Links of Interest - Your Alberta Mortgage & Real Estate Resource Hub

• Bank of Canada holding overnight rate at 2.25% (held Jan 28, 2026)
• Prime rate: 4.45%
• Lowest 5-year variable: ~3.35% (lowest since summer 2022)
• Fixed rates stabilizing around 3.8-4.2% range
• No major cuts expected in 2026 - BoC signalling "current rate about right"

• GDP growth projected: ~1.4% average for 2026-2027
• Inflation: Core measures around 2.5%, target 2%
• Unemployment: 6.8% (elevated but improving modestly)
• Population growth slowing to 0.5% (2026-2027) from 1.5% (2025)

• Trade tensions impacting growth
• Oil sector investment declining 1.7% in 2026
• WTI oil price expected around US$60/barrel
• Consumer spending growth: ~1.5% over 2026-2027

• Benchmark home price: $554,400 (down 4.7% year-over-year)
• Sales: 1,234 homes (down 15% YoY)
• Inventory: 3.6 months supply (up from 2.5 months Jan 2025)
• Market condition: BALANCED (shifting from seller's market)
• Sales-to-new-listings ratio: 44%

• Detached: $724,000 benchmark (-3.4% YoY) - still seller's market (2.7 months inventory)
• Semi-detached: $667,000 benchmark (-1.1% YoY) - balanced market
• Townhouses: $420,800 benchmark (-5.2% YoY) - 4+ months supply
• Apartments: $301,200 benchmark (-7.7% YoY) - 5+ months supply (buyer's market)

• Total sales: 22,751 units (down 16% from 2024)
• New listings: 40,000+ (up 9% from 2024)
• Average annual benchmark: $577,492 (down 2% from 2024)
• First year in 3 years with healthy inventory levels

• Prices expected to remain steady
• Continued balanced/buyer-friendly conditions
• West Calgary neighbourhoods (Springbank Hill, Discovery Ridge, Rocky Ridge) most desirable
• Single-detached expected strongest demand

• Average home price: $509,840 (up 3.8% annually)
• Sales: 3,738 properties (down 7.3% YoY)
• Months of inventory: 3.7 (up 0.8 from year ago)
• More affordable than BC ($952,061 avg) and Ontario ($800,420 avg)

• 68,494 units in May 2025 (seasonally adjusted)
• 79% above 5-year average
• Highest in provincial history
• Record rental housing construction

• Total housing starts: 259,028 (up 5.6% from 2024)
• Urban centres (10,000+ pop): 241,171 starts (up 6%)
• Rental housing: >50% of all starts (record levels)
• Calgary & Edmonton: Record annual starts
• Toronto: Down 31% YoY
• Vancouver: Down 3% YoY

• 88% of purpose-built rental starts backed by CMHC financing (2024)
• First-time buyer programs
• Construction financing

• GDS (Gross Debt Service) ratio calculation - max 39%
• TDS (Total Debt Service) ratio calculation - max 44%
• Mortgage stress test integration (qualify at higher rate)
• Down payment scenarios (5%, 10%, 20%+)
• Property tax and heating cost estimates

• Stress test rate: Greater of 5.25% OR your rate + 2%
• Min down payment: 5% first $500K, 10% on $500K-$1M, 20% on $1M+
• Max amortization: 30 years (insured, first-time buyers, new homes), 25 years (conventional)
• Insured mortgage cap increased Dec 15, 2025: $1.5M (was $1M)

• Available ages 55-90
• Borrow 20-55% of home value (amount increases with age)
• No monthly payments required
• Maintain home ownership
• Non-recourse loan (can't owe more than home value)

• Supplement retirement income
• Cover healthcare/home modification costs
• Help family with down payments
• Eliminate existing mortgage payments
• Cover unexpected expenses (roof, furnace, medical)

• Higher interest rates than traditional mortgages
• Reduces estate value
• Costs include appraisal, legal, setup fees
• Family should be involved in decision
• Important to address myths/misconceptions

Want to discuss if a reverse mortgage is right for you? Visit my reverse mortgage page or call me directly.

• Fixed rates: Expected to stabilize around 4.0% by year-end 2026
• Variable rates: Likely to remain flat (BoC holding pattern)
• Further cuts unlikely unless major economic shift
• Risk tilted toward future increases if inflation resurges
• 5-year bond yields have stabilized from 2024 highs

• Rate-cutting cycle effectively over
• BoC in "wait and see" mode
• Inflation sticky around 2.5% (target 2%)
• Trade tensions main economic risk
• Focus shifting to "when will rates rise" not "when will they fall"

• Mortgage disclosure requirements
• Prepayment penalty rules
• Renewal rights
• Complaint resolution process

• Follow federal stress test rules
• Provincial oversight of brokers/lenders
• Strong consumer protection laws
• Disclosure requirements
• Anti-predatory lending protections

13 credit unions total with 622,000+ members. Often competitive rates and flexible lending.

• Only provincial-owned financial institution in Canada
• Up to $4,000 cashback on mortgages $500K+ (5-year terms)
• Alberta-specific programs
• Can build outbuildings with mortgage

• No provincial land transfer tax (unlike BC, ON)
• Mortgage registration fees: $50 + $1.50 per $5,000 of mortgage
• Lower entry costs than other major provinces

• 680+: Prime rates
• 620-679: May face higher rates
• Below 620: Limited lender options, higher rates
• Collections, bankruptcy severely impact options

• Calgary Q1 2025: Advertised rents down 2-8% YoY
• Purpose-built rental construction booming
• Vacancy rates rising in some segments
• 2-bedroom Calgary average: $1,860 (Nov 2025, down 5.3% YoY)
• Overall rental rates remain elevated vs 2019

• Overnight rate (currently 2.25%)
• Prime rate (currently 4.45%)
• 5-year Government of Canada bond yield
• Inflation (CPI)
• Unemployment rate
• GDP growth
• Housing starts
• Oil prices (WTI, WCS)

• Updated regularly with current market conditions
• Alberta-focused with local context
• Mix of official government data and user-friendly tools
• Educational resources to help you make informed decisions