Is My Mortgage Portable?

Matt Chan • August 29, 2017

The question: ‘Is my mortgage portable?’

The answer most often given: ‘Yes.’

This answer is increasingly wrong.

In reality, you may qualify to move 80% or less of the current balance.

The proper question: ‘Do I need to re-qualify for my current mortgage to move to a new home?’

The proper answer: ‘Yes, your mortgage is portable, but only if you re-qualify under today’s new and more stringent guidelines.’

Who is the very best person to answer the portability question? Your mortgage broker.

They will answer this question accurately. And it can only be answered accurately with a complete and updated application, along with all supporting documents to confirm the maximum mortgage amount under current guidelines.

Calling the 1-800 number on your mortgage statement, or asking the teller while depositing cheques is far less likely to get you an accurate answer. Instead that tends to be the origin of the one word answer.

Call your mortgage broker as soon as you start thinking about moving.

Too many clients learn this lesson the hard way. They sell their existing property before speaking with their Mortgage Broker, and in some cases they also enter binding purchase agreements under the mistaken assumption they can just ‘port their mortgage.’

What is the problem?

Key Point – The Federal Government has created a dynamic in which there are two different qualifying rates

used for approvals. One is for the initial purchase or refinance, and the other is for when it comes time to move to a new home.

So the qualifying rate used yesterday to get you into a five-year fixed rate mortgage on your current home is not the one being used to qualify you to move that same mortgage to a new home down the street, even just one day later.

Key Point – One day into your new five-year fixed mortgage you are now subject to a ‘stress test’. In a nutshell, the stress test effectively reduces your maximum mortgage amount by 20%. Meaning that you can only port 80% of the current balance to another property… just one day later.

So, what’s the fix?

The best fix – The government could add a simple sentence to their lending guidelines along the lines of ‘If a borrower qualified for their mortgage at the five-year contract rate at inception, then the borrower shall be allowed to re-qualify at the original contract rate when moving their mortgage to a new home.’

Currently this fix does not exist.

The current fix – You pay a penalty to break the current five-year fixed mortgage you have and then apply for a new five-year fixed mortgage. Which is as ridiculous as it sounds.

The penalty amount? Approximately 4.5% of balance, i.e., $14,000 on a $300,000 mortgage balance. Yes, you read that correctly.

This is entirely unreasonable. It is not a fix at all. If you bought with 5% down, and then a few months later were transferred to another province and had no choice but to move, this represents your entire down payment vanishing due to a simple oversight by the federal regulators.

 

This article was originally published in the Dominion Lending Centres August 2017 newsletter.

CONTACT

Share

RECENT POSTS

Need Funds Between Buying and Selling? Here’s How Deposit Loans & Bridge Financing Help

By Matthew Chan • November 4, 2026
You’ve outgrown your current home. It no longer fits your life, so moving makes sense. And you’re not interested in juggling two properties. Selling first and buying something new feels like the right move. Ideally, you want possession of the new home before leaving the old one. That overlap makes moving easier, reduces stress, and gives you time to paint, renovate, or settle in before the boxes arrive. But there’s a common challenge. What if the down payment for your next home is tied up in the equity of the one you’re selling? That’s where bridge financing comes in. How bridge financing works Bridge financing temporarily unlocks equity from your current home once it has a firm sale . It bridges the gap between selling your existing property and purchasing your next one, allowing you to use that equity toward your down payment. What about competitive markets? In a hot market, a strong offer often means a larger deposit . If you don’t have that cash sitting in your account, but you do have equity, a deposit loan can help you compete with confidence. The non-negotiable requirement To qualify for bridge financing or a deposit loan, your current home must have a firm, unconditional sale . No firm sale = no bridge or deposit loan. Lenders need certainty to calculate available equity and manage risk. Bottom line A firm sale is the key that unlocks bridge financing and deposit loans. If you’re planning a move and want to understand how these options could work for you, let’s talk. I’m always happy to walk you through your options and help you plan your next step with confidence.

Bank of Canada Raises Rate to 2.5% — October 28, 2026

By Matthew Chan • October 28, 2026
On October 28, 2026, the Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate by 0.25%, bringing it to 2.5%. If you have a mortgage, are shopping for a home, or have a renewal coming up, this decision matters. Here is a plain-language look at what changed, why it happened, and what it could mean for you.

How to Qualify for a Mortgage After Bankruptcy in Canada

By Matthew Chan • October 21, 2026
Financial setbacks happen. Bankruptcies and consumer proposals are more common than most people realize—and they don’t define your future. Going through one doesn’t mean homeownership is off the table forever. It simply means lenders want to see that you’ve taken control, learned from the past, and built a stronger financial foundation moving forward. What lenders look at after a bankruptcy or consumer proposal How long it’s been since your discharge Your discharge date matters. For lenders, this is your reset point. There’s no law that says you must wait a specific amount of time before applying for a mortgage, but the longer your track record after discharge, the stronger your application becomes. What matters most is how responsibly you’ve managed your finances since then. Your credit rebuild Re-establishing credit is critical. After discharge, most people start with a secured credit card and use it consistently and responsibly. To be considered fully re-established, lenders typically want to see: Two active trade lines At least two years of clean payment history Credit limits of around $2,500 on each No late or missed payments Your down payment or equity The more money you can put down—or the more equity you have when refinancing—the lower the risk for the lender. A stronger down payment often opens the door to better terms and more lender options. Your debt service ratios Lenders will also look closely at how much of your income goes toward housing and other debts. The stronger your income relative to your monthly obligations, the easier it is to qualify. Conventional vs. insured mortgage options To access the most competitive mortgage products, lenders typically want to see: At least two years plus one day since discharge Fully re-established credit Minimum down payment requirements met Mortgage insurance in place if your down payment is under 20% (through CMHC, Sagen, or Canada Guaranty) Total debt obligations generally not exceeding 44% of your gross income Alternative lending options Not every situation fits neatly into a bank’s box—and that’s where alternative lending can help. Independent mortgage professionals work with both traditional and alternative lenders, including those who specialize in complex financial situations. These lenders look at the full picture: equity, income stability, and your plan moving forward. While rates and terms may not be as competitive as prime lending, alternative financing can be an effective short-term solution—especially if you need a mortgage before your credit is fully rebuilt. Let’s talk about your next step Whether you’re planning ahead for the best possible mortgage—or need a solution sooner rather than later—there are options available. If you’d like help mapping out a clear path forward, reach out anytime. I’d be happy to review your situation and help you build a plan that gets you back into homeownership with confidence.