Renewal
Understanding the IRD mortgage penalty in Quebec: why it can hit $15,000
The IRD penalty (interest rate differential) can turn a simple refinance into a five-figure bill. Here is how it is calculated and how to avoid it.
· 5-minute read
The Courteo blog
Clear guides on files rate-comparison pages skip: renewal, T2125, newcomers to Canada.
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Self-employed
B lenders vs A lenders: when to go alternative on a mortgage in Quebec
Refused by the big banks? B lenders (MCAP, Equitable, Home Trust) are an option — provided you plan the exit. The rules of the game.
· 6-minute read
Purchase
HBP and FHSA combined: optimizing your down payment for a first home in Quebec in 2026
The HBP and FHSA are two different tools — used together, they can add $100,000 to your down payment. Here is how to combine them properly.
· 6-minute read
Purchase
Understanding the Canadian mortgage stress test in 2026: what changed and how to prepare
The federal stress test forces borrowers to qualify at a rate higher than the contract rate. Here's what it means for your borrowing capacity in 2026.
· 4-minute read
Renewal
Prepare your mortgage renewal in Quebec: the 6-month playbook
Six months before your renewal, the bank will send you a letter. Here is what to do before it lands — to stay in control of the negotiation.
· 3-minute read
Self-employed
Self-employed mortgage in Quebec: T2125, dividends, and how lenders actually read your file
Income reported on a T2125 or paid as dividends? Here is how Canadian lenders really evaluate your file — and how to build an application that holds up.
· 4-minute read
Newcomer
Newcomer mortgage in Quebec: what changes when you’ve been in Canada under 5 years
No Canadian credit history, sometimes higher down payment, specific programs: what Canadian lenders really expect from a newcomer file.
· 5-minute read