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For informational purposes only. Not financial, legal, or professional advice. Consult a licensed mortgage professional before making decisions. See full disclaimer

FAQ Library
Purchasing•Verified 2026-04-14

What property considerations impact my mortgage application?

Lenders carefully assess the property's value and characteristics, directly influencing the loan amount you can secure.

Key Points

  • Your home must be in Canada, livable year-round, and accessible in all seasons.

  • Your lender will carefully check the assessed value of the property to make sure it's accurate.

  • Your lender might adjust the property's value based on its location and current market conditions when calculating your (/glossary/loan-to-value) (LTV) ratio.

  • You can only borrow up to 65% of your home's value with a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC).

Need a Deeper Breakdown?

Read the full research guide this FAQ was derived from for more context and strategy.

Technical Research Verification

Our systems synchronized 4 data points and regulatory frameworks to verify this technical brief.

Read the deeper guide · Purchasing

2026 Insured Mortgage Advantage: 5% Down Payment, Three Insurers & Best Rates Explained

Related Questions

How does mortgage insurance enable lower down payments?

Mortgage insurance lowers the risk for lenders, allowing them to offer mortgages to borrowers with down payments between 5% and 20%.

How will lenders evaluate my debt service ratios, and what key factors are considered?

Lenders assess your ability to repay the mortgage by calculating your Gross Debt Service (GDS) and Total Debt Service (TDS) ratios.

How does the 'straight switch' exemption benefit you at renewal?

The 'straight switch' exemption lets uninsured mortgage borrowers move their mortgage to a new federally regulated lender (FRFI) at renewal without needing to pass the Minimum Qualifying Rate (MQR) .

What are Loan-to-Income (LTI) limits and how will they affect institutional mortgage portfolios?

OSFI is introducing Loan-to-Income (LTI) limits to reduce risks from high household debt in institutional mortgage portfolios .

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Factors like location, property type, market trends, and potential risks are all considered. Properties in rapidly appreciating markets, for example, require more conservative valuations to account for potential price corrections. A key factor is also the condition of the property. The property must be located in Canada, be suitable and available for full time / year round occupancy and have year round access including homes located on an island (via a vehicular bridge or ferry).

You can't buy a home for more than $1,500,000 if you have a down payment of less than 20% (insured mortgage max). For properties over $1,500,000, a minimum 20% down payment is required (uninsured). The $1,000,000 limit applies to small rental properties for insurance purposes, not to owner-occupied homes with 20%+ down.