Living Urban but “Off the Grid” – The Changes You Can Make

Katherine Martin • August 12, 2016

For those of us who live in the suburbs or within the city, the idea of going off the grid, while a nice concept, feels completely unattainable. This is for a variety of reasons including: space limitations, cost, municipal bylaws, and time restrictions. “We certainly can’t commit to going completely off grid”, we say; and then we give up and move on.

Maybe this is the boat you find yourself in. Maybe you’ve spent time reading articles about being off grid living, it seems kinda romantic, but you just can’t see yourself making the jump to a composting toilet. That’s okay, living off-grid is more of a journey than a destination (although it is almost certainly a destination as well), especially when you live in the city. It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing proposition, it’s about progress, not perfection.

Here are some changes you can make today that will affect big change, both in your life and in the life of our planet.

Cut Down

Ask yourself the question, “do I need this?”. If the answer is, “no, but I want it” then perhaps it’s something that you can give up. Many of us run our appliances and other household products constantly; we keep our lights on; we keep our televisions on, we keep our air conditioning units on; we run power night and day. This generally tends to happen for three reasons: ignorance, laziness, or apathy, none of which are responsible.
Learn to cut down on your power intake. Make due with less. If you’re reading this, and you see a light on down the hall, get up now and turn it off. This is a small beginning, but it’s a beginning!

Start Small

Don’t try to do everything at once. Here are some simple things to get you going in the right direction:

  • Plant a small garden on your balcony or in your kitchen.
  • Buy 1 or 2 backyard chickens.
  • Install a few solar panels.
  • Collect rainwater.
  • Go power-free for a few hours a day.
  • Choose one day a week where you disconnect from your technology in order to focus on the people you love.

It sounds so incredibly cliche, but you have to learn to walk before you can run. Start small.

Don’t Give Up

As I (not so subtly) alluded to at the beginning of this piece, many dreams of cutting down go unfulfilled because people simply give up. Let me encourage you; keep going! Some of the preparation and implementation will be frustrating in the beginning, but the more steps you can take in the right direction, the better.

But admittedly it’s hard, when you plant a garden and it doesn’t grow, you buy solar panels and its cloudy for the next 3 months, or you set up your rain barrels just to prepare for a drought.

Whatever you do, just keep going!

Understand the Big Picture

If being a more eco-responsible person is your goal, these small steps will do wonders for your life. They’ll open your eyes to the things that you’ve been taking for granted, and help ground you in an understanding of consumption. Your footprint will decrease, your happiness will increase, and you’ll be able to declare that, “I’m doing my small bit to help the planet, my family, and myself!”

What could be better?

 

This article originally appeared in the August 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

Down Payment Options for Canadian Homebuyers

By Katherine Martin • February 25, 2026
For most Canadians, the down payment is the biggest hurdle to homeownership. A down payment is the initial amount you contribute toward your property purchase, while the lender covers the rest through a mortgage. By law, Canadian lenders can only finance up to 95% of a property’s value, which means you’ll need at least 5% down to qualify. If you’re putting down less than 20%, your mortgage must be insured through one of Canada’s three default insurance providers— CMHC, Sagen (formerly Genworth), or Canada Guaranty . This insurance comes at a cost, but it can be rolled into your mortgage amount. The less you put down, the higher the premium. Since saving a down payment can feel overwhelming, it helps to know the different sources you can draw from. Here are the most common options available to Canadian homebuyers: 1. Savings & Personal Resources The most straightforward source is your own savings. Lenders will ask to see a 90-day history of the funds in your account. Any large deposits outside of regular payroll must be explained with documentation—such as the sale of a vehicle or a transfer from an investment account. This requirement isn’t just red tape; it’s part of Canada’s anti-money laundering rules. 2. Proceeds from the Sale of a Property If you’ve recently sold another home, you can use the proceeds as a down payment on your new purchase. Proof of the sale—such as the final statement of adjustments from your lawyer—will be required. 3. RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) First-time buyers can withdraw up to $35,000 each (or $70,000 as a couple) from their RRSPs to put toward a down payment under the federal Home Buyers’ Plan . The funds are withdrawn tax-free, but they must be repaid over a 15-year period. This is a popular option for buyers who have been steadily contributing to their retirement savings. 4. Gifted Down Payment With today’s housing prices, many buyers turn to family for help. A parent or immediate family member can provide a gift that makes up part—or even all—of the required down payment. The lender will require a signed gift letter confirming that the money is a true gift (with no repayment expected) and proof that the funds have been deposited into your account. 5. Borrowed Down Payment In some cases, you may be able to borrow your down payment. This option is usually available only if you have strong credit and sufficient income. The payments on the borrowed funds are factored into your debt service ratios, so affordability is key. Lenders typically use 3% of the outstanding balance when calculating the additional payment. The Bottom Line A down payment doesn’t have to come from just one source—it can be a combination of savings, gifted funds, RRSPs, or other resources. What matters most is being able to show where the money came from and that it meets lender requirements. If you’d like to explore your options or learn how much you might qualify for, it’s never too early to start the conversation. Connect with us today—we’d be happy to help you create a plan and take the first steps toward homeownership.

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.
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