According to Statistics Canada, the national inflation rate held steady at 2.2% in November, yet grocery prices surged 4.7% year-over-year, marking the fastest food inflation in nearly two years. For households already stretched by higher mortgage payments, rent, and debt, the disconnect is becoming impossible to ignore.
At Lendworth, we’re seeing the real-world impact show up daily in refinance applications across Ontario.
Grocery Inflation Is Accelerating — And It’s Not Temporary
Food prices have outpaced overall inflation since August 2024, driven by factors Canadians can’t control:
Fresh fruit prices, especially berries, surged due to poor growing conditions
Processed foods rose sharply under “other food preparations”
Coffee prices jumped 27.8% year-over-year, driven by global weather disruptions and U.S. tariffs
Beef prices climbed 17.7%, as cattle inventories shrink across North America
As RBC economist Claire Fan noted, supply-side shocks and cross-border cost pressures mean food inflation could remain elevated well into 2026 — even if interest rates stay flat.
Translation: Your cost of living is rising faster than official inflation numbers suggest.
What This Means for Canadian Homeowners
Even though the Bank of Canada has paused rate cuts, household budgets are still under pressure:
Groceries cost more
Utilities and cell phone bills are rising
Credit card balances are growing
Rent inflation remains near 5% annually
For many homeowners, home equity has quietly become their strongest financial tool — especially in Ontario, where property values remain resilient despite market volatility.
Why Refinance Demand Is Rising in Ontario
At Lendworth, we’re seeing a clear trend:
More Canadians are refinancing not to spend — but to survive smartly.
Homeowners are using private refinances to:
✅ Consolidate high-interest credit card and line-of-credit debt
✅ Offset rising grocery and living costs
✅ Stabilize cash flow while waiting for bank rates to improve
✅ Access equity without income stress or perfect credit
Unlike banks, private lenders focus on the property — not paperwork.
Why Private Refinancing Makes Sense Right Now
Traditional lenders are tightening again, despite inflation pressures. Private lending fills that gap.
Lendworth Private Mortgages offer:
Rates starting at 8.99%
First and second mortgages up to 75% LTV
Fast approvals — often within 24–48 hours
Flexible income and credit requirements
Appraisal-based decisions using our proprietary valuation model
Ontario-wide coverage, with a focus on GTA, Vaughan, Toronto & York Region
Transparent terms with no hidden fees
We lend based on real estate fundamentals, not unrealistic underwriting boxes.
Inflation May Be “Stable” — But Your Strategy Shouldn’t Be Passive
Flat inflation doesn’t mean flat expenses. Grocery inflation alone is eroding purchasing power faster than wages are rising, and that pressure compounds month after month.
Smart homeowners are acting before financial stress turns into missed payments, forced sales, or costly renewals.
Refinance While You Still Have Options
If you own property in Ontario, your equity can work harder for you — even in a high-cost environment.
📍 Refinance. Consolidate. Stabilize.
📞 Speak with Lendworth today.
Your equity deserves more™
👉 Apply now | Get a same-day equity review | Ontario-wide private lending