Author Ross Taylor

I started the Ask Ross blog in 2009 to share my financial knowledge with Canadians across the country. I am a firm believer in reliable and accessible information and I understand just how confusing financial, mortgage, and credit matters can be. Today, our blog and monthly newsletters are read by thousands of Canadians.

ASK ROSS

Get answers to your questions no matter how difficult – 7 days a week.

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  • First Time Home Buyer Articles
  • Private Mortgages: When the door to the bank is closed.
  • Reverse Mortgage Articles
  • Credit Repair & Consumer Proposal Articles
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  • GTA News Articles
  • Bank of Canada Update Articles
  • All of Our Articles

    • Explore our featured articles highlighting essential mortgage insights, trending topics, and strategic financial advice.

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    Closing Costs Canada - askross.ca
    What Are All The Closing Costs When Buying a Home in Canada?
    Closing costs in Canada can add thousands to your home purchase. This guide walks you through every fee, from land transfer taxes to legal and hidden charges. Learn what to ...
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    Ross Taylor Mortgages - Bank of Canada’s 3 Economic Scenarios
    Bank of Canada’s 3 Economic Scenarios: What They Mean for Your Mortgage
    The Bank of Canada took a rare step in July 2025 by laying out three distinct economic scenarios instead of one forecast. Whether tariffs hold steady, ease, or escalate, each ...
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    Ross Taylor Mortgages - Can You Get A Mortgage After A Consumer Proposal Yes—Here’s How
    Can You Get A Mortgage After A Consumer Proposal? Yes—Here’s How
    Wondering if homeownership is possible after a consumer proposal? Discover how one reader cleared debt, rebuilt credit, and leveraged a vendor take-back mortgage to buy land and a home—plus expert ...
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    @RossTaylorMoney Twitter

    Check out Ross on Twitter for his personal insights on the latest financial, mortgage, and credit matters across the country.


     

    First Time Home Buyers

    Explore our first-time home buyer articles to learn how to navigate the stress test, compare rates, and make the most of government incentives with clarity and confidence. 

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    Canada's Renter Bill of Rights Update: Impact of Rent Payments on Credit Scores Explained
    Canada’s Renter Bill of Rights Update: Impact of Rent Payments on...
    Understanding the Potential Benefits & Challenges of the New Credit Score Integration for Renters In a bold move to reshape the Canadian housing market landscape, the government has proposed a ...
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    Awarded Best Mortgage Broker - Toronto!
    Awarded Best Mortgage Broker – Toronto!
    In a city as vibrant and dynamic as Toronto, standing out in the competitive mortgage industry is no small feat. However, Ross Taylor Mortgages has not only risen to the ...
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    Bank of Canada Rate Hike Announcement
    Bank of Canada Rate Hike Announcement
    After the January 24, 2024 meeting, the Bank of Canada maintained its overnight rate for the fourth time in succession. It appears we really have hit the ceiling of rate ...
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    July 13th Bank of Canada Announcement
    July 13th Bank of Canada Announcement
    The Bank of Canada has increased the overnight rate by a whopping 1%, which means the chartered banks will most likely raise their Prime Rate to 4.70% by this time ...
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    Private Mortgages: When the door to the bank is closed.

    Browse our private mortgage articles for clear guidance on alternative lending, approval challenges, and the strategies our team uses to help Canadians when the banks say no. 

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    Second Mortgage Can Fix Debt Problems
    Second Mortgage Can Fix Debt Problems
    If you are a homeowner and find yourself with an intolerable unsecured debt burden, you should for sure consider tapping into the equity of your home as a way out ...
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    Private Mortgages Save Day
    Private Mortgages Save Day
    Does Your Mortage Situation Seem Hopeless? It Might Not Be With A Private Mortgage Today’s article was written by Steve Biderman – a specialist in ‘B’ lending and private mortgages ...
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    Reverse Mortgages

    Explore our reverse mortgage articles to learn how these products help Canadian retirees access their home equity with clarity, flexibility, and confidence. 

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    Credit Repair & Consumer Proposal

    Explore our articles on credit repair and consumer proposals to understand how recovery works in Canada and how our team helps you rebuild, regain momentum, and move toward your financial goals. 

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    Rebuilding Credit After Consumer Proposal or Bankruptcy
    Rebuilding Credit After Consumer Proposal or Bankruptcy
    After you file a consumer proposal, expect your score to drop into the low 500’s, maybe even lower than that. No matter how bad things seem, or how low your ...
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    What is a Consumer Proposal?
    What is a Consumer Proposal?
    Consumer proposals are an important part of the Canadian insolvency process, and are the main alternative to filing for bankruptcy. We answer 5 of the most common questions about consumer ...
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    How to Fix or Rebuild Credit Fast in Canada
    How to Fix or Rebuild Credit Fast in Canada
    Situations often arise where a new mortgage application, or car loan/lease, is impacted by a credit score that's lower than expected. Frequently errors, or reported items negatively affect your score, ...
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    How to Improve Credit Score in Canada: Tips, Myths & Real Case Studies
    How to Improve Credit Score in Canada: Tips, Myths & Real Case St...
    Your credit score always matters no matter if you are buying a home, renting an apartment, leasing a car or any number of things. And the higher your score, and ...
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    Canadian Mortgage Trends

    Ross is a frequent author on Canadian Mortgage Trends, where he offers personal insights and deep dives into the mortgage industry. Read his latest articles below.

     

    GTA News

    Get the latest updates and analysis on the Greater Toronto Area’s real estate market, including key trends and developments affecting homebuyers and investors. 

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    Why Are So Many Canadian Homes Selling Below Asking Price This Summer
    Why Are So Many Canadian Homes Selling Below Asking Price This Su...
    Homes in Toronto are selling for tens of thousands under asking this summer, marking a major market reset. Economic uncertainty and rising listings are giving buyers the edge. Find out ...
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    Ross Taylor Mortgages - Canada Housing Market 2025 City-by-City Summer Update
    Canada Housing Market 2025: City-by-City Summer Update
    Summer 2025 brings major real estate shifts. From Vancouver’s buyer’s market to Montreal’s seller surge, find out where your city stands now ...
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    Ross Taylor Mortgages - Can I Use My Home Equity To Pay Off My CRA Debt
    Can I Use My Home Equity To Pay Off My CRA Debt?
    If you owe the CRA and own a home, you may be able to use your home equity to pay off tax debt and stop penalties. Learn how refinancing, HELOCs, ...
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    Ross Taylor Mortgages - Are Reverse Mortgages a Good Idea in Canada
    Are Reverse Mortgages a Good Idea in Canada?
    Reverse mortgages help Canadians 55+ stay in their homes, fund retirement, and plan legacies, tax-free and with no monthly payments, while retaining full ownership of their homes ...
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    Bank of Canada Updates

    Get updates on the latest rate announcements and clear guidance on what each change means for your mortgage, your budget, and your homebuying goals. 

    AskRoss.ca - How Do U.S. Rate Hikes Affect Canadian Mortgage Rates
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    How Do U.S. Rate Hikes Affect Canadian Mortgage Rates?
    The Bank of Canada has held at 2.25% for seven straight decisions, and Canadian fixed mortgage rates went up anyway. Your five-year fixed is priced by the global bond market, ...
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    Ross Taylor Mortgages - Why Are Global Events Driving the Bank of Canada Rate Hold
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    Why Are Global Events Driving the Bank of Canada Rate Hold?
    The Bank of Canada rate hold is being driven by global pressure. Oil prices, US inflation, and rising bond yields are keeping mortgage rates high. Here’s what it means for ...
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    Ross Taylor Mortgages - BoC Outlook Mortgage & Renewal Rates Forecast 2026 Canada
    BoC Outlook: Mortgage & Renewal Rates Forecast 2026 Canada
    Ross Taylor Mortgages - Will the Bank of Canada Cut Rates on September 17th
    Will the Bank of Canada Cut Rates on September 17th?
    Ross Taylor Mortgages - Bank of Canada’s 3 Economic Scenarios
    Bank of Canada’s 3 Economic Scenarios: What They Mean for Your Mo...
    Ross Taylor Mortgages - Will the Bank of Canada Cut Rates on July 30th
    Will the Bank of Canada Cut Rates on July 30th?
     

    Looking for something else?

    Dive into our comprehensive archive of articles covering a wide range of topics from mortgages and credit to personal finance and market trends, all designed to educate and inform Canadians.


    How Will Borrowers Be Impacted By CMHC's Tougher Canadian Mortgage Qualification Rules?
    How Will Borrowers Be Impacted By CMHC’s Tougher Canadian Mortgag...
    With a shell-shocked COVID-19 Canadian economy as backdrop, CMHC moved to tighten lending standards for insured mortgages. New rules for CMHC-insured mortgages are intended ...
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    How Long Do You Have to Wait After Completing a Consumer Proposal Before You Can Buy a House Or Condo?
    How Long Do You Have to Wait After Completing a Consumer Proposal...
    After a consumer proposal has been fully paid, many think about buying a home. If already homeowners, they may be concerned about their upcoming ...
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    A Horrible Credit Score After Finishing a Consumer Proposal Isn't Necessarily Your Fault
    A Horrible Credit Score After Finishing a Consumer Proposal Isn’t...
    A horrible credit score after finishing a consumer proposal isn't necessarily your fault. Many who've completed a consumer proposal are surprised to learn that ...
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    Mortgages 101 -- What You Need to Know Before Applying For a Mortgage
    Mortgages 101 — What You Need to Know Before Applying For a Mortg...
    Most first-time buyers lack sufficient funds to purchase their home outright and require loan financing (a mortgage) to make it work. In this article, ...
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    COVID-19 Financial Questions and Answers
    COVID-19 Financial Questions and Answers
    A running thread of reader questions and our answers and research about the impact of COVID-19 on your finances ...
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    COVID-19 Q & A: Is It Possible to Renew a Mortgage While In a Consumer Proposal?
    COVID-19 Q & A: Is It Possible to Renew a Mortgage While In a Con...
    A reader asks whether COVID-19 has affected her ability to renew a mortgage while still in a consumer proposal, and whether it's possible to ...
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    COVID-19 EI Benefits and CERB Updates -- Q & A from Social Media
    COVID-19 EI Benefits and CERB Updates — Q & A from Social Media...
    Stay at home orders have forced many Canadians to be temporarily out of work and collecting government benefits for the first time in their ...
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    COVID-19 Impact on Canadians' Financial Well-Being
    COVID-19 Impact on Canadians’ Financial Well-Being
    Running commentary and news updates on COVID-19's impact on banking, real estate, mortgages, government relief programs, personal credit, and other financial health matters of ...
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    Good Credit Hygiene Saves Over $100K On Typical Mortgage
    Good Credit Hygiene Saves Over $100K On Typical Mortgage
    Many services are available to give Canadians free access to their credit scores, but the problem is they all provide different results. No industry ...
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    Private Second Mortgage Kept Pensioner In Her Home
    Private Second Mortgage Kept Pensioner In Her Home
    This heartwarming story illustrates the human side of private mortgages -- how this mortgage product gave a pensioner relief from an unmanageable debt load, ...
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    What Does a Private Mortgage Cost?
    What Does a Private Mortgage Cost?
    Private mortgages have a number of costs you may not expect, and different terms and benefits than traditional mortgages. Rather than just focusing on ...
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    When Is a Private Mortgage the Best Solution?
    When Is a Private Mortgage the Best Solution?
    Regular home buyers with no problems to solve aren't who private mortgages were designed for. This article discusses when a private mortgage is the ...
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    Private Mortgage FAQs: What Is a Private Mortgage and When Would You Need One?
    Private Mortgage FAQs: What Is a Private Mortgage and When Would ...
    Despite increasing in market share by nearly 50% in less than a year, most Canadians don't know what private mortgages are. This primer answers ...
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    Reverse Mortgages (55 yrs+)
    Reverse Mortgages (55 yrs+)
    If You Have Considered a Reverse Mortgage, Now Might Be the Best Possible Time to Tap Into Your Home Equity Reverse Mortgage is an ...
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    The toronto real estate market is alive and well
    The Toronto Real Estate Market Is Alive and Well
    It's no fun trying to buy a property in an overheated real estate market. Buyers find themselves competing against many others in an auction ...
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    How To Bypass Canada's Mortgage Stress Test When It Gives a False Negative
    How To Bypass Canada’s Mortgage Stress Test When It Gives a False...
    Canada's mortgage stress test was designed to help ensure Canadians don’t overstep their financial means. However, there are special cases where it makes sense ...
    Read More