AGENT LICENSE ID
M13002126
BROKERAGE LICENSE ID
12586
Henry Tchong
Mortgage Agent
Office:
Phone:
Address:
205-590 Alden Rd., Markham, Ontario
BLOG / NEWS Updates
A 700 Credit Score Doesn’t = Good Credit
Theres more to a credit report than a score.
You can have good income and a 700credit score(which is about average) and still not qualify for a mortgage. The reason is that lenders generally look for one key factor: repayment history.
Suppose, for example, that you have a 710 credit score but only one credit account. Worse yet, that one account is a credit card that youve had for only two months. Before that, youve had either no credit or bad credit (most likely, any bad credit would be from a few years ago, given your score).
In this case, your 710 score may not get the job done.
Lenders often want to see a minimum of 1-2 years of satisfactory payment history and at least two trade lines (loans or revolving credit accounts). A trade line can consist of a major credit card with a $1,500+ limit (a rough rule of thumb), a revolving credit line, a reported lease, or an instalment loan (like a vehicle or investment loan).
So, if you have no credit and you hope to apply for a mortgage, start building credit pronto. Get a credit card (even if its secured), a small instalment loan, a Futureshop card, whatever. And dontevermake a late payment. Many lenders require squeaky clean repayment history for at least 1-2 years.
Of course, there are lots of exceptions to the aboveincluding cases where a co-signor or alternative credit can make up for traditional repayment history. (As noted in CMHCsNewcomerprogram, Alternative credit can include things like proof of satisfactory rent payments and utility payments for 12 months). Keep in mind, however, that alternative credit is an exception and not a rule.
Speak with a mortgage professional if you have questions about your own unique circumstances.
NORTHERN STAR (FOR NOW...)
In contrast to the US, Canadian growth is accelerating sharply going into the second quarter, following a solid gain in domestic demand to start the year.
Fast, and accelerating, population growth, and remarkably strong employment growth are providing a solid underpinning to consumer spending and the housing market.
Positive export data suggest that the ongoing strength in domestic demand will be buttressed by net exports in the second quarter, and possibly beyond.
Canadian inflation is at the Bank of Canadas target, in sharp contrast to the US, where it has moved away from the Feds objective. This gives the BoC room to keep rates on hold if inflation remains on target.
Downside risks remain important and are all linked to US-centric developments, with worries about US trade policy ongoing despite the pause with China.
Recent Canadian developments stand in sharp contrast to events in much of the rest of the world. Whereas US growth is clearly decelerating, Canadian growth is on an upswing, with recent indicators pointing to a very sharp rebound from a somewhat sluggish start to the year. Canadians appear to be, for the time being, largely insulated from the broader malaise facing the global economy as consumer and business confidence has improved sharply in recent quarters, owing to strong sales and job creation. While there are a number of factors suggesting that the growth rebound observed will persist through 2020, there is a risk that a divergence between Canadian and US outcomes may not last.
Source: Scotiabank Economics
CANADA — SETTING THE AUTUMN TABLE
The Bank of Canada will have the opportunity to set a course of action or, more likely, inaction for some time at least into the Fall when it delivers its latest policy communications on Wednesday July 10.
Key may be how the BoC views external risks that it warned had increased in May. Further, watch for key guidance toward Q3 GDP. Recall that the BoC only forecasts out a quarter at a time and the April MPR published quarterly GDP growth up to 2019Q2. While it has to revise up that 1.3% estimate for Q2 to something that would probably be deep in the 2s perhaps bordering upon 3%, how the BoC views the durability of this improvement relative to potentially temporary and distorted drivers is key by way of assessing 2019H2 risks.
In the meantime, the case for the BoC to stand pat on rates for some time is guided by the following points:
The BoC is starting at a more relaxed policy stance than the Fed with slightly negative real rates and below its neutral rate. This gives the BoC more of a policy buffer against downside risks;
The BoCs preferred core inflation measures are on- if not a smidge above-target at 2.1% y/y while the Feds preferred gauge is well below 2% at 1.6%.
C$ weakness is the flip side to the implications of US dollar strength. The CAD rally of about a nickel since early June has been backed by firmer commodity prices. Further C$ appreciation may be limited if the Fed cuts because US monetary policy easing is already significantly priced in;
Canadas economy is on the rebound in Q2 whereas the US is decelerating;
Domestic trade policy risks are less negative for Canada now given the CUSMA deal that is pending passage in the US and Canada (but passed in Mexico) and the reversal of steel and aluminum tariffs and reciprocal actions;
housing markets are stabilizing in Canada, driven by job growth, lower mortgage rates and distance from B20;
nonfarm payrolls disappointed in May but Canadas job growth has remained strong this year;
Canada has imported bond market easing driven by Fed rate expectations and to a degree can ride along the Feds coat tails.
Source: Scotia Economics
