In this feature, we sit down with Sean Cooper, best-selling author of Burn Your Mortgage, and one of Canada’s leading voices on personal finance and real estate.
Sean made national headlines when he paid off his mortgage in just three years, and since then, he’s become a trusted commentator on Canada’s housing market, mortgage trends, and homeownership strategies.
In this interview, Sean shares key real estate insights and mortgage trends that continue to shape the Canadian housing market today — from interest rates and shared equity mortgages to home price movements across major cities.
1. Low Interest Rates and Borrower Benefits
According to Sean, one of the most important forces influencing Canada’s housing market is the low interest rate environment.
Periods of economic uncertainty or slower growth often lead to lower borrowing costs — good news for both first-time buyers and existing homeowners looking to refinance.
Lower interest rates translate to:
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More affordable monthly mortgage payments
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Greater borrowing power for qualified buyers
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Increased refinancing and home renovation activity
Even as markets evolve, Sean reminds Canadians that locking in a low rate and paying down debt strategically can help build long-term financial stability.
Explore our Mortgage Payment Calculator to estimate how much you could save with a lower rate.
2. Shared Equity Mortgages and Affordability Programs
Another emerging trend Sean highlights is the Shared Equity Mortgage Program, introduced by the Government of Canada.
Under this initiative, eligible homebuyers can receive 5% toward the down payment on resale homes or 10% on new construction, with the government sharing in the property’s future appreciation or depreciation.
While this program helps Canadians in affordable markets like Winnipeg or Saskatoon, Sean points out that it may have limited impact in higher-priced regions such as Toronto or Vancouver, where average home prices exceed program caps.
Still, the effort reflects Canada’s growing focus on housing affordability and helping more people enter the real estate market sooner.
Learn more about Mortgages in Canada and how programs like these can make homeownership more attainable.
3. Moderate Home Price Growth
Sean forecasts steady but modest growth in Canadian home prices. After years of double-digit increases, factors like the mortgage stress test and tighter lending requirements have cooled the market slightly — leading to growth closer to 2%–5% annually, in line with inflation.
This moderation, Sean notes, creates healthier and more sustainable market conditions for long-term buyers.
About Sean Cooper
Sean Cooper is a Canadian financial journalist, speaker, and the author of the national best-seller Burn Your Mortgage. His personal story of paying off his mortgage in three years has inspired thousands of Canadians to take control of their financial futures.
To learn more about Sean’s work, visit his Smarter Loans video testimonial and explore his financial insights on homeownership and debt freedom.
Our Take
Whether you’re a homeowner, investor, or first-time buyer, understanding market forces like interest rates, lending policies, and affordability programs is crucial. Sean Cooper’s insights serve as a reminder that smart financial planning and strategic borrowing are the keys to long-term success in any housing market.
Watch the full video above for Sean’s full analysis.
Explore tools like the Mortgage Affordability Calculator and Home Equity Calculator to plan your next move.
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Smarter Loans is Canada's online loan directory for any type of financing. The website helps Canadians find reputable lenders & financial companies all over Canada and compare their products, rates, and terms in one place.
