ATB Financial says homebuyers are often confused about the posted mortgage rates at many institutions.

“The way [institutions currently] post mortgage rates…makes an already stressful consumer decision more complicated,” says Rob Bennett, executive vice-president of ATB Retail Financial Services.

In his view, homebuyers often haggle over rates to adjust them down, which means the final rates are “based on their negotiation skills.”

For more on mortgages, read:

Canadians predict rising mortgage rates

U.S. bank forecloses on wrong home

5 questions to ask before buying a home

Rookie mistakes of homebuyers