Ratellow Research Team

Discover every first-time home buyer rebate and tax credit available in Canada in 2026 — including the new First-Time Home Buyers' GST/HST Rebate (Bill C-4, Royal Assent March 12, 2026), which gives eligible FTHBs up to $50,000 back on new builds up to $1M. This guide covers that program, the Home Buyers' Tax Credit (HBTC), the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP), the First Home Savings Account (FHSA), Ontario's stacked Enhanced HST Rebate (up to $80K provincial on top of the federal for combined ~$130K relief), and key provincial LTT programs — plus how 2026 rule changes like 30-year amortizations and the $1.5M insured cap fit together.

Compare fixed vs. variable mortgage rates in Canada for 2026 and find the right term strategy for your situation. With the Bank of Canada (BoC) policy rate at 2.25% and the prime rate at 4.45% as of early 2026, this guide breaks down payment stability, break penalties, Interest Rate Differential (IRD) calculations, and how new OSFI (Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions) and CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) rules affect your decision. Whether you're buying your first home or renewing an existing mortgage, learn which term offers the best balance of safety and long-term savings.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)-insured mortgages give Canadian homebuyers — especially first-timers — access to lower interest rates and smaller down payments than conventional mortgages require. With December 2024 reforms raising the insurable property value cap to $1.5 million and expanding 30-year amortization eligibility, insured mortgages are more powerful than ever. CMHC mortgage insurance premiums range from 2.8% to 4.0% depending on your down payment size; 0.6% is not a valid premium rate. Features like Portability and a 25% Green Home premium refund add further long-term value. This guide explains how insured mortgages work, who qualifies, and how to use them strategically in 2026.

Renewing your mortgage in 2026? You have more leverage than you think. This guide shows Canadian homeowners how to negotiate a better rate with their current lender, use the straight-switch exemption to avoid the stress test when switching, and decide when to call a mortgage broker versus going it alone. Includes target rates, prepayment privilege strategies, and provincial switching cost considerations.

A comprehensive province-by-province breakdown of first-time homebuyer programs, land transfer tax (LTT) rebates, exemptions, and closing cost advantages across Canada in 2026. Covers Ontario's LTT rebate (up to $4,000 provincial + $4,475 Toronto municipal), BC's Property Transfer Tax (PTT) exemptions (full up to $500,000, partial up to $525,000), Quebec's unavoidable Welcome Tax (droits de mutation), Alberta and Saskatchewan's no-LTT advantage, Manitoba's land transfer tax structure, and Atlantic Canada programs. Federal programs — including the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP), First Home Savings Account (FHSA), and 30-year amortization for insured mortgages — apply nationwide and stack with all provincial benefits. (Source: Provincial government websites, 2026)

Everything non-residents and Canadian expats need to know about getting a mortgage in Canada in 2026: minimum 35% down payment requirements, the Foreign Buyer Ban extended to January 1, 2027, province-specific Foreign Buyer Tax (BC: 20%) and Non-Resident Speculation Tax (NRST) rates (Ontario: 25% province-wide since October 25, 2022), Underused Housing Tax (UHT) filing obligations, CMHC insurance eligibility, and how lenders treat foreign income — including the standard 80% gross income haircut applied by most Canadian lenders.