Ray Rochefort, Broker

In Canada, no single multigenerational mortgage existed. Families typically used joint mortgages or segmented equity plans to pool income, title and borrowing capacity.
Purpose-built options differed from standard co-signed loans by assessing household income together, counting projected suite rent, and sometimes supporting construction draws for builds or renovations.
CMHC-backed insurance applied to owner-occupied properties with 1-4 units. Buyers living in one unit could qualify below $1.5M and count up to 50% projected rent.
Construction mortgages worked differently and cost more, with rates starting near 6%-7%, staged draws, inspections, and potentially six-figure interest costs over an 18-mo build.
For adding a secondary suite, the federal tax credit covered 14.5% of eligible renovation costs, up to $7,250, for qualifying seniors or disabled adults.

Canada Families Rethink Shared Home Financing

A new survey found >2-thirds of homeowners felt uneasy about upcoming mortgage renewals, showing broad caution as households prepared for possible payment pressure.
Among owners expecting higher payments, 56% cut household spending, while 39% planned to use savings or reduce investments to manage renewal costs.
Despite affordability worries, 30% of prospective buyers said they planned to enter the market in 2026, encouraged by lower prices and stable interest rates.
Half of those buyers pointed to lower home prices, while 35% cited stable rates as motivation to purchase in 2026.
Canada’s MLS price index in Mid-Q1 ↓0.6% MoM and ↓4.8% yearly. The national avg. home price was $663.8K, non-seasonally adjusted.
Buyer confidence remained notable: 68% believed they could buy their desired home within the next few years, and 75% saved monthly toward that goal.
Prospective buyers also leaned on investment income, cut non-essential spending, and sometimes considered living with friends or 