Daren Sedore Mortgage Agent

Daren Sedore Mortgage Agent With over 10 years of experience, I help you find the best mortgage solution for your needs!

The Bank of Canada just released its rate announcement, and they're holding the overnight rate steady. With inflation st...
09/02/2026

The Bank of Canada just released its rate announcement, and they're holding the overnight rate steady. With inflation still elevated and ongoing trade uncertainty with the U.S., this decision wasn't a huge surprise, but it's still important news for anyone with a mortgage or thinking about buying.

For variable rate holders in Ottawa, your payments stay where they are for now. And if you've been weighing a purchase or upcoming renewal, rate stability is actually something we can work with. It gives us a clearer picture to plan around, which is more useful than it might sound.

The next announcement is October 28, so today's hold sets the tone for the next couple of months. If you're wondering what this means for your specific situation, drop me a message and let's talk through it together.

Daren Sedore, Mortgage Agent - Level 1, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

There's a mortgage myth going around Ottawa right now, and it's genuinely costing buyers money.A lot of people assume th...
08/26/2026

There's a mortgage myth going around Ottawa right now, and it's genuinely costing buyers money.

A lot of people assume that because the Bank of Canada has held its overnight rate at 2.25% six times in a row, fixed mortgage rates must be sitting low too. That's not how it works. Fixed rates are tied to Government of Canada bond yields, not the overnight rate. And with inflation concerns, higher oil prices, and global uncertainty keeping those bond yields elevated, fixed rates aren't following the BoC pause the way most people expect. Waiting around for fixed rates to drop could mean missing out on the best window you actually have right now.

Here's another thing most buyers in Ottawa don't realize yet. As of December 15, 2025, the insured mortgage threshold jumped from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000. That means if you're buying a home under $1.5 million, you may now qualify for insured rates that weren't available to you before, which can make a real difference in what you're actually paying. And the gap between what your bank is offering versus what's available through broker channels? That spread is meaningful. If you haven't compared, you're likely leaving money on the table.

If you're buying, renewing, or just trying to figure out what your options actually look like right now, let's talk. A quick conversation could save you a lot more than you'd expect.

Daren Sedore, Mortgage Agent - Level 1, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

If you bought or are thinking about buying a new home in Ottawa, you need to know about this.Bill C-4 is officially law ...
08/19/2026

If you bought or are thinking about buying a new home in Ottawa, you need to know about this.

Bill C-4 is officially law as of March 12, 2026, and the First-Time Home Buyers' GST Rebate it created is a big deal. We're talking about the full 5% federal GST wiped out on new homes up to $1 million — that's a saving of up to $50,000. To qualify, your agreement of purchase and sale needs to have been signed with a builder on or after March 20, 2025, and the property has to be newly built or substantially renovated. Resale homes don't count, and neither do agreements signed before that March 20, 2025 date, even if you haven't closed yet.

Now here's where it gets really interesting for Ottawa buyers specifically. Ontario announced it's eliminating the full 13% HST on new homes up to $1 million for a one-year period that started April 1, 2026, and this one isn't just for first-time buyers. Stack both programs together and you're looking at a combined saving of up to $130,000 on a single new home purchase. That is not a small number. If you closed after March 12, 2026, your builder can apply the federal rebate right at closing. If you closed before that date, you'll need to apply directly to the CRA yourself.

There's a lot of moving pieces here and I want to make sure you're not leaving money on the table. Send me a message and let's talk through how this applies to your situation.

Daren Sedore, Mortgage Agent - Level 1, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

The September Bank of Canada rate decision is just weeks away, and honestly? A lot of people are asking me the same ques...
08/12/2026

The September Bank of Canada rate decision is just weeks away, and honestly? A lot of people are asking me the same question right now: should I lock in a fixed rate or stick with variable?

Here's where things get interesting. The BoC has held its policy rate steady at 2.25% for six consecutive decisions, but the landscape is shifting. Energy prices have surged more than 50% in the past month alone due to the conflict closing the Strait of Hormuz, and markets are now pricing in the possibility of rate hikes starting as early as October. That changes the conversation around variable-rate mortgages pretty quickly.

If you're renewing soon, shopping for your first home, or just unsure how this affects your mortgage, now is genuinely the time to think it through, not after the announcement. Fixed means your rate stays put no matter what the BoC does. Variable means you feel every move they make. There's no universal right answer, but there IS a right answer for your situation. Let's figure out what that looks like for you. Drop a comment or send me a DM and we can chat.

Daren Sedore, Mortgage Agent - Level 1, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

If you're thinking about buying a second property or investing in a rental, there are some important rule changes you ne...
08/05/2026

If you're thinking about buying a second property or investing in a rental, there are some important rule changes you need to know about before you make your move.

OSFI updated its Capital Adequacy Requirements for 2026, and it's already in effect. Here's what it means for you in plain terms: if more than 50% of your qualifying income on a mortgage comes from rent, that loan gets classified differently by lenders. That classification means lenders are required to hold more capital in reserve against that loan, and yes, that typically means higher rates and potentially larger down payment expectations for rental properties compared to what we've seen before.

There's also a tightening around income "double-counting." If you've already used rental or employment income to qualify for one property, you can't just apply that same income again to qualify for another. OSFI made that very clear. The good news is that Guideline B-20 hasn't changed, so lenders can still use rental income to help you qualify. It just needs to be done carefully and correctly across multiple properties.

This is the kind of shift that sounds complicated but really just means you need a solid plan and someone who understands how to structure things properly from the start. If you have questions about how this affects your situation, send me a message and let's talk it through.

Daren Sedore, Mortgage Agent - Level 1, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

Big news for Ottawa home buyers! As of December 15, 2024, the insured mortgage cap jumped from $1 million to $1.5 millio...
08/05/2026

Big news for Ottawa home buyers! As of December 15, 2024, the insured mortgage cap jumped from $1 million to $1.5 million for the first time since 2012. That means you can now purchase a home up to $1.5M with less than 20% down, which is a massive shift for buyers in our market.

Here's what that looks like in real numbers. The minimum down payment on a $1.5M home is now $125,000 (5% on the first $500K, 10% on the rest) compared to the $300,000 that used to be required. That's a potential saving of $175,000 on your down payment alone. The same rule update also expanded 30-year amortizations to all first-time buyers and new build purchases, helping keep monthly payments more manageable.

If you've been sitting on the sidelines thinking you couldn't afford to get into the Ottawa market, this change might be exactly what you needed to hear. Let's talk about what this means for your situation specifically.

Send me a DM or drop a comment below and let's connect!

Mortgage renewal season is in full swing right now, and if your renewal is coming up in the next 6 to 12 months, this is...
07/29/2026

Mortgage renewal season is in full swing right now, and if your renewal is coming up in the next 6 to 12 months, this is your reminder not to wait until the last minute. Renewal inquiries are up significantly in 2026, which tells me a lot of Ottawa homeowners are starting to feel the pressure and waking up to what their new payment might look like.

Here's the good news though: you have more options than you think. Since November 2024, OSFI removed the stress test requirement for homeowners with uninsured mortgages who want to switch lenders at renewal. That means you can shop around for a better rate without the extra hurdles that used to hold people back.

If you locked in during 2020 or 2021 when rates were at historic lows, your payment will likely be higher at renewal. The earlier we sit down and map out your options, the better position you'll be in. Let's talk before your renewal sneaks up on you.

Drop a comment below or send me a DM to get started.

Did you know your RRSP could help fund your down payment? Through the Home Buyers' Plan, first-time buyers can withdraw ...
07/23/2026

Did you know your RRSP could help fund your down payment? Through the Home Buyers' Plan, first-time buyers can withdraw up to $60,000 tax-free from their RRSP to put toward a home purchase. That limit was increased back in April 2024, and if you're buying with a partner, you can combine your withdrawals for up to $120,000 together. That's a serious head start.

The best part? You now have up to 5 years before you even need to start paying it back, giving you some breathing room as you settle into homeownership. Just keep in mind that any RRSP contributions need to sit in your account for at least 90 days before you can use them under this program.

If you've been building up your RRSP and wondering how to make it work harder for you, this could be a great option worth exploring. I'd love to walk you through whether the Home Buyers' Plan makes sense for your situation. Send me a message and let's chat!

If your mortgage is renewing in late 2026 or early 2027, July is exactly when you should start paying attention — not Oc...
07/22/2026

If your mortgage is renewing in late 2026 or early 2027, July is exactly when you should start paying attention — not October when the notice shows up in your mailbox. 📬🏡

Here's something a lot of Ottawa homeowners don't realize: most lenders will allow you to hold a rate well in advance of your renewal date. That means you can lock in today's terms now and still have the flexibility to take a better rate if conditions improve before you close.

More importantly, your current lender's renewal offer is almost never the best deal available to you. Banks rely on the fact that most people just sign and move on. A mortgage broker — working with multiple lenders — can show you what the full market looks like.

Summer is a quieter season for mortgage activity in Ottawa, which means more time for a thorough review without the rush. Use that to your advantage.

Swipe through to see what steps you should be taking right now. 👇

I'm always happy to do a no-obligation renewal review — contact me and let's take a look together. ☎️

Big news for first-time home buyers in Ottawa! If you've been dreaming of buying a newly built home, this might be the p...
07/22/2026

Big news for first-time home buyers in Ottawa! If you've been dreaming of buying a newly built home, this might be the push you've been waiting for. Thanks to recent changes at both the federal and provincial level, eligible first-time buyers can now save up to $130,000 in HST on new homes valued up to $1 million. That's $50,000 back on the federal side and $80,000 from Ontario's portion.

Here's what makes this even better: the rebate is retroactive to March 20, 2025, which means if you already purchased a qualifying new home after that date, you may be able to go back and claim the Ontario top-up now that CRA opened applications in June 2026.

This applies to newly built or substantially renovated homes only, not resale properties, so it's worth making sure you understand what you qualify for before you sign anything. If you're not sure where you stand, let's talk. Reach out to me directly and I'll help you figure out your next step.

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300-1701 Woodward Drive
Ottawa, ON
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