Compare the best current mortgage rates in Quebec for free.

Mortgage term: While a mortgage term and an amortization period are often confused, they actually refer to two different things. Your mortgage term describes the amount of time you commit to your mortgage lender and the contract’s terms and conditions. At the end of the term, you’ll be able to renew your mortgage contract for the remaining principal at a new rate. A mortgage term can range anywhere from six months to 10 years, but the most popular term among Canadians is five years.

Amortization period: The amortization period is the amount of time it will take you to pay off your entire mortgage. In Canada, the maximum amortization period is 35 years. But, if your down payment was less than 20% and you were required to purchase mortgage insurance from the Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation, then your maximum amortization period is 25 years.

When reviewing mortgage interest rates, Quebec buyers may notice there’s a difference between open mortgage rates in Quebec and closed mortgage rates.

Closed mortgage: A closed mortgage means the buyer agrees to adhere to fixed payments on a set schedule. If you look at closed mortgage rates in Quebec, you’ll probably see that rates are typically lower than open rates. That’s because this type of mortgage has restrictions. For instance, you might be allowed to only prepay a certain amount annually and make one prepayment a year. There are also penalties that must be paid if you decide to break your mortgage.

Open mortgage: An open mortgage gives the homebuyer some wiggle room to make increased or additional payments to pay off the mortgage early. If you look at open mortgage rates in Quebec, you’ll notice the rates are higher than closed ones. However, there aren’t as many restrictions. Typically, you can make prepayments of any size, you can make more than one prepayment a year, and you can pay off the mortgage without having to pay a penalty.

The cost of living in Quebec will depend upon where in the province you live. In Montreal, for instance, the average cost of a single-family home is less than $500,000. In Toronto, the average price recently surpassed $1 million. And in Quebec City, the average price of a home is less than one-third as much as it is in Toronto. Compared to Toronto, Montreal and the rest of Quebec are much affordable places to live. The cost of living will be even cheaper if you find the best mortgage interest rates today in Quebec.

Both Montreal and Quebec City are also inexpensive for renters when compared to other major cities in Canada. The CMHC says the average monthly rent was $891 in Montreal and $854 in Quebec City in 2020. That’s much lower than what renters pay monthly in Toronto ($1,523), Vancouver ($1,508), Ottawa ($1,358), Calgary ($1,195), and Edmonton ($1,153).

Commuting in Quebec City and Montreal is a breeze compared to other cities. Statistics Canada notes that 2.3% of those living in Quebec’s capital spend an hour or more driving to work. In Montreal, it’s 7.2%. While that’s slightly better than Vancouver (7.7%), it’s much better than Toronto (11.1%).

Insurance rates in Quebec are the lowest in the country. Drivers pay an average of $717 a year compared to $1,316 in Alberta, $1,528 in Ontario, and $1,832 in British Columbia.

In addition to securing a cheap mortgage rate, there are other factors it might be worth it to discuss to maximize your savings in the long run.

Prepayment privileges: Before signing on the dotted line, prepayment privileges are something you should discuss with your lender. Not all banks and brokers offer the same prepayment terms, however, so it’s important to raise the issue.

Penalties: If you need to break your mortgage, you may be required to pay thousands of dollars in penalties. While you may wind up with a better rate if you go with a different lender, it’s important to look at the fine print to ensure that it won’t cost you in the long run.

Portability: One way to avoid these penalties is to negotiate a portable mortgage. This means that if you move, you can transfer your mortgage to a new home and combine it with an additional mortgage loan.

LowestRates.ca works with more than 30 banks and brokers to bring you competitive mortgage rates from lenders in Canada, and we’re always adding new ones. We work with our partners to obtain their best deals and offers, and then we let them compete for your business. All you have to do is answer a few questions, and in minutes you’ll be provided with today’s mortgage rates. 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 in 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.