CAAMP Spring Survey. A Profile of Buying a Home in Canada

Katherine Martin • June 12, 2015

The Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP) just released their spring survey, which is a report that looks at the profile of a typical Canadian home buyer. Here are some of the highlights from the report, a couple of summary infographics from CAAMP and the entire 37 page report!

If you would like to discuss your current mortgage, or you are thinking of buying your first home, please contact me anytime, I am always available to you!

Summary

Of the 620,000 homebuyers per year, approximately 45% (280,000) are first-time buyers. Most of these are between the ages of 25 and 34, although first-time buying also extends into the 45 to 64 age group.

Since 2013, approximately 45% (280,000) of home buyers are first-time buyers.

Of all home buyers, 13% (about 80,000) have no financing on their property and 67% (about 420,000) have a mortgage but no other financing.

18% of first-time buyers relied on gifts and loans from family for their down payment; 10% used funds from their RRSP and 5% from their TFSA.

64% of purchasers borrowed less than 90% of their approved amount.

52% of mortgages were obtained from banks, 34% from mortgage brokers, and 10% from credit unions.

  • Bank use is lowest for first-time buyers (47%) and highest for buyers who have purchased more than two homes (58%)
  • Use of mortgage brokers is most frequent for first-time buyers (39%) and lower for repeat buyers.

On average, the amortization period is 22.1 years. 22.7 years for first-time buyers.

70% of borrowers expect to repay their mortgage early, 16% expect to use the full amortization period and 14% expect to take longer than the contracted
period.

Fixed rate mortgages are most common (72%), while 21% are variable or adjustable rate mortgages and 7% combine fixed and variable rates; most have five-year terms (67%).

The mortgage market remains extremely competitive in Canada. For home buyers who purchased their homes from 2013 to the present, the average mortgage interest rate is 3.00%.

Infographics

Katherine Martin


Origin Mortgages

Phone: 1-604-454-0843
Email: 
kmartin@planmymortgage.ca
Fax: 1-604-454-0842


RECENT POSTS

By Katherine Martin August 5, 2026
Saving for a down payment is one of the biggest challenges first-time buyers face. What many don’t realize is that the Canadian government offers a program designed to make it easier—the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) . This program allows you to withdraw money from your RRSP to help purchase your first home, without immediate tax consequences. Here’s how it works: Who Qualifies? To be eligible, you generally need to be a first-time home buyer. In practical terms, this means you must not have owned a home in the past four years, nor lived in a property owned by your spouse or partner during that time. There are also special allowances if you’re living with a disability or helping a relative with a disability. In these cases, you can use the HBP even if you’ve owned a home more recently. How Much Can You Withdraw? Under the program, you can access up to $35,000 from your RRSP as an individual. Couples can combine their withdrawals for a total of $70,000 . These funds must have been in your RRSP for at least 90 days before you take them out. Paying It Back The HBP isn’t “free money”—it’s an interest-free loan from your own retirement savings. You’ll have 15 years to repay the full amount back into your RRSP, starting in the second year after withdrawal. Each year, the CRA will send you an HBP Statement of Account outlining how much needs to be repaid. If you don’t make your repayment in a given year, that amount will be added to your taxable income. Why It’s a Smart Strategy The HBP can give first-time buyers a powerful boost toward homeownership. It helps you put together a larger down payment, which can reduce your mortgage amount and monthly payments. Just remember: it’s important to balance the short-term benefit of homeownership with the long-term impact on your retirement savings. Next Steps Thinking about using the Home Buyers’ Plan? Let’s sit down and review whether it’s the right move for you. Together, we can create a strategy that gets you into your first home while keeping your future financial goals on track. 📞 Reach out anytime—it would be a pleasure to guide you through the process.
By Katherine Martin July 29, 2026
When you apply for a mortgage, your employment history and status carry a lot of weight. Even if you feel secure in your job, lenders need proof that your income is reliable and will continue. To them, your employment status is one of the strongest indicators of whether you can make your mortgage payments long term. Here’s how lenders typically view different employment situations: Permanent Employment This is the gold standard. Once you’ve passed any probationary period and hold permanent status, lenders see you as a lower risk. It shows that your employer is committed to you, and your income is steady. Probationary Periods If you’re still on probation—usually 3 to 6 months, though sometimes longer—lenders may hesitate. That’s because your employer can end your contract without cause during this period. Once probation is over, you’re considered more secure. That said, context matters. If you’ve worked with the same company for years as a contractor and just transitioned into full-time employment, lenders may accept a letter from your employer confirming that probation is waived. Documentation is key here. Parental Leave Being on or about to take parental leave doesn’t mean you can’t qualify for a mortgage. As long as you have a letter from your employer guaranteeing your position and return-to-work date, lenders can use your regular salary—not your leave income—when assessing your application. Term Contracts This is one of the trickiest categories. Even highly skilled professionals with strong incomes can face challenges here. A term contract has a start and end date, which makes lenders question the stability of your future income. To use term-contract income, lenders generally want to see at least two years of history, or proof that your contract has already been renewed. The more evidence you can show of consistent employment, the stronger your case will be. The Bottom Line If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage, it’s important to understand how your employment status could affect your approval. Whether you’re starting a new job, coming back from leave, or working under contract, lenders want documentation that proves your income is reliable. 📞 If you’ve recently changed jobs or are planning a career shift, let’s connect. I can help you prepare your file so you qualify with confidence and avoid surprises in the approval process.