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Canada housing plans considered vague by BMO

Blogs / Amy / 11 October 2022 / affordable, Canada, Canadian budget, Canadian building industry, Homebuyers, Housing, housing plans, inflation, interest rates, low-cost housing, Real Estate

Canada housing plans considered vague by BMO April 7th witnessed the release of the Canadian budget for the fiscal year 2022-23. Through the budget release, the Canadian government promises to enhance the housing conditions by making it more affordable and cost-efficient. The liberal party committed a few key measures, in case of re-election, that they will include a tax-free savings accounts for the first home for residents of Canada falling under the age of 40 years. A second promise is to double the home buyer text credit from $5000 to $10,000 to save on closing costs. The government has made commitments in order to speed up supply with the inclusion of $4 billion of investment in the housing accelerator fund in order to achieve growth in the annual housing supply. The federal government aims at the creation of 100,000 new, middle-class housing by the year 2024-25 and the conversion of void offices into residential components along side affordable build and repair With such eminent promises by the country’s government, came a warning from the economists’ bench. They called the dream of better and affordable housing in today’s market a dream far-fetched. Despite the Canadian Government’s full-fledged on-paper strategy, the economists are skeptical of such a plan and are calling it an impossible strategy or a political agenda that is not efficient enough to conceive itself. The Economists are reluctant to accept this plan and warn the people, who have hope in their eyes, to beware of the ‘extreme’ housing goals and the risks that could drown them with such a housing plan. Economists stand firm on the view that the federal government lacks an understanding of inflation costs that undergoes double home construction and states that the plan is too dismal to turn into reality. Most economists agree that the new housing plan determines the existing supply level to be negligible while dismissing the fact that one in ten dollars of the economic output of the country is spent on building houses. Here are a few economists who shared their opinions along with the reason why they think the new housing policies are the waves of hot air. Stephen Brown, a senior Canada economist at capital economics, feels that this plan is a demand-weighted strategy and that backfire is imminent. He analyses the situation and believes that for a less number of buyers a demand-oriented strategy could work but in the long-run housing will become expensive, dismissing the whale objective of the new plan. A certain Economist at BMO states the following reasons for their disagreement with the flow of the new housing plans – The skilled laborers and materials for the construction are in a shortage supply due to the fixed capacity of the Canadian building industry. If the production was to be doubled it’d result in a significant rate of inflation dismissing the entire goal of the campaign. It’s easier to talk about the zoning changes than to actually implement them in a real off-paper world. The economist warns about a strong political resistance. The federal government’s interference with the municipal committees will result in abuse of power. In the coming few years, Canada is likely to witness a change in its demographic structure. The millennials are currently peaking their demand needs which will result in low demand in the future. Moreover, the second half of the plan if would ever be conceived and implemented will result in housing for none. <br The said economist was also in high disagreement with the Ontario transit-oriented community project and housing plans. BMO economist titled the strategy as a way of pandering to a higher number of votes. In regards to the new housing plans, Brett House- deputy chief economist at Scotiabank believes ‘Policy efforts to stoke demand will only increase prices. All levels of government need to do the hard work together to enable an increased supply of appropriate housing with related services in Canada’s major cities.’ Angelo Melino, a professor at the University of Toronto, feels ‘You can’t improve affordability by subsidizing purchasers. This will just raise the price of the existing housing stock. Affordability requires an increase in the stock of low-cost housing.’ A chunk of economists praises the housing plans devised by the government as an admirable and an ambitious move but question the supply of workers needed to achieve the targets. Doubling production by cutting the extra costs seems like an intangible plan because of the rooted inflation that can devour the economy. Conclusion With such intricate views on one hand and the ambitious promises of the government, one needs to think if they should get their hopes high, think of this as a political agenda, and use their precious votes next time, or is there a grey area that everybody is missing on? The future is the only answer to all these questions and risks and decisions. Related posts. Canada housing plans considered vague by BMO by admin123 The Canadian Blind Bidding Ban Dilemma by admin123 Hamilton to witness the tallest building: 45 Storey Tower by admin123 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

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The Canadian Blind Bidding Ban Dilemma

Blogs / Amy / 11 October 2022 / Canada, Homebuyers, housing plan, housing production, inflation, interest rates, Real Estate, Real estate industry, real estate market

High mortgage rates to overwhelm Canadian housing Canada and The real estate Industry have always walked hand in hand and soared high profits when it came to output. An all-time high housing market burns red with ultimately no sign of cooling down. From 2021 to February 2022 the real estate market in Canada bagged a solid profit because of the purchase of around roughly 552,000 homes. Despite such an increase and heavy profit rate, the real estate industry of Canada is worried about the future market rate of housing in Canada. It has become an ironic situation, with the government promising to double the housing production and cutting the costs to make housing affordable through the release of the fiscal budget meanwhile the market and mortgage rates are hitting an all-time high and are expected to escalate more during near summers. Such a condition really tells that there will not only be a shortage of housing possibilities but also warns about the phase where housing will be available for none. Price hike The end of 2021 concluded around a 19 percent rise in the prices above the borrowing capacity of a median- Canadian household. Such a rate is expected to rise to a 30 percent or more in the near future making housing in Canada a dream far-fetched. The reason for such a hike in pricing is mere because the supply is always low but the demand keeps increasing in the country. Low bank interest rates are just another crackle in the fire that will keep increasing the demand and the mortgage rates along with it. Rising Mortgage Rates The Government of Canada 5 Year Bond closed at the most elevated level in a decade nowadays. Five Year yields are critical to a genuine domain, affecting one of the key contract rates. As a result, Canadians ought to anticipate paying the most elevated contract intrigued in a decade — and these rates are fair getting begun. Bond yields impact the mortgage as well as the interest debt in the real estate industry. The hot red pricing of the 5-year bond yield has become the reason for worry in the estate market because such a bond yield directs the 5 years fixed mortgage. It has been a record, that the Canadian 5-year bond yield has not taken this big a leap since April 2011. Due to such conditions, the Canadian 5-year mortgage rates are also at an all-time high resulting in a 17 percent drop in the buyer estimate. The five-year fixed mortgage was relatively the preferred plan for buyers until a year before but now the buyers will seek new and variable buying options with different ranges of the mortgage. This leaves a gap in the market contributing to higher levels of inflation. Recently the bank hiked 0.5 percent of the interest rates which will invariably result in nothing since the demand soars up but the supply to suffice higher demand is not nearly abundant. A lot of buyers are now indifferent to the price hike since the interest rates are lower even than the pre-pandemic rates. The real estate market will be in a slump as the properties are decreasing and the number of buyers running to buy the estate is high. With this there is the expectation of a solid hike in interest rate which is instigating the buyers to buy in today, colling down an all-time hot-selling real estate market. This would not only result in higher prices and lower demands in the future but also a scarcity of property until the government’s housing plan comes to the rescue in real-time. But is the Government’s housing plan a tangible asset, well the economists say otherwise. An entirely new perspective While the distress of the real estate market is evident Canada’s president Christopher Alexander feels a cooling down of the market won’t happen. In an interview when asked about the rising prices and mortgage rates the Canadian president was heard saying “It will take some froth out, which I think we would all enjoy. But I think the market will adjust demand is still incredibly strong and Canadians really believe in the value of homeownership. So I think that will still continue to see people wanting to buy, just might take them a little bit longer than they had hoped.” Conclusion The fate of housing in Canada is dismal from some perspectives while ambitious from others, the future will only hold the decision of the winning perspective. Related posts. The Canadian Blind Bidding Ban Dilemma by admin123 Hamilton to witness the tallest building: 45 Storey Tower by admin123 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

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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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Positive and negative impact of taxes on preconstruction home resale

Blogs / Amy / 8 October 2022 / budget, condo markets, Condos, construction loans, contract sellers, Homebuyers, new homes, non-permanent resident holder, pre-construction, pre-construction condos, Real Estate, Resale homes, tax incentives, tax law

Positive and negative impact of taxes on preconstruction home resale In the event that a construction project is scrapped, it is certain to garner coverage in the media. Even though constructors and developers do everything in their power to avoid dissatisfying their clients, it is a fact that projects do occasionally have to be cancelled, and the reasons behind these cancellations are typically very compelling. When looking for a new place to call home, one does not necessarily have to settle for buying an existing home or condominium on the secondary market. Investing in a home while it is still in the pre-construction phase is another choice. Homebuyers can take advantage of this option to move into a brand-new home that is “move-in ready” and features personalized interior design accents. Having a home warranty is also a beneficial addition, so keep that in mind. Buying a home that is still under construction, on the other hand, involves a different process than buying an existing home on the market. The purchase of a pre-construction unit is distinct from the purchase of a unit that has already been built, and prospective buyers of pre-construction units are obligated to educate themselves on the various disclosures and safeguards available to them before making a purchase. When you have found a pre-construction home project, it is absolutely necessary for you to investigate the builder who will be responsible for the project. Before committing to buying a home from them, it is essential to do background research on their track record and determine how quickly they finish projects. Visiting one of their finished projects and talking to the people who live there is a simple way to gather this information. It’s possible that the payment schedule will make it impossible for some people in Canada to pay. Deposits of twenty percent are customarily required when purchasing a pre-construction property (there is no regulation around this, and the deposit is set at the discretion of the builder). Our industry constructs hundreds of housing projects in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) each year, resulting in the delivery of approximately 40,000 new housing units. The only exception to this rule is cancellations. According to Altus Group, which tracks the data on new home sales, approximately 13.5 projects have been scrapped each year on average since 2010. This amounts to a total of 148 projects that have been scrapped since 2010. By the end of November in 2021, 12 projects had been scrapped, which is about the same number as during a typical month but significantly fewer than the 21 projects that were scrapped during the worst year, 2014. Consumers need to be aware that there is a possibility of their purchase being cancelled when they buy pre-construction units, despite the fact that these units come at favourable prices. Prospective homeowners who do not feel comfortable with the risk should purchase a unit that has already been built or one on the resale market; however, the price will not be as advantageous as it would be otherwise. Many different things can lead to the termination of a project. Sometimes, not enough of a project’s units are sold for the developer to be able to move forward with the project. In other instances, the builder or developer is unable to obtain financing for the project, or the costs of the project that were projected to be incurred escalate to a level that makes it impossible for the project to be economically viable. In addition, the approval process for some projects can be drawn out, and other projects are never sanctioned. The enhanced disclosure section of the Tarion Addendum, which is the standard form attached to the purchase and sales agreement for pre-construction sales, outlines all of these unfavourable and improbable contingencies in detail. The document that constitutes the agreement also specifies payment schedules, dates of occupancy, and grounds for termination. Buyers of pre-construction units should carefully read their purchase agreement and have it reviewed by a legal professional to ensure that they have a complete understanding of all of the terms and conditions, as well as any possible dangers. 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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An increase in fixed rates by lenders, brings them closer to 4.5%

Blogs / Amy / 8 October 2022 / 5-year fixed rates, borrowers, borrowing costs, Canadian household, fixed interest rates, fixed mortgages, Government of Canada, Greater Toronto Area, home sales, Homebuyers, house prices, household debt, households, interest rates, mortgage, mortgage rates

An increase in fixed rates by lenders, brings them closer to 4.5% The previous week saw a rise in bond yields, which led to an increase in the variable and fixed mortgage rates offered by lenders across the country. Rates on 5-year fixed mortgages have been increased by 20 to 25 basis points at major financial institutions such as RBC, TD, and BMO, which all currently offer uninsured rates of 4.39 percent. This change comes after a nearly 10-bps increase in the yield on the Government of Canada’s 5-year bond, which is the benchmark for 5-year fixed rates. On Friday, the yield on a 5-year bond reached a new 11-year high when it closed at 2.88 percent. Bond yields have increased by more than 165 basis points since the beginning of the year. According to the data tracked by Rob McLister, rate analyst and editor of Mortgage Logic, the average uninsured 5-year fixed-rate among national lenders is now 4.37 percent. This represents an increase from the rate of 3.92 percent a month ago. The rate on an insured, fixed-rate mortgage for five years with a down payment of less than twenty percent has increased to 4.14 percent, from 3.78 percent one month ago. This represents an increase from the previous rate. That means that fixed interest rates have increased by approximately 40 basis points in the space of just one month. To put this into perspective, an increase in the rate of 50 basis points results in a roughly $25 higher monthly payment for every $100,000 of debt when amortised over a period of 25 years. New borrowers and those renewing a mortgage are facing significantly higher rates compared to just a few months ago and potentially double for those renewing a mortgage. While this does not affect the majority of borrowers with fixed rates, it does impact new borrowers and those renewing a mortgage. Following the Bank of Canada’s next rate decision meeting on June 1, at which it is anticipated that it will raise interest rates by another 50 basis points (bps), variable interest rates are likely to surge once more in the wake of this development. This may cause the prime rate, which is the rate used to price variable-rate mortgages and lines of credit, to rise to 3.70 percent. Impact of rising rates on mortgage borrowers “As interest rates march higher—we expect the overnight rate to hit 2% by October, a projection that increasingly looks conservative—borrowing costs for Canadians will also rise, leaving the average Canadian household to spend almost $2,000 more in debt payments in 2023,” say economists from RBC Economics. “This will erode spending power, especially for the lowest-earning fifth of households which spend 22% of their after-tax income on debt servicing (including mortgage principal and interest payments),” they add. On the other hand, RBC reports that the pandemic contributed to an increase in the amount of savings made by households in Canada. According to what the RBC economists wrote, the pandemic may have increased debt, but it also left Canadian households with an estimated savings balance of $300 billion. That is an enormous safety net, sufficient to cover approximately one and a half years’ worth of payments on the total Canadian household debt. Impact of rising rates on home prices The most recent housing data showed a significant decrease in home sales during the month of April; however, house prices have remained stable across the majority of the country, with the exception of Ontario. In the Greater Toronto Area, home prices have decreased by approximately 6 percent on average, but they have decreased by as much as 22 percent depending on the type of property and the particular region. Since benchmark prices are frequently a lagging indicator, it is likely that there will be additional price decreases in the months to come. In a recent post on move smartly, real estate analyst John Pasalis, president of Realosophy Realty, wrote that”…tomorrow’s homebuyers are going to have a much harder time paying today’s prices if they were paying 5% on their mortgage compared to the low 2% range just a few months ago, and the high 1% range a year ago.” Pasalis pointed out that some people have argued that this isn’t a concern because many borrowers have been qualifying at a stress test rate of at least 5.25 percent, but he suggests that this is an oversimplification of the situation. The mortgage stress test is currently used to qualify borrowers at a rate that is either the buyer’s actual mortgage rate plus 2 percentage points or the benchmark rate, which is currently 5.25 percentage points.According to what Pasalis has written, as these are dynamic measures that will change as rates do, the stress test will also increase, which will result in a reduction in the amount of debt a buyer can take on. He goes on to say that the contract rate influences how much mortgage debt the borrower is willing to take on. “A buyer who qualifies for a $1M mortgage may be willing to take on that much debt when interest rates are 1.75%, but less so when rates are 4% because under the higher rate their actual mortgage payment would be roughly $1,100 per month higher,” he wrote. As a result, if interest rates continue to trend higher, Pasalis says he “would not be surprised if we see some downward pressure on home prices over the next 9 to 18 months due to homebuyers being unwilling or unable to pay today’s prices at tomorrow’s higher interest rates.” Although, he adds that any price decline would “likely be a temporary one due to long-term fundamental factors that have been contributing to rising home prices in the Toronto area.” 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

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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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Canada’s housing affordability declines the most in 27 years.

Blogs / Amy / 8 October 2022 / bank of canada, condo, Fixed mortgage rates, Homebuyers, household income, mortgage, National Bank of Canada, resale market, savings rate, toronto

Canada’s housing affordability declines the most in 27 years. A mortgage for the average home in Canada will cost Canadians more than half of their household income for the first time since the mid-1990s. The National Bank of Canada (NBC) noted in its latest Housing Affordability Monitor report that housing affordability in Canada has worsened for the fifth consecutive quarter. In comparison to the previous quarter, the MPPI (mortgage payment as a proportion of income) for a typical home increased by 4.9 percentage points. This is the worst quarter in more than 27 years of declines in the stock market. All ten major markets studied by NBC were found to have decreased in affordability, with the exception of Victoria, Toronto, and Vancouver. “Over the last 12 months, the worsening in affordability was the nastiest in 40 years,” said the report. “For the first time since 1994, it would take more than 50 percent of income for a representative household to service the mortgage on a representative home in Canada’s main urban centres.” “Headwinds will continue to blow against Canada’s real estate market in the months ahead with the Bank of Canada pursuing its monetary policy normalization process through higher policy rates and quantitative tightening,” further said the report. In Q1-2022, rising property prices and rising interest rates were cited as the two key factors that contributed to Canada’s deteriorating housing affordability. Since Q3-2013, NBC’s 5-year benchmark mortgage rate has jumped 46 bps in Q4-2021, the highest one-quarter change since that period. By choosing variable-rate mortgages in recent months, most homebuyers have been able to escape large price rises, but the terms of these mortgages are becoming less attractive. Because of this, the resale market has been affected. The worst losses in affordability have struck Canada’s major cities the hardest. The most severe drops in affordability were seen in the largest and most costly cities in Canada during the first quarter of 2002. For the third quarter in a row, Victoria recorded the highest annual decline in its MPPI, which rose by 19.6 percentage points. As a direct consequence of this, Victoria’s MPPI reached 80%, which represents the highest level for the city since the second quarter of 2008. The MPPI in Victoria experienced an increase of 8.5 percentage points on a quarterly basis. The MPPI increased to 85.7 percent for non-condos and to 44.2 percent for condos, representing respective increases of 9.3 percent and 4.1 percent from the previous quarter. At the moment, the yearly household income required to afford a non-condo in Victoria is $204,078 whereas the annual household income required to afford a condo in Victoria is $123,747. At an annual savings rate of 10%, it would take 382 months (31.8 years) to save up enough money for a downpayment on a house that is not a condo, while it would only take 58 months (4.8 years) to save up enough money for a condo. In the same province, the city of Vancouver had a significant decline in its affordability as a result of the MPPI’s seven-point increase during the first quarter of 2018, an acceleration that hasn’t been seen in the records since the year 1994. The typical monthly mortgage payment in Vancouver now takes up 81.4 percent of the city’s median salary, making it the most expensive city in Canada in which to purchase a property. The Vancouver Multiple Property Index (MPPI) surged by nine percent quarterly to reach 101.5 percent for properties that were not condos. Meanwhile, the MPPI for condos rose by 3.2 percent to reach 43.4 percent. If you want to buy a house that isn’t a condo in the largest city in British Columbia, you’ll need an annual income of at least $285,078; if you want to buy a condo, you’ll need an annual income of at least $142,357. In the event that you intend to save up for a down payment, it will take you approximately 452 months (37.6 years) and 63 months (5.25 years) of savings at a rate of 10% to be able to afford a non-condo or condo residence, respectively. In Toronto, the situation is not significantly better than it was before. The city saw the largest quarterly decline in affordability since 1994 during the first quarter of 2012, as the MPPI increased by 8.1 percentage points to reach its highest level since 1990. The median price per square foot index (MPPI) for non-condo properties rose by 8.9 percent quarterly to 81.5 percent, while the same gauge increased by 4.2 percent for condo properties to an MPPI of 44.2 percent. Homebuyers in Toronto need an annual income of $228,100 to be able to afford the typical house that is not a condo. This figure is significantly more than the required amount of finances, which is only $144,644 for a condo. It would take around 363 months (30.2 years) to save up enough money for a down payment on a house that is not a condo, while it would only take 64 months (5.3 years) to save up enough money for a down payment on a condo in the city. 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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Home Prices in Toronto hits an all time new record

Blogs / Amy / 5 August 2022 / Greater Toronto Area, home prices, Homebuyers

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

Blogs / Amy / 2 August 2022 / bank of canada, banking regulator, Canada, Canadian banking, Canadian housing, Canadian housing market, Canadian lending industry, home prices, Homebuyers, housing season, interest rates, Mortgage brokers, mortgage insurance, mortgage practices, mortgages, Toronto Regional Real Estate Board

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April witnessed a fall in home sales as mortgage rates increase

Blogs / Amy / 2 August 2022 / bank of canada, benchmark price, Canadian housing, Canadian Real Estate Association, fixed rates, Greater Toronto, home price, home price index, home sales, Homebuyers, housing market, interest rates, mortgage rates, mortgage stress test, single-detached homes, townhomes, Vancouver

April witnessed a fall in home sales as mortgage rates increase The Canadian Real Estate Association reported on Monday that rising mortgage rates caused a slowdown in the pace of home sales in April compared to the frenetic pace they started the year at. According to the findings of the association, the number of homes sold in May 2022 fell to 54,894 from 73,907 in April 2021, which was the month that the nation set a record for the number of sales in the month. Compared month-over-month, sales in April were down 12.6% when compared with sales in March; however, April still ranked as the third-highest sales figure ever recorded for the month of April, just behind 2021 and 2016. “The demand fever in Canadian housing has broken and, who would have thought, all it took was a nudge in interest rates by the Bank of Canada to change sentiment,” said BMO Capital Markets senior analyst Robert Kavcic, in a note to investors. According to CREA, a significant portion of the slowdown can be attributed to rising fixed mortgage rates, which have been on the rise since 2021 but have had a more significant impact in the most recent months. Over the course of one month, the association noted that the typical discounted five-year fixed rates increased by approximately three to four percent from their previous levels. The rate also has an impact on how well buyers perform on the mortgage stress test. This test used to require buyers with uninsured mortgages — borrowers who had made a down payment of at least 20 percent — to carry a mortgage rate that was either two percentage points above the contract rate or 5.25 percent, whichever was greater. The rate currently has an impact on how well buyers perform on this test. According to CREA, the stress test for fixed borrowers has recently moved from 5.25 percent to the low 6 percent range, which represents another increase of approximately one percent in just one month. “People are nervous. They are thinking, ‘if I take on this mortgage when mortgage rates are going up and the price to (live) is more, what is going to happen?” said Anita Springate-Renaud, a Toronto broker with Engel & Völkers. She observed that many homes were still receiving multiple offers during the previous month, but the typical number of offers was now between two and three rather than twenty. “For buyers, this slowdown could mean more time to consider options in the market,” said Jill Oudil, CREA’s chair, in a news release. It is possible that for sellers, this will necessitate a return to marketing strategies that are more traditional. This shift in sentiment was reflected in the number of newly listed homes, which fell by 2.2 percent to 70,957 last month from 72,557 in March. On a seasonally adjusted basis, this decrease was due to a decrease in the number of newly listed homes. The number of newly listed properties fell to 91,559 in the most recent month, which is a decrease of 10.5% compared to April 2022’s total of 102,294 listings. Despite the fact that the CREA reported a slowdown in sales and a reduction in the number of listings, Canadians spent even more money on homes than they did in 2021. In April, the average price of a home across the nation was just over $746,000. This represents a 7.4 percent increase from the average price of about $695,000 in April of the previous year. The Greater Toronto and Vancouver areas were not included in this calculation, which resulted in a $138,000 decrease in the national average price, according to CREA. On the other hand, when taking into account seasonal factors, the national average home price dropped by 3.8 percent from $771,125 in March to $741,517 in the most recent month. In the most recent month, the home price index benchmark price reached $866,700. This represents a decrease of 0.6% from the previous month, but an increase of 23.76% from one year ago and 63.96% from five years ago. The benchmark price was the least expensive in Saskatchewan, where it amounted to $271,100, and it was the most expensive in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, where it was greater than $1.3 million. The housing markets in Ontario’s suburbs are the “shakiest” because of the way prices have dropped since their peaks in February, but he said that single-detached homes and townhomes appear to be cooling off the quickest. 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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An increase in fixed rates by lenders, brings them closer to 4.5%

Blogs / Amy / 2 August 2022 / 5-year fixed rates, borrowers, borrowing costs, Canadian household, fixed interest rates, fixed mortgages, Government of Canada, Greater Toronto Area, home sales, Homebuyers, house prices, household debt, households, interest rates, mortgage, mortgage rates

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Positive and negative impact of taxes on preconstruction home resale

Blogs / Amy / 1 August 2022 / budget, condo markets, construction loans, contract sellers, Homebuyers, Housing, new homes, non-permanent resident holder, pre-construction, pre-construction condos, Real Estate, Resale homes, tax incentives, tax law

Positive and negative impact of taxes on preconstruction home resale The condo markets in British Columbia and Ontario are booming. Condos are becoming increasingly popular as a first home, a downsize, a way to send children to university, or as investment assets. Many people purchase condos before they are built. Construction takes time, and considering how quickly real estate is appreciating these days, the value of a condo purchased pre-construction often rises dramatically by the time it is ready to move into. For a variety of reasons, buyers may choose or be compelled to sell their pre-construction purchases. Construction is taking too long, their circumstances have changed, or something better becomes available. People frequently sell their pre-construction condos and then find themselves facing additional taxes, interest, and fines. There’s nothing improper with selling an apartment that’s still under construction. The CRA is only interested in whether the rise in value is properly disclosed. The former owner may claim the condo as a primary residence or as a sale of capital property depending on when it was sold on the way to full completion. When selling a pre-construction condo before or shortly after completion, these claims are more difficult to make. This isn’t to say the condo wasn’t your primary dwelling or a valuable investment. It just means you must prepare to demonstrate that it was. The CRA can make assumptions in Canada, and it is your responsibility as a taxpayer to prove them incorrect. The CRA will examine whether the acquisition and sale correspond to a claim for the condo as a primary dwelling, a capital asset, or commercial inventory. Differentiating between different types of sale characterizations can be extremely difficult. These factors include the rationale for the purchase and any supporting evidence, as well as the reason for the sale and supporting evidence. However, these two are only the tip of the iceberg. Pre-construction condo contract sellers are classified as builders by the CRA. This implies you must pay both the capital gains tax (which has a 50% inclusion rate) and the HST (which applies to the deposit you receive when you sell and the profits from the price markup). Homebuyers who are considering (or have already purchased) a new or pre-construction property are frequently confused about the HST rebate. “Who pays for HST on a new home?” and “How is the HST refund calculated?” are often asked questions. And rightfully so. The HST rebate can be substantial, with a difference of up to $30,000 in your bottom line. TheRedPin has broken down the facts around the HST rebate in Ontario for a new condo or house to make it a little easier to comprehend the ins and outs of the rebate programme. The tips in this post are meant to serve as a starting point for first-time homeowners; it’s vital to speak with your lawyer and accountant about the HST rebate. The HST is frequently included in pre-construction project pricing. The builders, in reality, receive the HST rebate on your behalf. If the property is not your primary residence (i.e. an investment property), however, you will be charged a tax of 13% of the acquisition price. Make careful to account for this additional tax if you intend to use your house as an investment. There is also a 15 percent Non-Resident Speculative Tax, as stated in the Ontario Fair Housing Act (NRST). Make sure to budget for this tax if you’re not a Canadian citizen or a non-permanent resident holder. Property taxes are also deductible according to the IRS. Resale homes usually have lower property taxes, depending on the state. While most tax incentives are available to both new and resale properties, a newly built home has a better chance of receiving them. Homebuyers can profit from tax returns before even moving in thanks to construction loans and property taxes, and the greater energy efficiency of new homes is likely to result in credit as well. According to the reports, “an additional 13 percent tax will be imposed on the entire price paid by the second buyer to the original buyer” and “every new assignment sale … will be subject to a tax of up to 26 percent.” It is now abundantly clear that the tax will only be paid on the profit that is being earned by the “flipper,” which refers to the first buyer who is selling the pre-construction contract to the second buyer. This view is based on a thorough investigation of papers that, on the day of the budget, were not readily obvious — at least not to me and a large number of other stakeholders. They are known as Tax Measures: Supplementary Information and a Notice of Ways and Means Motion to alter the Excise Tax Act, and they are the kind of dry documents that are only interesting to people who work in the field of tax law and accounting. According to Toronto real estate and tax lawyer Trevor Kezwer the “Budget Chapter 1.4 Curbing Foreign Investment and Speculation … has a section dealing with Taxing Assignment Sales where it was not clear about how the government intended to apply HST on assignment sales. One had to look into the deep recesses of the budget in the Tax Measures: Supplementary Information (document) to see the actual plans and legislative changes to the Excise Tax Act.” 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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Positive and negative impact of taxes on preconstruction home resale

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Home Prices in Toronto hits an all time new record

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

April witnessed a fall in home sales as mortgage rates increase

An increase in fixed rates by lenders, brings them closer to 4.5%

Positive and negative impact of taxes on preconstruction home resale

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