Elizabeth Prins Mortgages By Liz

03/23/2026

I’ve been watching the bond market this week… and this is one of those moments where having the right guidance really matters.

The five-year Government of Canada bond — what fixed mortgage rates are based on — has moved back above 3%.
That’s typically when lenders start nudging fixed rates higher.

We’re seeing pressure from global uncertainty, rising oil prices, and ongoing tensions overseas. When things feel unsettled, bond yields react… and fixed rates follow.

I’ve seen this pattern many times.

Fixed rates don’t move because of headlines alone, and they don’t wait for the Bank of Canada.
They move with the bond market — and that’s where the shift is happening.

If you have a renewal coming up, or you’re thinking about buying or refinancing, this is a really important time to pause and understand your options.

Not to rush.
To be informed.

There isn’t one right answer between fixed and variable. It depends on your comfort, your timeline, and your bigger financial picture.

This is exactly where a mortgage broker comes in.

A good broker looks at strategy, not only rate.
They help you understand what’s happening, what it means for you, and how to position your mortgage so it works for your life — not only today, but over time.

If you’re unsure what to do next, start with a conversation. It makes a difference.

Send a message to learn more

03/04/2026

Lately I’ve been seeing so many posts that say:
“I got 4.79% for five years — is that good?”
“Should I go three-year or five-year?”
“What’s everyone else getting?”

I completely understand why we ask. We want reassurance.

And here’s something I say with respect:

We do what we do until we know better. Most people were never taught how mortgages actually work. That isn’t a mistake — it’s simply a gap in education.

For ten years in the Facebook group Black Is The New Red - a conversation about money for Canadians, I’ve shared for one reason: so you can make decisions from understanding, not from comparison.

A renewal is not only about the rate.

It’s a strategy moment.

Think about how much thought we put into a cell phone plan. Or a TELUS Optik package. We look at features. Data. Channels. What fits our life.

Your mortgage is hundreds of thousands of dollars. It deserves at least that much thought.

At renewal, the real questions are:

• Do I want the lowest payment — or the lowest total interest cost?
• Is stability most important — or flexibility?
• Am I planning to move, renovate, invest, or access equity?
• If life changes unexpectedly, will this mortgage support me?

The older I get, the more I value flexibility. Life has a way of surprising us. A mortgage that looks great on paper can feel very different when circumstances shift.

There are pros and cons to staying with your bank, moving to a different lender, choosing a credit union, or working with a mortgage finance company. There are pros and cons to fixed and variable. To shorter and longer terms.

The “best rate” in a comment thread does not tell the full story.

My goal here has always been education — not pressure, not criticism, not lender bashing.

Before you crowdsource your renewal, have a thoughtful conversation about your goals. Your mortgage deserves that level of care.

Meet with an independent licensed mortgage broker. There is no cost or obligation to have a consultation.

Knowledge changes decisions.

And educated people make educated mortgage choices.

Send a message to learn more

03/01/2026

Sunflowers 🌻

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03/01/2026

Sleepy Sunday morning

03/01/2026

Sunflowers

🌻

02/15/2026

3 hours later my gallery wall is done. Thank goodness for my tape measure and calculator! I did, however, notice I can fit more pieces....

02/12/2026

Some news I’m really proud to share.

I’ve achieved Diamond Status with Mortgage Architects — placing me in the top 5% of the company for 2025.

When I heard the news, I didn’t think about rankings. I thought about people.

The clients who trusted me with their homes and their futures.
The conversations around kitchen tables and Zoom screens.
The careful planning, the strategy, the follow-through.

And I know this clearly — I could not have done this without my team. The behind-the-scenes work, the attention to detail, the commitment to getting it right every single time… that’s what makes this possible. We do this together. 🤍

To my clients, referral partners, and community — thank you for your trust. It means more than you know.

We keep showing up. We keep learning. We keep building strong foundations. 💎

01/15/2026

For my clients in variable or adjustable interest rate mortgages, feel free to reach out after every Bank of Canada meeting to discuss strategy. www.connectwithliz.ca

To lock in or not to lock in. That is the question.

I am happy to connect after every Bank of Canada Meeting.

Mark your calendar:

• Wednesday, January 28, 2026
• Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
• Wednesday, April 29, 2026
• Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
• Wednesday, July 15, 2026
• Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
• Wednesday, October 28, 2026
• Wednesday, December 9, 2026.

Send a message to learn more

01/05/2026

THE 2026 BANK OF CANADA MEETING SCHEDULE
WHEN IS THE NEXT BOC MEETING?

The Bank of Canada meets eight times per year to make interest rate announcements—and in today’s market, these dates matter more than ever.
Rate decisions can directly influence client conversations, rate holds, deal timing, and overall strategy. Being aware of upcoming announcement dates allows you to proactively guide your clients, set expectations, and position yourself as a trusted advisor rather than reacting after headlines hit.
Below are the Bank of Canada’s scheduled rate announcement dates for 2026, along with a link to the BOC website for additional context and commentary.

2026:
Wednesday, January 28
Wednesday, March 18
Wednesday, April 29
Wednesday, June 10
Wednesday, July 15
Wednesday, September 2
Wednesday, October 28
Wednesday, December 9
Bank of Canada publishes its 2026 schedule for policy interest rate announcements and other major publications - Bank of Canada

Send a message to learn more

01/05/2026

Housing & Interest Rates: What 2026 Is Shaping Up to Look Like

As we step into 2026, Canada’s housing market feels… steadier. Not booming. Not busting. More balanced than we’ve seen in a while.

After several turbulent years, lower interest rates have taken some pressure off borrowers and helped sales stabilize, especially in markets that cooled the most. At the same time, affordability challenges and limited supply are keeping price growth in check.
That tension is likely to define the year ahead.

Here’s the big picture most economists and real estate groups are pointing to 👇

🏠 Housing outlook for 2026

• Sales are expected to rise modestly as pent-up demand slowly comes off the sidelines
• Price growth is forecast to be muted and uneven, varying by region
• No widespread “overheating” expected due to debt loads, renewals, and affordability constraints

Some forecasts even disagree with each other — which tells us one important thing: this is not a one-size-fits-all market. What happens in B.C. may look very different from Ontario or Quebec.

📊 Interest rate outlook

The conversation has shifted.

Instead of “How many more cuts?” the focus is now:

👉 How long will rates stay where they are?

Most major banks expect the Bank of Canada’s overnight rate to hover around 2.25% through much of 2026, reflecting a central bank that’s cautious and data-driven. By late 2026 and beyond, opinions start to diverge — some see hikes returning, others expect a longer pause.

What this means for borrowers

• Variable-rate relief is largely behind us
• Stability is the theme — not dramatically lower rates
• Fixed rates could slowly face upward pressure as markets look ahead

My takeaway

2026 looks like a year of measured opportunity. Not urgency driven by fear, and not momentum driven by hype. It’s a market where strategy matters — especially around renewals, cash flow, and long-term planning.

If your mortgage is up for renewal in the next 12–18 months, this is exactly the kind of environment where a proactive review can make a meaningful difference.

12/29/2025

BC homeowners with mortgages renewing in 2026 — this matters for you.

Hundreds of thousands of Canadian mortgages renew in 2026, and a significant number of those are right here in British Columbia.

Many were set up when interest rates were at historic lows. Today’s reality looks very different.

Rates are higher now — and that doesn’t automatically mean “bad news.”

It means decisions matter more than ever. What is your strategy?

Here’s what renewal actually gives you — if you use it wisely:
• A chance to review your cash flow, not just your rate
• An opportunity to manage payments
• The ability to restructure debt or add flexibility if life has changed
• The option to compare lenders, not assume your current one is best
• A moment to align your mortgage with your next chapter, not your past one
What I see far too often is people auto-renewing because it feels easy.

⚠️ Auto-renewing means:
• No comparison
• No strategy
• No review of options
• No confirmation it’s still the right mortgage for you

Your lender’s renewal offer is designed for their balance sheet — not your life.

A mortgage broker’s role at renewal is not to push change for the sake of change. It’s to pause, review, and ask better questions:

👉 Does this still support your cash flow?
👉 Does this give you flexibility if rates change again?
👉 Does this fit your short- and long-term plans?

If your mortgage renews in 2026, the best time to start the conversation is before the renewal letter lands — not after.

Renewal is a reset point. Use it.

Send a message to learn more