#Mortgage — Zealty Blog

Couple reviewing debt service ratio paperwork with a mortgage advisor in a BC office

Debt Service Ratio BC: GDS & TDS Mortgage Approval Limits

GDS and TDS are the two ratios that decide your mortgage in BC. See the 39% and 44% limits, what counts in each, and worked Surrey and Vancouver examples.

Hamidreza EtebarianJune 20, 2026

Couple reviewing mortgage pre-approval documents with a lender in a BC bank office

Mortgage Pre-Approval BC 2026: What Lenders Check and How Long It Lasts

A pre-approval sets the exact price range you can shop in and locks your rate for up to 120 days. Here is what BC lenders check and how the stress test shrinks your number.

Hamidreza EtebarianJune 18, 2026

BC home seller signing closing documents Metro Vancouver

Selling a House in BC 2026: Full Cost Breakdown on a $1.2M Sale

A BC seller on a $1.2M Metro Vancouver home pays $110K to $130K in total transaction costs. Here is every line, with current 2026 numbers and the three ways sellers can save.

Hamidreza EtebarianJune 15, 2026

West Coast detached home Metro Vancouver British Columbia HELOC equity

HELOC in BC 2026: How Much Equity Can You Actually Pull Out?

A BC home equity line of credit caps out at 65% LTV standalone, 80% combined with a mortgage. Here is the exact math, current Big-6 rates, the 7.20% stress test, and the risks most homeowners miss.

Hamidreza EtebarianMay 23, 2026

Calculator, house keys and closing documents on a kitchen counter in a Vancouver home

Closing Costs in BC: Full Breakdown for a $1M Home (2026)

Closing costs on a $1M home in BC run $25,000 to $40,000 in cash on top of your down payment. Here's the full 2026 breakdown: PTT, GST, legal, CMHC, and adjustments, with a worked example.

Hamidreza EtebarianMay 19, 2026

Senior couple outside their detached home in suburban BC considering a reverse mortgage

Reverse Mortgage BC 2026: Rates, Risks, and When It Actually Makes Sense

BC seniors are sitting on the most equity in Canada. Here is what a reverse mortgage actually costs in 2026, how it compares to a HELOC, and the four scenarios where it makes sense.

Hamidreza EtebarianMay 18, 2026

Mid-rise condo building in Metro Vancouver BC with North Shore mountains behind

High-Ratio Mortgage BC: What It Is and How to Avoid It (Or Use It)

A high-ratio mortgage means less than 20% down and mandatory default insurance, which can add $26,000+ to your loan on a typical BC condo. Here is when to avoid it, when to use it, and how the 2026 rules work.

Hamidreza EtebarianMay 11, 2026

Two modern Vancouver homes at golden hour with a moving van in the driveway illustrating bridge financing buy before you sell in BC`

Bridge Financing BC 2026: Buy Before You Sell (Costs & Rates)

How bridge loans work in BC: prime + 2-4% rates, the firm-sale rule, real costs on a Metro Vancouver move, and when a HELOC or subject-to-sale offer is a better fit.

Hamidreza EtebarianMay 10, 2026