Date the Rate, Marry the House: Why the Home Price Matters More Than Your Mortgage Rate

Josh Perez • August 16, 2025

You may have seen the catchy phrase floating around social media: “Date the rate, marry the house.” It’s a quirky one-liner, but there’s a lot of wisdom packed into it—especially when it comes to thinking about real estate as a long-term investment.


Many homebuyers focus heavily on securing the lowest possible mortgage rate. While rates are certainly important, the price you pay for your home is far more critical. Here’s why:


1. Rates Can Change, Prices Can’t
Mortgage rates are negotiable and can fluctuate over time. Many Canadians renegotiate their mortgage rates every one to two years, meaning the rate you start with is not permanent. Over the typical 25–30 year life of a mortgage, there are multiple opportunities to adjust your rate.


On the other hand, the price you pay for a home is fixed at the time of purchase. You can’t go back and change it, which means overpaying for a house can have long-term financial consequences that a low rate won’t offset.


2. Think Long-Term
When you “marry the house,” you’re committing to it in a long-term sense. This is where your focus should be: finding a property that fits your lifestyle, meets your future needs, and is priced wisely. Your mortgage rate is more like a dating relationship—it matters, but it’s temporary and adjustable.



3. Make Smart Financial Decisions
By prioritizing the right price over a momentarily low rate, you’re setting yourself up for a more sustainable financial future. A well-priced home with the potential for long-term appreciation will always outweigh the benefit of a slightly lower rate that may only last a few years.


Bottom Line
When buying a home, it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers—especially interest rates. But remember the principle: date the rate, marry the house. Focus on the long-term value and affordability of the property. The right house at the right price is a decision that pays off for decades.

Date the rate, marry the house. The price you pay for your home matters far more than the interest rate, because you can always renegotiate your rate—but you can’t change what you paid for the house.

Josh Perez
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Deposit vs. Down Payment: Key Differences for Homebuyers

By Josh Perez • February 18, 2026
When you’re buying a home, two terms often cause confusion: deposit and down payment . While they’re related, they serve very different purposes in the homebuying process. Here’s what you need to know. What Is a Deposit? A deposit is the money you provide when you make an offer on a property. Think of it as a show of good faith that proves you’re serious about purchasing. How it works : Typically, you provide a certified cheque or bank draft that your real estate brokerage holds in trust. If your offer is accepted, the deposit remains in trust until the deal moves forward. If negotiations fall through, the deposit is refunded. Connection to your down payment : Once the sale is finalized, your deposit becomes part of your total down payment. Why it matters : The amount is negotiable, but a larger deposit can make your offer more attractive in a competitive market. Keep in mind, however, that if you back out after conditions are removed, you risk losing your deposit. What Is a Down Payment? Your down payment is the amount you contribute toward the purchase price of your home when securing a mortgage. Minimum requirement : In Canada, the minimum down payment is 5% of the home’s purchase price. Anything less than 20% requires mortgage default insurance. Sources : Down payments can come from your savings, the sale of another property, RRSP withdrawals (through the Home Buyers’ Plan), a gift from family, or even borrowed funds. Example: How They Work Together Imagine you’re buying a $400,000 home with a 10% down payment ($40,000). When you make your offer, you provide a $10,000 deposit . Once conditions are met, that deposit is transferred to your lawyer’s trust account. At closing, you add the remaining $30,000 to complete your full down payment. The lender provides the rest—$360,000—through your mortgage. The Bottom Line Your deposit shows commitment and secures your offer, while your down payment is what makes the mortgage possible. Together, they work hand in hand to get you into your new home. 📞 If you’d like clarity on deposits, down payments, or any other part of the mortgage process, let’s connect. I’d be happy to walk you through it step by step.
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Is a 5% Down Payment a Mistake? Here’s the Unpopular Truth.

By Josh Perez • February 15, 2026
Discover why a 5% down payment isn’t always irresponsible. Learn when a low down payment is a smart financial move for Ontario homebuyers and when it’s a risk.