Today's clients are sophisticated and knowledgeable but recognize their limitations of time and expertise. They consult their team of professionals such as accountants at tax time, realtors when it is time to make a real estate purchase and their mortgage broker when it comes to purchase or refinance and wouldn't you....our services are free and there are no costs built into the rate.*
It is easy to see why a mortgage broker will provide professional expertise, followed by objective opinions on current rates and products. We don't represent the bank... we represent you, the customer. Our business is built on referrals and repeat clientele and mortgages are what we specialize in.
How To Be A Debt Ninja
These five proven, debt-destroying techniques can help you pay down your mortgage and clear your balance faster.1.Apply your windfalls.Expecting abonus? Selling off an asset? Rather thansplurge when you're flush with cash, putsome money down on your mortgage.Last year, nearly a million Canadianmortgage holders (975,000) made anaverage $10,000 lump-sum payment totheir balance, according to the CanadianAssociation of Accredited MortgageProfessionals (CAAMP), wiping out atotal of $10 billion in mortgage debt.2.Pay more than you have to.Mostlenders allow an increase of 10% to 20%above and beyond your regular pay-ments. Every extra dollar goes rightto your principal, in turn reducinginterest costs.According to CAAMP's Spring 2013Consumer Mindset survey, one in fourmortgage holders plan to increase theamount of their payments this year.3. No amount is too little.Even afew dollars a month helps chip awayat debt, and you'll hardly miss it.Two-thirds of mortgage holderssurveyed in a recent ScotiabankMortgage Landscape Study agreed it'spossible to pay off their mortgage fasterwithout changing their lifestyle. Mostrespondents (59%) said they believeadding $20 per month to their mortgagepayment would have no impact ontheir finances.4. Set a timeline on non-mortgagedebt.Don't ignore the outstandingbalance on a credit line or home equityloan. Calculate the monthly cost to payit off over 18 months, two years orwhatever timeline you set as a goal.Canadians lowered personal debts by2% in the first quarter of 2013, accordingto a report by TransUnion, the biggestdecline since 2004.5. Leave no expense unturned.Underused gym membership? Costlyphone plan? Track your monthly householdspending and aim to cut down on yourbiggest non-essential expenses.We can find ways to help you savemoney on your mortgage or determinewhether refinancing makes sense as partof your debt-repayment strategy.Looking for a Mortgage Broker you can trust? Contact Marjan Watt - 604.603.9119
Home sales plunged as interest rates continued to rise in May
On a seasonally adjusted basis, home sales slumped 8.6% from April to May, bringing the level of sales slightly below its 10-year average for the first time in 24 months. This decline also represents a third consecutive decrease, with sales down a cumulative 23.0% between February and May. The downward trend is now well established in the country as 75% of the markets have seen their number of transactions decrease during the month. We believe this market moderation should continue in the coming months as the tightening of monetary policy should push variable rates higher and make the stress test even more biting for buyers. Indeed, the stress test uses the higher of 5.25% or the contractual interest rate +2%. Until now, only customers opting for a fixed rate had to qualify with a rate of more than 5.25%. With the Bank of Canada policy rate increase expected in July, the qualification for a variable rate will also exceed 5.25%, a development that should cool the market further since over half of new mortgages are at variable rates.
According to CREA, new listings rose 4.5% in May, the first increase in three months. With the reduction in sales and the increase in new properties for sale, the number of months of inventory rose from 2.3 to 2.7 months in May, its highest level since July 2020. Based on the active-listings-to-sales ratio, market conditions loosened in almost every province during the month, but the housing market continued to be tight in the country as a whole. There are now 3 provinces out of 10 in balanced territory; B.C., Saskatchewan, and Alberta (the latter switched this month). The others continued to indicate market conditions favourable to sellers mainly due to lack of supply.
On a year-over-year basis, home sales fell 21.7% compared to the strongest month of May recorded in 2021. For the first five months of 2022, cumulative sales were down 17.8% compared to the same period in 2021.
Housing starts in Canada increased for a second month in a row by 21.SK in May to 287.3K (seasonally adjusted and annualized), the strongest print since November 2021 (at 305.9K). Starts were well above consensus calling for a 255K print in May while building permits remained high on a historical basis and housing supply continues to be tight. As interest rates rise and demand in the resale market declines, we expect housing starts to also moderate in the coming year.
The Teranet-National Bank Composite National House Price Index increased 2.0% in April compared to March and after seasonal adjustment. On a year-over-year basis, home price increased by 18.8% in April. Ten of the 11 markets in the composite index were up during the month, with Edmonton being the exception.
Source: https://www.nbc.ca/content/dam/bnc/en/rates-and-analysis/economic-analysis/economic-news-resale-market.pdf
Canada’s Housing Supply Shortages: Estimating what is needed to solve Canada’s housing affordability crisis by 2030
Were in a housing crisis. This report looks at the overall affordability for the entire housing system in Canada. The report has taken steps to estimate how much additional housing supply is required beyond current trends to restore housing affordability by 2030.
Key Highlights
CMHC projects that if current rates of new construction continue, the housing stock will increase to close to 19 million housing units by 2030. To restore affordability, CMHC projects Canada will need an additional 3.5 million units.
Two-thirds of the 3.5 million housing unit gap is in Ontario and British Columbia where housing markets are least affordable.
Additional supply would also be needed in Quebec, a province once considered affordable. It has seen a marked decline in affordability over the last few years. Other provinces remain largely affordable for a household with the average level of disposable income. However, challenges remain for low-income households in accessing housing that is affordable across Canada.
Source: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/professionals/housing-markets-data-and-research/housing-research/research-reports/accelerate-supply/housing-shortages-canada-solving-affordability-crisis