Ottawa mortgage blog
Practical mortgage guides for Ottawa
Plain-language mortgage articles for Ottawa. I am Nick Bachusky, a licensed Mortgage Agent working under Referral Mortgages Inc., and I write these to help you decide with clear, honest guidance.
Latest guides
Ottawa property Ottawa Bylaw Complaint Guide for Neighbour Disputes
How to handle noise, fences, trees, yard issues and boundary concerns, when to call 311, and when a dispute can affect your property file.
Nick Bachusky August 2026 
Mortgage basics Why Use a Mortgage Broker in 2026? The Answer Just Changed
A national survey of 2,000 Canadians: broker use hit 38%, first-time buyers 48%, and rate is losing its lead to advice. With an interactive five-year chart.
Nick Bachusky July 2026 
Mortgage basics The Mortgage Stress Test in Canada, Explained
How the qualifying rate is calculated, how much it shrinks your approval, the 2024 renewal-switch change, and an interactive stress-test tool.
Nick Bachusky July 2026 
First home First-Time Home Buyer Programs in Ontario (2026)
Every 2026 program, what each one is worth, the two new GST and HST rebates, and a calculator that stacks them, minus the defunct incentive.
Nick Bachusky July 2026 
Home buying How Much Mortgage Can I Afford in Ottawa?
The real GDS and TDS math, how the stress test shrinks your number, an affordability estimator, and why the calculator reads high.
Nick Bachusky July 2026 
Home insurance Overland Water Coverage: The Ottawa Home Insurance Gap
Why Ottawa flood claims get denied, the difference between overland and sewer backup coverage, and a two-minute coverage self-check.
Nick Bachusky July 2026 
Guide Fixed vs Variable Mortgage: What I'd Choose Right Now
My honest take on fixed versus variable, why the break penalty matters more than the rate, and a live Bank of Canada rate chart.
Nick Bachusky July 2026 
Rate strategy How to Negotiate Your Mortgage Rate in Canada
A practical offer scorecard for comparing rates, penalties, portability, fees and a rate hold before you sign.
Nick Bachusky July 2026 
Rate outlook When Will Mortgage Rates Go Down in Canada?
An honest, dated answer tied to the Bank of Canada decision dates, with a live rate chart and what to do instead of waiting.
Nick Bachusky July 2026 More guides on the way
New Ottawa mortgage guides land here often, on rates, renewals, refinancing and more. Get them first with the newsletter below.
Between guides, you can compare current Ottawa mortgage rates, read how a mortgage break penalty works, see how my process works, or message me directly.
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