With the resource sector under pressure, Calgary borrowers need low mortgage rates now more than ever. Fortunately, LowestRates.ca is here to help. With our free, no-obligation service, you can compare the lowest mortgage rates in Calgary from over 30 brokers and banks — just like that.
Wondering if you should shop for a variable rate or a fixed rate in Calgary? We can help you decide. Over the last two years, our variable rates have consistently been at least 0.5% lower than our fixed rates. With variable rates you pay less interest but also have less security if rates eventually go up.
| Month | Average LR.ca 5-year fixed rate | Average LR.ca 5-year variable rate |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2015 | 2.32% | 2.04% |
| Dec 2015 | 2.43% | 2.08% |
| Jan 2016 | 2.43% | 2.07% |
| Feb 2016 | 2.39% | 2.10% |
| Mar 2016 | 2.38% | 2.09% |
| Apr 2016 | 2.30% | 2.07% |
| May 2016 | 2.32% | 2.04% |
| June 2016 | 2.23% | 1.96% |
| July 2016 | 2.20% | 1.94% |
| Aug 2016 | 2.17% | 1.93% |
| Sept 2016 | 2.17% | 1.95% |
| Oct 2016 | 2.13% | 1.94% |
On a $400,000 mortgage, that's an average savings of:
✝Based on borrowers in Calgary who applied for a mortgage at LowestRates.ca since 2014.
Recent data shows that shoppers are split between variable rates and fixed rates. Of the hundreds of thousands of Calgary borrowers who have inquired about mortgages at LowestRates.ca, 50% have chosen 5-year fixed rates over 5-year variable rates.
Calgary's housing market is still dealing with lower oil prices and widespread cutbacks in oil and gas jobs. Residential real estate is now firmly in a buyer's market, a condition not seen in Calgary since the recession in 2008 and 2009.
Condos and two-storey homes in Calgary are still priced higher than in most other Canadian cities, with the noticeable exception of Toronto and Vancouver.
| City | Single-Detached | Condo |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $523,900 | $358,900 |
| Vancouver | $1,380,300 | $493,100 |
| Calgary | $513,900 | $307,000 |
| Edmonton | $418,500 | $247,400 |
| Toronto | $768,500 | $371,800 |
| Ottawa | $402,000 | $300,600 |
| Montreal | $355,800 | $286,200 |
Calgary’s average home prices have bumped up and down for the last few years. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) latest report says the average cost of a home is close to $475,000, a minor increase compared to last year when the region was dealing with the initial impact of the oilpatch downturn.
A new detached home in Calgary lists for a whopping $720,000, on average. The housing market took a hit after economic slowdown in the region, but average sale prices for detached homes have managed to stay near peak levels. The CMHC predicts slightly rising sale prices in 2017, so now may be the time to look for a home in Calgary.
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Canada. Visitors and residents in 'cow-town,' as it is affectionately known, can enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Rocky Mountains and the city’s many highlight events: the Calgary Stampede, the Calgary Folk Music Festival, and the Calgary International Film Festival.
The city is also home to the nation's oil and gas industry, which, although it has seen some difficulty in recent years, is still a major driver of Canada's economic growth and a key source of employment in Alberta. One in 16 jobs in Alberta is related to the energy industry, according to the Conference Board of Canada.
