Canadian Prime Rate is now 5.95% – Mortgage Rate Analysis to End of 2022
Bank of Canada increased benchmark interest rate to 3.75%
Today, the Bank of Canada increased its overnight benchmark interest rate 50 basis point to 3.75% from 3.25% in September. This is the sixth time this year that the Bank has tightened money supply to quell inflation, so far with limited results.
Some economists had assumed the increase this time around would be higher, but the BoC decided differently based on its expert economic analysis. We summarize the Bank’s observations below, including its all-important outlook:
Inflation at home and abroad
- Inflation around the world remains high and broadly based reflecting the strength of the global recovery from the pandemic, a series of global supply disruptions, and elevated commodity prices
- Energy prices particularly have inflated due to Russia’s attack on Ukraine
- The strength of the US dollar is adding to inflationary pressures in many countries
- In Canada, two-thirds of Consumer Price Index (CPI) components increased more than 5% over the past year
- Near-term inflation expectations remain high, increasing the risk that elevated inflation becomes entrenched
Economic performance at home and abroad
- Tighter monetary policies aimed at controlling inflation are weighing on economic activity around the world
- In Canada, the economy continues to operate in excess demand and labour markets remain tight while Canadian demand for goods and services is “still running ahead of the economy’s ability to supply them,” putting upward pressure on domestic inflation
- Canadian businesses continue to report widespread labour shortages and, with the full reopening of the economy, strong demand has led to a sharp rise in the price of services
- Domestic economic growth is “expected to stall” through the end of this year and the first half of next year as the effects of higher interest rates spread through the economy
- The Bank projects GDP growth will slow from 3.25% this year to just under 1% next year and 2% in 2024
- In the United States, labour markets remain “very tight” even as restrictive financial conditions are slowing economic activity
- The Bank projects no growth in the US economy “through most of next year”
- In the euro area, the economy is forecast to contract in the quarters ahead, largely due to acute energy shortages
- China’s economy appears to have picked up after the recent round of pandemic lockdowns, “although ongoing challenges related to its property market will continue to weigh on growth”
- The Bank projects global economic growth will slow from 3% in 2022 to about 1.5% in 2023, and then pick back up to roughly 2.5% in 2024 – a slower pace than was projected in the Bank’s July Monetary Policy Report
Canadian housing market
- The effects of recent policy rate increases by the Bank are becoming evident in interest-sensitive areas of the economy including housing
- Housing activity has “retreated sharply,” and spending by households and businesses is softening
Outlook
The Bank noted that its “preferred measures of core inflation” are not yet showing “meaningful evidence that underlying price pressures are easing.” It did however offer the observation that CPI inflation is projected to move down to about 3% by the end of 2023, and then return to its 2% target by the end of 2024. This presumably would be achieved as “higher interest rates help re-balance demand and supply, price pressures from global supply chain disruptions fade and the past effects of higher commodity prices dissipate.”
As a consequence of elevated inflation and current inflation expectations, as well as ongoing demand pressures in the economy, the Bank’s Governing Council said to expect that “the policy interest rate will need to rise further.”
The level of such future rate increases will be influenced by the Bank’s assessments of “how tighter monetary policy is working to slow demand, how supply challenges are resolving, and how inflation and inflation expectations are responding.”
In case there was any doubt, the Bank also reiterated its “resolute commitment” to restore price stability for Canadians and said it will continue to take action as required to achieve its 2% inflation target.
NEXT RATE INCREASE
December 7, 2022 is the BoC’s next scheduled policy interest rate announcement. We will follow the Bank’s commentary and outlook closely and provide an executive summary here the same day.
Bank of Canada holds benchmark interest rate steady & updates 2022 economic outlook
Summary:
- Prime did not change today, Jan 26, and the Bank of Canada (BoC) clearly said they are planning on starting the needed rate increases at the next meeting in 6 weeks, on Wednesday March 2nd.
- The Market has “priced in” between 4 and 6 increases in 2022, each by .25%, and between 2 and 4 increases in 2023, each by .25%
- There may be fewer increases if inflation returns to the target of 2% from today’s 40 year high of about 5%.
- The USA is seeing record 7% inflation and Canada usually gets dragged along with the US numbers so that balances the possibility of fewer increases.
- Mortgage Strategy – secure a fully underwritten, pre-approval, with a 120- day rate hold, from a person, not an online “60-second-mortgage-app” as soon as you think you may be buying in the next 2 years.
- To start a mortgage application with us, click here, and we will call you with in 24-hours to get things going.
DETAILS:
This morning in its first scheduled policy decision of 2022, the Bank of Canada left its target overnight benchmark rate unchanged at what it describes as its “lower bound” of 0.25%. As a result, the Bank Rate stays at 0.5% and the knock-on effect is that borrowing costs for Canadians will remain low for the time being.
The Bank also updated its observations on the state of the economy, both in Canada and globally, leaving a strong impression that rates will rise this year.
More specifically, the Bank said that its Governing Council has decided to end its extraordinary commitment to hold its policy rate at the effective lower bound and that looking ahead, it expects “… interest rates will need to increase, with the timing and pace of those increases guided by the Bank’s commitment to achieving” its 2% inflation target.
These are the other highlights of today’s BoC announcement.
Canadian economy
- The economy entered 2022 with considerable momentum, and a broad set of measures are now indicating that economic slack is absorbed
- With strong employment growth, the labour market has tightened significantly with elevated job vacancies, strong hiring intentions, and a pick up in wage gains
- Elevated housing market activity continues to put upward pressure on house prices
- Omicron is “weighing on activity in the first quarter” and while its economic impact will depend on how quickly this wave passes, the impact is expected to be less severe than previous waves
- Economic growth is then expected to bounce back and remain robust over the Bank’s “projection horizon,” led by consumer spending on services, and supported by strength in exports and business investment
- After GDP growth of 4.5% in 2021, the Bank expects Canada’s economy to grow by 4% in 2022 and about 3.5% in 2023
Canadian inflation
- CPI inflation remains “well above” the Bank’s target range and core measures of inflation have edged up since October
- Persistent supply constraints are feeding through to a broader range of goods prices and, combined with higher food and energy prices, are expected to keep CPI inflation close to 5% in the first half of 2022
- As supply shortages diminish, inflation is expected to decline “reasonably quickly” to about 3% by the end of 2022 and then “gradually ease” towards the Bank’s target over the projection period
- Near-term inflation expectations have moved up, but longer-run expectations remain anchored on the 2% target
- The Bank will use its monetary policy tools to ensure that higher near-term inflation expectations do not become embedded in ongoing inflation
Global economy
- The recovery is strong but uneven with the US economy “growing robustly” while growth in some other regions appears more moderate, especially in China due to current weakness in its property sector
- Strong global demand for goods combined with supply bottlenecks that hinder production and transportation are pushing up inflation in most regions
- Oil prices have rebounded to well above pre-pandemic levels following a decline at the onset of the Omicron variant of COVID-19
- Financial conditions remain broadly accommodative but have tightened with growing expectations that monetary policy will normalize sooner than was anticipated, and with rising geopolitical tensions
- Overall, the Bank projects global GDP growth to moderate from 6.75% in 2021 to about 3.5% in 2022 and 2023
January Monetary Policy Report
The key messages found in the BoC’s Monetary Policy Report published today were consistent with the highlights noted above:
- A wide range of measures and indicators suggest that economic slack is now absorbed and estimates of the output gap are consistent with this evidence
- Public health measures and widespread worker absences related to the Omicron variant are slowing economic activity in the first quarter of 2022, but the economic impact is expected to be less severe than previous waves
- The impacts from global and domestic supply disruptions are currently exerting upward pressure on prices
- Inflationary pressures from strong demand, supply shortages and high energy prices should subside during the year
- Over the medium term, increased productivity is expected to boost supply growth, and demand growth is projected to moderate with inflation expected to decline gradually through 2023 and 2024 to close to 2%
- The Bank views the risks around this inflation outlook as roughly balanced, however, with inflation above the top of the Bank’s inflation-control range and expected to stay there for some time, the upside risks are of greater concern
Looking ahead
The Bank intends to keep its holdings of Government of Canada bonds on its balance sheet roughly constant “at least until” it begins to raise its policy interest rate. At that time, the BoC’s Governing Council will consider exiting what it calls its “reinvestment phase” and reducing the size of its balance sheet. It will do so by allowing the roll-off of maturing Government of Canada bonds.
While the Bank acknowledges that COVID-19 continues to affect economic activity unevenly across sectors, the Governing Council believes that overall slack in the economy is now absorbed, “thus satisfying the condition outlined in the Bank’s forward guidance on its policy interest rate” and setting the stage for increases in 2022.
Mortgage Rate Holds are the theme for buyers in 2022
Mortgage Mark Herman, your friendly Calgary Alberta mortgage broker & New Buyer Specialist.
RBC: Mortgage Mistakes
RBC made what I think are some some pretty serious – and costly – mistakes for their customers and it is too bad … for the customers!
My 2 favorite quotes from this article are:
“My husband and I both felt pretty robbed,” she said. “I feel … it was deceptive.”
and
“Based on his reading of it, the tone of the bank’s letter to affected customers is “probably an attempt to avoid litigation, because if they took the opposite position then people would be owed money,” he said, noting the letter falls well short of an apology or acceptance of responsibility.
“There is no particular offer … to compensate or provide a small amount of money as a token of having made a mistake,” he said.”
Here is the full article:
“Always get mortgage advice from a full-time, professional, mortgage broker”
Mortgage Mark Herman; Calgary, Alberta top rated mortgage broker.
#Mortgage RATES to stay low for a while yet – that is great news!
Below is the technical, boring stuff we read to see where rates are going for you. Just ask us for the short version.
Short version is that the Bank of Canada is going to leave the rates the same for a while yet – like a year.
Long boring version is below.
Canadian Dollar Down in Wake of BOC Dropping Tightening Bias
TORONTO–The Canadian dollar is lower Thursday morning as it struggles with the implications of the Bank of Canada’s erasure of its tightening bias amid a broader retreat in commodity currencies.
The U.S. dollar was at C$1.0409 Thursday, from C$1.0384 late Wednesday, according to data provider CQG.
Its high for the session so far at C$1.0419 fell just shy of resistance around the C$1.0420 area.
The Australian and New Zealand dollars are also lower Thursday amid concerns about monetary policy and banking system liquidity in China. Any threat to economic growth in China puts pressure on commodities and commodity-linked currencies because Chinese demand for commodities is a key support for the asset class.
But the Canadian dollar is also grappling with the implications of the Bank of Canada’s decision on Wednesday to drop its 18-month-old tightening bias, a move some analysts believe could prompt a new round of weakness in the Canadian unit as it undermines the perception the Bank will raise interest rates before other advanced economies.
Currency strategists at UBS said in a report the Bank’s move derailed a rally they had expected to see in the currency.
“Having felt conditions were ripe for a CAD rally, we were taught a harsh lesson on Wednesday by the BOC: never ever underestimate the determination of a small, open economy’s central bank to defy expectations for a positive outlook,” they said.
The tightening effect on the Canadian economy from any gain in the Canadian dollar is simply too big for the Bank of Canada to risk, and the bank wanted to keep policy steady in order to retain maximum policy flexibility, UBS said.
Write to Don Curren at don.curren@wsj.com
Calgary’s home prices continue to climb in September
Another article showing that the underlying fundamentals of continued in-migration and job growth – of quality jobs – supports the Calgary home market.
Calgary housing market sizzles in September
MLS sales and prices continue to climb
CALGARY — Calgary’s red-hot housing market continued to sizzle in September as MLS sales and prices followed an upward trend.
According to the Calgary Real Estate Board, total MLS sales in the city of 1,923 during the month were up 19.44 per cent from a year ago.
The average sale price rose by 8.27 per cent to $454,352 while the median price was up 8.78 per cent to $402,500.
Calvin Buss, involved in real estate marketing and sales, said job creation and in-migration are fuelling the current market.
“The international in-migration is getting stronger and stronger. And if you look at the number of people that came out of Ontario over the last six months into Alberta, it’s just staggering,” said Buss who has his home for sale in Edworthy Park at $4.49 million. The home is situated in the middle of a forest overlooking the Bow River and the downtown.
“In Calgary we have a tight market. We’ve had good markets over the last two years. And that’s tightened everything up. And then you get all that in-migration coming based on jobs. You start to get things really tightening up. Like the vacancy rate downtown doesn’t have any elasticity to help absorb these people so they’re forced into the marketplace. And the marketplace only has a certain capacity.”
Calgary is in a sellers’ market which is good news for people like Buss who have their homes for sale.
In September, there were 2,796 new listings in the Calgary market, up 4.33 per cent from a year ago but active listings at the end of the month were down by 23.08 per cent to 3,922.
Scott Bollinger, broker for the ComFree Commensense Network, said the jump in prices isn’t too surprising when you look at the underlying factors, which include a tight inventory, a close-to-zero-vacancy rental market converting many would-be renters into potential buyers, and the fact the economy’s humming along.
“What is a little surprising is that the numbers of new listings aren’t keeping pace with big jumps in prices and sales,” said Bollinger. “I think Calgarians know this is a seller’s market. It has been for months. So that tells me that population growth and demand are simply outpacing supply. Speculators who sat for years on second and third properties, waiting for a hot market, have already sold.”
Days on the market to sell in September fell from 45 a year ago to 36, which represented a 20 per cent decline.
“The economy continues to support factors that are driving housing demand forward,” said Richard Cho, senior market analyst in Calgary for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. “Employment in Calgary has trended up, with many full-time jobs also created.
“Latest reports also show that net migration to Alberta has been strong as well. After two quarters, net migration in Alberta has increased over 40 per cent from last year. Sales thus far are up compared to 2012 levels, and that is not expected to change by the end of the year.”
Ben Brunnen, a Calgary economic consultant, said the local real estate market should perform well this fall with a favourable economic outlook, a tight rental market and strong population growth the key factors.
“Alberta has been one of the most resiliant economies in Canada, and this gives buyers confidence,” said Brunnen.
“At the same time, supply remains tight with limited inventory to meet demand and builders trying to catch up. For the economy as a whole, strong real estate prices give homeowners confidence, and this could help boost consumer spending in Alberta.”
CREB said single-family home sales in September of 1,354 were up 20.25 per cent from last year while the average price rose by 9.25 per cent to $512,359. Condo apartment sales increased by 17.39 per cent to 324 with the average price up by 4.38 per cent to $298,765. Condo townhouse sales were up 17.79 per cent to 245 while the average sale price increased by 2.95 per cent to $339,534.
“Tight market conditions have supported price growth in the Calgary market,” said Ann-Marie Lurie, CREB’s chief economist. “But the pace of unadjusted monthly growth has eased in September.
“While prices show strong year-over-year gains, if the level of new listings continues to improve relative to sales activity, prices should level off for the remainder of the year.”
Why Alberta Does NOT have a housing bubble; or What is supporting Alberta home prices …
The article below echoes the theme of many of my posts – Inbound migration to Alberta is supporting home prices. Our growth at 6% is 1% less than India – the world leader. My new favorite quote is below, “Alberta actually has the dynamics or properties you’d normally see in emerging economies.”
Lamphier: Hot air can’t bust a housing bubble that doesn’t exist
EDMONTON – If I’ve read one story about a possible U.S.-style housing bust in Canada, I’ve read a hundred.
Indeed, the Toronto-centric national media, whose world view apparently extends from the Don Valley Parkway to Highway 427, seem absolutely obsessed by the topic. Barely a week goes by without another breathless warning from some Toronto economist, columnist or TV news anchor about a looming price collapse.
It’s complete nonsense, in my opinion. For starters, there is no national housing market. Prices vary wildly from place to place, and always will. So while Toronto or Vancouver look pricey, many other cities — including Edmonton— simply don’t.
Of course, I’m just a newspaper scribbler. But when one of the world’s top economic forecasters says the gloom and doom crowd is out to lunch, well, that’s not as easy to dismiss.
Stefane Marion, chief economist and strategist at Montreal-based National Bank, was recently ranked among the top 20 forecasters in the world by U.S.-based Bloomberg Markets magazine. He’s the only Canadian to make that prestigious list.
In Marion’s view, those who insist that Canada’s house prices are “bubbly” — as Britian’s Economist magazine recently argued, and as The Globe and Mail dutifully reported — simply don’t understand what drives housing in the first place.
It’s simple demographics, he says. Canada’s population grew by 1.2 per cent in 2012, versus just 0.8 per cent in the U.S., and 0.2 per cent in the eurozone. Japan’s population, on the other hand, has shrunk for six straight years.
The big reason? Immigration. Newcomers accounted for fully 60 per cent of Canada’s population growth last year, he says, far more than the U.S. or Europe.
What’s more, 55 per cent of those newcomers are between the ages of 20 and 44, when many are launching careers, getting married, starting families, and yes, buying new homes.
Japan is at the opposite end of the spectrum. Its aging population, low birth rate and aversion to immigration curbs demand for housing. Yet the same Economist article that slammed Canada’s housing market as bubbly argues that Japan’s house prices are “undeservedly flat,” Marion says.
“If you don’t have household formation where are your home prices going to go? That’s the key right there. That’s where Canada really, really is different from other countries,” he says, notably in high-growth provinces like Alberta.
“It does explain why the new housing market or home resale market in Alberta seems to be so tight all the time. This is key. Household formation is just surging,” he says. “So it fascinates me that we have economists coming out and taking a shot at Canada and not taking that into account.”
That was one of several key insights Marion offered to local bank clients and advisers at a packed luncheon that was organized by Angus Watt, managing director, individual investor services at National Bank Financial.
Marion’s generally upbeat outlook for the Canadian and Alberta economies jives with the positive tone of Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz’s latest comments.
“We are now close to the tipping point from improving confidence into expanding capacity,” Poloz told a Vancouver Board of Trade audience on Wednesday.
Looking ahead, Marion says he expects those demographic trends to continue over the next five years. In the key 20-to-44-year age cohort, he expects India to lead all nations in population growth, at seven percent, followed by Canada, at four per cent. On the flip side, countries like Germany, France, Italy, Russia, China and Japan will show marked declines.
“Alberta would be just behind India, at six per cent. So that shows you how potent this growth is for Alberta. Alberta actually has the dynamics or properties you’d normally see in emerging economies.”
Turning to the oil markets, Marion says despite declining U.S. consumption, falling imports and soaring production — up an astounding 47 per cent in the U.S. since 2006 — Canada’s exports south of the border remain strong.
The biggest loser? OPEC, whose share of U.S. imports has declined from 55 per cent in 2008 to just 46 per cent last year, he says.
“By next year the U.S. will produce as much crude as it did in the 1980s, so we have to cope with this energy revolution in the U.S. . . . but Canada is shipping as much oil and petroleum products to the U.S. as all of OPEC put together. I never thought this would happen anytime soon, so that’s a big, big deal.”
As for TransCanada’s proposed $12 billion Energy East oil pipeline, which would carry Alberta bitumen to refineries in Quebec and New Brunswick, Marion says the potential economic upside for Canada is big, since it would displace higher-priced Brent crude imports from unstable countries like Algeria, Kazakhstan and Angola.
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
Calgary ranks #17 on the list of top global financial centres!
AGAIN – this will cause more head offices to move here, creating or supporting continued housing demand and price support. Once a city hits about one million people the influx of in-bound migration continues.
CALGARY — Calgary continues to draw attention globally as a financial centre.
The city has moved up 11 spots to 17th overall in the London-based Z/Yen Group’s Global Financial Centre Index (GFCI) — the only well-established index measuring global financial centres. The index ranks 77 of the world’s major financial centres in terms of competitiveness.
The index has been in existence since 2007.
Calgary made the list for the first time in March 2012.
“Calgary continues to make strong progress as a financial centre having joined the Global Financial Centres Index one year ago,” said Mark Yeandle, GFCI author, Z/Yen Group, in a statement. ”The Economist Intelligent Unit rates Calgary highly in its Business Environment Index and its Operational Risk Rating, The Fraser Institute rates Canada highly in its Economic Freedom of the World index and Standard & Poor rate Canada very highly in its measure of Banking Industry Country Risk. Additionally the Milken Institute ranks Canada very highly in its Capital Access Index. Respondents to our questionnaire continue to recognize the significant growth in financial services within Calgary as a result of the success of the energy sector.”
Bruce Graham, president and chief executive of Calgary Economic Development, said the city’s 11-point improvement in the past year supports the organization’s goal to build Calgary’s reputation as a global financial centre and demonstrates the growing strength and confidence in the sector.
“Building on the strength of the energy sector, Calgary is well-positioned to see sector diversification and continued growth in the financial services sector,” he said. “Through our Calgary. Be Part of the Energy campaign, our inclusion in the index will help elevate the international profile of Calgary in the attraction of financial institutions and qualified talent needed in this sector.”
According to Calgary Economic Development, Calgary’s finance and business industry is experiencing huge growth with 8,100 new jobs created over the past 10 years, an increase of 47.6 per cent (2003-2012). A result of the success of the energy sector is that most major Canadian financial institutions and lenders have a presence in Calgary, along with a growing list of international financial groups, says the organization. Examples of international financial institutions in Calgary include the Bank of America, Citigroup, Barclays Capital, Deutsche Bank, Bank of China, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, ICICI Bank, JP Morgan, Merrill Lynch, Royal Bank of Scotland and Société Générale.
Rachel Yin, business development manager for financial services at Calgary Economic Development, said the index is important for Calgary in attracting investment and talent in the industry.
She said several factors led to Calgary’s improvement in the global ranking including: Canada’s strong banking system; Calgary’s economy; investment into Canada and Alberta in the resource sector; and support from different industries and levels of government.
“We have the financial sector advisory committee that’s led by CED and in that committee we have a lot of experts from the industry so they promote Calgary. They are a good promoter for Calgary,” said Yin.
“Calgary has always been famous for energy. An energy hub. We see a lot of deals going on.”
She said 12 per cent of the city’s global energy deals are conducted in Calgary.
mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com
Twitter.com/MTone123
Calgary listed as an “out-performer” in Canadian real estate market
Calgary listed as an “out-performer” in Canadian real estate market
Pace predicted to be moderately lower for the rest of Canada
Calgary realtor Kaitlyn Gottlieb of Century 21 Bamber Realty Ltd.
Photograph by: Colleen De Neve Colleen De Neve, Calgary Herald
CALGARY — Canada is expected to embark on a gradual, modest, downward housing market adjustment over the next three years with a “measly” two per cent annual price gain over the next decade, says a study released Monday by TD Economics.
But the bank has also listed Calgary as an “out-performer” in Canada for the long-run rate of return on Canadian real estate. Compared with the national picture, Edmonton, Vancouver, Victoria and Toronto were also listed as out-performers for the future.
“With the slowdown in the Canadian housing market well entrenched, many are worried about the future value of their homes. This is not surprising as real estate is the largest financial asset most Canadians have in their possession,” said TD Economics.
“The housing market is prone to cyclical ups and downs and we should embark on a gradual, modest, downward adjustment over the next three years. We project a 3.5 per cent annual rate of return on real estate to prevail beyond 2015 – this is the long-run rate of increase for home prices in Canada. However, this pace will be moderately lower than they have been historically (5.4 per cent).”
Derek Burleton, vice-president and deputy chief economist with TD Economics, said Calgary had a run-up in prices before the recession and then a sharp decline during the recession.
“I guess prices didn’t come back too much but certainly sales fell back and now you’re getting a bit of a cyclical bounce,” he said, adding a long-term forecast takes into account key economic drivers like population growth and the potential of the economy to generate income.
“Based on some of the key drivers of growth, Calgary ranks right up there at the top and that should stand the housing market good stead. At least continue to drive above average price gains over the long run.”
The average MLS sale price in Calgary was $180,420 in 2000. That climbed to a peak of $423,770 in 2007 before dipping to $394,064 in 2009. From then, it has steadily climbed, reaching an all-time record of $428,644 in 2012.
Becky Walters, president of the Calgary Real Estate Board, said the Calgary market is really strong this year due to the in-migration it has been getting over the past 12 months.
“It’s not maybe as strong this year as it was last year but it’s certainly strong,” said Walters. “We’re seeing a nice steady growth. We’re seeing prices starting to come up a little bit not tons.”
For example, according to CREB, year-to-date until March 10, there have been 3,595 MLS sales in the city, up 4.66 per cent from the same period a year ago, and the average sale price has jumped by 9.23 per cent to $451,189.
However, at the national level, TD said a string of lacklustre performances over the next few years will mean that the annual rate of return for real estate in nominal terms will be a “measly” two per cent over the next decade, meaning home price gains should simply match the pace of inflation.
“Our research at REIN Canada is showing that for the coming five years, outperforming markets will be those based not in speculation or foreign investment, they will be those markets supported by underlying economics,” said Don Campbell, senior analyst and founding partner of the Real Estate Investment Network. “The Canadian real estate market is too broad and too diverse to paint with one story or byline and will become an increasingly regional story. Supporting economics such as increasing jobs, increasing population through migration — especially those areas which are attracting a younger, working age cohort — and increasing incomes will play a larger role in market demand and value than it has in the last five years.
“Despite Calgary and Edmonton’s value moves already experienced, they are both rated in the most affordable major centres in the country because average incomes are also higher than in most other regions. This, along with the younger age of in-migrants to these cities from other parts of the country, will be strong and supporting factors for these market for the coming years.”
Richard Cho, senior market analyst in Calgary for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., said in the Calgary region the average price in 2013 is expected to reach $423,000, up 2.6 per cent from 2012.
“The rate of growth is anticipated to be higher here than in many other areas of the country as the average resale price in Canada is forecast to increase by only one per cent in 2013,” he said. “Supply of homes in Calgary’s resale market has come down from a year earlier while sales have been fairly stable. The resale price in 2014 is forecast to continuing rising in Calgary, averaging $434,000.”
mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com
Twitter.com/MTone123
How the Bank of Canada just affected your Mortgage.
This is a great article by broker in Toronto.
| Wednesday, 06 March 2013 20:42 |
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With a movement towards lower rates for a longer period of time what should you do? This Newsletter will explain what the Bank of Canada said at this morning’s meetings and aid you in your mortgage decision making process. The Bank of Canada and most economic indicators suggest that our economy is struggling and we need low rates and economic stimulus to support it well into the future. Whether you have a Fixed or Variable Rate Mortgage right now, or have an impending mortgage decision to make in the next 6 to 8 months reading this newsletter could really help. There are few lines from the Bank of Canada’s meeting today that strike us as important enough to quote for you. This is a change from the previous Bank of Canada message, and to us signals that low rates will be the norm for a while. The Bank of Canada had been indicating that the low rates we are experiencing were to be removed in 2013. However, now there is no expected removal date. Secondly: “With continued slack in the Canadian economy, the muted outlook for inflation, and the more constructive evolution of imbalances in the household sector, the considerable monetary policy stimulus currently in place will likely remain appropriate for a period of time, after which some modest withdrawal will likely be required,” The outlined comments signal to us that the Bank of Canada remains comfortable with rates being as low as they are and keeping them there for some time. It should also be noted that the Bank of Canada is now less concerned with the amount of our consumer debt. 1. Be wary of the low fixed rate mortgage offers coming from the Banks, they come with horrible penalties!
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more on the B20!
THE B20!
More on what the B20 is doing:
- According to simulation, 17% of high ratio mortgages funded in 2010 could not have been funded today.
- This includes 11% of prospective high ratio homebuyers who can’t qualify for a mortgage under the new 25 year amortization rule.
- Source: CAAMP Annual State of the Residential Mortgage Market, November 2012.
What Does This Mean for You?
Consumers’ buying power in the housing market has been affected. In order to adapt and continue to meet your clients’ needs, you need to work with a mortgage broker who knows how to get real estate purchases done.
We specialize in the most competitive solutions for borrowers who do not fit inside the traditional “A” Lending guidelines. This includes buyers who:
- Are self-employed or commissioned individuals with stated income
- Are salaried individuals with a GDS/TDS that does not meet traditional bank requirements
- Earn additional “soft income” on the side that may not be reported on taxes – like auto mechanics and computer programmers
- Have imperfect credit due to extenuating circumstances
- Are new immigrants to Canada – we love New-to-Canada buyers!
- And sophisticated residential real estate investors
If you know someone who does not meet the traditional “A” guidelines, call me today to for a discussion on what is possible for you.
Mark Herman, 403-681-4376