Wow, I didn't realize the stats on paying back HBP. My husband & I have used the HBP and lifelong learning plan (LLP) and both worked for us. We purposely maxed out RSP's a few years in advance of using both programs, using our line of credit to do so; and the paid off the line of credit in full when we received our tax refund (we did last minute contributions at the deadline and then filed our taxes  early so that we wouldn't have to pay interest). A few years later we pulled out the RSP's via the HBP (we took a risk and invested them in stock and a dividend ETF, and both did well) for our down payment. I did the same for  the LLP So I could get a master's degree. The result was that our house greatly appreciated in price, I received a few promotions due to the degree that tripled my salary, and we gladly pay more than the minimums each year to pay back the LLP/HBP. I have a DB pension (no, I'm not a govt worker) so I don't have much RSP room anyway. Obviously this may not work...