icon

Mortgage Rate Navigator

Calculate mortgage payments, compare repayment and interest-rate scenarios with our new rate navigator!

Rate Navigator

Choosing a mortgage term is rarely straightforward. It requires analysis of your goals, psychology, finances and rates. One of the questions that must be answered is: which term is the best value based on current rates. Until now, that’s been difficult to estimate. The tool you see before you is designed to make that process easier.

RATESDOTCA's powerful new Rate Navigator is a one-of-a-kind tool that takes your future rate assumptions and tells you which terms are likely to offer the lowest borrowing costs.

While hundreds of websites have standard mortgage calculators, the Rate Navigator is unique. It’s the only calculator in Canada to project how each term will fare over the next five years. It then ranks all terms so you can see which may be most economically beneficial, based on the stated assumptions (including your future interest rate assumptions).

How to use our Rate Navigator

To use the Rate Navigator, simply:

  1. Fill in the fields on the left
  2. Drag the rates on the chart to project where they’ll go in the future
  3. Review the three best options

What it does

The Rate Navigator calculates amortization scenarios for each term and series of terms over a five-year period. In other words, it estimates how much interest you’d pay by choosing a:

  • Variable rate mortgage (VRM) with a Fixed Pmt
  • 1-year Fixed (1yr)
  • 2-year Fixed (2yr)
  • 3-year Fixed (3yr)
  • 4-year Fixed (4yr)
  • 5-year Fixed (5yr)
  • VRM renewing into a 1yr, then renewing into another 1yr
  • 3-year VRM renewing into a 2yr
  • 1yr renewing into a VRM
  • 1yr renewing into a 1yr, then renewing into a VRM
  • 1yr renewing into a 2yr, then renewing into a VRM
  • 1yr renewing into a 3yr, then renewing into a VRM
  • 1yr renewing into a 2yr, then renewing into a second 2yr
  • 1yr renewing into a 3yr, then renewing into a 1yr
  • 1yr renewing into a 4yr
  • 2yr renewing into a VRM
  • 2yr renewing into a 1yr, then renewing into a 2yr
  • 2yr renewing into three consecutive 1yrs
  • 2yr renewing into a 2yr, then renewing into a 1yr
  • 2yr renewing into a 3yr
  • 3yr renewing into a VRM
  • 3yr renewing into a 1yr, then renewing into a second 1yr
  • 3yr renewing into a 2yr
  • 4yr renewing into a 1yr
  • 4yr renewing into a VRM
  • Hybrid (50/50)
  • HELOC

The Rate Navigator ranks each scenario based on total borrowing costs, including estimated switching costs (which you’d pay if you switched lenders to get a better rate).

The rates on future renewals are based on a spread above the 5-year yield (in the case of fixed rates) and a discount from prime rate (in the case of variable rates). RATESDOTCA uses historical spread estimates in its calculations.

Frequently asked questions about the Rate Navigator

How does the Rate Navigator tool help me choose the best mortgage?

The Rate Navigator calculates the projected interest costs for each mortgage term and series of terms over a common comparison period (five years).

For example, it can account for a one-year term renewing into a three-year term, and a subsequent renewal back into a one-year term as opposed to sticking with a single five-year term.

It ranks the three terms with the lowest expected borrowing costs over five years, making it easy for mortgage shoppers to narrow down the mortgage terms with the lowest estimated borrowing costs.

Performing such calculations manually would take hours. The Rate Navigator makes it possible in one second.

Is the Rate Navigator accurate?

Future rates are unknowable. All one can do is estimate to the best of their ability. We include current economist consensus rate forecasts by default to get you started. But you can adjust these forecasts as you see fit.

Note that estimates of future interest rates can deviate significantly from forecasts.

Should I rely on the Rate Navigator?

No. Term selection entails many considerations like risk tolerance, your finances, your employment, your five year plan, etc. You should consider all factors and not rely mainly on this tool to choose your mortgage.

Why are future rate estimates based on prime rate and the 5-year yield?

Prime rate, which typically only changes following Bank of Canada rate decisions, is always used to calculate variable rates.

The five-year government bond yield typically leads fixed mortgage rates. As a result, future expectations of bond yields provide a rough roadmap as to future fixed rate expectations.

What mortgage rates are the analysis based on?

The Rate Navigator uses the lowest rates on RateSpy based on the criteria you enter. If your mortgage amount is greater than 80% of your home value, for example, it will use the lowest default insured rates.

If your mortgage type is “refinance” it will use uninsured rates.

How do I know what rates to estimate?

Use your best judgement based on your current economic outlook. The default rates show you what professional forecasters expect.

The most powerful part of this tool is its ability to let you model extreme scenarios like significant rate increases.

mortgages mascot.png

Ready to find a mortgage for your dream home?

See and compare the best mortgage rates in Canada.

Compare mortgage rates from lenders across Canada

Scotiabank Logo
TD Canada Trust Logo
National Bank of Canada logo
Desjardins Logo
Home Trust.png

Latest mortgage articles

How long should you be at your job before applying for a mortgage?
If you’ve recently changed jobs or become self-employed, let your mortgage lender know. After all, honesty is the best policy.
4 mins read
How Canadian mortgage brokers work and ways they can save you money
Mortgage brokers have access to rates from many mortgage-specific lenders and major banks, enabling them to find the best product for you. But is there a catch?
6 mins read
Mortgage temperature check: Canadians watching for a turning point in the housing market
Spring means increased activity, warmer prospects, and a surge of buyer confidence in the real estate market. Will Canadians take advantage of potential rate cuts?
6 mins read

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay on top of our latest offers, relevant news and tips!

Thanks for joining!

You'll be hearing from us shortly - stay tuned.