Diana Lee - The Mortgage Minds Inc.

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Edmonton, AB
Diana Lee - The Mortgage Minds Inc.

With almost 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, let me make your journey to h I'm here for you!

With almost 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, let me make your journey to home ownership one that comes with ease, comfort, confidence and with a smile.

02/05/2026

Mortgage statements have a way of raising a few questions…

The kind that make you pause for a moment and look a little closer.

Things like:
✨ “Is this what my balance should look like right now?”
✨ “Did more go to interest than I expected?”
✨ “Where does my renewal date actually show up?”
✨ “Am I on track with my amortization?”

All very common… and usually nothing to be concerned about on their own.

February tends to be a really good time to get a bit of clarity. It’s a slower season, there’s less pressure to make decisions, and it gives you space to understand where things stand before the year picks up.

No rush.

No need to fix anything.

Just a better sense of how your mortgage is moving along.

Do you have questions? Let’s chat, and I’ll walk you through!

Diana Lee
Sr. Mortgage Consultant/Owner
The Mortgage Minds Inc
780.238.8296

01/13/2026

It’s easy to assume all variable mortgages work the same way, but there are some noteworthy differences.

There are two floating-rate structures, and they don’t respond to rate changes the same way. The distinction isn’t just technical; it can shape how your mortgage feels month to month.

With one option, your payment often stays the same when rates move: a Static Payment. That can feel steady and secure, but rate increases typically mean less of each payment goes toward your principal.

With the other, your payment usually adjusts as rates change; Adjustable Payment. Your amortization tends to stay on track, but your monthly payment might need a little more flexibility.

Both have their perks and risks. What matters is understanding how each works and choosing the one that fits your comfort level and plans.

Need a bit of help to understand the intricacies of both options? Let’s chat!

Diana Lee
Sr. Mortgage Consultant/Owner
The Mortgage Minds Inc
780.238.8296

01/09/2026

New goals don’t have an age limit.

Have you ever thought that goal-setting—especially big, exciting goals—is something you do earlier in life? Here’s the truth: priorities evolve, and so can your plans, even as you get closer to retirement.

For many people, this stage is about enjoying the home you’ve built memories in, staying connected to your community, and having the flexibility to live in a way that feels meaningful.
And yet, it’s common to feel like downsizing or scaling back is the only option. But there’s no rule that says that has to be the case.

Here’s something worth knowing 👇
Many Canadian homeowners are choosing to stay in their homes as they age. And for homeowners 55+, there may be options that allow access to home equity while continuing to live in and own your home. Not all options are right for everyone, but for some, they can offer the additional flexibility to set those big and exciting goals.

Whether your goals this year include:
✨ travelling
✨ updating your home
✨ supporting family
✨ or simply creating more breathing room
this chapter can still be about choice, not limitation.

If you’re curious about how your home might support what’s next, I’m always happy to talk through the options and see what makes sense for you.

New year, new goals—at any stage.

Diana Lee
Sr. Mortgage Consultant/Owner
The Mortgage Minds Inc
780.238.8296

01/07/2026

Last year, we saw some cuts and holds, and finished the year at 2.25%.

As a homeowner, it can be really important to stay in the know about what the Bank of Canada is doing.

I’ll give you all the updates as they happen, but if you want to keep an eye on things, mark these dates in your calendar.

Diana Lee
Sr. Mortgage Consultant/Owner
The Mortgage Minds Inc
780.238.8296

01/06/2026

Welcome to January… Goal setting season.

But this time of year can be about more than setting a bunch of goals that you’ll probably forget about by March.

It’s a time of year that inspires reflection, intention, and alignment.

Your financial goals don’t need to be like anyone else's; they don’t have to align with the latest social media trend. They just have to work for you and your financial needs.

What financial goals are you focusing on this season? Ready to make them your reality? Let’s chat!

Diana Lee
Sr. Mortgage Consultant/Owner
The Mortgage Minds Inc
780.238.8296

12/26/2025

The 12 Days of Financial Planning continues with two seasonal check-ins…

❄️ A quick look at your renewal date
Early awareness gives you more time, more clarity, and often more options
❄️ A review of your home insurance coverage

It’s helpful to make sure your policy still fits your home and the way you’re using it.

Small reviews now can make next year’s decisions feel calmer and more intentional.

If you want help mapping out your 2026 mortgage plan or looking at your renewal strategy, I’m always here to chat things through with you.

Diana Lee
Sr. Mortgage Consultant/Owner
The Mortgage Minds Inc.
780.238.8296

12/23/2025

Diana Lee Mortgages and The Mortgage Minds wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season.

Diana Lee
Sr. Mortgage Consultant/Owner
The Mortgage Minds Inc.
780.238.8296

08/21/2025

Your home equity represents years of payments, market growth, and financial progress. With everything feeling uncertain lately, it makes sense to think strategically about protecting what you've built.

But here's the thing - "protecting" your equity doesn't mean hiding from it or refusing to use it. Sometimes the smartest protection is actually putting it to work in strategic ways.

Your equity can be a tool for financial stability, not just something to preserve untouched. When used thoughtfully, it can actually make your financial position stronger and more resilient.

Every situation is different, and what makes sense depends on your goals, timeline, and comfort level.

Let's chat about approaches that might work for your specific situation!

Diana Lee
Sr. Mortgage Consultant/Owner
The Mortgage Minds Inc
780.238.8296

08/19/2025

That Bank of Canada report from July had some tough news: about 60% of mortgage holders are going to see higher payments when they renew over the next couple of years.

I know that sounds scary, but let's talk about what this actually means and what you can do about it.

The reality: Most people coming up for renewal locked in those amazing pandemic rates. Even with rates dropping now, they're still higher than what many people have been paying.

What we're seeing:

💫 2025 renewals: around 10% payment increases on average
💫 2026 renewals: closer to 6% increases
💫 Some fixed-rate borrowers could see 15-20% bumps
💫 Variable-rate folks with monthly adjusters might actually see decreases

If you bought in 2020 with a rock-bottom rate, you might be looking at an extra $400+ monthly. That's real money that affects real budgets.

Here's what I want you to know: you have options.

We can look at extending your amortization to soften the payment shock. We can explore switching lenders for better terms. If you have equity, we might be able to restructure things to create more breathing room.

The key is starting these conversations early - not when your renewal notice shows up.

I'm already working with clients whose renewals are 6-12 months out, helping them understand their options and prepare for what's coming.

Ready to take the surprise out of your renewal?

Let's chat about creating a strategy that works for your budget.

Diana Lee
Sr. Mortgage Consultant/Owner
The Mortgage Minds Inc
780.238.8296

08/11/2025

Is homeownership actually becoming more realistic again?

For Edmonton specifically, the answer is looking more and more like "yes" - and the numbers back it up.
Edmonton just ranked as the second most affordable place to live in Canada (after Regina). Our home-price-to-disposable-income ratio sits at 4.61, which means if the average household earns $100,000, the average home costs about $461,000.

Compare that to Vancouver or Toronto, and you start to see why people are making the move here.
What makes Edmonton special right now:

✨ We still have some of the highest wages in the country
✨ Average home price around $465,000 - accessible for many families
✨ Even our rental market is affordable ($1,621 average, $1,316 for one-bedroom)
✨ First-time buyers are more qualified than they were a few years ago

I'm seeing this shift in my own practice. Clients who might have struggled to qualify elsewhere are finding real opportunities here. People are moving from BC, Ontario, even from smaller Alberta communities, because they can actually afford the lifestyle they want.

The challenge right now? Inventory. We've had a shortage this spring, which means some homes are selling over asking. But local realtors are telling me the tide is turning in buyers' favour.

If you've been considering Edmonton as your landing spot (whether you're moving from elsewhere or finally ready to buy locally), this affordability advantage isn't something to ignore.

Ready to explore what homeownership could look like in one of Canada's most affordable major cities?

Diana Lee
Sr. Mortgage Consultant/Owner
The Mortgage Minds Inc
780.238.8296

07/31/2025

Despite all the talk about variable rates potentially saving money, about 70-80% of Canadians are still choosing fixed-rate mortgages.

That might seem surprising if you've been following rate predictions, but it actually makes perfect sense when you think about it.

Why most people go fixed:

☀️ Peace of mind trumps potential savings for a lot of families.
☀️ Knowing exactly what your payment will be for the next five years has real value, especially when everything else feels unpredictable.

When variable makes sense:
☀️ Some homeowners are comfortable with the ups and downs if it means potential long-term savings.
☀️ Others like the flexibility that often comes with variable products.

Here's what I always tell people: your mortgage should match your personality as much as your budget.

Are you someone who sleeps better knowing your payment is locked in? Fixed might be your friend.

Can you handle some uncertainty if it means potentially saving money? Variable could work well for you.

Neither choice is wrong - they're just different approaches to the same goal of homeownership.

The key is understanding what each option actually means for your specific situation, not just following what everyone else is doing.

Ready to figure out which approach fits your comfort level and financial goals? Let's chat!

Diana Lee
Sr. Mortgage Consultant/Owner
The Mortgage Minds Inc
780.238.8296

07/30/2025

The Bank of Canada decided to stay put this morning, keeping rates at 2.75%.

Not a huge surprise, but definitely worth talking about.

After all those rate cuts earlier this year, the Bank is basically saying "let's see what happens next" before making any more moves. Inflation isn't cooling down as quickly as they'd hoped, and while some parts of our economy are still struggling, there are signs things might be turning around.

We won't get another update until September, so we're in a bit of a holding pattern for the summer.

What this means for you:

Variable rate mortgage? Your payments stay the same for now, but don't count out another rate drop later this year if things change.

Shopping for a fixed rate? Rates are still much lower than they were in 2023, but we probably won't see much movement over the next few months.

Thinking about buying, renewing, or refinancing? This stability actually creates a nice window to make decisions without worrying about rates shifting under your feet.

The thing about these "pause" periods is they don't usually last forever. Come fall, we could see more movement in either direction depending on how our economy shapes up.

If you've been on the fence about any mortgage decisions, this calm period might be the perfect time to get your strategy sorted out.

Want to chat about your options while things are stable? Let's make sure you're positioned well for whatever comes next.

Diana Lee
Sr. Mortgage Consultant/Owner
The Mortgage Minds Inc
780.238.8296

Address

Edmonton, AB

Telephone

+17802388296

Website

https://linktr.ee/dianalee_themortgagemindsinc

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