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


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By Katherine Martin March 25, 2026
When you’re buying a home, two terms often cause confusion: deposit and down payment . While they’re related, they serve very different purposes in the homebuying process. Here’s what you need to know. What Is a Deposit? A deposit is the money you provide when you make an offer on a property. Think of it as a show of good faith that proves you’re serious about purchasing. How it works : Typically, you provide a certified cheque or bank draft that your real estate brokerage holds in trust. If your offer is accepted, the deposit remains in trust until the deal moves forward. If negotiations fall through, the deposit is refunded. Connection to your down payment : Once the sale is finalized, your deposit becomes part of your total down payment. Why it matters : The amount is negotiable, but a larger deposit can make your offer more attractive in a competitive market. Keep in mind, however, that if you back out after conditions are removed, you risk losing your deposit. What Is a Down Payment? Your down payment is the amount you contribute toward the purchase price of your home when securing a mortgage. Minimum requirement : In Canada, the minimum down payment is 5% of the home’s purchase price. Anything less than 20% requires mortgage default insurance. Sources : Down payments can come from your savings, the sale of another property, RRSP withdrawals (through the Home Buyers’ Plan), a gift from family, or even borrowed funds. Example: How They Work Together Imagine you’re buying a $400,000 home with a 10% down payment ($40,000). When you make your offer, you provide a $10,000 deposit . Once conditions are met, that deposit is transferred to your lawyer’s trust account. At closing, you add the remaining $30,000 to complete your full down payment. The lender provides the rest—$360,000—through your mortgage. The Bottom Line Your deposit shows commitment and secures your offer, while your down payment is what makes the mortgage possible. Together, they work hand in hand to get you into your new home. 📞 If you’d like clarity on deposits, down payments, or any other part of the mortgage process, let’s connect. I’d be happy to walk you through it step by step.
By Katherine Martin March 18, 2026
The Bank of Canada announced today that it is holding its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%. For anyone watching the mortgage market — whether you're renewing, purchasing, or simply keeping an eye on borrowing costs — here's a breakdown of what was announced and what it may mean for you.