Month: March 2019

Mixed reactions to budget housing measures

Steve Randell 03/21/2019

The federal budget included certain measures aimed at helping the Canadian housing market but there was no change to the mortgage stress test.

Shared Equity Mortgages & 2019’s Budget Announcement

Ian Clark Mortgages 03/20/2019

As part of the 2019 Budget handed down yesterday, changes for prospective homeowners

Can the federal government make the housing market more affordable? Canadians aren’t sold

Josh Sherman 03/17/2019

The federal government is suggesting it’s going to tackle housing affordability issues, but it looks like many Canadians aren’t buying it.

Overwhelming majority of Canadians concerned by housing affordability: poll

Neil Sharman 03/15/2019

Canadians have made their apprehension concerning the housing market known ahead of next week’s federal budget.

Here’s why Canada still needs the mortgage stress test

Ian Clark Mortgages 03/13/2019

With Canada’s hottest housing markets cooler and the rock-bottom interest rates that fueled a household debt binge a thing of the past, some may wonder if the federal government’s mortgage stress testing is still needed.

How Can You Pay Off Your Mortgage Sooner?

Ian Clark Mortgages 03/13/2019

There are ways to reduce the number of years to pay down your mortgage.

Winnipeg sales up 6% as buyers adapt to mortgage rules

Steve Randell 03/11/2019

It may be cold but the housing market in Winnipeg is heating up with two straight months of sales above their year-ago levels.

Canada’s central bank could pull a U-turn on interest rate hikes as the economy takes a hit

Josh Sherman 03/08/2019

The Bank of Canada for some time has been suggesting higher and higher interest rates are coming soon — until this week.

A first-time homebuyer’s guide to getting a loan from the Bank of Mom and Dad

Michelle McNally 03/07/2019

Money and family can be a tricky combo to manage, especially when comes to one of life’s most expensive purchases — buying your first home.

No rate hike, B-20 is “just right” says panel of economists

Steve Randell 03/06/2019

The Bank of Canada is unlikely to increase interest rates next week according to a panel of leading economists, which has also commented on Canadian housing policy.

Gov’t should incentivize, and not penalize, home buyers

Ephraim Vecina 03/05/2019

“The bottom line is that the Canadian government needs to find ways to support, even incentivize, homebuyers in Canada (especially first-timers who are facing challenges entering the market) rather than penalize them.”

Older Canadians don’t feel old says reverse mortgage lender

Steve Randell 03/04/2019

A leading Canadian reverse mortgage lender says that today’s seniors are not ‘old’ and are pushing back against stereotypes.

Canadians are using their homes to get lines of credit, and that could be a problem

Josh Sherman 03/03/2019

As property values have soared, Canadians have been increasingly securing loans through home equity lines of credit, or HELOCS — which let borrowers tap into the value of their home even if they aren’t finished paying off a mortgage.

What Is A Home Inspection & Should I Have One?

Ian Clark Mortgages 03/01/2019

A home inspection is a visual examination of the property to determine the overall condition of the home. In the process, the inspector should be checking all major components (roofs, ceilings, walls, floors, foundations, crawl spaces, attics, retaining walls, etc.) and systems (electrical, heating, plumbing, drainage, exterior weather proofing, etc.).

Bank of Canada won’t hike mortgage-influencing policy rate ‘by much and not anytime soon,’ says economist

Josh Sherman 03/01/2019

The unexpectedly weak Canadian housing market is one factor making it likely Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz will take a less aggressive approach to interest rates this year, notes an economist with one of the country’s biggest banks.

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