If your mortgage term is coming up for renewal, you’re not alone — thousands of Canadian homeowners face this same decision every month. And while it might seem like a simple “sign and renew” situation, taking a bit of time to review your options can make a big difference. A little research and negotiation now could save you thousands of dollars in interest over the life of your mortgage.

When your term ends (usually every 1 to 5 years), you’ll need to renew your mortgage — either with your current lender or with a new one. Most people stick with their existing lender for convenience, but that can sometimes mean missing out on better rates or terms. You’ll usually get a renewal statement a few months before your current term expires. It outlines your remaining balance, new rate, and payment schedule. That’s your cue to take a closer look and decide if it’s time to negotiate or shop around.

Here’s what I recommend: start by reviewing your current mortgage details. Are you comfortable with your payment amount and frequency? Would you like to pay off your mortgage faster, or do you need a bit more flexibility in your budget right now? Once you know what you want, compare renewal rates from different lenders — even a small rate difference can translate to thousands in savings.

If another lender offers a better rate, you can either switch or use that information to negotiate with your current one. Many lenders are open to matching or beating competitor offers. When you’ve chosen your new term and rate, you’ll simply sign the updated documents — typically online or through your lawyer.

A great way to see your potential savings is to use a mortgage renewal calculator. It lets you play around with different rates, terms, and payment schedules so you can see how those changes would impact your total costs over time.

Mortgage renewal rates change with market conditions, so if rates have gone up since your last term, your payments might increase. However, by starting early — ideally three to six months before your renewal — you give yourself time to shop around and lock in a great rate before it’s too late.

Here are a few renewal tips that I’ve seen work well for clients:

• Start early: Don’t wait until your renewal letter arrives — begin comparing options in advance.

• Consider your payment frequency: Bi-weekly payments can help you pay off your mortgage faster and reduce total interest.

• Negotiate with confidence: If you’ve received competing offers, show them to your lender — it could help you secure a lower rate.

It’s also important to renew on time. If you don’t, your lender could automatically roll your mortgage into a higher “default” rate — increasing your monthly payments and overall costs. In rare cases, missing your renewal altogether could even trigger foreclosure proceedings, so it’s definitely something to prioritize.

Renewal time is also a great opportunity to re-evaluate your financial goals. Maybe you’d like to shorten your amortization to become mortgage-free sooner, or extend it slightly to lower your payments if cash flow is tight. You can also adjust your term length or payment schedule based on your future plans. Just keep in mind that stretching your amortization might mean paying more interest over time.

If you’re thinking of switching lenders, it’s worth noting that you may need to re-qualify, update your financial documents, and pay small fees like appraisal or discharge costs. The good news? Many lenders will actually cover some or all of those fees to earn your business — so it never hurts to ask. And if your mortgage is insured, let your new lender know; they can use your existing insurance certificate, saving you from paying for new coverage.

The key takeaway: start early, compare rates, and don’t be afraid to negotiate. Your mortgage renewal is more than just paperwork — it’s an opportunity to align your financing with your current goals and possibly save a substantial amount of money.

If you’re unsure whether it’s best to renew, refinance, or switch lenders, I’d be happy to connect you with trusted local mortgage experts who can help you review your options and secure the best possible rate for your situation.

As we moved through October, Calgary’s real estate market showed a slight shift in pace. New listings slowed down while sales picked up, keeping overall conditions relatively balanced across most property types. With just over 6,400 homes in inventory and 1,885 sales, our market sits at about three and a half months of supply — down from four months in September. This balance is good news for both buyers and sellers, especially after the busy summer months.

We’re seeing the most stability in detached and semi-detached homes, while apartment and row-style properties are facing higher inventory levels, which is putting a bit of downward pressure on prices.

So far this year, total city sales have reached just over 20,000, about 16% lower than last year, though still consistent with long-term trends. The biggest slowdowns have been in apartment and row-style homes — and that’s largely due to improved rental supply and easing rents, which have shifted some demand away from ownership in those categories.

Citywide, Calgary’s benchmark price in October was $568,000, down about 1% from September and roughly 4% lower year-over-year. The largest price adjustments have been in the row and apartment segments, which are down about 6% and 7% respectively compared to last fall.

🏠 Detached Homes

Detached homes remain one of the more balanced areas of the market. October sales reached 1,012 units, an improvement from last month but still about 5% lower than last year. With 1,593 new listings, the sales-to-new-listings ratio rose to 64%, and inventory eased to 2,913 units.

While we’re slightly above long-term inventory averages for October, supply remains far healthier than we saw between 2015 and 2019. Detached benchmark prices have adjusted slightly to $744,400, about 1% lower year-over-year, but trends vary widely by area — some inner-city communities have seen gains of nearly 2%, while areas like the Northeast are down about 5%. Even so, prices for detached homes remain 1% higher year-to-date.

🏘️ Semi-Detached Homes

Semi-detached properties saw a boost in sales this month while new listings slowed. The sales-to-new-listings ratioclimbed to 57%, which is slightly below typical October levels but still high enough to keep conditions balanced. With 186 sales and 613 units in inventory, we’re sitting at just over three months of supply — an improvement from the extreme lows of last year.

Prices have dipped slightly in recent months but continue to hold steady overall, with an October benchmark of $683,100, up about 1% year-over-year and 3% higher year-to-date.

🏢 Row Homes

Row homes have seen some of the most noticeable changes this year. October brought 275 sales, with year-to-date totals down 17% from last year. Meanwhile, new listings continue to climb, hitting record highs for October. With 1,054 unitson the market, inventory is now 32% higher than long-term averages, leaving about four months of supply.

This increase in supply has weighed on prices, which are now sitting at $431,200 — down 1% from September and 6% lower than last year. Year-to-date, prices have slipped about 1.5%, with the most notable declines in the North and Northeast districts.

🏙️ Apartment Condominiums

Apartment condos continue to experience buyer’s market conditions, which have now stretched to nearly six months. October saw 412 sales and 1,891 active listings, keeping months of supply elevated around five months.

The benchmark price for condos sits at $318,200, down 1% from last month and 7% lower year-over-year. On a year-to-date basis, prices are about 2% lower, with the largest drops seen in the Northeast and Southeast where supply remains high and competition from new builds continues to impact resale values.

🌄 Regional Highlights

Airdrie:
Activity in Airdrie slowed through October, with new listings hitting a record high for the month. Inventory sits at 535 units with 136 sales, keeping months of supply above four months. Prices have been gradually easing since spring, sitting at $520,400, down 1% from September and 5% lower than last year.

Cochrane:
Cochrane’s market stayed relatively steady, with sales improving slightly over last month. New listings dipped, helping balance inventory levels at around four months of supply. Prices remain strong, holding at $585,200, up 2% year-over-year and nearly 4% higher year-to-date. Some of that strength may be linked to a higher share of newer homes entering the resale market.

Okotoks:
Okotoks saw a notable rise in new listings this month, which helped ease long-standing inventory challenges. Despite slower sales, supply remains low compared to historical trends, helping to support prices. The benchmark price for October was $618,600, up slightly from last month and consistent with last October, with year-to-date prices up about 1%.

💬 My Takeaway

Overall, Calgary’s market remains stable and balanced heading into the final months of 2025. Detached and semi-detached homes continue to perform well, while apartment and row segments are seeing more inventory and softer pricing — creating opportunities for buyers who have been waiting for more choice.

As always, market conditions can vary by neighbourhood, so if you’re curious about what these trends mean for your specific community or property, I’d be happy to walk you through the latest numbers and what they could mean for your goals.

Ever walk into someone’s home and immediately think, “Wow, this place just feels so put together!” It’s not luck or magic—it’s intentional organization. The good news? You don’t need to spend an entire weekend decluttering or buy expensive furniture to achieve that same feeling. Sometimes, all it takes are a few smart, simple swaps that make your space look (and feel) instantly more organized.

Here are five of my favourite go-to items that can make any room in your home feel effortlessly tidy, stylish, and under control.

1. Bins with Labels: The Secret to Clutter-Free Cabinets

Clutter has a sneaky way of collecting behind closed doors—in kitchen cabinets, pantries, and closets. The easiest way to bring order to the chaos? Bins. They group similar items together so you can see exactly what you have, preventing overbuying (no more ending up with three jars of peanut butter!). Labels take things up a notch, adding both function and style. They make it easy for everyone in your household to know where things belong—no excuses for misplaced snacks or cleaning supplies.

Pro Tip: Clear bins are your best friend. You can instantly see what’s inside without rummaging through piles.

Where to Use Them: Kitchen and pantry shelves, bathroom cupboards, garage storage, basement bins, or playrooms full of toys.

2. Matching Hangers: The Instant Closet Glow-Up

If your closet feels chaotic, mismatched hangers are often the culprit. Switching to matching hangers instantly creates a uniform, polished look—like your own boutique at home. Not only does it look neater, but it also helps your clothes hang evenly, making it easier to find what you need.

Pro Tip: Choose hangers with a metal hook for a sleek finish. Wooden hangers look timeless and sturdy, while velvet ones save space and keep delicate fabrics from slipping.

Where to Use Them: Bedroom closets, front entryways, and mudrooms—anywhere you hang coats or clothing.

3. Drawer Dividers: No More Junk Drawers

We all have that one drawer—the “junk drawer.” It’s full of batteries, random cords, tape, and who-knows-what-else. Drawer dividers can turn that chaos into calm by creating specific spaces for everything. Suddenly, finding scissors or pens isn’t a hunt; it’s a quick grab.

Pro Tip: Use small adhesive glue dots (you can find them on Amazon) to keep your dividers from shifting around when you open or close drawers.

Where to Use Them: Kitchen drawers, bathroom vanities, office desks, and dresser drawers—basically anywhere small items tend to pile up.

4. Turntables (Lazy Susans): Spin Your Way to an Organized Space

Turntables, or Lazy Susans, are one of those organizational tools that make you wonder how you ever lived without them. They’re perfect for those awkward spaces where items tend to get lost or knocked over—like in a pantry, fridge, or under the sink. Just give it a spin, and everything is right at your fingertips!

Pro Tip: Try a two-tier turntable for extra vertical storage or a divided one for separating small items like craft supplies or skincare products.

Where to Use Them: Pantry (spices, oils, condiments), fridge (dressings and sauces), under-sink cabinets (cleaners), bathrooms (beauty and skincare), or craft areas (markers and pencils).

5. Cord Organizers: Tame the Tangled Mess

Few things make a space feel messy faster than a tangle of cords. Whether it’s behind the TV, under your desk, or next to your nightstand, managing cables instantly makes a room feel calmer and more intentional. Use cord clips, zip ties, or a sleek cable management box to keep cords out of sight. You can even find side tables or desks with built-in holes for threading cables neatly.

Pro Tip: Label your cords! You’ll thank yourself later when you’re trying to unplug your phone instead of your Wi-Fi at midnight.

Where to Use Them: Behind TVs, desks, nightstands, or kitchen counters where appliance cords often pile up.

Ready to Make Your Home Feel More Organized?

You don’t need to overhaul your entire house to feel more put together—just start with one area. Try swapping out hangers in your closet, adding a turntable under your kitchen sink, or labeling a few bins in your pantry. Small, intentional changes can transform the way your home looks and feels, making daily life smoother and more enjoyable.

A few simple organization tools can do more than just tidy up—they bring a sense of calm and control that instantly elevates your space. Start small, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly your home starts to feel more stylish, functional, and stress-free.