Latest / The Canadian Real Estate Investor
Fixed Or Variable Mortgage For 2026
Canadian borrowers and investors are shifting from variable and long fixed terms toward 3-year fixed mortgages in 2026, seeking short-term certainty without locking into long rates, and how that decision ties into portfolio planning, refinancing risk, and programs like CMHC MLI Select.
Fixed (3- or 5-year) = predictable payments, easier modeling for equity/refinance and portfolio scaling.
Variable = a macro bet (rates must fall for it to be advantageous); can cause sudden payment spikes.
3-year fixed = compromise: short-term protection with flexibility if rates decline; financing programs…
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