The Best Toronto Mortgage Rates
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The Best Canadian Mortgage Rates in Ontario
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About Toronto
Ranked #4 Best City To Live In The World
With the largest population in Canada, Toronto is a bustling, urban landscape chock full of choices when it comes to food, entertainment and shopping. But the excitement of the big city comes with a price – literally.
Fun facts:
- The Toronto Maple Leafs haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1967
- Half of Toronto's population was born outside of Canada
- There are over 100 languages and dialects spoken in Toronto
- Toronto has over 8,000 restaurants to choose from
5 Things You Need To Know About Buying In Toronto
- It ain't cheap – Toronto ranks as the second most expensive city in Canada when it comes to buying a home
- The average home price in Toronto is $578,000 (the provincial average is $446,000)
- More than half of the homes that sold last year in Toronto's 10 hottest neighbourhoods sold for more than asking
- Do you have a vehicle? Parking might hike up your cost of living, as a rising demand for affordable parking has also meant a rise in price. Look for homes or condos with parking, if you can.
- Ample supply of condominiums has kept demand and prices of these units stable. If you're willing to sacrifice space, you'll certainly be rewarded in cash savings.
Frequently Asked Question: How Does Land Transfer Tax Work?
Potential home buyers know to be prepared to shell out a little – or a lot of – extra dough if they want to live in Toronto. But it's not just the premium of living in one of North America's great cities that drives up the total price; it's the Toronto Land Transfer Tax (LTT), a levy unique to the city.
The tax was introduced in February 2008. It applies to the purchase of all properties within the city limits of Toronto. When a buyer purchases a Toronto-area home, they'll pay the provincial LTT, as well as the Toronto LTT – both of which are calculated as between 0.5 and 2 per cent of the cost of the home. The percentages seem small, but they add up. A Toronto-area house with a price tag of $450,000, for example, will cost a buyer $5,475 in provincial LTT and $4,725 in municipal LTT. That's an extra $10,200 for a buyer to pay at closing time.
Toronto Housing Statistics
Despite the high cost of living in Toronto, the city has much to offer in terms of culture and opportunity. While there is no denying the fact that Torontonians face their fair share of frustrations, there is good reason for Toronto to consistently rank as one of the most liveable cities in the world.
| Property Prices: High | Quality of Life Index: High |
| Cost of Living: High | Traffic Index: High |
Buying Property in Toronto – Important Links
Knowledge is power when it comes to making the most of your money, and this old adage is especially true when talking about mortgages. RateSupermarket.ca recommends the following resources to get you started on your mortgage journey in Toronto:
Get Toronto regional housing statistics from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
The Economist lists Toronto as the #4 best place to live in the world. Learn more about this data-driven ranking.
Ever wonder what everyday items will cost you in Canada's biggest city? You can compare the cost of living around the world here.
Get all the information you need about Toronto public transit on the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) website.
For many families, nearby schools are a big factor in home buying decisions. Learn more about the Toronto District School Board and school locations here.
Are you new to Canada? The City of Toronto has a number of resources available to immigrants, aimed at providing a solid foundation for new Canadians.
Your Top Mortgage Questions Answered
Whether you’re a First Time Home Buyer or buying your second, third or fourth home, it pays to compare mortgage rates with Ratesupermarket.ca.
What can I afford?
Before you start looking for a dream home, it’s a good idea to figure out how much you can afford, which is why we recommend using the RateSupermarket.ca Affordability Calculator.
Once you know how much you can afford, you’ll know how much of a down payment you’ll need. Saving for a down payment is an important part of the home buying process. Furthermore, the size of your down payment can impact how much of a mortgage you qualify for. In Canada, the minimum down payment is 5% on the first $500,000 of the home price, and 10% on any portion exceeding $500,000, up to $1 million. A home priced above $1 million requires a minimum of 20% down.
One caveat that buyers need to be aware of is when they put down less than 20% of the cost of their home, they have to buy mortgage default insurance. If you’re able to put more than 20% of the home purchase down, you will qualify for a conventional mortgage product from your lender. If not, expect to pay an additional premium from 0.50 – 2.75% of the mortgage value, depending on your Loan to Value ratio (LTV) and amortization period.
Part of affordability that doesn’t automatically come to mind when you start looking for a home is the additional costs that come after your offer has been accepted. From closing costs and property taxes to life costs, it can really add up!
Should I work with a bank or a mortgage broker?
Prospective home buyers can turn to their bank or a mortgage broker for their mortgage needs, but many people are not sure what would be best for their needs.
By going to the bank, home buyers are going directly to a lender and behind the wheel when it comes to negotiations. If you decide to work with your bank, you are able to consolidate all your services with a provider you’ve worked with and trust, plus you may be eligible for discounts.
A broker on the other hand, provides home buyers the advantage of having access to a number of rates offered by multiple lenders, and they do the legwork and negotiating for you to get the best available rate and terms.
Brokers don’t always offer the same rates or products as the banks, which is why we provide comprehensive mortgage rate market comparison in Canada, comparing different brokers as well as banks, credit unions, and other lenders for you.
Should I choose a Fixed or Variable Rate Mortgage?
While you’re shopping for your dream home, you’ll have to consider if you want a fixed or variable rate mortgage.
A fixed mortgage rate enables you to “lock in” a predetermined rate for a term (set period of time). The most popular term is 5 years, though you can get one that can last anywhere from 6 months to 25 years.
The Pros of a Fixed Mortgage Rate:
- Security and comfort knowing what your principal and interest will be during the duration of your chosen term
- Financial planning and budgeting is easier
- Lower risk tolerance; a variable mortgage rate can be more volatile
The Cons of a Fixed Mortgage Rate:
- Pay more for securing and locking in a rate
- Pay more for breaking a contract Could cost more over long term
A variable mortgage rate is based on the mortgage lender’s prime rate. Prime is determined by current economic conditions, and is the benchmark interest rate used by major banks when pricing for short term loans. Since prime can increase or decrease on a monthly basis, a variable mortgage rate would increase or decrease with it as well.
The Pros of a Variable Mortgage Rate:
- Lower monthly payments as long as prime doesn’t increase rate above fixed mortgage rate
- Pay three months’ interest for breaking a contract
The Cons of a Variable Mortgage Rate:
- Less financial security as prime can increase, increasing your monthly interest
- Financial planning and budgeting is harder
What can I afford?
Before you start looking for a dream home, it’s a good idea to figure out how much you can afford, which is why we recommend using the RateSupermarket.ca Affordability Calculator.
Once you know how much you can afford, you’ll know how much of a down payment you’ll need. Saving for a down payment is an important part of the home buying process. Furthermore, the size of your down payment can impact how much of a mortgage you qualify for. In Canada, the minimum down payment is 5% on the first $500,000 of the home price, and 10% on any portion exceeding $500,000, up to $1 million. A home priced above $1 million requires a minimum of 20% down.
One caveat that buyers need to be aware of is when they put down less than 20% of the cost of their home, they have to buy mortgage default insurance. If you’re able to put more than 20% of the home purchase down, you will qualify for a conventional mortgage product from your lender. If not, expect to pay an additional premium from 0.50 – 2.75% of the mortgage value, depending on your Loan to Value ratio (LTV) and amortization period.
Part of affordability that doesn’t automatically come to mind when you start looking for a home is the additional costs that come after your offer has been accepted. From closing costs and property taxes to life costs, it can really add up!
Should I work with a bank or a mortgage broker?
Prospective home buyers can turn to their bank or a mortgage broker for their mortgage needs, but many people are not sure what would be best for their needs.
By going to the bank, home buyers are going directly to a lender and behind the wheel when it comes to negotiations. If you decide to work with your bank, you are able to consolidate all your services with a provider you’ve worked with and trust, plus you may be eligible for discounts.
A broker on the other hand, provides home buyers the advantage of having access to a number of rates offered by multiple lenders, and they do the legwork and negotiating for you to get the best available rate and terms.
Brokers don’t always offer the same rates or products as the banks, which is why we provide comprehensive mortgage rate market comparison in Canada, comparing different brokers as well as banks, credit unions, and other lenders for you.
Should I choose a Fixed or Variable Rate Mortgage?
While you’re shopping for your dream home, you’ll have to consider if you want a fixed or variable rate mortgage.
A fixed mortgage rate enables you to “lock in” a predetermined rate for a term (set period of time). The most popular term is 5 years, though you can get one that can last anywhere from 6 months to 25 years.
The Pros of a Fixed Mortgage Rate:
- Security and comfort knowing what your principal and interest will be during the duration of your chosen term
- Financial planning and budgeting is easier
- Lower risk tolerance; a variable mortgage rate can be more volatile
The Cons of a Fixed Mortgage Rate:
- Pay more for securing and locking in a rate
- Pay more for breaking a contract Could cost more over long term
A variable mortgage rate is based on the mortgage lender’s prime rate. Prime is determined by current economic conditions, and is the benchmark interest rate used by major banks when pricing for short term loans. Since prime can increase or decrease on a monthly basis, a variable mortgage rate would increase or decrease with it as well.
The Pros of a Variable Mortgage Rate:
- Lower monthly payments as long as prime doesn’t increase rate above fixed mortgage rate
- Pay three months’ interest for breaking a contract
The Cons of a Variable Mortgage Rate:
- Less financial security as prime can increase, increasing your monthly interest
- Financial planning and budgeting is harder
What is the difference between a mortgage term and an amortization period?
Amortization period refers to the entire length of your mortgage, whether it’s a short or long term mortgage. Most mortgages are negotiated over a 25 year amortization period.
During those 25 years, there will be a series of negotiated terms for a set number of years. The most common mortgage term length is five years, which means you pay the principal and interest at an agreed rate for five years, then negotiate another five-year term.
Does my credit score have an effect on getting preapproved for a mortgage?
Is your credit score mortgage ready? Your credit score is important because it’s the deciding factor on if you get preapproved and how much you get preapproved for. Lenders want to know that you will repay your debt, so they consider the following factors: payment history, outstanding debt, credit history age, applying for new credit too often and the type of debt you are looking for (long term debt vs. short term debt).
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