What is a Blended Rater?

A blended rate is an interest rate that combines the rate from an existing mortgage with the rate of a new mortgage when refinancing or increasing the loan amount.

Why Blended Rates Matter in Real Estate

In Canada, lenders use blended rates when a borrower wants to access more funds mid-term—typically through refinancing, porting, or adding to their mortgage. Rather than paying a prepayment penalty to break the mortgage, a blended rate allows borrowers to combine rates.

Blended rates are calculated using:

• The current interest rate on the existing mortgage
• The new rate being offered
• The proportion of each mortgage amount

This helps homeowners:

• Avoid prepayment penalties
• Access equity for renovations or investments
• Maintain flexibility while locking in new funds

Not all lenders offer transparent blended rate formulas, so borrowers should compare offers and ask for full cost breakdowns. Understanding blended rates can help homeowners manage their mortgage more strategically and minimize long-term interest expenses.

Example of a Blended Rate

A homeowner with a $300,000 mortgage at 2.8% blends in $100,000 at a new 5.2% rate, resulting in a combined rate of 3.5% without breaking their mortgage.

Key Takeaways

• Combines old and new mortgage rates.
  
• Used to avoid penalties during refinancing.
• Helpful for borrowing additional funds.
• Terms vary by lender.
• Should be compared with full cost analysis.

Related Terms

• Refinance
• Porting
• Mortgage Term
• Prepayment Penalty
• Interest Rate