How Payment Frequency Impacts Mortgage Financing

Tanya Toye • January 15, 2025

You’ve most likely heard that there are two certainties in life; death and taxes. Well, as it relates to your mortgage, the single certainty is that you will pay back what you borrow, plus interest. With that said, the frequency of how often you make payments to the lender is somewhat up to you!


The following looks at the different types of payment frequencies and how they impact your mortgage.


Here are the six payment frequency types


  1. Monthly payments – 12 payments per year
  2. Semi-Monthly payments – 24 payments per year
  3. Bi-weekly payments – 26 payments per year
  4. Weekly payments – 52 payments per year
  5. Accelerated bi-weekly payments – 26 payments per year
  6. Accelerated weekly payments – 52 payments per year


Options one through four are straightforward and designed to match your payment frequency with your employer. So if you get paid monthly, it makes sense to arrange your mortgage payments to come out a few days after payday. If you get paid every second Friday, it might make sense to have your mortgage payments match your payday.


However, options five and six have that word accelerated before the payment frequency. Accelerated bi-weekly and accelerated weekly payments accelerate how fast you pay down your mortgage. Choosing the accelerated option allows you to lower your overall cost of borrowing on autopilot. Here’s how it works.


With the accelerated bi-weekly payment frequency, you make 26 payments in the year. Instead of dividing the total annual payment by 26 payments, you divide the total yearly payment by 24 payments as if you set the payments as semi-monthly. Then you make 26 payments on the bi-weekly frequency at the higher amount.


So let’s use a $1000 payment as the example:


Monthly payments formula: $1000/1 with 12 payments per year. A payment of $1000 is made once per month for a total of $12,000 paid per year.


Semi-monthly formula: $1000/2 with 24 payments per year. A payment of $500 is paid twice per month for a total of $12,000 paid per year.


Bi-weekly formula: $1000 x 12 / 26 with 26 payments per year. A payment of $461.54 is made every second week for a total of $12,000 paid per year.


Accelerated bi-weekly formula: $1000/2 with 26 payments per year. A payment of $500 is made every second week for a total of $13,000 paid per year.


You see, by making the accelerated bi-weekly payments, it’s like you end up making two extra payments each year. By making a higher payment amount, you reduce your mortgage principal, which saves interest on the entire life of your mortgage.


The payments for accelerated weekly payments work the same way. It’s just that you’d be making 52 payments a year instead of 26.


By choosing an accelerated option for your payment frequency, you lower the overall cost of borrowing by making small extra payments as part of your regular payment schedule.


Now, exactly how much you’ll save over the life of your mortgage is hard to nail down. Calculations are hard to do because of the many variables; mortgages come with different amortization periods and terms with varying interest rates along the way. However, an accelerated bi-weekly payment schedule could reduce your amortization by up to three years if maintained throughout the life of your mortgage.


If you’d like to look at some of the numbers as they relate to you and your mortgage, please don’t hesitate to connect anytime; it would be a pleasure to work with you.


Tanya Toye

Mortgage Broker

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Employment and Mortgage Qualification: What Lenders Look For

By Tanya Toye • September 30, 2026
When you apply for a mortgage, your employment history and status carry a lot of weight. Even if you feel secure in your job, lenders need proof that your income is reliable and will continue. To them, your employment status is one of the strongest indicators of whether you can make your mortgage payments long term. Here’s how lenders typically view different employment situations: Permanent Employment This is the gold standard. Once you’ve passed any probationary period and hold permanent status, lenders see you as a lower risk. It shows that your employer is committed to you, and your income is steady. Probationary Periods If you’re still on probation—usually 3 to 6 months, though sometimes longer—lenders may hesitate. That’s because your employer can end your contract without cause during this period. Once probation is over, you’re considered more secure. That said, context matters. If you’ve worked with the same company for years as a contractor and just transitioned into full-time employment, lenders may accept a letter from your employer confirming that probation is waived. Documentation is key here. Parental Leave Being on or about to take parental leave doesn’t mean you can’t qualify for a mortgage. As long as you have a letter from your employer guaranteeing your position and return-to-work date, lenders can use your regular salary—not your leave income—when assessing your application. Term Contracts This is one of the trickiest categories. Even highly skilled professionals with strong incomes can face challenges here. A term contract has a start and end date, which makes lenders question the stability of your future income. To use term-contract income, lenders generally want to see at least two years of history, or proof that your contract has already been renewed. The more evidence you can show of consistent employment, the stronger your case will be. The Bottom Line If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage, it’s important to understand how your employment status could affect your approval. Whether you’re starting a new job, coming back from leave, or working under contract, lenders want documentation that proves your income is reliable. 📞 If you’ve recently changed jobs or are planning a career shift, let’s connect. I can help you prepare your file so you qualify with confidence and avoid surprises in the approval process.

Homeowner Credit is Becoming Part of the Longer-Term Financial Conversation

By Tanya Toye • September 29, 2026
Credit has traditionally been viewed as something you use for a specific purpose: buying a home, financing a major purchase or covering an unexpected expense. But with higher living costs, slower economic conditions and less financial flexibility, credit is increasingly becoming part of a longer-term financial conversation. That doesn’t mean taking on debt indefinitely or relying on borrowing to solve every financial challenge. But it’s important to understand the tools available and the necessity of making thoughtful decisions about when and how credit may fit into your broader financial plan. A Fresh Take on Credit In many ways, households are beginning to approach financial management with more of a business mindset. Businesses regularly evaluate cashflow, consider available sources of financing and balance immediate needs against longer-term objectives. They don’t necessarily borrow simply because credit is available. They consider why they need the funds, what the financing will cost and how it fits into their overall strategy. The same thinking can be useful for homeowners. When household budgets are under pressure, the question isn’t always, “How can I avoid using credit?” It may also be, “What options are available and do any of them make sense for my situation?” That could mean refinancing, consolidating certain debts, using a home equity line of credit or considering another form of financing. The appropriate option depends on your circumstances, objectives and ability to manage the associated costs.  Home Equity May Be Part of the Conversation For homeowners who have built significant equity, your home can represent an important financial resource. That’s one reason I’m seeing more openness to conversations about reverse mortgages. A reverse mortgage isn’t appropriate for everyone, and it shouldn’t be viewed as a simple solution to financial challenges. For the right homeowner and in the right circumstances, however, it may provide access to home equity and improve cashflow without requiring you to sell or move. The important thing is understanding how the option works, what it costs and how it affects your broader financial picture. Credit Requires Discipline Regardless of the type of credit being considered, having a plan is essential. Before taking on additional borrowing costs, it’s worthwhile understanding why you need the funds, how much is appropriate, the overall cost of borrowing and how your longer-term repayment or exit strategy looks. Credit can provide flexibility when financial circumstances are changing. But its value comes from using it intentionally and responsibly – as one part of a larger plan designed to support financial stability and resilience. The goal isn’t simply to borrow more – it’s to understand your options and make credit work within a financial strategy that makes sense for you. Let’s talk about how you may be able to leverage credit to your advantage. Contact Tanya: 604-788-8693 | tanya@tanyatoye.ca