Every mortgage decision,
side by side.
Fixed or variable? Port or break? Rent or buy? Every major mortgage decision Canadians face — laid out honestly, with the math behind it and no sales spin.
This hub compares mortgage products and decisions. Comparing brokerages or lenders instead? See Mortgage Squad Advisors vs other brokers & lenders.
28 side-by-side guides,
organised by decision.
Find the decision that matches your situation. Each guide links to our calculators and advisor team.
Rates & terms
6 guidesChoosing how your rate, term and payments are structured.
Home equity & borrowing
5 guidesThe smartest way to tap your home's value or borrow for a big expense.
Buying & qualifying
5 guidesGetting ready to buy — budgets, approvals and down payments.
Lenders & products
5 guidesWho you borrow from — and the fine print that affects your rate.
Renewing, moving & life events
7 guidesDecisions that come up mid-term, when you move, or when life changes.
Comparisons that
actually decide it.
Each guide lays the two choices side by side — honest trade-offs, real numbers, no jargon. Find your decision above and start reading.
True trade-offs, not sales pitches
Each guide weighs the real pros and cons of both options — not the version that moves product. You see what each choice costs you.
No jargon, no fine print
IRD, LTV, stress-test — every term is explained the first time it appears, so the math makes sense before you act on it.
Actual dollar math
Break-even timelines, penalty estimates, interest-cost totals — the numbers that actually decide it, shown in full.
Advisor available for your file
Read the guide, then apply in five minutes or call (905) 553-8550 for a no-obligation conversation about your specific situation.
Find your decision
in seconds.
Tap any situation below to jump to the right comparison guide.
If you’re…I’m buying a home and deciding between a fixed and variable rate
I’m buying a home and deciding between a fixed and variable rate
The break-even depends on the rate spread, your term length and your risk tolerance. Our fixed vs variable guide walks through the math for a typical 2026 spread so you can decide with clear eyes.
Compare fixed vs variableIf you’re…My mortgage is renewing — should I stay with my lender or switch?
My mortgage is renewing — should I stay with my lender or switch?
Staying is easiest, but switching is usually sharper. We break down the full switching cost — discharge, legal, requalifying — against the typical rate gap so you can run the numbers on your balance.
Compare staying vs switchingIf you’re…I want to tap home equity for a renovation or investment property
I want to tap home equity for a renovation or investment property
HELOC, refinance or second mortgage — each has different approval requirements, rate structures and long-term costs. Our side-by-side guide shows which path fits your equity and goals.
Compare HELOC vs refinanceIf you’re…I carry credit card or line-of-credit debt I’d like to consolidate
I carry credit card or line-of-credit debt I’d like to consolidate
Rolling high-interest debt into a mortgage can save thousands annually — but extending your amortization has a real total-interest cost. We walk through the full picture, including the break-even on the penalty.
Explore consolidation optionsIf you’re…I’m moving — should I port my mortgage or break it?
I’m moving — should I port my mortgage or break it?
Porting avoids the penalty but may not cover your new purchase price. Breaking and refinancing can land a better rate. Here’s exactly how to decide which costs less.
Compare port vs breakIf you’re…I’m 55+ and weighing a reverse mortgage against a HELOC
I’m 55+ and weighing a reverse mortgage against a HELOC
No-payment equity access vs an interest-bearing credit line. The long-term cost gap between these two products is significant — read the comparison before you commit.
Compare your optionsWhy 0.45% matters
more than you think.
The difference between a typical posted bank rate and what shopping 100+ lenders can do — over a 5-year term.
- 5-year fixed rate4.89%
- Mortgage balance$500,000
- Monthly payment~$2,872
- Interest paid (5 years)~$114,200
- Lender options1 — your bank
- 5-year total interest~$114,200
- 5-year fixed rate4.44%
- Mortgage balance$500,000
- Monthly payment~$2,724
- Interest paid (5 years)~$105,300
- Lender options100+ A, B & monoline
- 5-year total interest~$105,300
Illustrative only — actual rates vary by lender, term, credit profile, and market conditions at the time of application. Your rate and savings will differ. See today's rates.
Common questions,
clear answers.
About these guides, our brokerage, and how to choose the right comparison.
What’s the difference between this page and the /compare page?
This hub compares mortgage products and decisions: fixed vs variable, HELOC vs refinance, rent vs buy, and 28 others. The /compare page compares Mortgage Squad Advisors against other brokers and lenders — who gives you the best access and service. Two different questions, two different pages.
Which mortgage comparison should I read first?
Start with whichever decision is on your mind right now. Buying for the first time? Read Fixed vs Variable, then Bank vs Broker. Renewing? Read Refinance vs Renewal, then Same Lender vs New Lender at Renewal. Need equity? Start with HELOC vs Refinance. If you’re not sure, call (905) 553-8550 and we’ll point you to the right guides for your situation.
Do these comparisons apply across all Canadian provinces?
Yes. Mortgage products — fixed, variable, HELOC, open, closed — work the same way across Canada. Rates, lender availability and specific rules vary by province, but the comparisons and decision frameworks apply coast to coast. Our brokerage is FSRA-licensed (#13737) and we arrange mortgages across Canada.
Is a mortgage broker actually cheaper than going to my bank?
Usually yes. We'll try to beat your rate, or pay you $500 (conditions apply). Independent brokers shop the full market — 100+ lenders — and are legally required to disclose all compensation and conflicts of interest in writing on every file. Banks offer one lender’s product at one rate. The Bank vs Broker comparison guide covers this in full, with the dollar math.
Can I talk to an advisor after reading one of the guides?
Yes, always. Every comparison ends with a link to apply (free, no credit check to start) or call (905) 553-8550. Our advisors are licensed under FSRA #13737 and can model your specific file — balance, rate, amortization, lender — to tell you which option actually costs less in your situation.
We’ll try to beat your rate.
If we can’t, we pay you $500.¹
¹ Rate Beat: eligible Big-6 bank written offers only · same product, term & amount · $500 paid to you or your nominated charity at closing · conditions apply