Beyond interest rates: How Metronome is changing the conversation on homeownership costs through budgeting

With interest rates projected to drop, the buzz around housing affordability is louder than ever. Most of the focus has been on the benefits lower mortgage rates bring to buyers, but the reality is that affordability doesn’t end with the mortgage for homeowners. It’s just the start.

Through its platform, Metronome helps homeowners and buyers calculate and understand what it truly costs to own a home and how to plan ahead. A shockingly 57% of homeowners say they would have approached buying a house differently had they realized the true cost of homeownership.

The reality is, lower rates might make homeownership feel more within reach, but the hidden costs that come after—including maintenance, property taxes, utilities and surprise repairs—can quickly turn a new home into a serious financial burden.

At DMZ, we’re committed to empowering startups that support Canada’s housing industry. From consumer technology that supports financial planning for homeowners to platforms that provide real estate developers with data to build faster, we believe strengthening our housing space will take innovation and startup solutions from across the board. 

How being house poor impacts more than just homeowners.

Being house poor creates significant challenges for the housing industry. Homeowners often feel stuck, unable to move for better jobs or lower living costs because they can’t afford the transition. At the same time, high demand for affordable housing drives up prices, pushing more buyers out of the market and increasing competition. This makes it harder for the industry to accurately address supply and demand, keeping affordability out of reach for many.

In Canada’s priciest markets, some folks are forking over up to 60% of their pre-tax income to keep a roof over their heads. Experts suggest not spending more than 30% of your income to avoid becoming house poor, meaning a ton of Canadians are seriously feeling the pinch. 

So, what actually comes after the interest rate?

This is where Metronome steps in. A DMZ Incubator startup, Metronome is rethinking how Canadians approach homeownership. By helping users forecast required replacements, maintenance, and repairs and the associated costs, the platform turns hidden expenses into manageable plans, giving homeowners confidence and control.

Homeownership isn’t just about mortgage payments—there’s the upkeep to think about too. Experts say you should budget 1–4% of your home’s value each year for maintenance, repairs, and replacements. For the average $800,000 Canadian home, that’s $8,000–$32,000 annually, on top of taxes, insurance, and utilities. 

As costs continue to rise, staying organized and proactive is key to protecting housing investments. Metronome’s centralized dashboard simplifies homeownership by empowering homeowners to: 

• Stay organized: Securely store all your important home documents—warranties, receipts, insurance policies and more—so you always feel in control.
• Plan ahead: Create a personalized maintenance plan to tackle upkeep tasks with confidence, avoiding costly surprises.
• Save money: Get alerts for policy renewals and access competitive quotes to ensure you’re always getting the best rates.
• Predict expenses: Gain a clear picture of your expected home-related costs for the next five years to budget effectively.
• Protect your home: For as little as $700 a year, access protection plans that cover appliances, your furnace, AC, and more, preventing unexpected repairs from derailing your finances.

“Buying a home is exciting, but the first few years can be overwhelming with unexpected expenses and maintenance demands,” says Paul Crowe, CEO of Metronome. “Every home is unique, which is why generic budgeting advice falls short. Metronome provides tools, guidance, and predictive insights to take the guesswork, and the stress, out of homeownership.”Interest rate drops are exciting for buyers, but they’re only part of the story. The real conversation needs to include the hidden costs of owning a home and how we can make it easier for Canadians to navigate them.

We know innovation is key to tackling Canada’s housing challenges. Tech can streamline processes, create transparency and give everyone in the ecosystem better tools to make informed decisions. 

Want to learn more about how Metronome is making homeownership easier? Head to trymetronome.com.

Want to scale your startup with the same support Metronome is receiving? Check out DMZ’s Incubator program and see how we can help you grow.