Your renewal notice arrived. Most people sign it in five minutes. You don't have to.
Renewal isn't just about locking in a rate. It's the one moment every few years when your entire mortgage structure is on the table - the term, the payment setup, the timeline, the strategy. Most homeowners treat it like an admin task. It isn't.
Amanda Greville is a licensed Mortgage Agent Level 2 in Ontario. She doesn't run rate comparisons - she looks at your full picture and shows you options most homeowners never knew were available at renewal.
No obligation. No credit check at this stage. Fully virtual across Ontario.
What your bank won't say
There are options at renewal your bank will never bring up
Your bank's renewal process is designed to make it easy to stay. They send you a rate, you sign, done. What it isn't designed to do is ask whether your current mortgage structure is actually working for you - or whether there's a better way to set things up for the next chapter of your finances.
- ✕ They won't suggest restructuring your mortgage to pay it off years faster
- ✕ They won't mention products that could free up cash flow you didn't know you had
- ✕ They won't tell you that switching lenders at renewal carries no penalty
Renewal is a reset button - if you use it that way
Most homeowners renew the same mortgage with the same structure and just accept the new rate. But renewal is when you can actually change how your mortgage is set up - not just what rate it carries.
That might mean a different payment structure. A product you've never heard of. A plan with a retirement date built in. Or for some people, just finding out how close they actually are to being done - and whether there's a way to get there faster.
Your bank won't run your numbers three different ways and show you what each path costs. That's not what their renewal process is designed to do.
What most people don't know
What are your actual options at renewal?
More than you think. Here's what's actually on the table - and what each one means.
Option 1
Renew with your current lender
Straightforward, but not automatic. Your bank's first offer is rarely their best. And renewing doesn't have to mean keeping the same structure - you can negotiate payment frequency, prepayment privileges, and term length even if you stay.
Option 2
Switch lenders - with no penalty
At renewal, there's no prepayment penalty for moving to a different lender. The new lender typically handles the transfer, and for most straightforward mortgages it requires very little on your end. Most clients are surprised how simple it is.
Option 3
Restructure entirely
Some homeowners are better served by a completely different mortgage product - one that uses their cash flow differently, pays down faster, or opens up flexibility they didn't have before. This is the option most people never hear about because their bank doesn't offer it.
Not sure which option fits your situation?
That's exactly what the free renewal review is for. I'll look at where you are, where you're headed, and which path actually makes sense - including options you may not have known were available.
Book a free renewal reviewNo credit check at this stage. Fully virtual. Takes 20 minutes.
Is this right for you?
This conversation makes sense if you
- Have a renewal coming up and want to understand your options before committing
- Feel like your mortgage should be working harder for you but aren't sure how
- Want guidance from someone who looks at the full picture, not just the rate
- Are thinking about retirement and wondering how your mortgage fits in
- Have never had anyone explain how your mortgage structure actually affects your timeline
- Want an honest answer, even if that answer is "you're already in good shape"
- Own a home in Ontario with a solid income and some equity built
- Are open to options you may not have known were available
If you just want to Google mortgage rates yourself, you can - there's plenty of information out there. If you want someone to actually look at your situation, book a call - the first 20 minutes are free.
Getting started
How it works
Book a 20-minute call. I'll look at your situation, show you your options, and tell you what I'd recommend. You make the call from there. If you want to move forward, I handle everything else.
Fully virtual across Ontario. No credit check at this stage.
Message from
Amanda Greville
Renewal is when everything is actually on the table - and most homeowners don't realize it. I've had clients come in thinking they just needed a rate and leave with a completely different mortgage structure, a clear retirement date, and cash flow they didn't know they had.
I'm not here to find you the lowest rate. I'm here to help you figure out whether your mortgage is set up in a way that's actually working for your life - and to show you what it looks like when it is. If what you've got is already the right fit, I'll tell you that too.
Book a free renewal reviewFrequently asked questions about mortgage renewal in Ontario
When should I start looking at my renewal options?
The earlier the better - ideally 3 to 4 months before your renewal date. Most lenders will let you lock in an approval 4 months out, so starting early means you can have time to compare. Starting late means making a rushed decision, which is how most people end up just signing whatever the bank sends.
Is there a penalty for switching lenders at renewal?
No. Switching at renewal - when your current term actually ends - carries no prepayment penalty. That's one of the things that makes renewal such a powerful moment. The penalty rules only apply when you break a mortgage before the term is up. At renewal, you're free to go wherever you'd like.
How much work is involved in switching lenders?
For a straightforward renewal switch, not much. You'll need to provide updated income and property documents and a few pieces of ID. The new lender handles the transfer with your existing lender. Most clients are surprised by how little is actually on their plate - I handle the coordination.
What if I just want a better rate from my current bank?
That's a completely valid goal, and that is something you can do by going to the different banks and applying yourself. Banks will almost always improve their renewal offer if they know you're actively looking elsewhere - but only if you can show them you've actually shopped. If that's your goal, that's a reasonable one. Just know that understanding what else is available before you sit down with your bank is what puts you in a stronger position when you make that call.
My renewal is coming up and I don't even know where to start. What should I do first?
Don't sign anything yet. That's the main thing. Book a 20-minute call before you commit to the next term. Bring your renewal notice if you have one - if not, bring your latest mortgage statement. The call is free, and you'll leave with a clear picture of your options and a recommendation, not a sales pitch.
Should I go fixed or variable at renewal?
It depends on your risk tolerance, cash flow, and how much certainty you need in your budget. Fixed gives you predictability - your payment doesn't move for the term. Variable can save you money when rates drop but means more uncertainty. There's no universal right answer. The honest version is: I'll walk you through both options in your real numbers and you make the call that fits your life.
Can renewal be a chance to pay off my mortgage faster?
Yes - and this is one of the most underused opportunities at renewal. Most homeowners just renew the remaining amortization without asking whether there's a smarter structure. If you have positive monthly cash flow, there are ways to restructure at renewal so your balance drops faster without changing what you spend. That's what the Mortgage Momentum Method is built around. Learn more about it here.
What does it cost to work with you?
Nothing for the vast majority of clients. When I place your mortgage with a lender, the lender pays my fee - not you. The renewal review is free, the comparison is free, and the ongoing support is free. In rare situations involving complex files, a fee may apply - and I'll always tell you before anything moves forward.
Your renewal is one of the few moments when you actually hold the cards. Use it.
A 20-minute conversation will show you what your options are, what each one actually means for your finances, and what I'd recommend. You make the call from there.
Fully virtual across Ontario. No pressure. You leave knowing your real options.