Buying Tips

Your mortgage rate is 6.5%, but your neighbour just got 4.8% on their new home. Should you apply for refinancing to get a better deal, or will the costs eat up any savings?

This question keeps many Canadian homeowners up at night. With interest rates bouncing around like a pinball machine, figuring out when to refinance your mortgage can feel overwhelming.

Here's the truth: refinancing can save you thousands of dollars over time or put money in your pocket right now. But it can also cost you big if you don't understand the rules. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about mortgage refinancing in Canada, with real examples and current market insights.

By the end, you'll know exactly when refinancing makes sense and how to do it

Looking at Calgary's booming commercial real estate market, smart investors are asking one key question: Is now the right time to jump in?

The numbers tell a compelling story. Calgary's commercial real estate market hit $5.2 billion in investment volume by the fourth quarter of 2024, a massive 17% jump from the year before. That's investors voting with their wallets.

But here's what really matters for your investment decision. Calgary isn't just riding an oil boom anymore. The city has quietly become Canada's second-largest corporate headquarters hub. Tech companies are moving in. The population grew by 6% last year. And commercial property prices still cost 25–50% less than Toronto or Vancouver.

So, is Calgary commercial real estate a good

Picture this: You're ready to buy your first home (or refinance), but two different mortgage professionals are telling you opposite things about the best loan for your situation. One works for TD Bank, the other works independently with 40+ lenders. Who's actually looking out for your best interests?

This confusion hits thousands of Canadian homebuyers every year.

The choice between a mortgage broker vs. a loan officer can literally save or cost you thousands of dollars over your mortgage term. But too many people don't understand the real difference until it's too late.

The truth is, both can help you get a mortgage. But they work very differently, get paid differently, and offer completely different advantages. By the end of this article,

Can you buy a house in Calgary with a 620 credit score, or do you need 760+ to get the best rates? If you're house hunting in Calgary, you've probably heard conflicting advice about credit scores. Some people say 680 is enough. Others insist you need perfect credit to get anywhere.

Here's why the difference matters: Calgary's median detached home price hit the low $700s in the second quarter of 2025. A 100-point difference in your credit score could change your monthly payment by over $125. That's $1,500 more per year—or $45,000 over the life of your mortgage.

The difference between a minimum credit score that gets you approved and an optimal score that saves you money is huge. This guide breaks down exactly what credit score you need for

Should you buy a house in Calgary right now, or wait for rates to drop even more?

It's the question keeping would-be homebuyers up at night. You're watching mortgage interest rates bounce around, hearing conflicting advice from friends, and wondering if you'll kick yourself for buying too early—or waiting too long. How do you know when to apply for a mortgage?

Calgary's current mortgage rates fall between approximately 4% and 4.7% for five-year fixed mortgages.

These rates are definitely better than the 5%+ peaks we saw in 2023 and early 2024. But they're still about three times higher than those crazy-low rates from 2020–2021.

Ultimately, the real question isn't whether rates are "good" in some absolute sense. It's whether they're good

Ever wondered why that perfect house you found is listed as "contingent" or "pending" instead of "sold?" You're not alone.

Many homebuyers get confused by contingencies in real estate contracts. They sound scary and complicated, and the formal legal language doesn't help. But contingencies can be your best friends when buying a home. They're safety nets that protect you from making expensive mistakes.

Think of contingency clauses as the seat belt in your car—you still plan on arriving safely, but the belt protects you in case of an unexpected crash. Without contingencies, you lose the ability to back out if something goes wrong with your home purchase. You could lose thousands of dollars in earnest money or get stuck with a disastrous house that

You found the perfect home at 2 p.m., but by 4 p.m., three other offers were already on the table.

Welcome to a seller's market, where homes disappear fast. But here's the good news: You can still win your dream home if you know the right moves.

Calgary's housing market is shifting from the extreme seller conditions we saw in 2021–2022, but don't expect easy wins yet. Even though the real estate inventory has nearly doubled compared to last year, competition remains with a 57% sales-to-new-listings ratio.

Smart buyers who prepare properly are snagging great homes while others scramble with weak offers. This guide gives you the exact strategies to compete and win in Calgary's housing market without overpaying or making desperate moves you'll

If you're thinking about buying a fixer-upper in Calgary, timing might be on your side. But before you get excited about that 1970s bungalow in Hillhurst or an older home in a historic neighbourhood, you need to understand what you're really getting into.

A fixer-upper isn't just about getting a deal on a house. You're buying a project, a timeline, and a learning experience. The question isn't whether fixer-uppers can be great investments—they absolutely can be. The real question is whether one makes sense for your situation.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Questions to Ask When Buying a Fixer-Upper

Before diving deeper, ask yourself

Have you ever wondered why your real estate agent keeps mentioning "closing costs" but never gives you specific dollar amounts? That's because it varies.

Here's the truth: Closing costs in Calgary can add $15,000 to $35,000 to the cost of your home purchase—in addition to your down payment and the actual house price.

Many buyers who have decided that buying a house is worth it get blindsided by these costs. Don't be one of them.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Calgary Closing Costs Checklist

• Budget 1%-4% of your home's price for closing costs
• Legal fees: $900-$2,500
• Home inspection: $400-$600
• Mortgage insurance:

You might worry about buying at the wrong time and losing thousands, or selling too early and missing out on extra profit. You're not alone—everyone's got an opinion about when to buy a home or sell. Your neighbour says wait until spring. Your coworker insists winter is best for deals.

Here's the truth: most timing advice misses what matters.

This guide cuts through the confusion with practical advice. You'll learn how seasons affect sale prices, why your situation is more important than "perfect" market timing, and how to make smart moves without overthinking every decision.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

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