Compare Mortgage Rates in Newfoundland & Labrador

Lowest mortgage rates in Newfoundland and Labrador

Mortgage rates in Newfoundland and Labrador tend to be somewhat higher compared to other more populous provinces. That’s due, in large part, to the province’s small population and more limited rate competition.

The province has a comparatively smaller median household income, a higher unemployment rate and lower average house prices compared to many other markets. That results in incrementally more mortgage risk, as well as less competition from brokers and lenders, including those outside of the province.

Some suggest that smaller average mortgage amounts, as well as lower education levels (percentage with post-secondary educations), make Newfoundlanders and Labradorians slightly less rate sensitive compared to shoppers in other provinces. But this is a vast generalization and one that does not accurately reflect our readership.

If you’re currently comparing Newfoundland and Labrador mortgage rates on Rates.ca, you know the importance of doing your research. It’s one sure way to obtain the best mortgage rate possible and prove the above generalization false.

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Compare Mortgage Rates in Newfoundland and Labrador

As noted above, it’s imperative for mortgage shoppers to first take the time to compare the various options available to them.

The spread between Newfoundland and Labrador’s best and worst mortgage rates can be over a full percentage point for the very same term. If you unknowingly accept a lender’s first rate offer, which can often fall on the high side of that spread, you could end up paying thousands of dollars more than necessary, versus had you explored the alternatives.

Rates.ca helps you compare the best Newfoundland and Labrador mortgage rates from the most reputable mortgage providers in the province. We show rates from all prime lenders that publicly advertise their products, as well as the top brokers in the province.

Pro Tip: Generally speaking, the best mortgage rate deals (i.e., biggest mortgage discounts) are available during the busy spring homebuying season. But there are exceptions.

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Top Newfoundland and Labrador mortgage brokers

Mortgage broker options are more limited in Newfoundland and Labrador compared to other more populous provinces. Not all of the larger independent brokers that operate elsewhere in the country are licensed here.

Notable exceptions include intelliMortgage Inc. (a sister company of this website) and True North Mortgage, both of which routinely offer some of the lowest broker rates in Canada.

Homebuyers in the province do, however, have access to most of the larger brokerage houses that operate in the country, including: Dominion Lending Centres, TMG the Mortgage Group and M3 Mortgage Group, which consists of Mortgage Alliance, Mortgage Intelligence, Verico and Invis.

One thing that’s interesting is that mortgage brokers in the province do not have to engage in the same rigorous educational requirements (including ongoing continuing education), as do brokers in Ontario, B.C., etc. The province doesn’t require it for licensing, as in other provinces.

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Top credit unions in Newfoundland and Labrador

Like many provinces in Canada, borrowers in Newfoundland and Labrador are well-served by a strong presence of local credit unions. They have a long and proud history in the province and have been operating there since 1934.

The top Newfoundland and Labrador credit unions include:

Despite being a lesser-known mortgage option to a large percentage of potential homebuyers, credit unions should not be dismissed as a potential mortgage option. Many turn to credit unions when they can’t qualify for a mortgage due to federal mortgage regulations—such as the mortgage stress test—that apply to all federally regulated financial institutions (credit unions fall under provincial jurisdiction). But credit unions attract all types of mortgage clients, particularly when they offer competitive rates, although these are typically limited-time promotions during the traditionally busy spring homebuying season.

Just 10% of mortgage shoppers consulted a credit union rep in 2019, according to data from Mortgage Professionals Canada. While that’s a relatively small share of the overall market, it’s up sharply from 2018, when the figure was just 5%.

In a province like Newfoundland and Labrador, where borrowers may have employment issues, credit unions can be especially helpful as they tend to underwrite with more flexibility than the major banks.

Rates.ca compares all credit unions in Newfoundland and Labrador, helping you explore all your options when searching for the best mortgage rates.

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Mortgage rate trends in Newfoundland and Labrador

Here’s a quick look at the path of Newfoundland and Labrador mortgage rates, relative to the lowest national rates, as of year-end.

*Data is for all of the Atlantic provinces.

Mortgage performance in Newfoundland and Labrador has been under pressure in recent years due to the economy’s reliance on the highly volatile oil and gas industry. The province most recently faced headwinds starting in 2015 due to plunging oil prices and continued in early 2020 with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic and record-low oil prices.

Like most regions across the country, the province’s mortgage and housing industries remained resilient in the face of such headwinds and saw a resurgence in activity towards the latter half of the year. Indeed, by November 2020 prices had posted an annual increase of 5.4%.

During the 2015-2016 slowdown, many homeowners found ways to continue paying their mortgages, leading to 90-day delinquencies topping out at “only” 0.62% in Atlantic Canada. As of August 2020, the 90-day delinquency rate in the region was 0.44%—above the national average of 0.25%, but well below Saskatchewan’s rate of 0.82%.

Newfoundland and Labrador mortgage rates are forecast to follow the national average with somewhat of a premium due to the deeper economic downturn in the province. Regardless, rates are projected by economists to remain relatively low through at least 2022.

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Typical Newfoundland and Labrador mortgage amounts

Here’s a rough estimate of mortgage amounts and monthly payments in five Newfoundland and Labrador cities, assuming 20% down, a 30-year amortization and average purchase prices as tracked by the Newfoundland Association of Realtors (as of January 2021):

*Based on the lowest widely available uninsured 5-year fixed mortgage rate of 1.64%, available as of January 2021.

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Mortgage regulators and association in Newfoundland and Labrador

• Bank regulator: Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) and Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)
• Service Newfoundland: Provides info regarding mortgage broker regulation (Link)
• Credit Unions Atlantic Canada: An association representing the credit unions of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island. (Link)
• Mortgage Professionals Canada (Link)

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