Canada Archives - Page 2 of 11

16Oct

Interest Outlook: Rate Hike Coming in Q4 2022

[The Motley Fool - October 6, 2021] The forecasts for the interest rate hike are varied, but the consensus is Q4 2022. Investors looking for buying opportunities before it happens should consider National Bank of Canada stock or Real Matters stock for income or growth. Most economists and market analysts predict that the Bank of Canada will increase its interest rate by Q4 2022. Well Fargo’s outlook is more hawkish than the consensus forecast. The American bank says the initial rate [...]

Canada, Economic Outlook

28Jul

Bank of Canada researchers argue in favour of inflation overshoots following recessions

[Globe and Mail - July 28, 2021] Central bankers should let inflation run temporarily above target when the economy is coming out of a severe recession, according to new Bank of Canada research that provides a window into how the central bank is thinking about inflation as the pandemic wanes. The paper, published last week by three senior bank economists, argues that monetary policy should allow inflation to rise above the bank’s 2-per-cent target following major recessions where interest rates hit [...]

British Columbia, Canada, Economic Outlook, Vancouver Real Estate

28Jul

Banking on mom and dad

[Toronto Sun - July 24, 2021] As housing prices hit an all-time high and continue to rise across the country, homeownership is out of reach for about three-quarters of Canadians, leaving many new homebuyers counting on the Bank of Mom and Dad. “With the housing market pricing many Canadians out of the market, younger generations are forced to turn to their parents to close the gap,” says Manulife Bank president and CEO Rick Lunny. If you’re thinking of helping your child purchase [...]

British Columbia, Canada, Mortgage Education Centre, Vancouver Real Estate

28Jul

New stress test rate makes it more difficult for home buyers to qualify for mortgage

[Toronto Sun - July 3, 2021] Home buyers have contended with a series of costly hurdles in this ongoing, high-octane housing market — supply shortages, growing and pent-up demand, red hot prices and bidding wars just to name a few. It’s been a great time for sellers, but not so great for those looking to get into the market or upsize. Now the federal government is effectively putting another significant hurdle on the path to home ownership that will especially impact first-time [...]

Canada, Mortgage Education Centre, Mortgage Insurance, Mortgage Qualification, Vancouver Real Estate

22Jul

A new wave of buyers expected to hit B.C. real estate market

[The Globe and Mail - July 2, 2021] Throughout the pandemic, home sales soared, and in some markets, set record prices. Industry insiders say that postpandemic, the B.C. housing market is expected to boom again – driven by Canadians returning home and the federal government’s plan to bring in more than 1.2 million immigrants by 2023. The wave is already happening according to Jacky Chan, president of BakerWest Real Estate Inc., who works closely with developers. BakerWest is the new Vancouver [...]

British Columbia, Canada, Economic Outlook, Vancouver Real Estate

22Apr

Forget Pent-Up Demand, Let’s Talk About Pent-Up Housing Supply

[CREA Cafe - April 21, 2021] On Thursday, April 15, the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) released its national housing statistics for the month of March. Below, CREA’s Senior Economist Shaun Cathcart provides an update on the current state of housing markets in Canada and explains what the data means for members. As everyone already knows, home sales have been setting major records since last summer. In previous posts I’ve said the market wouldn't be able to keep that up at [...]

Canada, Vancouver Real Estate

22Apr

Bank of Canada keeps benchmark rate at record low but economic outlook brightens

Bank forecasting a 6.5% increase in GDP growth in 2021, up from 4% [CBC - April 21, 2021] The Bank of Canada opted to keep its benchmark interest rate steady at a record-low 0.25 per cent Wednesday, saying the pandemic recovery "continues to require extraordinary monetary policy support." At the same time, it significantly increased its growth estimates, forecasting a 6.5 per cent increase this year, up from an earlier prediction of four per cent. The bank said in a statement that it intends to [...]

Bank of Canada announcements, British Columbia, Canada, COVID-19, Economic Outlook, Vancouver Real Estate

20Mar

Today’s hot Vancouver housing market may be just a prelude

[Globe and Mail - March 19, 2021] One year after the pandemic began, and despite initial worries, it turned out to be one of the real-estate industry’s best years. “There are bidding wars on many homes throughout the Lower Mainland, on the Island, and even in the Kootenays,” says Rudy Nielsen, an industry veteran who owns Landcor Data Corporation, Niho Land & Cattle Company and LandQuest Realty Corp. “Realtors, mortgage brokers, mortgage lenders, have never been busier and are making a [...]

Canada, Economic Outlook

01Mar

Vancouver real estate: home across Trout Lake listed $1.7 million, sells $870,000 over asking for $2.6 million

[Georgia Straight - February 28, 2021] The Straight has previously reported about homes selling over $500,000 on top of their listed price. If some thought nothing is ever going to beat that, here’s a surprise. A home in East Vancouver recently sold $872,134 over its original asking price. The top-up alone is enough to buy a townhouse or perhaps two condos. The two-storey home at 3285 Victoria Drive sold on February 24 after eight days on the market. Oakwyn Realty Ltd. listed the five-bedroom, four-bath [...]

Canada, Vancouver Real Estate

27Feb

TD becomes first major bank to hike fixed five-year mortgage rates amid surge in bond yields

[Globe and Mail - February 26, 2021] Bay Street expected higher interest rates – but not this high, this fast. And we’re now starting to see the impact on those shopping for mortgages. Canada’s five-year government bond yield, which leads fixed mortgage rates, surged past 1 per cent on Friday morning, its highest since before the Bank of Canada cut rates last March. That’s a 50-basis-point move in nine trading days, the likes of which we haven’t seen since 2010. (There [...]

Canada, Mortgage Rate Outlook, Vancouver Real Estate