Real Estate Blog
Expert guides, tips, and insights about the Canadian housing market, mortgages, and homeownership.
How to Qualify for a Mortgage in Canada (2026 Guide)
Credit score thresholds, GDS/TDS ratios, stress test (contract + 2%), down payment and CMHC rules, self-employed income, and Ontario/Toronto closing-cost context — with links to our calculators.
0 Down Payment Mortgages in Canada: How Flex-Down Works
No, you cannot get a true 0 down payment mortgage in Canada through CMHC. But flex-down programs at RBC, Scotia, and TD let you finance the down payment itself. See 2026 rules and options.
Down Payment on a House in Canada: How Much Do You Need?
Minimum down payment rules in Canada, CMHC insurance impact, and FHSA/RRSP strategies with practical examples.
What Is the Mortgage Stress Test in Canada? (2026 Rules + Calculator)
OSFI B-20 qualifying rate, the 5.25% floor, who must pass vs. renewal exemption, and how the stress test cuts borrowing power in 2026 — with links to our free calculator.
Canada's Capital Gains Inclusion Rate: 50% or 66.67%?
Canada's inclusion rate is 50% — the 2024 proposal to raise it to 66.67% above $250K was cancelled March 21, 2025. Covers effective rates by province, tax bracket interaction, and real estate impact.
House Flipping for Beginners in Canada: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
Six stages from numbers to closing, capital table in CAD$, CRA and LTT context, mistakes to avoid, and links to free calculators.
House Flipping Tax in Canada (2026)
CRA anti-flipping rule, business income vs. capital gains, and how your hold period changes the tax bill — plus a free calculator.
Is It Better to Rent or Buy? What Nobody Tells You
Real math, hidden costs, and a clear framework for deciding whether renting or buying is better in Canada in 2026.
Mortgage vs. Rent in Canada (2026): Which Costs More? Real Numbers
Real monthly cost comparison for 9 Canadian cities using March 2026 rates, plus break-even timelines and full ownership vs renting math.
Is Renting Really Throwing Money Away? (The Math)
Is renting throwing money away? We run the actual math — hidden ownership costs, 20-year wealth comparison, and what renters must do to build wealth.
The 5-Year Rule: When Does Buying Finally Beat Renting in Canada?
The real math behind the 5-year rule with city-by-city 2026 break-even data for Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax, Edmonton, and more.
Rent to Own vs. Buying a Home in Canada (2026): Which Path Makes Sense?
Rent to own or buy directly? Costs, risks, Canadian programs (Requity, Divvy, Manitoba), and who should choose each path — updated March 2026.
Best Cities to Buy vs. Rent in Canada — 2026 (15 Cities Ranked)
We ranked 15 Canadian cities by price-to-rent ratio, monthly ownership gap, and break-even point. See where buying, renting, or waiting makes sense in 2026.
First-Time Buyer: Should You Rent or Buy Your First Home in Canada?
2026 first-time buyer guide for Canada: Bill C-4 GST exemption, FHSA strategy, 8-question framework, and city-specific rent vs. buy logic.
Rent vs. Buy: The Complete Guide (2026)
Should you rent or buy a home in 2026? This complete guide breaks down the real costs, pros & cons, and exactly how to decide.
Should I Buy a House in Canada in 2026? The Honest Answer
Is 2026 a good time to buy a house in Canada? Mortgage rates, market conditions, and city-by-city math — updated March 19, 2026.
How to Calculate Cap Rate: Formula, Examples & Calculator (Canada)
Cap rate formula, NOI breakdown, $600K Ontario worked example, reverse valuation, Canadian city benchmarks, and negative leverage — plus our free cap rate calculator.
How Much Does It Cost to Flip a House in Ontario?
A complete breakdown of flipping costs in Ontario — purchase, renovation, carrying costs, taxes, and selling fees.
Average Profit Flipping a House in Canada: Real 2026 Numbers
City-by-city net profit table, national $64K benchmark, costs vs. profit scenarios, and how the CRA anti-flipping rule changes your take-home.
What Is the 70% Rule in House Flipping? Formula, Examples & Canadian Adjustments
Max purchase price = (ARV × 0.70) − renovation costs. Ontario worked example, Toronto/Vancouver 65% adjustment, MAO comparison, and our free 70% rule calculator.
Free Canadian Mortgage Calculator Excel Template — Download (.xlsx)
Correct semi-annual compounding (not US monthly PMT), CMHC tiers, amortization schedule, and Google Sheets compatibility — plus links to our online mortgage calculators.
Income Needed for a Mortgage in Canada (2026)
Full income table from $300K to $2M: min down payment, mortgage with CMHC, estimated payment, and gross income at 5.25% qualifying rate — plus stress test, $1M rules, and calculator links.
How Much Should You Spend on a House in Canada? (2026)
GDS vs TDS, 32% vs 39%, and whether the US 28/36 rule applies here — with income tables, city reality checks (Toronto to Edmonton), and links to affordability & stress-test calculators.
How to Calculate Capital Gains Tax in Canada: Step by Step
Four-step guide to determining capital gains tax in Canada. Covers ACB calculation, the confirmed 50% inclusion rate, province-by-province estimates, principal residence exemption, and the CRA anti-flipping rule.
Does Selling Your Home Trigger Capital Gains Tax in Canada?
Canada's principal residence exemption eliminates capital gains on a qualifying home sale. Covers the partial exemption formula, the +1 bonus year, cottage designation, change-in-use rules, and the Section 45(2) election.
Real Cost to Flip a House in Canada (2026)
A complete breakdown of flipping costs in Canada — purchase, renovation, carrying costs, taxes, and selling fees — with Ontario, BC, and Alberta context.