home prices Archives

Renting is increasing among all ages. There is a need for better legal protection—and respect

Blogs / Amy / 27 December 2022 / Canada, city of toronto, home prices, Homebuyers, housing market, interest rates, legal, legalprotection, mortgage rates, realestate, rent, rentals

Renting is increasing among all ages. There is a need for better legal protection—and respect After decades of reliability, the Canadian dream of homeownership is beginning to look more like a pipe dream. Rising interest rates and stagnant property markets have put a strain on potential purchasers’ budgets, forcing them to look for alternative housing options, such as renting. Despite being a numerical underdog, renters are outpacing homeowners at a rate three times as fast. The tenants may not be who you expect them to be. One thing to keep in mind is that the emergence of the rental country is not limited to urban areas. According to census data highlighted in a report from Royal Bank this month, the growth of renters in smaller cities surpassed that of major urban centres during the past decade. And the rental population is ageing; baby boomers are the fastest-growing segment of renters. The analysis predicts that “demand for rental housing will continue to be driven by these demographic and behavioural trends” in the years to come. An increasing number of people are opting to rent rather than buy, highlighting the need to revamp inadequate financial and legal safeguards and our perception of tenants for the long haul. Owning a property in Canada has traditionally been seen as a symbol of social and economic achievement. Therefore, people who rented were assumed to be low-income or at least just starting out in life. We now know that account was never entirely accurate. And it’s drifted further and further away from the truth. Because of the high cost of living in major cities, a sizable annual income is required to qualify for a lease. Zumper, an apartment search website, reports that the median cost of a two-bedroom in Vancouver is $3,500 per month, meaning that landlords in the city are looking for tenants who can afford to spend no more than 35% of their income on rent. The median rent in Toronto is only $2,950 per month, making it only slightly more affordable. The cost is roughly $2,000 even in Montreal, which has traditionally had a more renter culture. The rental market is already saturated in both Vancouver and Montreal. The majority of Torontonians (around 50%) are renters. Now that there are five million renting households in the United States (up from 4.1 million a decade ago), the issue of rent control is more contentious than ever. Even though there are twice as many home-owning households, renters currently have the upper hand. These people should be treated with the same respect and consideration as everyone else. While this change will not happen overnight, there are steps that may be taken in the correct direction. Ten years after Canadians were allowed to use their mortgage payments to bolster their credit score, many renters still don’t have access to this option. Equifax began partnering with the Landlord Credit Bureau in 2020, allowing for rent payments to be factored into credit scores. However, renters in Quebec are out of luck and those who use Equifax’s main competitor, TransUnion, are out of luck as well. If you make your largest monthly payment on time, month after month, it’s possible that a credit reporting agency will ignore your payment history. This makes no sense. Even if you pay your rent on time every month, you can still lose your home. Landlords in some places can evict renters to move in with their own families. A landlord who wants to increase the rent and find a new tenant could take advantage of this condition. Furthermore, owner-use evictions are on the rise. The Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre in British Columbia reports that 36.3% of eviction-related calls this year are linked to owner use, up from 31.62% in 2020/2021. Tenants should be protected against unlawful eviction by stricter laws. The province of British Columbia is attempting to put a stop to this practise by enacting a provision last year that allows for a fine equal to one year’s rent, payable to the renter, though enforcing this law has proven difficult. Ottawa has increased its annual immigration quota to roughly 500,000. The majority will settle in the country’s urban areas, which will be unable to expand outward to accommodate them. Toronto Mayor John Tory is trying to do this with a housing plan that permits for tiny multi-unit structures everywhere to increase density. It’s also important to put more effort into the rental housing market. Protecting renters will require action from provincial and local authorities. And the rest of us will have to reevaluate how we view renters.

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Positive Aspects of Making a Pre-Construction Purchase

Blogs / Amy / 23 December 2022 / Canada, city of toronto, condobuyer, condominium, condominium tower, Condos, home prices, Homebuyers, preconstruction, toronto

Positive Aspects of Making a Pre-Construction Purchase In addition to saving yourself four years or more of waiting for new pre-construction, negotiating the purchase price, and securing a brand-new, never-lived-in home with full Tarion guarantee, there are a number of other advantages to purchasing a pre-construction assignment unit shortly before closing. Laura wants to buy her first home. After landing a job in Toronto this fall, she plans to relocate there. Due to the high demand in the city’s real estate market, most resales result in bidding wars and sell for significantly more than the asking price, and a pre-construction condo is unlikely to be ready for occupation when she needs it to be. Laura’s real estate agent has suggested that she consider purchasing a new home that is listed as a pre-construction assignment. Laura may want to look into purchasing a pre-construction unit if the listing date is several months before the unit is actually ready for occupation. Her real estate agent explains all the advantages of owning an assignment that she can take advantage of. Laura is able to take advantage of the price-negotiating feature. If Laura purchases a condo during the pre-construction assignment period, she will be able to save a lot of money. The current status of the real estate market leaves little room for haggling over the purchase price, whether it be a pre-construction purchase or a resale. Laura can save a lot of money by negotiating a favourable assignment sale directly with the contract’s seller. Laura can save even more money by making an offer below market value, as the initial buyer may be in a hurry to close the deal and be more receptive to counteroffers. Many people in the market for a new or replacement residence know very little about assignment sales. Developer limits on advertising and marketing of the contract make it more difficult to find these transactions. Since fewer people are aware of these listings, Laura’s agent thinks she has a better chance of securing the apartment she wants without having to engage in a competitive bidding war. Without making a purchase during the exclusive “VIP sales” time of a new development project, Laura is treated as if she were a celebrity. When Laura buys the assignment, she will be entitled to all of the perks that were promised to the original buyer, such as free parking, a free locker, appealing dollars, closing credits, and so on. Laura also receives the enormous perk of relocating to a brand-new, never-before-occupied house. Laura is completely at ease with the purchase because no one else has used the bathroom or the appliances and because they normally come with a full Tarion guarantee. And depending on where things stand with the building of her actual unit, she may still be able to go to the design centre and select her own designs, amenities, and finishes, making her new home truly her own. Another perk for Laura is that she can move into her new place earlier if she buys rather than leases, as assignment sales are typically advertised for purchasing closer to interim possession. It typically takes about four to five years from the start of pre-construction until a high-rise building is ready for occupancy. By opting to buy an assignment, Laura’s new house will be ready for her to move into in months rather than years. Get in touch with a Certified Expert immediately if you’re thinking of buying a pre-construction home through an assignment listing, or if you’re just curious about how they work and how they can benefit you in your home search.

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Mortgage rates to rise with latest interest rate hike, but the end of raising cycle near

Blogs / Amy / 9 December 2022 / bank of canada, Canada, Greater Toronto Area, home prices, Homebuyers, housing market, interest rates, interesthike, mortgage, mortgage rates, toronto

Mortgage rates to rise with latest interest rate hike, but the end of raising cycle near The increase in interest rates by a half per cent that was implemented by the Bank of Canada on Wednesday signals greater hardship for indebted homeowners and those who are trying to enter the property market because they will now have to fight with even higher mortgage rates and borrowing costs. After the Fed increased interest rates, the Royal Bank of Canada was the first of the Big Six banks to hike their prime rate, taking it from 5.95 per cent to 6.45 per cent. On Wednesday afternoon, the lending rates of the Toronto-Dominion Bank, the Bank of Montreal, Scotiabank, National Bank of Canada, CIBC, Equitable Bank, and Laurentian Bank were all raised to 6.45 per cent, with the increase taking effect on December 8. Economists, on the other hand, have pointed out a potential silver lining in the fact that the most recent massive rate increase — which raised the central bank’s trend-setting policy rate up to 4.25 per cent — could indicate the end of the cycle of rate hikes. While the majority of real estate markets are beginning to feel the consequences of rising interest rates, which have now increased by 400 basis points this year, the real estate markets in Toronto and Vancouver have been affected the worst. The number of properties that changed hands in Toronto dropped by 49 per cent year over year in November, which contributed to the price of a home falling by almost seven per cent to approximately one million dollars. The housing market in Vancouver did not fare any better, with sales decreasing by more than 50 per cent in November and the benchmark price of a home falling from October. Even while home sales and prices are falling, homes are not becoming more affordable for people who are considering purchasing one. According to Victor Tran, an expert on mortgages and real estate at Ratesdotca, the most recent action taken by the central bank will most likely result in the prime lending rate being given by the major banks increasing to 6.45%. Tran also stated that a homeowner with a variable-rate mortgage can anticipate an increase in monthly payments of around $28 per $100,000 of mortgage balance for every increase of 50 basis points in the interest rate. “Previous rate hikes significantly cooled the housing market while rising rates pushed many homebuyers, including first-time homebuyers and investors, to the sidelines to wait out the instability in the market,” Tran said, adding that Wednesday’s hike will have the same effect. “Rising rates pushed many homebuyers, including first-time homebuyers and investors, to the sidelines to wait out the instability in the market,” Tran said. Before purchasers start returning to the market in the spring of 2023, we may be witnessing the bottom of the trough that the housing market has been in. Mortgage holders are already feeling the effects of higher interest rates, which the Bank of Canada is beginning to notice. According to the most recent data provided by the central bank, approximately half of all variable-rate mortgages with fixed payments and nearly one-fifth of the entire Canadian mortgage pool have already hit their “trigger rates.” This refers to the point at which monthly mortgage payments are only covering the interest and are not making any progress on the principal. Those looking for a new place to call home will be pleased to hear this. Clay Jarvis, an expert on mortgages and real estate who works for the personal finance website NerdWallet Canada, stated that despite the fact that the path to homeownership may have become a little more difficult as a result of this announcement, this fact should not be a deal-breaker for prospective buyers. According to Jarvis, prospective purchasers of homes should be encouraged by the possibility that the Bank of Canada is getting close to the conclusion of its cycle of interest rate hikes. If the central bank truly believes that inflation will be back down to around three percent by the end of 2023, then they must also believe that the rate hikes they’ve been making will start having a noticeable effect in the early to middle stages of next year. “The overnight rate could rise further in January and March, but if the bank truly believes that inflation will be back down around three percent by the end of 2023, then they must also believe that the rate hikes they’ve been making will start having a If inflation begins to fall, there should be a halt to interest rate increases. The economics team at the Royal Bank of Canada made the observation that the policy statement issued by the Bank of Canada in conjunction with the interest rate increase was not as hawkish as the increase itself. In today’s guidelines, rather than stating that “the policy interest rate will need to rise further,” RBC Economics senior economist Josh Nye noted that “Governing Council will be examining whether the policy interest rate needs to rise further.” That unquestionably leaves the door open for a pause as soon as the next meeting in January, and from our point of view, that decision can be framed somewhere between 0 and 25 (basis points).

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How does a home warranty differ from an insurance policy?

Blogs / Amy / 2 December 2022 / canadian, canadianmortgage, city of toronto, Greater Toronto Area, home insurance, home policy, home prices, home warranty, homeowners, mortgage, newhouse, warrantyclaim

How does a home warranty differ from an insurance policy? During a storm, a large tree topples down onto your brand-new house, severely damaging the roof. Do you have a new house warranty or homeowners insurance that would cover this? But what if you discover a leak in your skylight when you get up in the morning? Do I contact my home warranty provider or submit a claim to my homeowner’s insurance? Your peace of mind in your new house or apartment can be greatly bolstered by purchasing both a new home warranty and homeowners insurance. They all cover different things, have different payment structures, and are handled differently. The following are some of the primary distinctions between the new Ontario home warranty plan and homeowner’s insurance. WHAT EXACTLY IS ONTARIO’S NEW HOME WARRANTY GOOD FOR? A new home warranty in Ontario is effective on the day of occupancy of a single-family dwelling or a condominium. Protection against faults in the home, including those caused by noncompliance with the Ontario Building Code and prohibited material replacements, begins on the date of closing. Your home’s plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, as well as any damage caused by water seeping in through the foundation, are all covered by your two-year warranty. Major structural faults that endanger the home’s integrity or significantly reduce its use are covered by your warranty for seven years. WHAT DOES STANDARD HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE COVER? A builder in Ontario must give and pay for a new house warranty, but they can charge you for it if they want to. A seven-year policy with a single payment costs between $375 and $1900, based on the value of the home. WHEN A PROBLEM ARISES, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF WARRANTY REPAIRS? Private homeowner’s insurance must be procured by the homeowner. In Ontario, a homeowner should expect to pay about $1,250 (two hands hovering over a laptop) annually for home insurance. It’s worth noting that many Canadian mortgage lenders insist on seeing proof of home insurance before approving a loan. HOW DO NEW HOUSE WARRANTY CLAIMS GET PAID? If a problem arises with a warranty-eligible component, you should contact your builder. If, however, your builder does not fix the problem within the specified time frame for repairs, you have the option of hiring outside help. TO WHOM AND HOW ARE HOMEOWNERS’ INSURANCE CLAIMS PAID? Call your insurance agent or company as soon as possible if you have an emergency that is covered by your homeowner’s policy. They will likely dispatch an adjuster to assess the loss or damage before moving forward with your claim. You will be reimbursed for the cost of the repairs or replacement once the claim has been processed. So, the tree fell and damaged your roof, huh? Your homeowner’s policy should cover that. A dripping skylight? The two-year water-penetration warranty should cover that. The Ontario New Home Warranty and your home insurance policy are designed to work together to safeguard your investment. Related posts. How does a home warranty differ from an insurance policy? Read More Deposit Protection Eases Homebuying Stress Read More Importance of the performance audit Read More How can Home Warranty Guard You Against Unexpected Expenses Read More Canada hopes to welcome half a million immigrants by 2025, but can the country keep up? Read More Canadian Real Estate Prices Fall 30%, Recession Starts: Ox Econ Read More

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Canadian Real Estate Prices Fall 30%, Recession Starts: Ox Econ

Blogs / Amy / 28 November 2022 / Canada, Greater Toronto Area, home prices, Homebuyers, housing market, mortgage rates, realestate, recession, toronto

Canadian Real Estate Prices Fall 30%, Recession Starts: Ox Econ Neither the real estate market nor the economy in Canada looks particularly promising at the moment. This week, Oxford Economics issued a warning to its clients saying that a recession was starting to take shape. Higher interest rates meant to curb inflation are instead significantly lowering property prices and extending the recession. In addition, high inflation makes it unlikely that we would see a stimulus windfall, as it would work against efforts to reduce the economy’s temperature. EXPECTED 30% DROP IN CANADIAN REAL ESTATE PRICES WILL ERASE RECENT GAINS There will likely be more drops in Canadian real estate prices, but the gains made before the pandemic should survive. The business forecasts prices plummeting 30% from peak-to-trough, after surging more than 54% since March 2020. Those who bought in March would have seen their investment rise at a compound annual rate of about 2.3%, for those who don’t have a calculator handy (CAGR). Not quite the windfall some had hoped for, especially when rising prices are factored in. The percentage of GDP accounted for by new real estate is also predicted to decline, namely residential investment. In this year, the market declined by 10% from Q1 to Q3 because of rising interest rates. The firm predicts a further 8% fall in the coming year, which isn’t too hard to see with declining new construction sales. CANADIANS MIGHT EXPECT A DEEPER AND LONGER RECESSION THAN USUAL Early indicators of a recession have already developed, and this next recession is projected to be lengthier than typical. During this recession, homebuyers have cut back and businesses have become more cautious about spending money. The business is projecting a 2% fall in real GDP from Q4 2022 to Q3 2023. You can probably predict that the effect won’t be the same. Tony Stillo, the company’s director of economics, said, “This recession is slightly longer but milder than the average recession since 1970.” Canadians with large amounts of debt and overpriced homes will feel the effects the most. IMPORTANT BOOST NOT LIKELY AND COUNTERPRODUCTIVE Looking at the current economic downturn as a stimulus bonanza? Stillo advises against putting any stock in that possibility. The slump won’t be too terrible, and the completion of long-awaited infrastructure projects will ease its effects. However, excessive inflation has become a constraining factor. “To avoid undermining the Bank of Canada’s attempts to contain inflation, any fresh fiscal stimulus is unlikely unless the recession is severe,” said Stillo. Related posts. How does a home warranty differ from an insurance policy? Read More Deposit Protection Eases Homebuying Stress Read More Importance of the performance audit Read More How can Home Warranty Guard You Against Unexpected Expenses Read More Canada hopes to welcome half a million immigrants by 2025, but can the country keep up? Read More Canadian Real Estate Prices Fall 30%, Recession Starts: Ox Econ Read More

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Housing prices kicks off, stuck historically high, but trended lower in January

Blogs / Amy / 11 October 2022 / home prices, housing starts, toronto

Housing prices kicks off, stuck historically high, but trended lower in January According to the latest information from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) new housing starts across Canada trended lowered after wrapping up for the first month of 2022. The trend in housing starts was 254,133 units in January which was a drop as compared to December. This trend is defined as a six-month rolling mean of the monthly cyclical adjusted annual rates (SAAR) of housing starts by the CMHC. These kinds of trend measures are used as a supplement to the periodic SAAR of housing starts to “account for considerable swings in monthly estimates,” Bob Dugan who is CMHC’s chief economist said that the trend on a monthly basis has increased historically high but the 6-month trend in housing was much lower in December to January. Between Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver, Montréal was the only market to report growth in total SAAR starts in January as a result of higher single-detached and multi-family starts. As noted by Dugan. The standalone monthly SAAR of total housing kicks off for all areas in the country was 230,754 units in the month of January which is a 3 percent drop as compared to December. Also, in January the SAAR dropped by 5% of total urban. The value was 204,428 units and the rural starts were to be 26,326 units. Multiple urban starts dropped by 9% in a periodic way to 144,332 units by housing type. this is because single-detached urban starts really grew 7. It was 60,096 units between January and December. The SAAR of total urban starts dropped five percent monthly to 204,428 units, while rural starts were estimated to be 26,326 units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in the same month. In January, Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver reported SAAR totals of 21,714 units, 26,456 units, and 22,192 units by metropolitan area. This is basically a 27% and 17% decrease in Toronto and Vancouver but also a 16% increase in Montreal. This exactly equals 27% and also a decrease of 17% and its increases were actually noted in Ottawa-Gatineau which is 94% and Winnipeg which is 4%. A housing start when construction starts on a building where a dwelling unit is located, usually when concrete has been poured for the footing over the structure, or the equal stage when a basement is not one part of the structure is defined by CMCH. Related posts. Housing prices kicks off, stuck historically high, but trended lower in January by admin123 Soleil Condominiums by Mattamay to beam in Milton by admin123 As home prices rise, Ford wants to approve developments as soon as possible by admin123 The average detached house in Toronto has already surpassed the $2 million mark by admin123 February 2022 Construction Start and Completions in Toronto by admin123 The Martha James Condominiums are set to open in Burlington by admin123

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As home prices rise, Ford wants to approve developments as soon as possible

Blogs / Amy / 11 October 2022 / Ford, home prices, Ontario, toronto

As home prices rise, Ford wants to approve developments “as soon as possible Ontario is seeking to decrease the amount of red tape around development applications, Premier Doug Ford said on Thursday, as constrained supply continues to drive up housing prices. Ford stated that the summit’s purpose was to devise tangible solutions to assist more families to purchase a home. “While the answers may appear apparent, putting them into action requires a lot of hard work and commitment,” he stated at the start of the virtual summit. “We know we need to better standardise processes and procedures across areas, and we know we need to enhance data collecting and reporting so we can better track success and where we can improve.” Ford remarked that the province had the greatest number of home starts in 30 years last year, but with inventory still running short, he vowed to provide municipalities with “every tool available to make us a lot faster when it comes to achieving housing starts.” “We have to do rid of all the red tape and bureaucracy,” Ford stated. “We’re collaborating with all of the municipalities, and I think we had a pretty excellent meeting.” Mayor Tory, I believe, was also present. We all want to ensure that there is affordable housing throughout the province.” Ford also admitted that the problem of increasingly pricey housing isn’t limited to the GTA, but has expanded throughout the province. According to Ford, a new $45 million Streamline Development Approval Fund will assist the 39 largest towns to approve housing proposals more rapidly. In addition, the province stated that it will collaborate with municipalities to create a data standard for planning and development applications, which should speed up the process. His remarks on Thursday reflected the suggestions made earlier this month by the Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force. The task group, which was formed by the provincial government and included nine specialists in not-for-profit housing, Indigenous housing, real estate, house construction, financial markets, and economics, argued for increased density and less public discussions on planned buildings. The housing problem in Ontario will not be addressed overnight, according to Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark, but cutting red tape will help get more houses constructed faster. “The way housing is approved and built was designed for a different era when the province was less constrained by space and had fewer people,” Chair of the Housing Affordability Task Force Chair and Chief Executive Officer and Group Head, Global Banking and Markets at Scotiabank Jake Lawrence wrote in the report. “However, it no longer satisfies the demands of Ontarians.” The scales have tipped too far in favour of prolonged discussions, bureaucratic red tape, and pricey appeals. It is far too simple to oppose new housing, and it is also too expensive to create. We are in a housing crisis, which necessitates quick and far-reaching reforms.” Related posts. Soleil Condominiums by Mattamay to beam in Milton by admin123 As home prices rise, Ford wants to approve developments as soon as possible by admin123 The average detached house in Toronto has already surpassed the $2 million mark by admin123 February 2022 Construction Start and Completions in Toronto by admin123 The Martha James Condominiums are set to open in Burlington by admin123 The battle of the list price homebuyers are irritated by too-low asking prices by admin123

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Home Prices in Toronto hits an all time new record

Blogs / Amy / 11 October 2022 / Greater Toronto Area, home prices, Homebuyers, toronto

Home Prices in Toronto hits an all time new record Cliff Stevenson, Chair of CREA stated that on viewing how many homes were bought and sold in March 2021, one could be forgiven for thinking the market just continues to strengthen, and maybe to some extent it is. Home prices in Toronto climbed to a record as a steep decline in the number of properties that came up for sale added fuel to the competition among buyers, leaving little prospect in the market to cool. Average home price in the Greater Toronto Area has increased rapidly by more than 450 per cent since 1996, raising fears as the population continues to grow and land becomes scarcer. A report states that across the GTA benchmark home prices are up to 17.3 per cent year over year to $1,059,300ss. The driving factor behind the price increase is a lack of homes in the market There was no reassurance for Greater Toronto Area homebuyers last month as the average home price crept up nearly 28 per cent in comparison to last year as a lack of supply continued to hamper the market. The Toronto Regional Real Estate board revealed that the average selling price for a home in the region exceeded $1.3 million last month, up from just above $1 million last February and more than $1.2 million in January of this year. In a press meet, Kevin Crigger stated that the governments at all levels must take coordinated action to increase supply in the immediate term. He also added that until the governments work together to cut red tape, smoothen the approval processes, and encourage mid-density housing, ongoing housing affordability challenges will keep on escalating. In an approximation, the price of a detached home hit more than $1.7 million last month, with semi-detached properties at $1.3 million, townhouses at $1.1 million and condos nearing $800,000. The Ontario board narrated that it sensed signs in February that the region is making adequate moves toward a more balanced market. On average about 9,097 homes changed hands last month compared with 10,929 last February and 5,622 in January of this year. In a press release, Jason Mercer who is the board’s chief market analyst stated that just because the inventory remains exceptionally low, it will take some time for the pace of price growth to slow down. Related posts. Did Canadian housing market turn the tide? by admin123 Home Prices in Toronto hits an all time new record by admin123 Toronto’s Real Estate Market is not in bubble wrap, confirms the Bank of Canada by admin123 Toronto and Durham properties continue to be purchased by Minto by admin123 With Canadian Bond yields reaching 2018 levels, the buyers can expect higher mortgage by admin123 More options available for the buyers while prices are breaking records by admin123

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CIBC: Housing deficiencies linked to undercounted demand

Blogs / Amy / 8 October 2022 / Canadian housing, Canadian market, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Capital Markets, development costs, home prices, household sizes, housing affordability, housing market, housing stock, housing supply, supply issues, toronto

CIBC: Housing deficiencies linked to undercounted demand Even though interest rates are moving higher, some economists think that a change in rates won’t have much of an impact on the housing market until something is done to address Canada’s chronic supply issue. This is because interest rates are negatively correlated with home prices. Benjamin Tal, managing director and deputy chief economist at CIBC Capital Markets, and Katherine Judge, director, and senior economist at CIBC Capital Markets, recently collaborated on a new article for In Focus with CIBC Capital Markets in which they explained why an increase in interest rates might not necessarily help the struggling housing market. There has already been a reaction in the market as a result of increasing borrowing costs; nonetheless, this will not solve the problems associated with housing affordability. Instead, a pause in market activity may simply alleviate symptoms or “worsen the supply-demand imbalance in the market.” “Entering a more relaxed housing environment should not ease the urgency in which the chronic lack of housing supply in the Canadian market is dealt with,” said the In Focus report. “After years of fighting supply issues using demand tools, governments at all levels finally recognize that over time, the housing affordability crisis will worsen without adequate supply policies.” The question then is, what causes the problem with the supply? Both Tal and Judge pointed the finger at the faulty methodology that was used to formulate housing policy as well as the industry’s inability to satisfy provincial and federal housing goals as a part of the problem. Comparison of Canadian Housing to others Comparison of Canadian housing performance to other countries is an overly simplistic method to use when attempting to evaluate the state of the housing market in Canada. A comparison between the housing stock and the population is typically done using the database maintained by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which is used in order to present a picture of the housing supply difficulties that Canada faces on an international scale. Comparing Canada to other countries was the approach that was taken for the drafting of the federal budget for 2022. This comparison, on the other hand, is susceptible to oversimplification due to the fact that variations in household formation and demographics can cloud its conclusions. According to the economists working with CIBC, “Furthermore, taking housing stock as a share of the population doesn’t account for differences in demographics or cultural preferences that shape household sizes or formation rates.” “Nor does it account for the different propensity to rent, as countries with higher shares of renters generally have more abundant housing supply.” the report states. Even when the housing market in Canada is compared to that in the United States, the results may not be realistic. According to Judge and Tal, both countries have housing stock that is comparable when measured against the norms of the OECD. However, this does not explain why property prices in Canada have increased at a rate that is twice as fast as those in the United States during the previous 20 years. According to the reports, “These shortcomings of international comparisons suggest that it’s more informative to look at Canada’s housing market in isolation to determine what’s behind the market’s imbalance” Inadequate picture of demands due to undercounting of households Tal and Judge highlighted that household formation is the most important element to evaluate when it comes to estimating the demand for housing; yet, the statistics that they provide are typically not correct. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) collects data on household formation by converting population growth into the number of households using the quality of households formed from a given number of individuals and then translating that number back into population growth. On the other hand, some information is being lost in the translation, which is leading to a “gross underestimate of the real number of households in Canada, and thus demand for housing.” “And if demand is undercounted, then of course the supply released by municipalities to meet that demand will be inadequate,” explained the report. For instance, the Demographic Division of Statistics Canada counts all individuals whose non-permanent residence visas have expired and who are still in the nation as having departed the country 30 days after their visas have expired. Nevertheless, during the epidemic, non-permanent residents who had expired visas were allowed to stay in the country through extensions. This means that those people are not included in any official figures, despite the fact that they still require housing. In a different example, Tal and Judge said that the estimates done by CMHC assume the same headship rate for new immigrants, non-permanent residents, and long-term residents. According to Tal and Judge’s estimation, the existing need for housing is undercounted by 500,000 households. Limitations imposed on the industry to meet the demands of housing The issue of housing supply in Canada “is serious and needs action” as implied by the undercounting of the demand for homes. Tal and Judge emphasized that although there is no shortage of ideas to generate housing, not enough attention is being paid to the reality that the industry’s means to meet higher housing targets is limited. The rise in the typical amount of time needed to finish a building project is one facet of the problem. “It takes twice as long to complete both low-rise and high-rise units today than it did two decades ago. And a lack of labour supply is a major cause of those delays,” said the report. “While large developers are usually able to secure their own labour pool, that’s not the case for mid-sized and small operators that account for 30 to 40 percent of activity.” Competition for labourers has intensified as a result of large-scale infrastructure projects, an issue that has become even more difficult as a result of shortages imposed by COVID-19. The construction industry did not return to its pre-pandemic employment levels until January 2022. This was a

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A hint on change in Canada’s ‘stress test’ rules before year’s end

Blogs / Amy / 8 October 2022 / banking regulator, Canada, Canadian banking, Canadian housing, Canadian housing market, Canadian lending industry, home prices, Homebuyers, housing market, housing season, interest rates, Mortgage brokers, mortgage insurance, mortgage practices, mortgage rates, Toronto Regional Real Estate Board

A hint on change in Canada’s ‘stress test’ rules before year’s end Mortgage brokers argue that given the slowdown in the housing market, the Canadian banking regulator should relax its “stress test” qualifying rate for mortgages and make it easier to qualify for a mortgage. This week, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions issued a statement in which it alluded to the possibility that it might make “adjustments” to its qualifying rate before the end of the year. A review of the qualifying rate is performed by the regulator and then communicated to the general public every December, in advance of the hectic spring housing season that follows the following year. This week, however, the office, which is an independent federal agency that is responsible for supervising hundreds of financial institutions and over a thousand pension plans in Canada, suggested that an announcement may be forthcoming before the end of this year. According to a statement released by the regulatory body on Thursday,“Throughout the rest of the year, OSFI continually monitors the Canadian housing market and mortgage practices, and may make adjustments at any point if necessary for the health of the Canadian lending industry.” Some people working in the real estate industry see this as a sign that the office ought to take action and, in all likelihood, will do so given the rise in interest rates that has occurred this year and the resulting decrease in home sales. The most recent statistics released by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board indicate that the housing market in the region reached its highest point in the month of February when houses and condos sold for an average of $1.33 million. The average price in the region dropped to $1.25 million as a result of a number of factors, including the Bank of Canada’s decision to raise interest rates in April and the expectation that they will do so again soon. Despite this, prices are still 15% higher than they were at this time last year. “The market is softening, prices are coming down. They (OSFI) did the stress test to cool the market. They don’t need any cooling of the market anymore. It’s already there now,” said mortgage broker Kim Gibbons. In order to avoid having to pay for mortgage insurance, homebuyers are required by the rules to demonstrate that they are able to afford mortgage payments at an interest rate of 5.25 percent or their mortgage contract rate plus two percent, whichever is higher. Homebuyers who have made a minimum down payment of 20 percent are exempt from this requirement. They were implemented in 2016 and 2017 with the goal of reducing overall market activity and preventing buyers from feeling overly pressured by rising interest rates. According to comments made by mortgage brokers in Thursday’s edition of the Star, the current average interest rate for mortgages with fixed terms of five years ranges from 4.19 to 4.25 percent. A borrower would need to demonstrate that they are capable of paying an interest rate that is as high as 6.25 percent in order to qualify for a loan with the requirement of a two percent plus contract. Gibbons believes that this is unreasonable and that it “doesn’t make sense” given the current state of affairs. “As things stand now they have got to do something,” Gibbons added. “Clients are going to alternative sources of lenders, credit unions where you don’t have to do two percent above the contract rate to qualify. People can qualify with credit unions much easier,” she said. “The stress test takes away about 20 percent of your purchasing power. Not always, but that’s kind of the rule.”Mortgage broker True North Mortgage, headquartered in Toronto, and its chief executive officer Dan Eisner are both of the opinions that the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions will step in before the end of the year. According to Eisner if the “If the current housing market continues on a downward trend in home prices, that will give a lot of headroom to OSFI to reduce the stress test rate and requirements for the contract rate plus two percent before the end of the year.” ”I wouldn’t be surprised if they just eliminate the contract rate plus a two percent portion of the stress test; it’s a bit too aggressive. It doesn’t make sense when the fixed rates are in the four percent levels,” Eisner said. Related posts. Expert’s Reaction to the increasing rates by the Bank of Canada by admin123 Living in Main Floors- A Great matter of importance for Aging Canadians who want a Pleasant Life Ahead by admin123 National home prices historically higher, listings terribly low by admin123 Housing prices kicks off, stuck historically high, but trended lower in January by admin123 Soleil Condominiums by Mattamay to beam in Milton by admin123 As home prices rise, Ford wants to approve developments as soon as possible by admin123

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Highest Inflation in Canada since MC Hammer’s 2 Legit 2 Quit release

Blogs / Amy / 8 October 2022 / BMO, Canada, Canadian housing, Canadian real estate, Canadian Real Estate Association, Consumer Price Index, Greater Toronto Area, home prices, Real Estate, real estate market, toronto

Highest Inflation in Canada since MC Hammer’s 2 Legit 2 Quit release Households in Canada are currently facing the highest level of inflation seen in a whole generation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for the month of April was just released by Statistics Canada (Stats Can). The agency places the recent acceleration, which sent growth to the highest level since the early 1990s, on the shoulders of the need for food and shelter. Although there are those who are predicting that growth has reached its peak, leading analysts on Wall Street do not see this happening in the upcoming report. The inflation rate in Canada has reached 6.8 percent, marking its highest level since 1991. The annual rate of inflation in Canada went up once more, although the rate of increase was lower than in recent months. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) grew at an annual rate of 6.8 percent in April, up just 0.1 points from the previous month. It had the highest read count ever recorded, dating back to September 1991. To put it another way, if you are under the age of 30, you have never witnessed how your cost of living has increased. Inflation in Canada was Driven by the Cost of Food and Shelter During the Past Month According to Stat Can, the majority of the most recent increase can be attributed to increases in the cost of food and housing. Food prices rose by 9.7 percent in April, marking the period since September 1981 during which they have increased at the fastest rate. According to the agency, this marked the fifth consecutive month in which the food component scored more than 5 points. As a result of disruptions in the supply chain, including restrictions on exports, it is not likely to drop anytime soon. The majority of Canadians are aware that the cost of housing is going up, but the increase in CPI is not due to the reason you might think it is. The agency reported that the annual rate of inflation for housing costs reached its highest level since 1983 in the month of April, reaching 7.4 percent. The majority of the increases can be attributed to higher fuel costs, such as those for heating and cooling. The costs of home replacement for homeowners are also climbing at a lofty rate of 13.0 percent, which is a proxy for new homes. “The prior boom in home prices is now aggressively working its way into CPI, with new home prices and “other owned accommodation expenses” (mostly real estate fees) the two single biggest drivers last month,” said Douglas Porter, Chief Economist at BMO. The Next Inflation Report Is Expected to Show Rapid Acceleration In April, the annual growth rate only increased by 0.1 points, which is a tenth of the increase in CPI that was seen in March. Although this may point to a moderation in future expansion, the consensus on Bay Street this morning is not to that effect. BMO Capital Markets issued a warning to its clients that the relatively slow month was just a temporary blip. According to Porter’s explanation, “… this is the relative calm before another downpour in next month’s report, as gasoline prices are tracking a double-digit increase for May alone.” Additionally, the National Bank of Canada (NBF) issued a warning that the tight labour market poses a threat to inflation. According to Matthieu Arseneau, the deputy chief economist at the National Bank of Canada (NBF), “In an environment where the labor market is extremely tight with the unemployment rate at a record low, workers are well-positioned to ask for compensation, which should translate into relatively high inflation in services,” In addition, “For these reasons, the Central Bank must continue its fast-paced process of normalizing interest rates, which are still far too accommodating for the economic situation.” When allowed to continue, high inflation evolves into a problem that is both more extensive and more challenging to address. Once wages start adjusting to the levels of inflation, the potential for “transitory” employment will no longer exist. The general trend is for higher wages to result in higher consumer prices, which can contribute to higher levels of inflation. Getting out of a downward spiral of inflation is extremely challenging, and the top brass at RBC has warned about the issue. Related posts. Expert’s Reaction to the increasing rates by the Bank of Canada by admin123 Living in Main Floors- A Great matter of importance for Aging Canadians who want a Pleasant Life Ahead by admin123 National home prices historically higher, listings terribly low by admin123 Housing prices kicks off, stuck historically high, but trended lower in January by admin123 Soleil Condominiums by Mattamay to beam in Milton by admin123 As home prices rise, Ford wants to approve developments as soon as possible by admin123

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Growth in Canadian real estate prices may stall within the next three months

Blogs / Amy / 8 October 2022 / BMO, Canada, Canadian housing, Canadian real estate, Canadian Real Estate Association, Canadian Real Estate Market, Greater Toronto Area, home prices, Real Estate, real estate market, SNLR, toronto

Growth in Canadian real estate prices may stall within the next three months After being derailed by higher rates, the record run of the Canadian real estate market is quickly coming to an end. According to a recent research note published by BMO, the national sales to new listings ratio (SNLR) decreased in the month of April. This indicator acts as a leading price indicator by measuring supply in relation to demand. According to BMO, the real estate market in Canada can anticipate prices to compete with those in the country’s largest market, which may see price growth disappear within the next three months. Inventory Levels in Canadian Real Estate Markets Are Almost at a Balanced Level The sale to new listings ratio, also known as the SNLR, is a method for evaluating the relative levels of inventory. It is the proportion of homes that have been sold relative to the total number of homes that have been recently listed for sale. When the SNLR is higher, it indicates that there is less space for inventory in comparison to the amount of buying activity. The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has collected data that demonstrates an abrupt decline in the ratio. In April, the SNLR came in at 66 percent, which is significantly lower than the average of 76 percent seen over the course of the previous year. According to BMO, the market is on the verge of becoming balanced as a result of this healthy decline. At the national level, there has been a sudden transition from a hot market to a balanced market. However, the Greater Toronto Area market has the lowest ratio of any market in the country. Surprisingly, Canada has the weakest relative demand for real estate despite having one of the largest real estate bubbles in the world. The Real Estate Market in Toronto Is the Biggest in Canada, but It’s Beginning to Level Off According to BMO, one of the most important real estate markets to keep an eye on is Greater Toronto. The seasonally adjusted national listing ratio (SNLR) for Canada’s largest real estate market dropped to just 45 percent in April, putting it dangerously close to the bottom of a balanced market and inching closer to a seller’s market. According to the findings of the bank’s study, the regional SNLR has been on average 70 percent over the course of the past year. The disappearance of the Home price growth in 3 months The industry utilizes SNLR to measure the price growth in homes and this measure is mainly confirmed by the BMO. “Decades of history show that this ratio is an excellent leading indicator for average transaction prices, leading prices by about three months,” said BMO chief economist Douglas Porter. “…what the ratio is now telling us is that prices are about to go from 20%+ gains to a sudden stall. And that’s assuming the sales/listings ratio doesn’t fall further in coming months.” As interest rate hikes have only gotten us halfway to neutral, it is likely that the SNLR will fall even further. At the beginning of this week, economists from a number of different financial institutions issued a warning to investors that the slowdown in the market is just getting started. Related posts. Expert’s Reaction to the increasing rates by the Bank of Canada by admin123 Living in Main Floors- A Great matter of importance for Aging Canadians who want a Pleasant Life Ahead by admin123 National home prices historically higher, listings terribly low by admin123 Housing prices kicks off, stuck historically high, but trended lower in January by admin123 Soleil Condominiums by Mattamay to beam in Milton by admin123 As home prices rise, Ford wants to approve developments as soon as possible by admin123

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