Ontario Mortgage Decision Centre
Choose the concern closest to yours. The useful answer may depend on the documents, property, timing and lender policy—not simply whether one lender said yes or no.
Find the answer from your problem
Separate the real lender concern from assumptions.
Income · credit · debt ratios · property · down paymentShow me where to start →02Show how the business earns before choosing a lender route.
A lending · bank statements · financials · T1 approachShow me where to start →03Understand the bureau, timing and cause—not only the score.
Equifax · TransUnion · utilization · collections · recoveryShow me where to start →04Compare the complete decision before signing early.
Rate · payment · penalty · switching cost · flexibilityShow me where to start →05Match the purpose, cost and exit plan to the right structure.
Debt consolidation · renovations · investment · CRA debtShow me where to start →06Test the rental calculation and portfolio effect by lender route.
Subject rent · existing rentals · cash flow · reservesShow me where to start →07Work backward from the deadline and available equity.
Appraisal · funds to close · job change · urgent alternativesShow me where to start →How the answer is built
Buying, selling or investing?
Property type, legal use, insurance, appraisal, taxes, condo information and closing dates can change the mortgage answer. Connect both sides before the transaction becomes difficult to reverse.
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Tell Rajiv what you are trying to accomplish and what the lender has already said. He can help identify the questions and responsible options worth exploring next.
Published mortgage guidance
Use the guided situations above or search every published answer, concept and strategy.
Rule
It may. The federal insured-mortgage definition includes a relationship-breakdown pathway, but that does not automatically create eligibility under the FHSA, HBP, GST/HST rebate or Ontario land-transfer-tax refund.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
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Potentially yes. A buyer can meet the 30-year insured-mortgage eligibility through the newly built property test even when they are not a first-time buyer, subject to lender and insurer approval.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
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An Ontario first-time-buyer refund application generally must be received within 18 months of the conveyance or disposition. The maximum provincial refund is $4,000 for qualifying transactions.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
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The agreement, construction, ownership and application dates all matter. For a builder purchase, the agreement generally must be on or after March 20, 2025, and the rebate application usually has a two-year deadline.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
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Be careful. RRSP contributions made in the 89-day period before an HBP withdrawal may not be deductible when the post-withdrawal RRSP value is insufficient to support the contribution.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
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For a first HBP withdrawal made from 2022 through 2025, temporary relief generally delays the start of the 15-year repayment period until the fifth year after the withdrawal year.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
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A qualifying insured straight switch at renewal may avoid another minimum-qualifying-rate test, but the receiving lender still reviews the mortgage and can decline it under its own policy.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
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No. The higher insured-price cap expands eligibility for purchases below the program limit, but the lender and insurer still assess the borrower and property, and a lower appraisal can increase the cash required.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
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The federal minimum on a $1.2 million purchase is $95,000: 5% of the first $500,000 plus 10% of the remaining $700,000, provided the mortgage and property qualify for insurance.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
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Ontario’s temporary enhanced new-housing relief can materially reduce HST for eligible agreements signed from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027, but the buyer, property, price, occupancy or rental use and agreement date must all fit.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
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