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SHAWN SELANDERS
Your Local Mortgage Professional
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January 2026
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New Year Edition
2026 Is Here. Let's Make It Your Best Financial Year Yet.
Hi there,
Happy New Year! Quick update: the Bank of Canada held steady at 2.25% on January 28th, as expected. Inflation is near 2%, the economy is growing modestly, and most economists expect rates to stay right here through 2026. That's stability — and stability is a great environment to make smart financial moves.
This month: three things every homeowner (or future homeowner) should do in January, a breakdown for first-time buyers, and a look back at what your trust meant to me in 2025.
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Feature
3 Smart Mortgage Moves to Make This Month
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January is the best time to get your financial house in order — before life gets busy and the spring market takes off. Here are three things I'd recommend doing this month:
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1. Open an FHSA (If You Haven't Already)
If you're a future first-time buyer and you don't have a First Home Savings Account yet, January 1st means a fresh $8,000 of contribution room just became available. But remember — room only starts accumulating when the account exists. If you opened one in 2023, you have up to $24,000 in room by now. If you open one today, you start at $8,000. The sooner you open it, the more you can save — tax-free.
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2. Check Your Renewal Date
If your mortgage renews in spring or summer 2026, now is when to call me — not when the bank sends you a letter with a rate on it. I can start shopping your rate 120 days before renewal. With the BoC holding at 2.25% and fixed rates at their lowest in years, this is an excellent time to lock in. Don't leave money on the table by auto-signing your bank's first offer.
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3. Take a Hard Look at Your Debt
If December left you with a larger credit card balance than you'd like, January is the time to address it — not ignore it. If you own a home with equity, a debt consolidation refinance can roll all your high-interest debt into one low-rate mortgage payment. I've seen clients save $500-$800+ per month. One call to find out if it makes sense for you.
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First-Time Buyers
First-Time Buyers: 2026 Is Your Year. Here's Why.
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If you've been waiting on the sidelines, hoping for a better time to buy your first home — this is it. The stars are aligning in a way I haven't seen in years:
| ✅ Rates at 2.25% — the lowest since 2022. Your monthly payment on a $400K mortgage is hundreds less than it would have been 18 months ago. |
| ✅ 30-year amortization now available for first-time buyers — spreading payments over a longer period for lower monthly costs. |
| ✅ No land transfer tax in Alberta — saving thousands compared to Ontario or BC. |
| ✅ Up to $1,500 federal Home Buyers' Tax Credit. |
And then there's the down payment stacking strategy:
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💰 The $200K Down Payment Strategy (for a couple):
| FHSA: $40,000 each | $80,000 |
| Home Buyers' Plan (RRSP): $60,000 each | $120,000 |
| Total tax-advantaged funds: | $200,000 |
Individual? You can still access $100,000 ($40K FHSA + $60K HBP).
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Spring market starts with pre-approval — and pre-approval starts with a 15-minute call. No cost, no obligation. I shop 40+ lenders to find you the best rate and I walk you through every program available.
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A Personal Note
Looking Back at 2025 — Thank You
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I want to start 2026 the same way I ended 2025 — by saying thank you.
2025 was a milestone year for me. I moved my office to High River. I watched rates come down from 3% to 2.25% — giving families real relief after two tough years. I helped first-time buyers get into their first homes, helped homeowners save thousands on renewals, and helped people drowning in debt find a way out.
But here's the thing I'm most proud of: most of those conversations started because of you. Someone told a friend. A parent mentioned my name to their kid. A colleague said "call Shawn." That's how this business works — trust, referrals, and real relationships built over 25+ years.
I don't have a marketing department. I don't have a team of salespeople. I have you. And that's more than enough.
So thank you. For your trust. For your referrals. For picking up the phone or texting me at odd hours. For trusting me with one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.
Here's to a great 2026. I'm ready when you are.
— Shawn
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Quick Links
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RECA-Licensed Mortgage Broker | 25+ Years Experience | Serving Calgary, Okotoks, High River & Southern Alberta
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