Variable-rate mortgages and lines of credit
Your rate follows prime, so it rose 0.25 points. That's about $21 more a month in interest for every $100,000 you owe.
Your monthly payment, the cash you need on closing day, and the Burlington neighbourhoods that fit your budget.
| Down payment (20%) | $170,160 |
|---|---|
| Ontario land transfer tax | $13,491 |
| First-time buyer rebate | −$4,000 |
| Down payment and taxes | $179,651 |
| Lawyer, title insurance and adjustments (about) | $2,500 |
| Home inspection (about) | $550 |
| Movers (about) | $1,500 |
| Cash to have ready | $184,201 |
Each buyer can put up to $40,000 from a First Home Savings Account and $60,000 from an RRSP through the Home Buyers' Plan toward the down payment. The land transfer tax refund is already counted above.
On a new home at this price, the federal first-time buyer GST rebate could be about $42,540. Ontario has announced HST relief on new homes too. Ask the builder whether the price already counts these.
| Mortgage payment | $3,843 |
|---|---|
| Property tax (estimate) | $432 |
| Heating | $120 |
| Hydro | $130 |
| Water and wastewater | $85 |
| Home insurance | $150 |
| Repairs fund (1% of price a year) | $709 |
| Total per month | $5,469 |
Add your household income under "Full monthly budget and can I qualify?" to see whether a lender would likely approve this mortgage.
Property tax estimate: Burlington's 2026 residential rate (1.015%) on an assessed value of about 60% of the price, because MPAC still assesses homes at 2016 values. Your bill depends on the home's actual assessment, shown on the listing or MPAC's AboutMyProperty. Qualifying uses CMHC's limits; each lender has its own rules. A planning estimate, not a mortgage approval or advice.
Typical price is the MLS® Home Price Index benchmark for all home types. Condos and townhouses cost less, so check each neighbourhood's prices by home type.
On October 28 the Bank of Canada raised its policy rate by a quarter point, from 2.25% to 2.50%. Banks moved their prime rate up the same amount, to 4.70%.
Prime went from 4.45% to 4.70%. Here's the difference for a variable-rate mortgage or a line of credit.
| You owe | Variable mortgage payment25 years left | Line of credit interest |
|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | +$42 a month | +$62 a month |
| $500,000 | +$70 a month | +$104 a month |
| $750,000 | +$105 a month | +$156 a month |
With most big-bank variable mortgages the payment stays the same and more of it goes to interest, so you pay the mortgage off more slowly instead. Fixed-rate mortgages don't change until you renew.
Your rate follows prime, so it rose 0.25 points. That's about $21 more a month in interest for every $100,000 you owe.
Nothing changes until you renew. If you renew in the next year, see what your new payment could be and start comparing offers early.
Renewal calculatorEach quarter point trims what a given monthly payment can borrow. Run your numbers in the calculator before you shop.
Updated weekly. General information, not financial or mortgage advice.
This calculator gives estimates for planning, not a mortgage approval or advice. Insurance premiums use the standard rates for down payments under 20%, plus 0.20% on 30-year amortizations. Your lender or mortgage broker will confirm what you qualify for. Want a second opinion on a budget? Ask me.