Christine Earle - Mortgage Agent Level 1

Christine Earle - Mortgage Agent Level 1 20+ years as a mortgage professional! Mortgage Brokers Ottawa Lic. 11759

The Bank of Canada just released its rate announcement — and it's a hold! 🙌 The overnight rate stays at 2.25%, which lin...
09/02/2026

The Bank of Canada just released its rate announcement — and it's a hold! 🙌 The overnight rate stays at 2.25%, which lines up with what most economists were expecting given that inflation came in at 3.0% in July and trade uncertainty with the U.S. is still keeping things complicated.

For Ottawa homeowners and buyers, a hold means variable mortgage rates aren't moving today. No surprise jumps, but no added relief either. If you're coming up on a renewal or still working through whether a fixed or variable rate makes more sense for you right now, this is actually a great moment to revisit your options.

I'm always happy to chat through what this means for your specific situation — sometimes a quick 10-minute conversation makes everything feel a lot clearer. Drop a comment, send me a DM, or give me a call! 📲

Christine Earle, Mortgage Agent - Level 1, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

When your mortgage renewal notice lands in the mailbox, it can feel like the hard part is already done. Just sign and mo...
08/26/2026

When your mortgage renewal notice lands in the mailbox, it can feel like the hard part is already done. Just sign and move on, right? That's exactly what your lender is hoping you'll do.

Here's the thing — over 1.2 million Canadian mortgages are renewing in 2025, and another big wave is hitting in 2026. A huge chunk of those were locked in back in 2020 and 2021 when rates were sitting at or below 1%. The Bank of Canada estimates homeowners in that group could be looking at roughly $425 more per month compared to what they were paying before. That's real money, and the first offer your lender sends you is almost never their best one.

What a lot of people don't realize is that since November 2024, if you have an uninsured mortgage, you no longer need to pass the stress test just to switch lenders at renewal. That one change opened the door for so many Ottawa homeowners to actually shop around without the barrier that used to hold them back. And right now, with the Bank of Canada holding its rate at 2.25%, there is real room to negotiate and find something better than whatever envelope just showed up at your door. A 27% of borrowers admit they don't fully understand how to make their mortgage more affordable — don't be part of that group. Reach out before you sign anything and let's look at what the full market has to offer you.

Christine Earle, Mortgage Agent - Level 1, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

Did you know that if you purchased a new build in Ontario with an Agreement of Purchase and Sale signed between April 1,...
08/19/2026

Did you know that if you purchased a new build in Ontario with an Agreement of Purchase and Sale signed between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027, you could be eligible for up to $130,000 back in HST? 👀

This is honestly one of the biggest changes to residential HST rules Ontario has ever seen, and I feel like so many buyers have no idea it exists. Before 2026, the old rebate maxed out at just $24,000 and only applied to homes under $450,000. Now, for qualifying new homes up to $1 million, the full 13% HST can be rebated. And the best part? It's open to ALL buyers, not just first-timers. The rebate is structured in two layers: up to $80,000 on the provincial portion and up to $50,000 on the federal portion, combined to hit that $130,000 maximum.

If you're buying a new build or thinking about it, this is worth a real conversation. There are eligibility conditions to be aware of and some portions of the federal piece were still moving through legislation as of earlier this year, so you want to make sure you have the full picture before signing anything. I'm happy to walk you through what this could mean for your purchase. Drop a comment, send me a DM, or click the link in my bio to connect. 🏡

Christine Earle, Mortgage Agent - Level 1, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

The Bank of Canada's next rate announcement is September 2 — and right now, markets are expecting things to stay put. Wi...
08/12/2026

The Bank of Canada's next rate announcement is September 2 — and right now, markets are expecting things to stay put. With the policy rate holding at 2.25% (that's the sixth hold in a row), a lot of people are in a bit of a "wait and see" mode. But here's the thing: waiting isn't always a strategy.

If your mortgage is coming up for renewal in the next few months, or you've been sitting on the fence about buying, now is actually a really good time to get clear on your options. Whether the BoC holds, or surprises us with a move, being prepared means you won't feel rushed into a decision. I can look at your situation now so you're ready to act quickly if the timing is right for you.

Shoot me a DM or drop a comment below and let's chat about what September 2 could mean for YOUR mortgage. 👇

Christine Earle, Mortgage Agent - Level 1, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

There's a rebate out there that a lot of first-time buyers in Ottawa don't even know exists — and depending on the home ...
08/05/2026

There's a rebate out there that a lot of first-time buyers in Ottawa don't even know exists — and depending on the home you're buying, it could put serious money back in your pocket. 💸

Here's what you need to know: the federal government passed a law earlier this year that eliminates the 5% GST on new builds for qualifying first-time buyers, and it's retroactive to March 20, 2025. That's up to $50,000 back on homes priced at $1 million or under. And if you're buying in Ontario, there's also a provincial HST enhancement passed in the 2026 Budget that could add up to another $80,000 in relief — though if you qualify for both, you'd receive the greater of the two, not both combined. Still, that's a massive amount of savings that too many people are leaving on the table simply because they didn't know to ask.

If you signed an agreement of purchase and sale on a new build on or after March 20, 2025, you may already be eligible. Don't wait on this one — there's a two-year window to claim after you take possession. Reach out and let's make sure you're not leaving money behind. 👇

Christine Earle, Mortgage Agent - Level 1, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

The Bank of Canada is releasing its Summary of Deliberations today at 1:30 PM ET, and if you own a home in Ottawa or are...
07/29/2026

The Bank of Canada is releasing its Summary of Deliberations today at 1:30 PM ET, and if you own a home in Ottawa or are thinking about buying, this is worth paying attention to.

This summary covers the conversations behind the July 15th rate decision, where the Bank held the overnight rate at 2.25%. The economic picture right now is a bit of a mixed bag. Growth is picking up (Q2 came in at an estimated 2.5% annualized), unemployment sits at 6.5%, and inflation is expected to ease toward 2%. But there's still real uncertainty out there, especially around Canada's trade relationship with the US. The next rate announcement is September 2nd, so we're in a bit of a waiting period.

What does all this mean for your mortgage? It depends on your situation. Whether you're up for renewal, thinking about buying, or just trying to figure out your next move, I'm happy to walk you through it. Drop me a message anytime.

Renewal time sneaking up on you? You're not alone. About 60% of all Canadian mortgages are up for renewal in 2025 or 202...
07/23/2026

Renewal time sneaking up on you? You're not alone. About 60% of all Canadian mortgages are up for renewal in 2025 or 2026, and many of my clients are feeling the pressure of higher payments than they expected. If you locked in during those record-low rates back in 2020 or 2021, your monthly payment could be noticeably higher this time around.

Here's the good news though: you have more options than you think. Since November 2024, if you have an uninsured mortgage, you can now switch lenders at renewal WITHOUT having to pass the stress test again. That means more freedom to shop around and find terms that actually work for your life right now.

Don't just auto-renew with your existing lender and hope for the best. Let's look at your full picture together and build a plan that makes sense for you. Send me a DM or book a free call and let's get ahead of this before your renewal date arrives.

If your mortgage is renewing in late 2026 or early 2027, July is actually the perfect time to start your review — not Se...
07/22/2026

If your mortgage is renewing in late 2026 or early 2027, July is actually the perfect time to start your review — not September, not when the notice arrives in the mail. Now. 📋🏠

Here's why timing matters so much: most lenders will let you lock in a new rate up to 120 days before your maturity date. That window gives you real leverage. If rates move up before your renewal, you're protected. If they drop, we can often revisit. Either way, you're not scrambling.

Beyond just the rate, renewal season is one of the best moments to look at your overall mortgage structure. Has your life changed since you last signed? Has your income shifted? Is there equity you could be putting to work — whether that's consolidating higher-interest debt or funding a renovation?

I help Ottawa homeowners work through all of this before they renew so the decision feels confident, not rushed. Your current lender's offer isn't always the best one available, and you deserve to know your full range of options. 💡

Swipe through and let's talk if any of this sounds familiar. ☕

The Bank of Canada made its announcement today, July 15th, and held the overnight rate steady at 2.25% for the sixth tim...
07/15/2026

The Bank of Canada made its announcement today, July 15th, and held the overnight rate steady at 2.25% for the sixth time in a row. No surprises here, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to pay attention to. The BoC did lower its growth forecast for 2026 and nudged inflation expectations slightly higher, which tells us the economic picture is still a little uncertain.

So what does this mean for you as a homeowner or buyer in Ottawa? Honestly, it depends on your situation. If you have a variable rate mortgage or a renewal coming up, now is a great time to have a conversation about your options before anything shifts.

I'm here to help you make sense of all of it and find a mortgage strategy that actually works for your life. Reach out anytime, whether you have one question or a hundred. I'd love to chat!

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