The money side
Mortgage partners & rates
Cardinal doesn't lend money — we introduce you to people who do, and we make sure you understand the math before anyone signs anything. Compare our partners' current posted rates, then run your own numbers below.
Posted this week
Partner rate sheet
Sample data · Jul 16, 2026
| Lender | 3-yr fixed | 5-yr fixed | 5-yr variable | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand River Credit Union Credit union · fictional | 4.64% | 4.49% | 4.95% | Strongest on first-time-buyer flexibility; 20/20 prepayment. |
| Maplegate Financial Monoline lender · fictional | 4.79% | 4.59% | 5.05% | Sharp insured rates; fully digital approvals in 48 hours. |
| Ontario Heritage Bank Chartered bank · fictional | 4.89% | 4.74% | 5.15% | Best for complex income; generous porting terms. |
Cardinal Real Estate is a fictional brokerage and these lenders and rates are invented for this design demo. They are not real institutions, real offers, or financial advice. On a live site this table would be fed by the brokerage's licensed mortgage partners and time-stamped daily.
Run the numbers
The payment calculator, with real Canadian math
Canadian fixed mortgages compound semi-annually — most online calculators get this wrong. Ours doesn't. It also applies the mortgage default insurance premium automatically when your down payment is under 20%, and enforces the $1.5M insured cap and the 5%-of-first-$500k minimum down rule.
Your estimate
Monthly payment
$3,682
- Bi-weekly equivalent
- $1,698
- Down payment
- $160,000
- Mortgage insurance
- $0
- Total borrowed
- $640,000
Semi-annual compounding, principal + interest only. Demo figures — not an offer of financing.
Before you tour
Pre-approval, demystified
What it is
A lender's written commitment to a rate and amount, held for 90–120 days, based on verified income and credit. It sets your realistic ceiling before you fall for something above it.
What it isn't
A guarantee. The lender still appraises the specific property, and a condo with a troubled status certificate or a rural home on a shared well can change their answer.
What you'll need
Government ID, proof of income (letters, paystubs, or two years of returns if self-employed), down-payment source, and consent for a credit check.
Cardinal's role
We're not paid by lenders. We'll introduce you to two or three that fit your file, translate the fine print, and tell you when a 'great rate' hides a brutal penalty clause.