The 2026 Mortgage Renewal Wave: How to Avoid a Financial Ambush

Firefighters train to anticipate the "flashover"—that moment when a manageable situation suddenly turns critical. In the financial world, 2026 is that moment for thousands of Edmonton homeowners.

If you bought or refinanced your home back in 2021, you likely enjoyed some of the lowest interest rates in history. But as those 5-year terms expire this year, many first responders are looking at a "payment shock" that could add hundreds of dollars to their monthly expenses.

Don't Wait for the Smoke to Clear

Most people wait until 30 days before their renewal to talk to their bank. By then, you’re reactive, not proactive. As a former first responder, I know that seconds count, and the same applies to your mortgage strategy.

Here is why 2026 is different for you:

The "Payment Shock" Factor: If your rate is jumping from 2% to 4% or 5%, your monthly budget is about to take a direct hit. We need to look at your amortization and structure now to keep your cash flow stable.
The Overtime Trap: Many banks don’t know how to properly calculate your "brownie" (overtime) or shift premiums when qualifying you for a renewal or a switch. They might see you as a higher risk than you actually are.
The "Bank Loyalty" Penalty: Your current bank might offer you a renewal rate that isn't competitive, hoping you're too busy with shift work to shop around.

My "Tactical Renewal" Strategy

I don't just "renew" your mortgage; I rebuild it for the current environment.

Early Access: We can often lock in a rate up to 120 days before your renewal date. This protects you if rates climb higher while we’re planning.
Equity Check: With Edmonton’s steady growth, you might have more equity than you realize. We can use this renewal to consolidate high-interest debt into one lower monthly payment, actually reducing your total monthly out-of-pocket costs.
The First Responder Rate: Because I work with specialized lenders, I can often access "Service-Only" rates and products that big banks don't offer to the general public.

Refinance: We can look at extending your amortization to keep the payments the same

I Work Your Shift

You shouldn't have to spend your "4-off" sitting in a bank lobby. Send me a text after your night shift, and I’ll have the preliminary numbers ready for you before you wake up. My goal is to make sure your mortgage renewal is a non-event, not a crisis.

Is your mortgage up for renewal in 2026? Let’s get ahead of it.

Need a Renewal Review?

Call Garett Martin – TMG | Mortgage Associate

403-915-1025

Book an appointment at

www.MortgageHomesDaily.ca

or www.garettmartinmortgages.com