Margo Wynhofen
One Mortgage Broker. Many Mortgage Solutions.
Since 1998, I have been providing expert mortgage advice to clients looking to purchase residential real estate, or for the renewal or refinance of an existing residential property mortgage. Much of my business is from repeat clients who have either moved, or refinanced for consolidation or future investment, or who have simply renewed a mortgage. From the twenty-something, anxious first-time homebuyer to the seventy-something, anxious reverse mortgage homebuyer, I cover it all!
Is your sole focus to find a low rate? I am confident that I can secure a competitive interest rate for you, but, when shopping for a mortgage, the biggest mistake that a consumer can make is to base the decision solely on the interest rate. Yes, the rate is important, but it should not be the only point you base your decision on.
Ask yourself the following questions before you commit to what you think is the "lowest rate" mortgage:
- What kind of service can I expect from my mortgage lender, and/or my mortgage broker once my mortgage has funded?
- How will I be treated at renewal time? Will I be offered competitive pricing then, and if not, how difficult will it be for me to transfer this mortgage to another institution?
- Do I understand the "fine print" of my mortgage contract - specifically, how the prepayment penalty is calculated?
- How difficult will it be to make changes to my mortgage mid-term, such as applying to transfer the mortgage if I need to move to another home, or to make a lump-sum prepayment, or to refinance my mortgage mid-term?
- Does my mortgage lender allow for me to obtain secondary financing elsewhere - for example, obtaining a home equity credit line elsewhere?
- If I have obtained my mortgage from a call-centre, how can I be assured that I am getting the best-available solution for my particular financial situation, and future needs?
My interest rates may not be that different from what you can find online or elsewhere, however, I am different. And, it is this important distinction that will ensure you are happy with your new mortgage!
BLOG / NEWS Updates
Scotiabank: Canadian Home Sales (April 2026): Housing News Flash
CANADA HOUSING MARKET: EXISTING HOME SALES INCREASED IN APRIL, BUT TOO SOON TO SHOUT ‘RECOVERY’
Housing sales increased nationally in April after five months of consecutive declines. But both indicators of market conditions we report suggest still-soft conditions nationally. The MLS HPI for all markets continued to decline in April.
The number of housing sales (in units) increased 0.7% (sa) from March to April, its first monthly rise since October 2025. Sales increased in 17 of the 31 markets we track from March to April, with the strongest increases posted in Barrie (18.8%), St. Catharines (18.2%) and Charlottetown (PEI; 16.6%). National sales declined -4% (nsa) over the 12-month period ending in April 2026.
In April, national new listings posted a 4.1% (sa) monthly increase with above ¾ of the local markets we track contributing to this rise, with at least 10% increases observed for Quebec City (12.4%), Kitchener-Waterloo (10.5%), Ottawa (10.2%) and Peterborough (10%). New listings also edged up 0.2% (nsa) nationally over the 12-month period ending with April.
With new listings increasing at a faster pace than sales from March to April, the national sales-to new listings ratio (SNLR) was pushed down to 45.6% (sa). This figure is close to our estimated lower bound for the balanced conditions’ range (estimated at 44.7%), and very close to its lowest print since early 2009, when Canada was in a recession. Nearly ¾ of the monitored local markets have seen their SLNR declined from March to April.
CREA: Canadian Home Sales Edge Higher in April
The number of home sales recorded over Canadian MLS® Systems was up 0.7% on a month-over-month basis in April 2026.
“While home sales were up only modestly from March to April, the small increase reflected a slow start to the month with a stronger handoff into May, alongside falling days on market and stabilizing prices,” said Shaun Cathcart, Senior Economist with the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). “This latest bout of global economic uncertainty and higher mortgage rates means the previously expected rebound in housing markets this year will continue to be muted, but it does not mean there will be no upward momentum at all.”
April Highlights:
- National home sales edged up 0.7% month-over-month.
- Actual (not seasonally adjusted) monthly activity came in 4% below April 2025.
- The number of newly listed properties jumped 4.1% on a month-over-month basis.
- The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) edged down 0.1% month-over-month and was
- down 4.2% on a year-over-year basis.
- The actual (not seasonally adjusted) national average sale price was up 2.2% on a
- year-over-year basis in April 2026.
https://www.crea.ca/media-hub/news/canadian-home-sales-activity-little-changed-in-march-2/
CMHC: Spring 2026 Housing Supply Report
Canada’s housing starts made meaningful gains in 2025. Record rental construction and more missing middle housing added important new supply, building on the momentum highlighted in the Fall 2025 Housing Supply Report.
At the same time, ownership-oriented construction weakened overall. Short-term imbalances continued in several markets. Rising unsold inventories suggest today’s supply may not align well with buyers’ needs, while tighter financing conditions and project cancellations threaten future supply.
This report focuses on both sides of that story: where Canada is succeeding in expanding housing options and where further progress is needed to ensure long-term supply and affordability.
Highlights
- Canada’s housing starts rose 6% in 2025, driven by record rental and expanding missing middle construction. Building timelines improved. High completion levels added important supply, especially in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton.
- Major vulnerabilities lie underneath this progress. Condominium presales collapsed, unsold inventory surged and financial conditions tightened. These pressures threaten the future pipeline of ownership-oriented housing supply, particularly in Toronto and Vancouver.
- Slower population growth, cautious buyers and elevated construction costs shaped supply decisions, pushing developers towards smaller apartments while limiting family-sized, ground-oriented homes.
- Looking ahead, near‑term supply imbalances are expected to ease as new supply is absorbed, helping affordability in the long run.
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