3 Ways to Pay Down Your Mortgage Today!

Katherine Martin • July 15, 2016

Mortgages are funny things. When you’re buying a house, you can’t wait to hear these words: “Your mortgage has been approved”. But what that really means is that you are going to be a homeowner. And as discussed in the previous article, there is a lifestyle element of homeownership that is very attractive. But let’s not fool ourselves, a mortgage is debt; it’s money owed. When you sign mortgage documents, you are most likely taking on the most debt you will ever be responsible for.

The best kind of mortgage is one that is paid off as quickly as possible. So let’s go over three ways you can pay down your mortgage as quickly as possible. Because the very best mortgage is no mortgage at all!

Accelerate Your Payment Frequency

Sounds simple enough, but making the change from a monthly payment to an accelerated bi-weekly payment is one of the easiest ways to turbo-charge the repayment of your mortgage over a long period of time. Chances are you won’t even notice a difference.

Typically, on monthly payments, your mortgage is split into 12 equal payments. Accelerated bi-weekly payments divide your payments in half, but rather than 24 payments, you make 26. It’s the extra 2 payments that accelerate the repayment of your mortgage.

Increase Your Mortgage Payment

Unless you have a no-frills mortgage, which are popular with some banks, you should be able to increase your payment amount by 10–25% per payment! So if you get a raise at work, or happen to pay off a debt, consider rolling this newfound money directly into the prepayment of your mortgage.

Increasing your regular payment is a lot like signing up for a forced long-term savings plan. The extra money you put on your mortgage isn’t a prepayment of interest, but actually goes directly to the principal and lowers the amount of interest you pay over time.

The good thing about increasing your payment voluntarily is that if money gets tight in the future, you can always have your payment reduced to the original amount!

Making a Lump-sum Payment

As with the regular payment increase, when you make a lump-sum payment to your mortgage everything goes directly towards the principal balance. Most mortgage products allow you to put anywhere from 10–25% of the original mortgage amount as a lump-sum payment once per year.

The lump-sum payment option is perfect for any time you receive an unexpected amount of money and you aren’t exactly sure what to do with it, like an inheritance. If you receive a year-end bonus, make a habit of applying it to your mortgage. You could take years off your amortization! 

Not sure where to spend your tax return? Well, you should probably consider taking a nice warm vacation this winter. We live in Canada, and its cold here, although you might not remember that right now, because it’s July and it’s gorgeous outside. (You thought I was going to suggest you make a lump-sum payment on your mortgage? Well, you can do that too if you like, but a warm vacation is a lot more fun!)

There you have it, it’s a collection of the small things you can do today that will help you be mortgage free tomorrow. 

This article was originally published in the July 2016 Dominion Lending Centres Newsletter.

Katherine Martin


Origin Mortgages

Phone: 1-604-454-0843
Email: kmartin@planmymortgage.ca
Fax: 1-604-454-0842


RECENT POSTS

Stress-Testing Your Mortgage Affordability: Why It Matters

By Katherine Martin • February 18, 2026
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll ever make. That’s why lenders want to be sure you can handle your mortgage payments—not just today, but also if interest rates rise in the future. This is where the mortgage stress test comes in. Many Canadians hear the term but aren’t entirely sure what it means or how it affects them. Let’s break it down in plain language. What Is the Mortgage Stress Test? The stress test is a rule introduced by the federal government that requires all mortgage applicants to qualify at a higher rate than the one they’ll actually pay. Currently, you must qualify at the greater of your contract rate + 2% or the benchmark qualifying rate (set by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions). For example: If your lender offers you a 5-year fixed mortgage at 5.25%, you must show you could still afford the payments at 7.25% . Even if rates don’t rise that high, the stress test ensures you won’t be overextended if they do. Why Does It Matter? The stress test protects both borrowers and lenders by: Preventing over-borrowing : It ensures you don’t take on more debt than you can realistically handle. Preparing for rate hikes : With interest rates fluctuating, it’s a safeguard against sudden increases. Strengthening financial stability : It lowers the risk of defaults, protecting the housing market as a whole. While it can sometimes feel like a barrier—reducing the amount you qualify for—it’s ultimately designed to keep you from becoming “house poor.” How Does It Impact Buyers? The stress test can significantly affect your homebuying budget. For example, without it, you might qualify for a $600,000 mortgage, but with the stress test applied, you may only qualify for $500,000. That doesn’t mean your dream of homeownership is out of reach—it just means you may need to adjust expectations or explore other strategies, such as: Increasing your down payment Paying down existing debts Considering alternative lenders who may have different qualification standards Why Work With a Mortgage Professional? Every lender applies the stress test, but not every lender views your application the same way. An independent mortgage professional can: Shop multiple lenders to find the best fit Run affordability scenarios at different rates Help you understand how much house you can truly afford—without stretching your finances too thin The Bottom Line The mortgage stress test isn’t meant to stop you from buying a home—it’s there to protect you from financial strain down the road. By understanding how it works and planning ahead, you can make smarter choices and buy with confidence. If you’re thinking about purchasing a home, refinancing, or simply want to know how the stress test affects your options, connect with us today. We’ll help you stress-test your budget and find the mortgage solution that works best for you.

What to Expect in the Closing Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

By Katherine Martin • February 11, 2026
You’ve found the right home, your offer’s been accepted, and your financing is approved—congratulations! But before you can pick up the keys and celebrate, there’s one more important stage: the closing process. Closing is the final step in your homebuying journey, where all the paperwork, legal details, and financial transactions come together. It can feel overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect, but with the right preparation, closing can be smooth and stress-free. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you understand the process. Step 1: Hire a Lawyer or Notary A real estate lawyer (or notary, depending on your province) handles the legal side of closing. They will: Review the purchase agreement and mortgage documents Conduct a title search to confirm the seller has the legal right to sell the property Ensure the mortgage lender is properly registered on the title Handle the transfer of funds between you, the lender, and the seller Your lawyer or notary will be your main point of contact during closing, so choose one you trust and who communicates clearly. Step 2: Finalize Your Mortgage Your lender will send the mortgage instructions directly to your lawyer or notary. At this stage: You’ll provide proof of property insurance (lenders require this before releasing funds) You’ll confirm your down payment and closing costs are available in your lawyer’s trust account The lawyer will prepare all documents for your review and signature Step 3: Pay Closing Costs Closing costs typically range from 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price. These can include: Legal fees Title insurance Land transfer tax (where applicable) Adjustments for property taxes or utilities prepaid by the seller Home inspection or appraisal fees (if not already paid) Your lawyer will provide a final statement of adjustments so you know exactly how much is due on closing day. Step 4: Sign the Paperwork A few days before closing, you’ll meet with your lawyer or notary to sign all the necessary documents, including: Mortgage agreement Title transfer Insurance confirmations Statement of adjustments Bring valid government-issued ID to this appointment. Step 5: Transfer of Funds On the day of closing: Your lender sends the mortgage funds to your lawyer Your lawyer combines these funds with your down payment and pays the seller Legal ownership of the property is transferred into your name The lender is registered on title as a secured creditor Step 6: Get the Keys! Once the paperwork is filed and the funds have cleared, your lawyer will confirm that the transaction is complete. You’ll then get the keys to your new home—officially making it yours. The Bottom Line The closing process is a series of important steps, but with the right team in place, it doesn’t have to be stressful. By working closely with your mortgage professional and lawyer, you’ll have guidance every step of the way—from signing the documents to turning the key in the front door. If you’d like help preparing for the closing process—or want a clear breakdown of your own closing costs— connect with us today.
© 2026 

Katherine Martin. All Rights Reserved.