A lower advertised rate is not enough by itself. Before relying on a lender switch, review approval, timing, documents, fees, penalties, registration, appraisal, legal work, and product restrictions.
Already received a renewal offer from your lender?
Check the rate against current Canadian mortgage benchmarks before you sign. FairRate is paid by you, not by lenders, and does not sell your information to brokers.
Most borrowers compare only after they have already signed. Free check first; paid report options after the check: Rate Fairness Report CA$24 · Full Renewal Decision Report CA$49. No broker calls. No data sold.
Switching lenders can involve more than comparing one rate against another. The new lender may need to approve the file, and the transaction may involve timing, documentation, discharge, setup, registration, appraisal, legal or notarial, administration, title-insurance, and product-restriction considerations.
A lower advertised rate is not proof that you qualify for it or that switching is cheaper after all costs.
A switch comparison is stronger when the alternative is a real written offer or lender-provided estimate, not only an advertised rate. Check whether the alternative uses the same term, fixed or variable structure, amortization, payment frequency, mortgage amount, features, and timing assumptions.
Do not assume that a lender switch, refinance, added borrowing, borrower change, amortization change, or collateral-charge discharge follows the same process as a simple same-lender renewal.
FairRate Canada's benchmark-backed free checker and paid benchmark reports currently support Canadian 5-year fixed renewal offers only. Variable-rate offers, shorter fixed terms, refinances, purchase mortgages, and complex restructuring scenarios should not be forced against that reference.
FairRate provides educational market-context and scheduled-payment comparison. It does not arrange mortgages, guarantee approval, guarantee another rate, guarantee savings, or provide legal, financial, brokerage, underwriting, or lender advice.
Possible costs can include discharge, setup, registration, appraisal, legal, notary, transfer, assignment, administration, title-insurance, and documentation costs. Exact costs depend on the lender, province, mortgage structure, and transaction type.
Not always. Some switches may be low-cost and some lenders may cover selected costs, but borrowers should ask directly and get the details in writing before relying on that assumption.
A generic calculator cannot decide that from an advertised rate alone. Compare actual written alternatives, eligibility, timing, documentation, fees, penalties, product restrictions, and the exact transaction type.
No. FairRate provides educational market-context and scheduled-payment comparison for supported renewal offers. It is not a lender or broker and does not arrange mortgages.
Review collateral-charge issues when comparing options.
Understand when a switch may be treated differently.
Ask factual lender questions without invented leverage.
See supported scope, math, data handling, and limitations.
Important limitation: FairRate Canada is an independent consumer-paid educational comparison and reporting product — not a lender, mortgage broker, mortgage agent, law firm, financial advisor, or mortgage underwriter. FairRate does not arrange mortgages, take applications, approve credit, or sell mortgage inquiries to lenders or brokers. The current benchmark-backed checker and paid benchmark reports support 5-year fixed renewal offers only and use fresh public 5-year fixed comparison context when a usable source is available. Broader Bank of Canada data may be used for contextual purposes. Results are not a lender quote, approval, qualification result, personalized advice, or guarantee of a lower rate or savings. Verify current rates, eligibility, fees, penalties, product terms, and switching costs with the relevant lender and, where appropriate, a licensed mortgage professional or other qualified advisor.