Every mortgage decision, compared in plain language.
Fixed or variable? Port or break? Rent or buy? We've broken down the choices Canadians actually wrestle with — honest trade-offs, real numbers, no jargon and no sales spin. Each guide gives you a clear answer for your situation, plus the math behind it.
Rates & terms
6 guidesChoosing how your rate, term and payments are structured.
Fixed vs Variable
Lock your rate for certainty, or ride prime for flexibility and a lower break penalty.
CompareOpen vs Closed
Closed's lower rate vs open's freedom to pay off anytime — and why most pick closed.
Compare3-Year vs 5-Year Term
Renew sooner into a lower rate, or lock the standard 5-year for certainty.
Compare25 vs 30-Year Amortization
Lower payments vs less total interest — and the 'take 30, pay like 25' strategy.
CompareBiweekly vs Monthly
Why ACCELERATED biweekly pays your mortgage off years early — almost for free.
CompareCash-Back vs Lower Rate
The hidden cost of cash back, the clawback trap, and which actually saves more.
CompareHome equity & borrowing
5 guidesThe smartest way to tap your home's value or borrow for a big expense.
HELOC vs Refinance
Reusable credit vs a lump sum — and how to protect a low existing rate.
CompareHELOC vs Second Mortgage
Revolving line vs lump sum, and which approves when a HELOC won't.
CompareHELOC vs Personal Loan
Secured vs unsecured: lowest rate vs speed and keeping your home out of it.
CompareBridge vs HELOC
How to cover the down-payment gap when you buy before you sell.
CompareReverse Mortgage vs HELOC
Accessing equity at 55+: no-payment access vs lower-cost flexibility.
CompareBuying & qualifying
5 guidesGetting ready to buy — budgets, approvals and down payments.
Rent vs Buy
The real costs on both sides, the break-even timeline, and when renting wins.
ComparePre-Approval vs Pre-Qual
Which one sellers trust, what each checks — and why neither is final approval.
CompareConventional vs High-Ratio
Is 20% down worth it? Why insured rates are often lower than conventional.
CompareCo-Signer vs Guarantor
Helping family qualify: who goes on title, who's on the hook, and the risks.
ComparePre-Construction vs Resale
New-build-on-paper vs buy-today: financing, HST, and appraisal-gap risk.
CompareLenders & products
4 guidesWho you borrow from — and the fine print that affects your rate.
Bank vs Broker
One lender's product vs the whole market — and who's usually cheaper.
CompareMonoline vs Bank
Are monoline lenders safe? Why their rates and terms often beat the banks.
CompareA Lender vs B Lender
Strict-but-cheap vs flexible alternative lending — and the exit plan back to A.
CompareCollateral vs Standard
The registration choice that can quietly trap you at your bank at renewal.
CompareRenewing, moving & life events
5 guidesDecisions that come up mid-term, when you move, or when life changes.
Port vs Break
When you move: carry your mortgage and skip the penalty, or break for a lower rate.
CompareBlend-and-Extend vs Break
Lower your rate mid-term — and why 'no penalty' blending isn't always cheapest.
CompareSpousal Buyout vs Refinance
Keeping the home after a separation: the 80% cap vs the 95% buyout program.
CompareMortgage Insurance vs Term Life
Why the bank's mortgage insurance is usually the worse deal for your family.
CompareJoint vs Sole Mortgage
One name or two? Borrowing power vs protecting credit and shielding the home.
CompareHow to use these comparisons
Most mortgage decisions aren’t about a universally “right” answer — they’re about which option fits your timeline, budget and risk tolerance. Each guide here lays the two choices side by side, shows who each one suits, and walks through the numbers that actually decide it — the break penalty, the rate spread, the qualifying math — so you can choose with clear eyes instead of a sales pitch.
As an independent, FSRA-licensed brokerage (#13737), we have no incentive to steer you toward one lender or product. Our job is to model the realistic options against your situation and tell you, honestly, which costs you less. Start with whichever question is on your mind, and if you’d rather just talk it through, Maya can give you a tailored answer in any of 50+ languages, any time of day.