The Best 1 Year Fixed Mortgage Rates in Ontario

Below we feature the best 1 year fixed mortgage rates in Ontario based on our regular review of 20+ local Ontario lenders. We also review the 1 year fixed rate, comparing it to the variable rate and looking at advantages and risks, to see if this rate may be the best for you. 

Why Are One Year Fixed Rates Good?

• One year fixed mortgage rates may work out well for those seeking to renew their mortgage after one year when rates may be lower.
• The 1 year fixed mortgage rates Ontario are suitable for those considering moving in approximately 1 year. The term can go ‘open’ after one year for extra time/flexibility, or the closing date of the new home can be aligned with the renewal. If the sale happens much sooner than 1 year, it is likely a 3 month interest penalty to break.
• Those in a higher rate or alternative mortgage who are rebuilding credit or waiting for income to increase.

1-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Or Variable Rate?

• Currently in 2024 1 year fixed rates are priced higher than variable mortgage rates/
• Variable mortgage rates are on a downward trajectory, with regular cuts.
• The 1 year rate will not enjoy potential cuts/ drops over the course of 2025. Although fixed rates may be lower on renewal.
• We do not anticipate upside for the variable mortgage rate vs the 1 year fioxed rate, so we lean towards the variable mortgage rate in 2024/2025.

Risks of 1 Year Fixed Mortgage Rates

The main risk for 1 year fixed mortgage rates, is that the rate is currently substantially higher than a 3-5 year fixed term, and even higher than some variable rates.  So there is the risk that if rates do not drop within 1 year, you will have paid too much for the one year and be stuck renewing at another higher rate.

For example, what if inflation rebounds and mortgage rates need to remain higher for an extra year? What if, due to a weak economy and housing market, banks keep rates higher, to cover the added risk, even if the financial markets indicate rates should be dropping?

Another risk is, that if there is a recession in one year and employment is temporarily affected, this can potentially affect the renewal. Your bank may try to ‘auto renew’ your mortgage at a very high rate, and if your mortgage can’t be shopped/switched because it no longer qualifies at a different lender, then this could be very costly. If your mortgage is with the same bank your daily banking is with, they can see how income is affected and may act on this.

More on mortgage renewal is in the section just below.

A 1 year fixed mortgage rate in Ontario may prove to be a good decision. But for the above reasons, some will consider a two year fixed or three year fixed term to provide more time for rates to fall and for the economy to stabilize. In addition, these slightly longer terms carry lower mortgage rates.

Renewing Your Mortgage into a Fixed Rate

Renewing your mortgage into a one year fixed rate can be a good idea depending on your goals and understanding of this mortgage type.

One important aspect of this mortgage is that it is a relatively short amount of time. This means that a 0.20% difference in the mortgage rate may not add up to the kind of savings we are used to when considering a 5 year fixed mortgage rate.

For example, 0.20% less may save you $5,000 over 5 years. But over 1 year, this same 0.20% savings may be just $1,000. Now, consider there is usually a discharge fee of about $300 to exit most lenders, and there could be other costs involved, too, such as a legal cost or appraisal cost, not with all lenders but with some.

Finally, your time needs to be taken into account. If you’re spending 2-3 hours to save $200, this may not be worth it for you. Then again, the savings could be much higher and mortgages can be renewed in as little as 1 hour. So the point is to be mindful of the benefits when renewing your mortgage rate one year fixed.

Connect with Altrua Financial for a custom cost-benefit analysis to determine your exact savings.