Well folks, we made it! Another year in the books, and what a year it’s been. If 2024 taught us resilience, then 2025 tested whether we actually learned the lesson. Between the renewal tsunami, tariff drama, and banks coming out swinging with rates we haven’t seen in years, this has been a masterclass in adaptability. And you know what? We didn’t just survive. We showed up for our clients when they needed us most.
As we close out 2025 and gear up for what promises to be an even busier 2026, I want to challenge each of us (yes, myself included) to pause and do a proper “year in review.” Not just a quick scroll through your CRM, but a real, sit-down-with-coffee kind of reflection. Block it off in your calendar like you would a client meeting. Show up on time. Maybe even put on something other than sweatpants if that helps you take it seriously (or don’t, no judgment here).
The Questions We Need to Ask Ourselves
Here’s what I want you to honestly consider:
- Did I hit my goals for 2025? If yes, celebrate that win! You earned it. If not, resist the urge to beat yourself up. Instead, dig into the why. Was it market conditions? Lack of systems? Burnout? Remember, the market doesn’t make you miss your targets. How you respond to it does.
- What actually worked this year? Not what you thought would work, but what genuinely moved the needle in your business.
- What fell flat? Be honest. We all tried things that didn’t pan out. The wisdom isn’t in avoiding failure. It’s in learning from it.
- How did I serve my clients during their toughest moments? This year threw renewal shocks, payment increases, and uncertainty at our clients. How did you show up?
These questions aren’t just navel-gazing. They’re the foundation for building an even stronger 2026.
Let’s Talk About What Actually Happened in 2025
The Renewal Wave Hit, And Hit Hard
Remember all that talk about the “renewal tsunami”? Well, it arrived. Over 1.2 million Canadian mortgages came up for renewal in 2025, and about 85% of those were locked in when the Bank of Canada’s rate was at or below 1%. That’s a lot of payment shock.
Our clients who secured mortgages during the pandemic at rates below 2% walked into renewals facing rates in the 4-5% range, even with the Bank of Canada’s cuts. The average increase? Around 30% on monthly payments. For a family already stretched thin, that’s terrifying.
But here’s where we earned our keep: while banks sent out those “just sign on the dotted line” renewal letters, we were in the trenches with our clients, exploring options, extending amortizations when it made sense, finding flexibility they didn’t know existed. This is exactly why the broker channel saw a surge in demand this year. People needed more than a form letter. They needed someone who actually cared about finding them a solution.
The Bank of Canada’s Rate Rollercoaster
If someone told you in January 2024 that by October 2025 the policy rate would drop to 2.25%, you probably would’ve laughed them out of the room. But that’s exactly what happened. Seven rate cuts between June 2024 and March 2025, with two more this fall bringing us to the lower end of the neutral range.
Prime rate? Down to 4.45% by late October. Variable-rate holders finally got some breathing room after years of pain. By early 2025, variable-rate mortgages were actually more popular than fixed for the first time in years, hitting 42% of new mortgages in February. The premium for fixed rates largely disappeared, and suddenly those shorter-term strategies started making a lot more sense. Yes! We don’t always get it right, but we believed these days were coming and pushed hard for variable rates, and 2-3 fixed-rate mortgages instead of 5 5-year fixed. If you trusted us with this advice in the last couple of years, thank you! We are so thankful it worked out for so many of you and hopefully set you up for financial success.
The renewal wave doesn’t end with 2025. Another million mortgages are set to renew in 2026. And guess what? Many of these folks still locked in at historically low rates. The payment shock continues, which means our value proposition continues to be crystal clear: help people navigate these increases without losing their homes. If this is you, please reach out to our team at DLCME because we have many options to reduce the payment shock and still continue building your wealth with real estate. Click here to apply for a mortgage, or book a call with us to discuss your specific situation.
Rate Uncertainty Continues
Will rates keep dropping? Will inflation rear its ugly head again? Will tariffs wreak havoc on the economy? Honestly, your guess is as good as any economist’s at this point. The Bank of Canada is being “less forward-looking than usual” (their words, not mine), which means predicting where rates go from here is trickier than ever.
But here’s what we know: we’re near the lower end of the neutral range. Significant additional cuts seem unlikely unless things get dire. And with tariff pressures potentially pushing inflation back up, we might see rates hold steady, or even edge up, in 2026.
What does this mean for you? Shorter terms might still make sense for many clients. Variable rates could continue their comeback. And your ability to explain all this to clients in plain English will be more valuable than ever.
USMCA Review Is Coming
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is up for review in 2026. Given everything we saw with tariffs in 2025, this review takes on extra weight. Changes to the trade agreement could have ripple effects through the Canadian economy, and by extension, the housing market.
Stay informed. Your clients will have questions about job security, economic stability, and whether now is the right time to buy or refinance. You don’t need to be an economist, but you do need to understand the broad strokes.
Banks Will Stay Aggressive
Don’t expect banks to back off in 2026. With mortgage growth slower than historical averages and everyone fighting for the same clients, competition will remain fierce. But again, this is where we shine. We’re not just mortgage vending machines. We’re advisors, educators, and advocates.
Alberta’s Growth Story Continues
Unless something dramatic changes, Alberta (and Lethbridge in particular) will continue to see growth in 2026. More people moving from expensive provinces. More investors looking for yield. More first-time buyers who can actually afford something here.
This is our playing field. We know it. We live it. We can guide clients through it better than anyone.
Setting Your Goals for 2026
Now for the part where I challenge you to actually do the work. Not just read this and nod along, but take action.
Set your goals. Not vague aspirations like “do better” or “grow my business,” but real, measurable targets. Dream big, have your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) as Darren Hardy calls it. But also set five achievable, specific goals you can track.
And here’s the crucial part: write them down. Put them somewhere you’ll see them every single day. Your bathroom mirror. Your phone lock screen. A sticky note on your monitor. I don’t care where, but make them visible.
Gary Mauris created a rhythm tracker that our team has been using for years, and I swear it works. I’ve also been a devotee of Darren Hardy’s “Living Your Best Year Ever” program for both business and personal goal setting. Find what resonates with you and commit to it.
Block time for goal planning. I’m serious about this. 7 a.m. every weekday, or whatever time works for you. Thirty minutes to review your goals, plan your day, and set your intention. Lock it in your calendar like you would a client meeting. Because you know what? You are your most important client.
Get an accountability partner. This isn’t optional. Find another broker, join a mastermind group, or buddy up with someone in our office. Goals that seem impossible become achievable when you’ve got people cheering you on and holding you accountable.
The DLCME Difference in 2026
I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about why being part of a team matters more than ever heading into 2026.
Solo brokers in 2025 got hammered. Not because they’re not talented (many are incredible), but because they tried to be underwriter, admin, marketer, compliance officer, and broker all at once. That’s not sustainable. That’s a recipe for burnout.
Here at DLCME, we’ve built our entire model around the idea that brokers should do what they do best (work with clients) while we handle the rest. Our underwriting team saves you hours on every file. Our account management team keeps deals moving smoothly. Our systems are proven, our training is ongoing, and our culture is built on actual support, not just saying the words.
In 2026, as competition intensifies and complexity increases, having a team behind you isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.
If you’re grinding away solo and wondering how to scale without sacrificing your sanity, let’s talk. If you’re part of a brokerage that talks about support but doesn’t deliver it, let’s talk. If you’re curious about what it looks like to have real backup, real systems, and real freedom to grow, let’s talk.