Daily Mortgage & Housing Market Briefing

September 22, 2026

Welcome to your daily breakdown of the mortgage market and local real estate dynamics in Peterborough & the Kawarthas! 🏡✨ Whether you are renewing this fall or looking for your dream family home, here is what you need to know today.

🏛️ Bank of Canada & Bond Yield Trends

• 5-Year Bond Yields Stabilization (~3.56%–3.58%): Government of Canada 5-year benchmark bond yields traded around 3.56%–3.58%. Yields have leveled off after surging nearly 40 bps earlier this month, creating a firm floor under fixed-rate funding costs.

• BoC Interest Rate Outlook: Following the Bank of Canada's September 2 decision to hold the policy rate at 2.25% (prime rate at 4.45%), central bank commentary signals a split focus. Domestic trade frictions present economic risks, but persistent energy costs and headline CPI at 3.0% keep near-term rate cuts off the table for the rest of 2026.

💳 Major Lender Rate Sheet Summary

Term / Option	High-Ratio (Insured)	Conventional (Uninsured)	Market Trend
3-Year Fixed	3.99% – 4.09%	4.34% – 4.59%	Sub-3.90% promotional pricing fully phased out
5-Year Fixed	4.14% – 4.24%	4.44% – 4.69%	Flat demand; narrow spread limits consumer appeal
5-Year Variable	3.30% – 3.35% (Prime -1.10% to -1.15%)	3.65% – 3.85%	Holds steady; offers the widest spread against fixed options

⚠️ Broker Channel Alert: Monoline lenders and broker-exclusive desks enter Tuesday maintaining fixed rate sheets that reflect the 10 to 15 bps upward adjustments rolled out mid-month. Discretionary rate-buydown budgets remain tight with 5-year yields hovering near 3.57%. Action Item: Audit client pipelines immediately to ensure active sub-4.00% 3-year fixed rate holds are locked in before they expire!

🌲 Peterborough & Kawarthas Regional Pulse

• 🏷️ Price Benchmarks: In-city Peterborough median sold prices remain stable between $545,750 – $560,000(average $573,919). Peterborough County overall—including rural residential and waterfront properties—averages $708,800.

• 🔑 Inventory & Absorption: Active inventory across the region stays balanced at ~329 to 385 active listings, with time on market averaging 33 days.

• 🤝 Buyer Footing: The market favours deliberate, non-rushed buyers over aggressive bidding wars. Standard detached homes are closing a median $14,000 to $20,000 below original list price, giving buyers plenty of room to include standard conditional protections!

💡 Key Client Takeaways

1. ⏰ Audit Your Rate Holds: If you are pre-approved or facing a fall renewal, check the expiration date on your 120-day rate hold. If you have a pre-approval under 4.00%, keep it active—re-qualifying on current rate sheets means paying 10 to 20 bps more.

2. 📝 Protect Yourself with Conditions: With average market time exceeding a month (~33 DOM), local sellers are accepting conditional offers. You do not need to waive financing, appraisal, or home inspection clauses to secure property in Peterborough or the Kawarthas!

👇 Help keep our community informed—hit Share to pass this update along to your neighbours. 🏫✨

Questions about anything REAL ESTATE?? Call me for a consultation to help you get to the path of YOUR success….

📞 705-927-6236

👤 Brad Sinclair | Realtor® Re/Max Professionals North

📍 Might as well have the BEST to accomplish your goals.

Families love the Kawarthas/Highlands. Let’s find your place in it.