If you can't commit to a variable-or fixed-rate mortgage, you don't have to. 50/50 mortgages, whereby 50 per cent of the loan is fixed for five years and 50 per cent is variable, are becoming the rage of late. Cindy Freiman examines why this product is a popular option for first-time buyers

Signing on the dotted line can be intimidating, especially when there are so many mortgage products to choose from. Rachel Naud has done some of the legwork to bring you the most popular mortgage products for Canadian first-time buyers

Becoming financially prepared to buy a house is not easy for everyone, and more companies are assisting Canadians through options such as lease-to-own programs.

For first-time homebuyers, mortgages can be pretty intimidating, causing many buyers to remark that they feel like they've 'signed their lives away.' But like the old adage, knowledge is power, and learning about this important part of the process is time well spent that could save you thousands

With more and more immigrants calling Canada home - 1.1 million between 2001 and 2006 - and many of them looking to buy their first home, the housing industry is doing its part to help these 'new Canadians' feel welcome.