Josie Mourtos - Mortgage Agent Level 2

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Ottawa, ON
Josie Mourtos - Mortgage Agent Level 2

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Mortgage Brokers Ottawa (License #11759)
25 years of mortgage experience. Deciding on the smartest way to finance your home can be daunting.

Choose an mortgage agent you can trust, someone who will take the time to understand your specific needs. Pairing expert mortgage advice, with personalized service catered to your unique needs, I will find you the best mortgage products, at the best rate and terms. For over 20 years I’ve worked with clients help them make smart financial decisions while getting them them into the house that feels like home. Together, we will meet your financial goals and pair you with a mortgage that will work for you in the long term.

10/28/2026

Big news this morning — the Bank of Canada just announced a rate increase, and my phone is already ringing off the hook. If you're feeling uncertain, that's completely normal.

Here's what I want you to know: if you're on a variable-rate mortgage, you'll likely feel this in your payments. If you're on a fixed rate, you're sheltered for now — but if your renewal is coming up in the next year, this is still a great time to review your options.

I'm here to help you make sense of what this means for your specific situation. No jargon, no pressure — just a real conversation about your next best move.

Are you on a variable or fixed rate right now? Drop a comment or send me a message — I'd love to help!

Josie Mourtos, Mortgage Agent - Level 2, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

10/21/2026

Getting ready to buy your first home in Ottawa? One of the best things you can do right now is start gathering your documents early — it makes the entire process so much smoother.

Here's what I ask for right away:

📄 Proof of income (recent pay stubs or letter of employment)
📄 T4 slips and last two years of Notices of Assessment from the CRA
📄 Bank statements showing your down payment
📄 Government-issued photo ID
📄 Proof of any other income sources

Having these ready before we even start looking at lenders saves so much back and forth — and the earlier you get organized, the faster we can move when you find the right place.

Are you in the early stages of thinking about buying? Drop a comment or send me a message — I'm always happy to help you figure out your next step!

Josie Mourtos, Mortgage Agent - Level 2, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

10/14/2026

Did you know your mortgage pre-approval actually has an expiry date? 😬 Most people don't find out until it's too late — and that can seriously derail your home buying plans.

In Canada, pre-approvals typically last around 90 to 120 days. So if you got pre-approved a few months ago and you're still house hunting, it may be close to expiring — or already have. And if anything has changed in your finances since then, a renewal isn't always automatic.

Before you fall in love with a property and make an offer, check in with me first. I want to make sure you're still good to go when it counts most!

Have you ever had a pre-approval expire on you? Let me know in the comments! 🏡

Josie Mourtos, Mortgage Agent - Level 2, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

10/07/2026

Every fall, I get the same question from first-time buyers: "Is it even worth buying right now?"

Honestly? This fall in Ottawa might be one of the better windows we've seen in a while. Inventory is up, homes are sitting a bit longer, and sellers are being more realistic. There's breathing room that we haven't always had.

What a lot of buyers don't realize is how much help is actually available. The FHSA and RRSP Home Buyers' Plan alone can give you up to $100,000 in tax-advantaged savings toward your down payment — and that's before you factor in the Home Buyers' Tax Credit, the Ontario Land Transfer Tax rebate, and other programs that can stack together.

Most first-time buyers I talk to had no idea these could all work together. That's exactly what I'm here for.

Have you been wondering if the math can actually work for you? Drop a comment or send me a DM — let's figure it out together.

Josie Mourtos, Mortgage Agent - Level 2, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

09/30/2026

Where your down payment comes from matters just as much as how much you've saved — and a lot of buyers are surprised to learn that lenders actually verify the source of your funds! 💰

Accepted sources typically include personal savings, RRSP withdrawals through the Home Buyers' Plan (now up to $60,000 per person since April 2024), a non-repayable gift from a relative, proceeds from a property sale, or funds from your FHSA. Stack your HBP and FHSA and you could have up to $100,000 in pre-tax dollars — $200,000 as a couple!

And since December 15, 2024, the insured mortgage cap has increased to $1.5M, which opens up more options in higher-priced markets. Rules can vary depending on the insurer involved, so it's always worth getting personalized advice.

Are you currently saving for a down payment or exploring your options? Drop a comment — I'd love to help!

Josie Mourtos, Mortgage Agent - Level 2, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

09/23/2026

You've probably seen the headlines about Ottawa home prices dropping 6.9% last month — but before you panic or get too excited, let me explain what's actually going on.

That drop is a month-over-month change in the average sale price (June to July 2026), landing at $683,308. What the headlines aren't mentioning? The benchmark price — which filters out shifts in the types of homes sold — actually went UP 0.3%. The median price is basically unchanged year-over-year at $635,000. This is not a market crash.

For buyers, this does mean conditions are shifting slightly in your favour. With about 3.5 months of supply in Ottawa, there's a little more breathing room right now. It's a great time to understand what you can qualify for before things shift again.

Have you been thinking about buying in Ottawa? Drop your questions in the comments — I'd love to help! 👇

Josie Mourtos, Mortgage Agent - Level 2, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

09/16/2026

Two years in, and I'm still surprised by how many Ottawa buyers don't know about this rule change — so let's fix that! 🏡

Back in December 2024, the insured mortgage price cap increased from $1M to $1.5M. That means if you're buying a home priced up to $1.5M, you may qualify for an insured mortgage with as little as 5% down on the first $500K and 10% on the remainder. You don't automatically need a full 20% down payment anymore.

With Ottawa's average home price sitting around $733,648 as of June 2026, most buyers here fall well within that cap. And if you're a first-time buyer or purchasing a newly built home, the 30-year amortization option is still available and can help make those monthly payments more manageable.

Have you been holding off on buying because of down payment concerns? Drop a comment or send me a message — I'd love to walk you through what these changes could mean for your situation!

Josie Mourtos, Mortgage Agent - Level 2, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

09/09/2026

Ottawa home prices softened this summer — and honestly, that's a window worth noticing if you've been thinking about buying. 🏡

According to July 2026 OREB data, townhouse prices dropped 5.1% year-over-year to $542,500, apartments are down 5.2% to $385,500, and active listings are up 9.3%. With 1,325 homes sold in July, this isn't a struggling market — it's a balanced one giving buyers more breathing room to negotiate.

Whether it's your first home or your next one, I'd love to help you figure out what you can qualify for and build a plan that actually works for you. Have you been watching the Ottawa market lately? Drop your thoughts below or send me a message to get the conversation started!

Josie Mourtos, Mortgage Agent - Level 2, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

09/02/2026

📣 Bank of Canada rate announcement day — always a big one for anyone thinking about their mortgage!

The decision dropped this morning at 9:45 AM ET, and as most economists were expecting, the Bank of Canada held its overnight rate steady at 2.25%. This marks yet another hold, with the rate sitting right where it's been since October 2025. The Bank is essentially stuck between a rock and a hard place right now — inflation crept up to 3.0% in July, and U.S. trade tensions are still casting a shadow over economic growth. Not a lot of wiggle room to make a move in either direction.

So what does this mean for you if you're buying, renewing, or just keeping an eye on things here in Ottawa? Variable rates stay put for now, and the next announcement where we could see any real movement is October 28, 2026. If you've been sitting on the fence waiting for clarity, this is a good moment to take stock of your options. I'm always happy to chat through what rate stability actually means for your situation specifically.

Drop your questions below or send me a DM — no pressure, just real answers 👇

Josie Mourtos, Mortgage Agent - Level 2, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

08/26/2026

Let me walk you through a real scenario that I see playing out for Ottawa first-time buyers right now 👇

Say you opened your FHSA in 2025 but didn't max it out. In 2026, you can carry forward that unused room and contribute up to $16,000 this year alone. That money goes in tax-deductible and comes out tax-free when you use it toward your first home. And if you're buying with a partner? You each have your own FHSA, and you can both make a qualifying withdrawal toward the same purchase. That's a serious head start.

With the average Ottawa apartment sitting at $432,199 as of June 2026, a condo is still one of the more accessible entry points into this market. Ottawa is sitting in balanced territory right now with over 4,900 active listings, so buyers have more time and more options than they did a couple of years ago. That combination of a friendlier market and a tool like the FHSA is worth paying attention to.

If you've been sitting on an FHSA without a clear plan, or you're not sure how to actually use it when the time comes, let's talk. I can help you map out what that looks like from a mortgage standpoint.

Josie Mourtos, Mortgage Agent - Level 2, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa #11759

Address

300-1701 Woodward Drive
Ottawa, ON
K2C0R4

Website

http://www.josiemourtos.com/

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