What Will Mortgage Financing Look Like In 2021?

Dan Caird • November 25, 2020

There is no doubt that 2020 was one for the books. It will be remembered as a year like no other. COVID-19 has caused significant national economic disruption, to say the least. While we’ve seen government intervention, record unemployment, mortgage payment deferrals, record low-interest rates, we’ve also seen continued growth in the housing market.


So what can we expect as we complete the final quarter in 2020 and move into 2021? Well, low interest rates and increased scrutiny on all mortgage applications are most likely in the cards.


Low interest rates


Right now, both fixed and variable rate mortgage rates are at all-time lows. The cost to borrow money for a mortgage has never been cheaper. According to the Bank of Canada, we can expect them to stay low for the foreseeable future. “Interest rates are very low, and they are going to be there for a long time. Canadians and Canadian businesses are facing an unusual amount of uncertainty, so we have been unusually clear about the future path for interest rates.”


And while low interest rates are a good thing for financing property now, unfortunately, they won’t be as easy to access as in previous years.


More scrutiny on mortgage applications


While we don’t expect lender or insurer guidelines to change much in the coming months, securing mortgage financing in a post-COVID economy has already proven to be harder as lenders apply increased scrutiny to each application. Every mortgage application is being looked at more deeply, and additional documentation is being requested to substantiate your application. Lenders are being more cautious about who they’re lending money to.


If you’re self-employed or rely on overtime, bonuses, or picking up additional shifts to make ends meet, securing a mortgage is going to be more difficult for you. As lenders look at a 2 year average for employment, if you took a hit to your income in 2020, that will impact you in 2021. Any type of non-guaranteed income will be more scrutinized.


If the pandemic impacted your employment and you deferred any payments (credit card, loan, line of credit, or mortgage), expect to be questioned. Lenders will ask for your story; they will want to know why you had to defer payments and how you are now in a better financial position.


Unfortunately, one of the common complaints about getting a mortgage is that it is very document-intensive. Lenders want to see a lot of supporting documents for every mortgage application. And moving into mortgage financing in 2021, you can expect even more requests for supporting documents.


Have a plan in place


So while the housing market continues to grow and low rates make it a good time to buy, the best way to prepare for increased scrutiny and documentation on your mortgage application is to plan ahead.


If your mortgage is up for renewal, you’d like to refinance, or you’re planning on buying a new property, the best thing to do is to get started immediately. Getting together your documents will take time; having a plan on what that looks like is the way to go.


I would love to have a conversation and outline all your options. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime!

Share

DAN CAIRD
Mortgage Agent | DLC

RECENT POSTS

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

By Dan Caird • 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 Your Credit Score Impacts Mortgage Rates and Approval

By Dan Caird • October 21, 2026
What Lenders Mean by “Good Credit” When You Apply for a Mortgage Credit is simply the ability to borrow money today based on the trust that you’ll repay it in the future. When you apply for a mortgage, lenders want proof that you’ve consistently honoured that trust by managing credit responsibly. But what does a good credit history actually look like to a lender? The 2 / 2 / 2 Rule Explained If you’re newer to credit or want a simple way to remember minimum mortgage credit requirements, think of the 2 / 2 / 2 rule: 2 active trade lines Established for at least 2 years With a minimum combined limit of $2,000 This is a common baseline lenders use when assessing credit for mortgage financing. What Counts as a Trade Line? A trade line is any account where credit is extended to you, such as: A credit card A line of credit A car loan A personal or installment loan Each trade line reports your payment history to the credit bureau and contributes to your credit score. For a trade line to be considered active , it must: Have been used at least once, and Show activity at least once every three months Why Time Matters Lenders want to see that you’ve managed credit responsibly over time , not just recently. Using two trade lines consistently for at least two years helps demonstrate stable financial habits and reliability. Understanding Credit Limits vs. Balances The credit limit is what matters—not the balance. For example: A $1,000 credit card + a $2,500 line of credit = $3,500 total limit This meets the minimum requirement You do not need to carry a balance to build credit. In fact, the best approach is to: Use your credit regularly Pay it off in full each month (for credit cards) Make all loan payments on time If your lender offers a credit limit increase and you’re managing credit well, it’s often a good idea to accept it. Higher limits—used responsibly—can strengthen your credit profile. A Simple Way to Build Credit Automatically One effective strategy is to: Put recurring bills on your credit card Set up an automatic transfer to pay the balance in full every month Automation helps build positive credit history without requiring constant attention—just be sure to monitor your accounts to ensure everything runs smoothly. What About Credit Scores? Yes, credit scores matter—but they’re not the whole story. If you: Have two active trade lines Established for two years With at least $2,000 in total limits And no missed payments …your credit score will generally take care of itself. That said, it’s still wise to review your credit report occasionally to check for errors or unfamiliar accounts. Final Thoughts If you’re thinking about buying a home in the next couple of years, now is the perfect time to review your credit and make sure you’re on track. Small adjustments today can make a big difference when it’s time to apply for a mortgage. If you’d like help reviewing your credit or understanding how it affects your mortgage options, feel free to connect anytime. I’d be happy to walk through it with you and help you plan with confidence.