Brenda Joynson
TD: Market uncertainty leaves Canadians divided, expert advice becomes a key resource in navigating mortgage decisions
9/5/2025
A new TD survey reveals how today's increasingly complex market is shaping the way Canadians approach one of life's biggest financial decisions: their mortgage. While the majority of Canadians feel informed about the mortgage process, the survey shows that economic volatility, rate unpredictability, and tariff pressures are prompting many to rethink their strategies, highlighting that expert guidance is a vital tool to navigate the challenges of today's environment.
Canadians are navigating interest rate uncertainty
While the Bank of Canada has held rates steady in recent months, Canadians remain divided on where rates could head next. The survey found that 32 per cent expect rates to rise, 27 per cent anticipate a decrease, and 29 per cent believe they'll remain unchanged. This lack of consensus reflects the challenges Canadians face when making long-term financial decisions in a rapidly shifting landscape.
"With so much uncertainty around what comes next, Canadians are thinking carefully about how best to approach their mortgage," says Patrick Smith, VP, Product Management, Real Estate Secured Lending at TD. "Expert advice can help bring clarity to that complexity, so Canadians can make confident, informed choices aligned with their needs and long-term goals."
Economic pressures add even more complexity
Beyond rate expectations, Canadians are increasingly aware of how broad economic shifts may influence their homeownership goals. Tariffs, in particular, are playing a key role in how Canadians make decisions about their mortgage. According to the survey, nearly a third (29 per cent) of Canadians say that tariffs have caused them to reassess their mortgage strategy.
The survey also found:
- 31 per cent say that tariffs have impacted their borrowing capacity;
- 28 per cent agree that tariffs have caused them to reconsider taking out a mortgage;
- 28 per cent agree that tariffs have impacted which mortgage lender they are choosing or plan to choose.
