The Flow: Real Estate and Money Show

The Bank of Canada just slashed rates to 2.5% - the lowest in three years - but choosing between fixed and variable mortgages could cost you $25,000 over the next five years if you get it wrong. Alex breaks down the exact decision matrix he uses with clients, revealing why variable rates could save you $12,000 in some scenarios or lose you $10,000 in others, depending on what happens next. Plus, d...

86% of Canadian borrowers are unknowingly overpaying $15,000 on their mortgages by choosing the "safe" 5-year fixed term, and recent jobs data has exposed exactly why this is happening. In this episode, I break down the hidden mechanics of mortgage pricing that banks don't want you to understand, and reveal which mortgage terms are secretly underpriced right now due to market mispric...

Friday's jobs report flipped September 17th rate cut odds from 23% to 86% in just 72 hours after Canada lost 66,000 jobs when economists expected a gain of 7,500. Alex McFadyen breaks down why this economic earthquake means the relief you're waiting for is already priced in, and why the next two weeks could be your last chance to capture better variable rate discounts before lenders adjust...

77% of Canadians are waiting for September 17th, thinking it means cheaper mortgages and falling home prices, but they're wrong. Host Alex McFadyen breaks down why the Bank of Canada's next rate decision is a trap that's keeping buyers and renewals frozen while smart money moves now, revealing the real math on mortgage savings ($78/month on a $600K home), why variable rates might not s...

Mortgage rates just hit 3.69% for the first time since 2022, but this could be the worst news for unprepared buyers and investors who don't understand the trap being set. I break down why these "promotional" rates are actually corporate desperation before fiscal year-end, and reveal the three strategies you need to implement in the next 60 days before the biggest payment shock in Can...

Most Canadians are banking on their home to fund retirement. In this episode, Alex McFadyen explains why relying solely on home equity is risky with renewals, rising payments, and falling values. He shares practical guardrails, smarter strategies like downsizing, refinancing, HELOCs and reverse mortgages, and explains how to build a real plan instead of hoping your house saves you.

In this episode, we break down how Canada’s housing crisis has become a self-inflicted disaster. From the foreign buyer ban and CMHC’s tighter financing rules to the mortgage stress test, we reveal how contradictory policies are stalling construction, cancelling projects, and driving prices higher... and what buyers and investors can do to navigate it.

Alex McFadyen breaks down the surprising aftermath of consecutive Fed and Bank of Canada meetings, revealing why Canadian mortgage rates are now tracking US policy more than Canadian decisions. This data-heavy episode explores eight key takeaways from recent central bank announcements, including why fixed rates might stay higher longer, which regions offer the best real estate opportunities, and w...

CMHC just revealed the exact timeline for mortgage rate bottoms that 90% of brokers missed. Rates hit bottom Q2 2025, full recovery by Q3 2026 - buried on page 12 of their summer report. I break down their 4-region analysis, the 2% national price decline prediction, and why developer distress is creating massive opportunities for positioned investors.

The Canadian mortgage market has experienced a dramatic reversal, with banks now suggesting rate hikes are back on the table instead of the expected rate cuts, driven by core inflation hitting 3.4% - well above the Bank of Canada's 2% target. This shift is particularly concerning given that 2026 will see record-high mortgage renewals, meaning millions of Canadians could face significantly high...

Are you ready for your mortgage renewal? With up to 60% of Canadian mortgages renewing by the end of 2026, many homeowners are facing payment increases of up to 40%. This episode breaks down the renewal crisis, exploring the risks and outlining concrete strategies to navigate the changing market. Host Alex McFadyen dives deep into the pros and cons of fixed, variable, and hybrid loans, and shares...

Canada's housing market has reached a breaking point. In this episode of  The Flow: Real Estate & Money , Alex McFadden exposes the harsh realities behind the affordability crisis. A $1.011 million home is now considered "affordable" despite requiring two six-figure incomes and a $202,000 down payment. Foreign buyer taxes and bureaucratic permit delays have only worsened the prob...

Feeling the pressure of mortgage decisions? This episode of the Flow Mortgage Co. podcast offers clear insights into the June 2025 Canadian mortgage market. Host Alex explains the financial risks of delaying your mortgage decisions, why waiting for "perfect" market conditions is a losing game, and how understanding rate risk can save you thousands. We dive into the latest data from varia...

In this episode, Alex McFadyen of Flow Mortgage Co. addresses whether Canada is heading for a real estate and recessionary crisis, acknowledging that many Canadians are struggling with rising rents and mortgage costs. He breaks down the CMHC Home Affordability Report, which confirms severe housing supply issues, noting an annual shortfall of 200,000 new homes and that a 2030 timeline for resolutio...

They say you should wait for mortgage rates to fall, but what if that's the most expensive myth in Canadian real estate right now? In June 2025, fixed mortgage rates are actually RISING, and it has little to do with the Bank of Canada's announcements. In this episode, Alex McFadyen pulls back the curtain on what's really happening in the market. Learn about the critical factors you&#39...

The Bank of Canada held rates, but don't let that fool you... the market isn't anticipating cuts, and inflation is far from over. In "Fixed, Variable, or Broke?", we'll dissect the BoC's unspoken signals and reveal why fixed mortgage rates might rise , not fall. Discover why adaptability, not just a low rate, is your winning strategy in a market where debt is quietly sabo...

This podcast episode dives into the current Canadian mortgage landscape, focusing on the pivotal decision between fixed and variable mortgage rates. The host analyzes how recent market changes, including Bank of Canada's interest rate holds and shifts in bond yields, are influencing this choice. The episode breaks down current uninsured mortgage rates, historical trends over the last 20-25 yea...

Explore the challenging realities of Canada's current housing market as Alex McFadyen unpacks the latest 2025 CMHC homebuyer study. Discover why a staggering 65% of first-time homebuyers are pushing their finances to the absolute limit and how a "co-ownership boom" sees over 54% teaming up with non-traditional partners just to enter the market. In a landscape Alex calls "surviva...

This podcast dives into the critical juncture facing Canadian real estate, exploring whether the market is headed for a significant downturn or a period of recovery. Host Alex McFadyen breaks down five key factors that could lead to a market collapse, such as the impact of US tariffs on inflation and mortgage rates, the lengthy time it takes Canadians to save for a down payment, and declining sale...

Did the Bank of Canada just cancel the Mortgage Renewal Apocalypse we were all worried about? Host Alex McFadyen from Flow Mortgage Co. unpacks important insights from the latest CMHC Financial Stability Report. Alex delves into critical topics such as the high household debt in Canada, trade policy volatility, and the upcoming wave of mortgage renewals set to hit in 2025-2026. He explains how the...

The Liberals retained power in Canada! But will they even make a dent in housing? Alex McFadyen, owner and Mortgage Advisor at Flow Mortgage Co., delves into Prime Minister Mark Carney's bold plan to build 500,000 homes annually in an effort to resolve Canada's decade-long housing crisis. Alex examines Carney's strategies, comparing them to historical attempts by the liberal government...

Is Canada actually in a real estate bubble like everyone says it is? Host Alex McFadyen dives deep into the pressing question. The discussion encompasses key factors including price to income ratios, debt to GDP ratios, mortgage stress, and the impact of recent political developments. Alex provides a thorough examination of both sides of the argument, presenting evidence for the possibility of a b...

Did the Bank of Canada make the worst decision? Alex delves into the Bank of Canada's (BOC) recent decision to pause interest rates at 2.75%, exploring its implications on the Canadian real estate market and mortgage strategies. We discuss the context of a weak growth outlook, rising job losses, and falling inflation, as well as the potential impact of the upcoming Canadian election. Key topic...

In this episode, host Alex McFadyen from Flow Mortgage Co. welcomes Bruno Valko, Vice President of Sales at RMG Mortgages, to discuss the complexities of the Canadian real estate market and mortgage rates amid economic uncertainties. The conversation explores the impact of the US Federal Reserve's decisions on Canadian bond yields, mortgage rates, and real estate values. They cover various top...

Are we about to experience a massive recession? Alex McFadyen, also known as the Mortgage Pug, delves into the severe market downturn that saw over $6 trillion wiped off North American stocks. The US administration's firm stance on tariffs under Trump is causing substantial consumer confidence issues, likened only to COVID and the 2008 recession. The episode explores the interconnectedness of...