HomebuyingKey 10 questions to ask when getting a mortgage in Canada in 2026
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| Insured ? | 80% LTV ? The rates in this column apply to mortgage amounts between 65.01% and 80% of the property value. The home must be owner-occupied and have an amortization of 25 years or less. You must have purchased it for less than $1 million. These rates are not available on refinances. Refinances require "Uninsured" rates. | 65% LTV ? The rates in this column apply to mortgage amounts that are 65% of the property value or less. The home must be owner-occupied and have an amortization of 25 years or less. You must have purchased it for less than $1 million. These rates are not available on refinances. Refinances require "Uninsured" rates. | Uninsured ? | Bank Rate ? | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Insured 4.64% | 80% LTV 4.19% | 65% LTV 4.19% | Uninsured 4.99% | 4.99% | ||
Insured 3.99% | 80% LTV 3.89% | 65% LTV 3.89% | Uninsured 4.44% | 4.53% | ||
Insured 3.69% | 80% LTV 3.79% | 65% LTV 3.79% | Uninsured 3.9% | 4.39% | ||
Insured 3.84% | 80% LTV 3.99% | 65% LTV 3.99% | Uninsured 4.39% | 4.44% | ||
Insured 3.69% | 80% LTV 3.55% | 65% LTV 3.55% | Uninsured 3.69% | 4.19% | ||
Insured 4.19% | 80% LTV 4.24% | 65% LTV 4.24% | Uninsured 4.89% | 5% | ||
Insured 5.04% | 80% LTV 4.34% | 65% LTV 4.34% | Uninsured 5.24% | 6.09% | ||
Insured 3.9% | 80% LTV 3.95% | 65% LTV 3.9% | Uninsured 3.9% | 5.95% | ||
Insured 3.45% | 80% LTV 3.45% | 65% LTV 3.45% | Uninsured 3.5% | 4.24% | ||
Insured N/A | 80% LTV N/A | 65% LTV N/A | Uninsured N/A | N/A | ||
Insured 5.45% | 80% LTV 5.45% | 65% LTV 5.45% | Uninsured 5.5% | N/A |
There are three main drivers behind mortgage rates in Ottawa and Canada at large:
The Bank of Canada influences mortgage rates through its policy rate. The Bank’s objective is to keep inflation in the target range of 1% to 3% and preserve the value of the Canadian dollar. It achieves this by setting the target overnight rate, also known as the policy rate.
As of today, the policy rate is 2.25%. The central bank uses the target rate to influence how the banks set their own rates and acts as a barometer for the rate at which banks borrow and lend among themselves.
The higher the inflation, particularly if it’s above 3%, the higher the likelihood of a rate hike. Though inflation does not directly affect mortgage rates, the Bank tends to raise rates to cool down economic activity and force homebuyers to retreat from the market. It’s worth noting that government bond yields, which influence fixed rates, are affected by inflation as well, in addition to factors like oil prices, geopolitical tensions and broader economic conditions (which currently remain uncertain).
Banks, credit unions, monoline lenders and other financial institutions compete to attract borrowers across Ottawa and beyond. During competitive market conditions, lenders may offer better rates. Shopping around and comparing multiple lenders — including local Ontario credit unions like Meridian Credit Union and Alterna Savings — can often result in a better mortgage rate.
Lenders look at a few things when deciding whether or not to approve your mortgage application, and what interest rates they’ll offer. Here are the major factors lenders consider when they calculate your mortgage rate for an Ottawa home.
1. Down payment
There’s no getting around it — the size of your down payment is the primary contributor to the size of your Ottawa mortgage loan. It also factors significantly into determining your mortgage rate. In Canada, your down payment must be between 5% to 20% of your home’s total sales price, depending on the price of your home. Here are the rules according to the federal government.
If your down payment is less than 20% of the total price of the home, you’ll need to purchase Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) mortgage insurance and factor that cost into your budget.
2. Debt service ratios
In addition to your down payment, Ottawa lenders look at a number of other factors when calculating your mortgage rates. These are known as debt ratios and can be grouped into two categories:
3. Credit score
A credit score is a snapshot of your overall financial health, ranging from 300 to 900. A higher credit score means you’re a responsible borrower and present less risk to lenders, so you’ll be able to secure the lowest mortgage interest rate for your Ottawa home. If you have a lower credit score, lenders consider you financially risky and charge higher interest rates. Minimum score requirements vary by lender, but most major Canadian financial institutions want to see a credit score of at least 600. If you’re required to buy mortgage insurance from the CMHC because your down payment is less than 20% of the home’s purchase price, the CMHC requires a credit score of at least 600.
4. Income
To make sure you can cover your monthly payments, Ottawa mortgage companies want to see how much money you have coming in on a regular basis. When assessing your mortgage application, they’ll look at how much income you earn from sources such as a salaried job, rental income or investments, the type of employment (full-time, casual, temporary or seasonal) and the length of employment.
If you’re self-employed, lenders will require tax returns for the last three years, a copy of articles of incorporation, business or GST licence for your business, your personal and business credit score and other supporting documents for your business such as an income statement, cash flow statement and balance sheet.
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How do these mortgage types differ? Conventional (low-ratio) mortgage requires a down payment of 20% or more, with no mandatory insurance, while a high-ratio mortgage requires a down payment of below 20%, plus mandatory insurance.
Which mortgage type offers cheaper rates? As of August 2026, the average conventional 5-year fixed rate is 4.47%. That’s 33 bps above the average high-ratio 5-year fixed rate, which stands at 4.14%.
| Date | Average Conventional Rate | Average High Ratio Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 09/25 | 4.50% | 4.42% |
| 10/25 | 4.46% | 4.36% |
| 11/25 | 4.35% | 4.31% |
| 12/25 | 4.44% | 4.32% |
| 01/26 | 4.49% | 4.49% |
| 02/26 | 4.47% | 4.43% |
| 03/26 | 4.27% | 4.20% |
| 04/26 | 4.24% | 4.23% |
| 05/26 | 4.38% | 4.22% |
| 06/26 | 4.48% | 4.24% |
| 07/26 | 4.47% | 4.14% |
| 08/26 | 4.49% | 4.09% |
Last Updated: September 1, 2026
How do these mortgage rates differ? A fixed rate mortgage is a rate fixed over a period of time. Interest rates and the mortgage payments remain the same (and consistent) over that mortgage term. A variable rate mortgage is different. While the mortgage payment remains constant, the interest rate payments fluctuate with the prime interest rate.
Which rate is cheaper? As of August 2026, the 5-year fixed rate is 4.34%. That’s 41 bps abow the 5-year variable rate, which stands at 3.93%.
| Month | Fixed | Variable |
|---|---|---|
| 09/25 | 4.60% | 4.64% |
| 10/25 | 4.62% | 4.51% |
| 11/25 | 4.64% | 4.40% |
| 12/25 | 4.64% | 4.41% |
| 01/26 | 4.71% | 4.44% |
| 02/26 | 4.64% | 4.43% |
| 03/26 | 4.33% | 4.38% |
| 04/26 | 4.38% | 4.06% |
| 05/26 | 4.41% | 4.05% |
| 06/26 | 4.45% | 4.01% |
| 07/26 | 4.34% | 3.93% |
| 08/26 | 4.30% | 3.89% |
Last Updated: September 1, 2026
New mortgage loan values have been trending upward throughout 2025, reaching the average of $349,738 in Ottawa and $360,597 in Canada by the end of Q4 2025.
Here are all the average new mortgages loan values in Ottawa from 2022 to 2025:
| Q1 – 2022 | Q2 – 2022 | Q3 – 2022 | Q4 – 2022 | Q1 – 2023 | Q2 – 2023 | Q3 – 2023 | Q4 – 2023 | Q1 – 2024 | Q2 – 2024 | Q3 – 2024 | Q4 – 2024 | Q1 – 2025 | Q2 – 2025 | Q3 – 2025 | Q4 – 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $368,936 | $371,063 | $363,654 | $325,612 | $320,298 | $314,540 | $338,522 | $327,899 | $323,537 | $332,825 | $349,364 | $343,271 | $356,831 | $350,281 | $360,986 | $360,597 |
| Ottawa-Gatineau | $323,088 | $334,696 | $343,649 | $311,526 | $292,886 | $297,388 | $316,385 | $305,681 | $290,154 | $302,505 | $331,878 | $323,387 | $319,995 | $330,702 | $350,174 | $349,738 |
Scheduled monthly payments have been trending downward throughout 2025, reaching the average of $1,960 in Ottawa by the end of Q4 2025.
| Q1 – 2022 | Q2 – 2022 | Q3 – 2022 | Q4 – 2022 | Q1 – 2023 | Q2 – 2023 | Q3 – 2023 | Q4 – 2023 | Q1 – 2024 | Q2 – 2024 | Q3 – 2024 | Q4 – 2024 | Q1 – 2025 | Q2 – 2025 | Q3 – 2025 | Q4 – 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,476 | $1,609 | $1,815 | $1,833 | $1,818 | $1,812 | $1,942 | $2,026 | $1,906 | $1,905 | $2,036 | $1,926 | $1,871 | $1,907 | $2,015 | $1,960 |
Closing costs are the one-time fees buyers pay upon purchasing property in Ottawa. Generally, closing costs include:
Land transfer tax calculations for a $500,000 property in Ottawa without a rebate are:
The best mortgage rate in Ottawa can be found by comparing rates from different lenders. Lowestrates.ca connects you with top lenders who will provide you a quote for mortgage rate best suited for your financial situation. No two lenders will give you the same rate. It is best to compare rates and mortgage terms before you zero-in on one rate.
In addition to choosing between a fixed or variable rate mortgage, Ottawa buyers will also need to decide between two types of mortgage payment structures: open or closed.
Mortgage term: Homeowners are committed to their lender and mortgage contract for the duration of their mortgage term (the length of which is specified in the contract). At the end of the term, borrowers can renew their contract at a new rate. The most popular mortgage term in Canada is five years, though terms can range from six months to 10 years.
Amortization period: The amortization period refers to the duration of your mortgage. In other words, the total amount of time it will take you to pay off your loan’s principal plus the interest. In Canada, the maximum amortization period is 35 years. If your down payment is less than 20% of the total price of the home and you’re required to purchase CMHC mortgage insurance, your maximum amortization period is 25 years.
If you’re house hunting in Ontario, securing a low Ottawa mortgage rate is one great way to save money on your mortgage. However, it’s one of many things you can do to increase the overall affordability of your mortgage. Some of these features might include prepayment privileges and portability.
LowestRates.ca works with top Canadian banks and brokers to bring you Ottawa’s best mortgage rates. All you have to do is answer a few questions, and in minutes you’ll be provided with today’s mortgage rates for Ottawa. There’s no obligation, but you can choose to speak with our broker partner to secure your best rate and see if you're eligible for more savings.
Yes, it’s safe — you no longer need to visit a bank branch or mortgage broker’s office in person to apply for a mortgage. It’s becoming increasingly common for Canadians to apply for mortgages online. LowestRates.ca only works with reputable, trustworthy financial institutions. Your credit score won’t be affected and your information is secure. We don’t share your information with anyone unless you want to connect with a mortgage broker. We take care of the heavy lifting by comparing the market for you and can connect you with the best mortgage lenders not only in Ottawa, but across the country.
We have a strong selection of lenders on LowestRates.ca including the big banks and many independent providers and we’re adding more lenders all the time. This ensures we’re always delivering you a competitive rate. Even if you’re not ready to commit to anything, you can use our site as a starting point for research (it’s totally free, and you’re under no obligation).
The better informed you are, the more likely you'll negotiate a better deal for yourself. And, really, that’s what we care about the most.

Taras Trofimov
About the Author
Taras is the Content Manager for LowestRates.ca. He has produced thought leadership content for organizations like Constellation Software, Facebook and Yellow Pages as well as outlets like The Globe and Mail, Autoblog and MSN Autos.
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