December 2010 - SuperBrokers

Officials warn of potentially tighter mortgage rules

Officials in Ottawa are warning that they could further restrict mortgage availability in an effort to cut down on rising debt levels across the country.

Officials in Ottawa are warning that they could further restrict mortgage availability in an effort to cut down on rising debt levels across the country.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said that while previous generations have made it a focus to pay off their debt quickly, consumers now are less motivated to do so, which has led to elevated levels of debt for many nationwide. Making mortgage regulations tighter would restrict the flow of credit, and likely make it more difficult for consumers to take advantage of mortgage rates still below normal levels.
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Report: Government and banks looking to cut consumer debts

Extract: Government officials are now meeting with Bay Street banks to try and come up with new ways to drive down persistent high levels of consumer debt.

Government officials are now meeting with Bay Street banks to try and come up with new ways to drive down persistent high levels of consumer debt.

The Globe and Mail cited sources as saying that Michael Horgan, deputy finance minister, has spoken to a number of executives from major firms, and that bankers have been open to the idea of increasing down payment requirements and cutting loan terms.
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Homeownership pays off in retirement

New data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation finds that apartment vacancies have fallen across the country’s 35 major cities, causing rents to rise, and perhaps making low Canadian mortgage rates more attractive to potential buyers.

A new report from Statistics Canada says that those who choose to become homeowners earlier in life were able to reap the benefits of their decision later on down the line, when owning their home made a significant impact on their incomes and household finances.

The research, which was based on data from the firm's Survey of Household Spending from 1969 and 2006, found that the incomes at homes headed by those at retirement age were much higher than those who had been renters, simply because they didn't have to pay rent once they had stopped working.
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Vacancies dropping, rents rising nationwide

New data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation finds that apartment vacancies have fallen across the country's 35 major cities, causing rents to rise, and perhaps making low Canadian mortgage rates more attractive to potential buyers.

The CMHC's Rental Market Survey found that the average vacancy rate dropped to 2.6 percent in October, down from 2.8 percent during the same time last year.
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Positive home construction numbers another sign of recovering economy

New home construction across Canada grew during the month of November, yet another sign that the national economy is recovering, and more people may be looking for the lowest Canadian mortgage rates in order to buy properties.

Data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation showed that the seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts was 187,200 in November, an increase of more than 11 percent compared to October's numbers. Leading the way was a 20.9 percent increase in urban multiple starts – showing an increased demand for apartments and condos.
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Survey: Women control household finances

A new survey finds that the vast majority of women say that in the end, they have control of family finances instead of men.

A new survey finds that the vast majority of women say that in the end, they have control of family finances instead of men.

The Angus Reid poll, titled Financial Lives of Girls and Women, found that 89 percent of respondents felt that while women may end up speaking with a financial advisor or a spouse about money issues or mortgage rates, they still held ultimate control over most financial decisions.

In addition, while 89 percent of women felt that they should consult their partner before making financial decisions, just 51 percent of respondents said that they actually did, representing a significant shift from traditional stereotypes.
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Surging demand for new office development in Calgary

Renewed strength in the energy industry has resulted in higher demand for new office developments in Calgary, according to a report from Cushman & Wakefield.

Renewed strength in the energy industry has resulted in higher demand for new office developments in Calgary, according to a report from Cushman & Wakefield.

The firm says that in 2008, many energy companies were forced to make massive layoffs, which ended up stalling a number of projects. Now that the sector is back on its feet, developers are looking for Canadian commercial mortgages to get them going once again.

"What we are seeing both in the downtown core and in suburbs is the engineering sector is not only ramping up but is up to where it was at late 2008 and looking for expansion beyond," Bob MacDougall, senior managing director of the firm, told the Calgary Herald.
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Report: Home prices to gain stability in 2011

A new report finds that home values are expected to either remain level or make gains during 2011, which should give renewed confidence to those looking for Canadian home loans.

A new report finds that home values are expected to either remain level or make gains during 2011, which should give renewed confidence to those looking for Canadian home loans.

The 2011 outlook report from RE/MAX found that while home sales have disappointed this year, home prices have generally improved, gaining roughly 7 percent compared to 2009.

While the firm says growth next year will likely be slow, home prices should stay in positive territory in every city in the country next year, with home prices as a whole rising by 3 percent by the end of next year.

"Ample inventory levels, steady demand, and moderate growth, both in terms of sales and prices, will characterize the market in 2011," said Michael Polzler, executive vice president and regional director of Re/Max Ontario-Atlantic Canada.
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MPAC: Sale price reviews to increase

A recent report from the Auditor General is making mortgage news, as the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation says that it will be working to improve its processes for reviewing home sales when their prices vary from their initial assessments.

The agency says that the report found a number of properties on which the sale price was either well above or below the home's previously assessed value.
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Borrowing costs to remain low

The Bank of Canada has announced that it won’t raise its key interest rate in light of weakening economic conditions – a step that should keep Canadian mortgage rates low, and create low costs for borrowers looking to buy a home.

The Bank of Canada has announced that it won't raise its key interest rate in light of weakening economic conditions – a step that should keep Canadian mortgage rates low, and create low costs for borrowers looking to buy a home.

This is the second time that the bank has chosen to maintain its interest rate at 1 percent following three rate hikes during this year's summer months. Weak economic growth, particularly with exports, was one of the key factors playing into the decision.

"Net exports were weaker than projected and continued to exert a significant drag on growth," said bank governor Mark Carney.
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