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The 4 Numbers Every Canadian Homebuyer Should Check Before January 2026

As the year ends, many Canadians start planning their next steps — whether that’s buying a home, refinancing, or getting debt under control. Before January arrives, these four numbers will give you a clear picture of where you stand and what you can afford in 2026.

Welcome to the MyRealEstateCalculator.ca blog — your national hub for mortgage insights, personal finance guidance, and real-estate calculators. Browse this guide to understand your options, then run the numbers using our free tools before you make any decisions.

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1. Your Total Monthly Homeownership Cost


Your mortgage payment is only part of the picture. Your true monthly cost includes:

  • Property taxes
  • Home insurance
  • Utilities
  • Condo fees (if applicable)
  • A small maintenance reserve


Use the All-In Homeownership Cost Calculator on MyRealEstateCalculator.ca to see the real number in seconds.


2. Your Mortgage Qualification Range


Rate changes expected in 2026 will affect how much you can borrow.

A quick run through the Mortgage Payment Calculator helps you understand:

  • What price range is realistic
  • How payments shift at different rates
  • Whether it’s better to wait or move now


3. Your Current Debt Load


Holiday spending + existing loans can impact your ability to qualify.

Knowing your total debt helps you decide if it makes sense to:

  • Consolidate your debt
  • Refinance your home
  • Take a second mortgage


The Debt Consolidation Calculator shows how much your monthly payments could drop.


4. Your Available Home Equity


If you already own a property, your home equity determines your options for refinancing or pulling out cash for debt or renovations.


Use the Home Equity / LTV Calculator to estimate how much equity you can access and at what loan-to-value.


Final Thought


These four numbers create a simple snapshot of your financial position heading into 2026. Checking them now can save you time, stress, and money in the new year.


You can calculate all of them for free at MyRealEstateCalculator.ca — built for Canadians in every province.

FREE CANADIAN CALCULATOR

See If Refinancing or a Second Mortgage Saves You More

Use this calculator to compare your current high-interest debt with a new mortgage or second mortgage. Adjust the rate, term, and amount to see how much you could save each month and over the life of your debt.

Open Debt Consolidation Calculator → Monthly Homeownership Cost Calculator ↗

Try These Calculators Next

Explore more tools built for Canadian homeowners, buyers, and investors.

Debt

Debt Consolidation Calculator

Compare your current high-interest balances to a new mortgage or second mortgage and see whether consolidating actually saves you money.

Open calculator →
Mortgage

Mortgage Payment Calculator

Estimate your new monthly payment if you refinance and roll your debt into a new mortgage.

Open calculator →
Ownership

Homeownership Cost Calculator

Add up mortgage, taxes, insurance, and more to see your all-in monthly homeownership cost.

Open calculator →

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions Canadians ask about this topic, answered in plain language.

The true monthly cost includes more than just mortgage payments. Canadians should also budget for property taxes, insurance, utilities, and ongoing maintenance. Condo owners will also have monthly condo fees. These numbers give you a realistic view of homeownership expenses.

Even a small rate change can impact how much you qualify for. Higher rates reduce your borrowing power, while lower rates may increase it. Most Canadians use a mortgage payment calculator to compare different rate scenarios before starting their home search.

Yes. Reducing your monthly debt payments can improve your debt-to-income ratio, which lenders look at when approving mortgages. A debt consolidation loan or second mortgage may help simplify payments and lower monthly costs.

Home equity is based on your property’s current value minus the balance of any mortgages or loans secured against it. A home equity or loan-to-value (LTV) calculator can help you quickly estimate how much equity you may be able to access.

Related Articles

Keep exploring topics Canadians are searching for right now.

Year-End Debt Consolidation Using a Private Mortgage

Learn how Canadian homeowners use private mortgages at year-end to clean up high-interest balances and reset for the new year.

Read article →

How Second Mortgages Work in Ontario (And When They Make Sense)

A plain-language breakdown of second mortgages, how they’re structured, and the risks to be aware of before you sign.

Read article →

How to Use a Debt Consolidation Calculator (Step-by-Step)

A quick walkthrough showing you which numbers to plug in and how to read the savings results with confidence.

Read article →

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