Federal housing, real estate & moving
Choose a specific reviewed route below. Requirements depend on the service and location; these guides link to the current instructions from the issuing authority.
Change your address after moving in Canada
There is no single government address update that reaches every department. Make a list of the services you use, then update each through its own official route.
Read the guideReal estate and housing markets
CMHC publishes research and data on housing supply, rental markets and financing. Begin with a location and a measure: construction, rents, sale prices and forecasts describe different things. A national trend is not a valuation of an individual home.
Read the guideRental prices and vacancy rates
CMHC’s rental tables cover national, provincial and local markets. Choose the location, housing type and survey period before reading an average rent or vacancy rate. A survey average is not the asking rent for a particular apartment. Chat can retrieve the latest published report’s headline rental figures for supported market areas, with the report year attached.
Read the guideMortgages and renewal
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada explains mortgage terms, interest, down payments and renewal. Use its guides to understand the options before comparing actual lender offers. The Bank of Canada’s policy rate is a different measure from your contracted mortgage rate.
Read the guideUnderstand a home equity line of credit
A HELOC is reusable credit secured by your home. You pay interest on the amount used, and the rate is usually variable. If you only cover interest, the borrowed principal stays unpaid.
Read the guidePrepare for mortgage qualification
A lender checks income, debts, credit history, down payment and the property before approving a mortgage. A stress test checks whether higher payments would be affordable. Preapproval helps you shop, but is not final mortgage approval.
Read the guideRenew a mortgage or switch lenders
At the end of a mortgage term, you usually renew the remaining balance unless you repay it. You can compare other lenders before accepting an offer. Switching lenders still involves an approval process and possible fees.
Read the guideRefinance a mortgage and compare equity options
Refinancing can change your mortgage or release home equity. It is different from renewing an unchanged balance. Compare the extra borrowing, repayment period and all fees, because a smaller payment can still mean a higher total cost.
Read the guideCheck mortgage prepayment and break costs
Paying extra or ending a closed mortgage early can trigger charges. Your contract sets the permitted extra payments and the penalty calculation. Get the lender’s actual payout figures before deciding whether a new offer saves money.
Read the guidePlan a down payment and mortgage insurance
Your minimum down payment depends on the purchase price and financing rules. Mortgage default insurance generally applies when you put down less than 20%; it protects the lender, not you. Budget for the insurance premium separately from the down payment.
Read the guidePlan buying a home in Canada
Begin with affordability, a down payment and the full costs of ownership. Then explore financing, choose a suitable home and work through the offer and closing steps with appropriate professionals.
Read the guide
Use the responsible authority
Each guide identifies its official sources and review date. Complete applications on the government website. This independent guide does not confirm eligibility or submit requests.