no. Disconnect from the situation and reach out to the company independently (like the CRA, bank, cell phone company or store) to confirm the request or offer is real. Finally, monitor your accounts for any unauthorized activity if you think you might have given away too much information.

Conclusion

If you’d like to learn more, the FCT fraud insights centre is a great place to start. Or, get your information in video form in Mastercard’s Anatomy of a Scam docuseries. Hopefully shining a spotlight on these tactics keeps your safety top of mind. Or as Bert and Gert would say, “Stay Alert, Stay Safe”!


Angela Calla is a mortgage renewal and debt elimination expert with over 20 years of industry experience. She is also a multi-award-winning mortgage professional. Since beginning as a mortgage broker in 2004, Angela has helped thousands of Canadians optimize their mortgage strategies, eliminate debt, and build wealth through real estate.

She is the best-selling author of The Mortgage Code, which equips readers with the tools to make informed financial decisions. Additionally, she is the host of Canada’s longest-running finance radio show on CKNW, where she simplifies mortgage advice and empowers listeners to take control of their financial futures.

Angela has been recognized as Business Leader of the Year (2020) by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneur of the Year (2019) by the City of Port Coquitlam. She is also a sought-after speaker and educator, delivering accredited training for real estate boards across Greater Vancouver.

Angela is a frequent go-to source for media and publishers across the country. For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at hello@countoncalla.ca or at 604-802-3983.

Click here to view the latest news on our blog. 

Feeling the Pressure of High Interest Debt? There Is a Better Way

General Angela Calla 26 Feb

If rising payments, credit card balances, or multiple loan obligations are eating into your monthly cash flow, you are not alone — and you do have options.

For many homeowners, restructuring debt through a strategic mortgage review can create immediate relief and long-term financial momentum. Just this week, we helped a local family improve their monthly cash flow by $2,677.32 — money that is now going toward their retirement plan instead of servicing high-interest debt.

Here’s what that can look like:

Replace high-interest debt with one lower-interest mortgage payment

Simplify your finances with one manageable monthly obligation

Free up monthly cash flow for retirement savings, RESP contributions, or simply breathing room

Strengthen your credit profile by reducing utilization and late-payment risk

Reduce financial stress with a clear, structured plan forward

Legacy Planning- to move up the property ladder or purchase a second home/investment property

Imagine starting the next month saving hundreds or thousands of dollars a month in cashflow and what that can do for your life!

Debt consolidation isn’t about “borrowing more.”

It’s about organizing your finances strategically so your money works for you — not against you.

If you own a home and feel like your payments are working harder than you are, let’s review your options.

Reply to this email and we will reach out to let you know what we need to get started, or book a private one on one phone consult call HERE

A simple review could bring clarity, savings, and peace of mind.

You don’t have to navigate this alone.

 


Angela Calla is a mortgage renewal and debt elimination expert with over 20 years of industry experience. She is also a multi-award-winning mortgage professional. Since beginning as a mortgage broker in 2004, Angela has helped thousands of Canadians optimize their mortgage strategies, eliminate debt, and build wealth through real estate.

She is the best-selling author of The Mortgage Code, which equips readers with the tools to make informed financial decisions. Additionally, she is the host of Canada’s longest-running finance radio show on CKNW, where she simplifies mortgage advice and empowers listeners to take control of their financial futures.

Angela has been recognized as Business Leader of the Year (2020) by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneur of the Year (2019) by the City of Port Coquitlam. She is also a sought-after speaker and educator, delivering accredited training for real estate boards across Greater Vancouver.

Angela is a frequent go-to source for media and publishers across the country. For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at hello@countoncalla.ca or at 604-802-3983.

Click here to view the latest news on our blog. 

A Step Forward for Homebuyers — But Canada Needs Bigger Solutions

General Angela Calla 12 Feb

FULL ARTICLE

Big news out of Nova Scotia today: the Government of Nova Scotia has launched a new First-Time Homebuyers Program that cuts the minimum down payment to just 2% of the purchase price — less than half of what it usually is.

This four-year pilot initiative is designed to help people who are financially ready to buy a home but can’t save up the larger down payment that’s often a barrier to entering the market. It’s being delivered through a partnership between the provincial government, Atlantic Central and participating credit unions.

Here’s what this means for eligible buyers:

What the Program Does

  • Lower Down Payment: Eligible first-time buyers can purchase with a 2% down payment instead of the standard 5% minimum.
  • Government Guarantee: The Province acts as a guarantor on these mortgages, so buyers don’t have to buy separate mortgage insurance — saving even more up front.
  • Credit Union Delivery: Mortgages are available through local credit unions that participate in the program.

Eligibility Highlights

To qualify, buyers must:

  • Have a household income of $200,000 or less
  • Pass the CMHC mortgage stress test
  • Have a credit score of at least 630
  • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or certain sponsored immigrants
  • Buy a home priced up to $570,000 in Halifax/East Hants or $500,000 elsewhere in Nova Scotia

Previous homeowners who haven’t owned a home in four or more years may also be eligible under the program’s rules.

Why This Matters

This program addresses one of the most common hurdles first-time buyers face: saving enough cash for a down payment. With rental costs and wages out of sync in many markets, actually putting money aside for a down payment is often the hardest step for would-be buyers — even when they’re otherwise financially prepared.

In fact, we used to have zero down payment options available years ago — a time when many more people could start building equity sooner and lay down roots in their communities. Reducing or removing upfront barriers like down payments can make a real difference, especially for younger buyers and essential workers who have the ability to pay but lack the savings hurdle.

What This Means for Canada

While Nova Scotia’s program is a positive local step, it underscores a critical point I’ve raised many times:

Interest rates alone will not solve housing affordability.

Lowering borrowing costs helps with monthly payments — but people still need to get into the market first. Policies that reduce upfront barriers, encourage responsible lending, and expand access to capital are essential. We need similar creative solutions at the federal level so that first-time buyers from coast-to-coast can benefit.

There are already some federal supports — like the RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan and GST rebates on new homes — but more is needed to address the savings gap and ensure meaningful access to homeownership.

Let’s Talk About What’s Possible

Housing affordability isn’t just about rates — it’s about policy, support, and giving people real pathways to achieve their goals. As someone immersed in the financial and mortgage space, I’ve seen firsthand how these barriers impact real families and real futures.

If you’re thinking about buying a home, or want to explore how innovative program could help you today,  Let’s work through your options together.

 

 


Angela Calla is a mortgage renewal and debt elimination expert with over 20 years of industry experience. She is also a multi-award-winning mortgage professional. Since beginning as a mortgage broker in 2004, Angela has helped thousands of Canadians optimize their mortgage strategies, eliminate debt, and build wealth through real estate.

She is the best-selling author of The Mortgage Code, which equips readers with the tools to make informed financial decisions. Additionally, she is the host of Canada’s longest-running finance radio show on CKNW, where she simplifies mortgage advice and empowers listeners to take control of their financial futures.

Angela has been recognized as Business Leader of the Year (2020) by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneur of the Year (2019) by the City of Port Coquitlam. She is also a sought-after speaker and educator, delivering accredited training for real estate boards across Greater Vancouver.

Angela is a frequent go-to source for media and publishers across the country. For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at hello@countoncalla.ca or at 604-802-3983.

Click here to view the latest news on our blog. 

Emcee’s for Share’s IMAGINE 2026 – Angela Calla and Cathy Cena

General Angela Calla 12 Feb

Full Announcement HERE

 

 


Angela Calla is a mortgage renewal and debt elimination expert with over 20 years of industry experience. She is also a multi-award-winning mortgage professional. Since beginning as a mortgage broker in 2004, Angela has helped thousands of Canadians optimize their mortgage strategies, eliminate debt, and build wealth through real estate.

She is the best-selling author of The Mortgage Code, which equips readers with the tools to make informed financial decisions. Additionally, she is the host of Canada’s longest-running finance radio show on CKNW, where she simplifies mortgage advice and empowers listeners to take control of their financial futures.

Angela has been recognized as Business Leader of the Year (2020) by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneur of the Year (2019) by the City of Port Coquitlam. She is also a sought-after speaker and educator, delivering accredited training for real estate boards across Greater Vancouver.

Angela is a frequent go-to source for media and publishers across the country. For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at hello@countoncalla.ca or at 604-802-3983.

Click here to view the latest news on our blog. 

Title Insurance and First Nations Claims to Title

General Angela Calla 12 Feb

Thank you to everyone who sent in topic suggestions and questions for our weekly email.  Not surprisingly, many of the questions relate to the recent decision in Cowichan Tribes v. Canada (AG), 2025 and what it may mean for homeowners and purchasers of the land.

Stewart Title, one of British Columbia’s leading title insurance providers, has shared guidance on this issue. Previously, Stewart Title policies excluded coverage for all First Nation or Indigenous land claims. Their recent updates now allow for limited potential coverage under certain Residential Owner Policies.

For the land directly affected by the Cowichan decision, Stewart Title will not provide coverage to owners, but coverage may still be available to lenders.

For Residential Owner Policies ordered after January 19, 2026, coverage for First Nations or Indigenous claims applies only if there is a covered risk and the owner suffers an actual loss following a final court decision (with no further appeals available) that results in loss of title, expropriation of the land, or eviction without compensation.  However, if government compensation is provided, no claim is payable under the policy.

In short, owners now have some protection but only if they actually lose their home or the right to live there, mere claims to title will not suffice for insurance purposes.

For more information on this topic, please visit our Knowledge Center article here https://bcrealestatelawyers.com/knowledge-centre/legal-issues-faqs/title-insurance-and-first-nations-claims-to-title/

Article courtesy of Tony Spagnuolo

 


Angela Calla is a mortgage renewal and debt elimination expert with over 20 years of industry experience. She is also a multi-award-winning mortgage professional. Since beginning as a mortgage broker in 2004, Angela has helped thousands of Canadians optimize their mortgage strategies, eliminate debt, and build wealth through real estate.

She is the best-selling author of The Mortgage Code, which equips readers with the tools to make informed financial decisions. Additionally, she is the host of Canada’s longest-running finance radio show on CKNW, where she simplifies mortgage advice and empowers listeners to take control of their financial futures.

Angela has been recognized as Business Leader of the Year (2020) by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneur of the Year (2019) by the City of Port Coquitlam. She is also a sought-after speaker and educator, delivering accredited training for real estate boards across Greater Vancouver.

Angela is a frequent go-to source for media and publishers across the country. For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at hello@countoncalla.ca or at 604-802-3983.

Click here to view the latest news on our blog. 

The Canadian Labour Market Lost 24,800 Jobs in January, but the unemployment rate fell to 6.5%

General Angela Calla 10 Feb

Canadian Jobs Growth Slowed Markedly in January as the Unemployment Rate Fell Sharply to 6.5%

Today’s Canadian Labour Force Survey for January was weaker than expected. Employment declined by 24,800 (-0.1%), and the employment rate decreased 0.1 percentage points to 60.8%. This followed only a small gain in December and was the first decline in the employment rate since August 2025.

In January, a decrease in part-time employment (-70,000; -1.8%) was partly offset by a gain in full-time work (+45,000; +0.3%). Compared with 12 months earlier, overall employment was up by 134,000 (+0.6%), driven by gains in full-time work (+149,000; +0.9%).

The number of private sector employees fell by 52,000 (-0.4%) in January, partly offsetting a net increase of 128,000 (+0.9%) in the last three months of 2025. There was little change in the number of public sector employees (+13,000; +0.3%) and self-employed workers (+14,000; +0.5%) in January.

The jobless rate fell by 0,3 percentage points to 6.5% in January, driven by a decline in the number of people searching for work. The unemployment rate in January was the lowest since September 2024, down 0.6 percentage points from the recent high of 7.1% recorded in August and September 2025.

The labour force participation rate—the proportion of the population aged 15 and older who were employed or looking for work—decreased 0.4 percentage points to 65.0% in January, following an increase of 0.2 percentage points in December. The decline in January was concentrated in Ontario, the hub of the auto sector, manufacturing generally, and steel production. Recent data also show that the number of entry-level positions has fallen sharply, likely due to artificial intelligence replacing these positions.

The unemployment rate fell across most major demographic groups in January, largely reflecting declines in the number of job searchers.

Unemployment rate by age group, January 2026

Manufacturing jobs were hard hit by the tariffs and trade uncertainty. 

The number of people working in manufacturing fell by 28,000 (-1.5%) in January, bringing employment down to levels last observed in August 2025. The decline in January was concentrated in Ontario. On a year-over-year basis, overall employment in manufacturing was down 51,000 (-2.7%).

Employment change by industry, January 2026

There were also fewer workers in educational services (-24,000; -1.5%) and public administration (-10,000; -0.8%) in January. Employment in both industries was little changed year over year.

On the other hand, employment increased in information, culture and recreation (+17,000; +2.0%) in January, continuing an upward trend that began in September 2025. On a year-over-year basis, employment in this industry was up 30,000 (+3.6%) in January.

Employment also rose in business, building and other support services (+14,000; +2.1%) in January, the first increase since October 2024. Employment in this industry had previously followed a downward trend through most of 2025. Compared with 12 months earlier, employment in business, building and other support services was down 38,000 (-5.3%) in January.

Bottom Line

The Bank of Canada has reiterated that its primary mandate is price stability, effectively leaving the task of closing the output gap to fiscal authorities. Fiscal support delivered through large capital-spending projects will be implemented too slowly to materially offset near-term weakness in activity. If layoffs persist at their recent pace and the United States were to withdraw from the Canada‑US‑Mexico Agreement, the case for an additional round of monetary easing would strengthen markedly.

Absent that downside scenario, the more plausible path is a slow and limited normalization of policy. Market pricing currently anticipates that the next move by the Bank of Canada will be to raise the overnight policy rate, but this is unlikely until 2027. If labour force weakness and higher mortgage costs associated with this year’s huge volume of mortgage renewals, in combination with AI-induced job losses, weaken the economy, the Bank of Canada might be willing to cut the overnight policy rate later this year. Uncertainty has already markedly weakened the housing market, despite the reduction in home prices and mortgage rates over the past year.

Article courtesy of Dr. Sherry Cooper, Chief Economist, DLC

 

 


Angela Calla is a mortgage renewal and debt elimination expert with over 20 years of industry experience. She is also a multi-award-winning mortgage professional. Since beginning as a mortgage broker in 2004, Angela has helped thousands of Canadians optimize their mortgage strategies, eliminate debt, and build wealth through real estate.

She is the best-selling author of The Mortgage Code, which equips readers with the tools to make informed financial decisions. Additionally, she is the host of Canada’s longest-running finance radio show on CKNW, where she simplifies mortgage advice and empowers listeners to take control of their financial futures.

Angela has been recognized as Business Leader of the Year (2020) by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneur of the Year (2019) by the City of Port Coquitlam. She is also a sought-after speaker and educator, delivering accredited training for real estate boards across Greater Vancouver.

Angela is a frequent go-to source for media and publishers across the country. For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at hello@countoncalla.ca or at 604-802-3983.

Click here to view the latest news on our blog. 

OSFI’s Quarterly Release: continuing to advance smart, well-calibrated risk-taking – Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions

General Angela Calla 3 Feb

Today, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) had its first Quarterly Release of 2026. As part of this release, OSFI has finalized new liquidity guidance and is launching consultations on credit risk management as well as accountability for boards and senior leaders.

This Quarterly Release highlights how OSFI’s focused policy efforts and smart oversight are engaging industry on risk issues that are the most critical and have greatest impact. Concentrating resources where they matter most ensures institutions can adapt and grow while preserving confidence and stability.

Read the full article HERE

 


Angela Calla is a mortgage renewal and debt elimination expert with over 20 years of industry experience. She is also a multi-award-winning mortgage professional. Since beginning as a mortgage broker in 2004, Angela has helped thousands of Canadians optimize their mortgage strategies, eliminate debt, and build wealth through real estate.

She is the best-selling author of The Mortgage Code, which equips readers with the tools to make informed financial decisions. Additionally, she is the host of Canada’s longest-running finance radio show on CKNW, where she simplifies mortgage advice and empowers listeners to take control of their financial futures.

Angela has been recognized as Business Leader of the Year (2020) by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneur of the Year (2019) by the City of Port Coquitlam. She is also a sought-after speaker and educator, delivering accredited training for real estate boards across Greater Vancouver.

Angela is a frequent go-to source for media and publishers across the country. For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at hello@countoncalla.ca or at 604-802-3983.

Click here to view the latest news on our blog. 

2026 Canadian Choice Award

General Angela Calla 20 Jan

CONGRATULATIONS,

Angela Calla Mortgage Team!

We’re excited to officially share that Angela Calla Mortgage Team has been selected as a Winner of the 2026 Canadian Choice Award in the Mortgage Brokers category for Port Coquitlam.

This distinction recognizes businesses that demonstrate excellence, professionalism, and meaningful community impact. Your win reflects the trust you’ve earned and the quality you deliver every day.


Angela Calla is a mortgage renewal and debt elimination expert with over 20 years of industry experience. She is also a multi-award-winning mortgage professional. Since beginning as a mortgage broker in 2004, Angela has helped thousands of Canadians optimize their mortgage strategies, eliminate debt, and build wealth through real estate.

She is the best-selling author of The Mortgage Code, which equips readers with the tools to make informed financial decisions. Additionally, she is the host of Canada’s longest-running finance radio show on CKNW, where she simplifies mortgage advice and empowers listeners to take control of their financial futures.

Angela has been recognized as Business Leader of the Year (2020) by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneur of the Year (2019) by the City of Port Coquitlam. She is also a sought-after speaker and educator, delivering accredited training for real estate boards across Greater Vancouver.

Angela is a frequent go-to source for media and publishers across the country. For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at hello@countoncalla.ca or at 604-802-3983.

Click here to view the latest news on our blog. 

Renewing a mortgage in 2026? Prepare for sticker shock, but no bubble

General Angela Calla 14 Jan

The average mortgage rate will double for those who bought in 2021 on a five-year term, but don’t expect a massive glut of new listings hitting an already depressed market from distressed sellers.

A for sale sign

There is plenty of gloom, but will doom soon follow?

The Lower Mainland real estate market is coming off a year with the lowest sales in more than two decades. The runaway train of prices and sales in a record 2021 is now a nostalgic past.

The post-COVID sales boom led to 44,000 sales in Greater Vancouver (which includes Metro Vancouver north of the Fraser River and Sea to Sky country) and close to 28,000 in the Fraser Valley (which includes parts of Metro Vancouver such as Surrey that lie south of the Fraser River), as buyers desperate enough to battle through bidding wars and subject-free offers shelled out premium prices for homes, their confidence bolstered by rock-bottom mortgage rates.

But 2026 looms large with a rising tide of mortgage renewals. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation expects around 1.15 million of them across Canada.
With rates that had been below two per cent that are now closer to four per cent, those who were on fixed-rate mortgages can expect monthly payments to jump by around 26 per cent, according to ratehub.ca.
While inflation rates of 2023-24 have slowed, the financial pressure on Canadian families is still oppressive. If your mortgage spikes by $1,000 a month, making it untenable for your household, and selling in a weak market isn’t a realistic option, then the question becomes: Is this when the bubble — finally — bursts?

Not likely, the experts say.

“Every year, there’s always another prognostication out there from someone who says, ‘This will be the year,’” said Andrew Lis, chief economist and vice-president of analytics for the Vancouver Real Estate Board.

“The fundamentals just don’t really line up with it. When you ask most people who’ve been following the housing market, or who have a lot of knowledge or education … the consensus is that the fundamentals for the economy, for the region, in general, remains strong. Despite slow sales and all this inventory that we have on the market, prices are only down about five per cent.

A bubble burst is not a scenario that anybody should would wish on anyone, he adds.

“If somebody’s hoping for that 50 per cent price decline. It could be the case that, if that comes … you can’t even buy a home because you’ve lost your job.”

What should I know about renewing a mortgage in 2026?

You should plan to start early, shop around and consider using a mortgage broker.
“Canadians are going to be faced with payment shock. A lot of clients are renewing a 1.6 or 1.9 per cent mortgage anywhere from 3.9 to 4.24 right now,” said Port Coquitlam broker Angela Calla, author of The Mortgage Code and radio host of The Mortgage Show on CKNW.

“What people don’t really recognize is that the best rate is rarely the best mortgage because it’s only part of the cost. Penalties, portability, prepayment limits and financing, refinancing, flexibility matter more than a fraction of a per cent.”

If cash flow is an issue, consider consolidating external debt — like credit card balances — into your mortgage or line of credit when refinancing. Slowly paying down a balance at four per cent interest instead of 20 on a credit card is math anyone can understand.

Increasing the length of amortization — how long the mortgage is — will ease the front-end pressure of monthly payments, though you will pay more over the life of mortgage.

The Bank of Canada has indicated it expects to keep its prime rate — which is already 2.25 points off its 2024 high, stable for the foreseeable future.

What should I know about selling a home in 2026?

It was a brutal 2025 for sellers.
Industry experts have pinned the blame on post-COVID contraction, as workers forced to return to the office grew tired of hours-long commutes, the foreign buyers’ ban and tax, the lingering effects of crippling inflation spikes, and the economic and psychological effects of the trade war with the U.S.
“The demand for real estate is there for buyers and sellers. It’s just getting people off the sidelines,” said Tore Jacobsen, managing broker at Macdonald Realty, and chair of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board.
Many sellers are buyers themselves, but they need to sell in order to buy, he said.
“What we’re seeing is a need for folks to sell and move, but also just recognizing, ‘I paid X amount of dollars in 2021 for this home, and in 2024, I’m getting Y.’ That math just doesn’t work.”

There were 65,335 listings in Vancouver last year, and 37,963 in the Fraser Valley — both numbers outstripping the marks set during the post-pandemic boom year of 2021. The total number of sales, however, was far below those halcyon years. In the Valley, it was 12,224 sales compared to 27,692 four years ago. In Vancouver, 23,800 compared to 43,999.

“Transactions are happening,” said Lis. “Where they seem to be happening is where buyers and sellers are aligned”.

“The reality is that sellers, who are motivated and are pricing properties correctly for the market environment that we’re in, they’re seeing transactions. The properties we’re seeing that are standing on the market are ones that are anchoring prices to years past.”
Lis expects the market to pick up again in the latter part of 2026, with the spring being the bellwether of its overall strength. He said the B.C. economy is still relatively unaffected by U.S. tariffs, and his projections are for about 27,000 sales in Vancouver.

But getting buyers off the sidelines in force will still be a challenge.

“My instinct for 2026 is that … everybody’s going to remain very cautious,” said Aled ab Iorwerth, the CMHC’s deputy chief economist. “It’s sort of a standard economic approach that when you see a lot of uncertainty, your first best option is to do nothing, and try and see how the uncertainty will resolve itself. And I think that’s what’s really happening.”

Will the real estate bubble finally burst in 2026?

In 2009, the subprime mortgage crisis in the U.S. cooled the market in Canada, and especially in Vancouver. But it bounced back within a year, with the record-low sales to start the season being matched by record-highs by December.
Then there was 2012, when sales dropped by 24 per cent in Vancouver as tightening mortgage restrictions and economic uncertainty combined to stagnate the market. But prices and sales boomed again the following year.
“I don’t think this is the bubble,” said Jacobsen of today’s market. “We have seen over the course of 50, 60 years, as long as they’ve been tracking real estate, there is always ups and downs in the market, but the general appreciation has always been in a northward direction.”

Jacobsen noted it’s not the first slowdown the region has experienced, just the most recent.

“This is such an amazing place to live, as far as a country is concerned. And B.C. is an absolute paradise. … There will always be demand for B.C., and I don’t anticipate a bubble popping.
The federal ban on foreign buyers is set to expire in 2027. While there is still the provincial tax of 20 per cent for foreign buyers, there will be a lot of attention of Vancouver from the FIFA World Cup this year.
“I expect very much that FIFA will do the same” as Expo and the Olympics, said Jacobsen. “I think people will realize — whether we see it or not, because we are here every day, and take it for granted — that this is one of those paradise-on-Earth type of places. It’s hard to beat mountains and ocean all in the same photograph.”
How does 2021 compare to 2025 for sales, listings and average price?

Fraser Valley (including Surrey)

2021

• 27,692 sales
• 35,629 new listings
• Detached home: $1.5 million
• Townhome: $765,800
• Condo: $549,200

2025

• 12,224 sales
• 37,963 new listings
• Detached home: $1,388,400
• Townhouse: $781,300
• Condo: $491,600

Vancouver

2021

• 43,999 sales• 62,265 listings
• Detached home: $1,910,200
• Townhouse: $1,004,900
• Condo: $761,800

Article content

2025

• 23,800 sales
• 65,335 listings
• Detached home: $1,879,800
• Townhouse: $1,056,600
• Condo: $710,000

Full article HERE


Angela Calla is a mortgage renewal and debt elimination expert with over 20 years of industry experience. She is also a multi-award-winning mortgage professional. Since beginning as a mortgage broker in 2004, Angela has helped thousands of Canadians optimize their mortgage strategies, eliminate debt, and build wealth through real estate.

She is the best-selling author of The Mortgage Code, which equips readers with the tools to make informed financial decisions. Additionally, she is the host of Canada’s longest-running finance radio show on CKNW, where she simplifies mortgage advice and empowers listeners to take control of their financial futures.

Angela has been recognized as Business Leader of the Year (2020) by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneur of the Year (2019) by the City of Port Coquitlam. She is also a sought-after speaker and educator, delivering accredited training for real estate boards across Greater Vancouver.

Angela is a frequent go-to source for media and publishers across the country. For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at hello@countoncalla.ca or at 604-802-3983.

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