06/08/2026
When you apply for a mortgage, banks do not just check if you can afford your actual interest rate. They test your finances against a financial safety buffer.
This is the Canadian stress test. If your contract rate is 4.5%, rules require lenders to qualify you at that rate plus an extra 2% (meaning you need to qualify at 6.5%.
Did you know about this extra 2% buffer, or is this new to you?
If you want to find out exactly how much purchasing power you have under the current stress test rules, send me a DM and let's map out your numbers!