Canadian new housing starts are returning to reality as cheap capital starts to ease. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the country’s state-owned insurer, reported housing starts fell in October. Housing starts are exactly what they sound like — homes that have started construction. The drop was large enough to be considered a technical […]
In the upside-down world, a weak economy is great for Canadian home prices — and people are betting on it. The majority of mortgage debt issued in August has a variable interest rate. This is when a borrower’s interest paid is attached to market rates, as opposed to a fixed rate. Experts, including the central […]
Hoping to win the title of being one of Canada’s highest-earning households? It’s an easier hurdle to clear than it used to be — though let’s be honest, it’s still difficult to cross. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows the results of 2019 tax filings. The threshold for being a top-earning household made a small […]
Canadian investment in home construction is slipping and due entirely to housing. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows building construction investment fell in September. This data is mostly based on building permits, providing insight into construction sentiment. Home building isn’t doing so hot — falling enough to be considered a technical crash. It fell so […]
It’s widely known that Canadian real estate affordability is getting worse, but it’s hard to picture. The latest affordability report from National Bank of Canada (NBC) can help with that. They crunched the numbers on how long it takes to save for the minimum down payment on a non-condo home. As of Q3 2021, it […]
Still think the Canadian economy isn’t ready for a rate hike? A new analysis from BMO helps to make a convincing argument otherwise. The Bank of Canada (BoC) last hiked the overnight rate when unemployment fell to the current rate. That was back in 2017, when the country’s interest rates were also double the current […]
The Canadian real estate market is forecast to be busy next Spring, but a hurdle just appeared. RBC Economics updated its forecast for the Bank of Canada (BoC) overnight rate in 2022. Canada’s largest bank sees inflation forcing the BoC to hike rates in April. In just five months, this would increase mortgage rates at […]
Canada’s unemployment fell and things sound a lot better, but it might not be what it seems. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows the unadjusted unemployment rate fell in October. A deeper dive shows a drop in full-time employment was made up by a rise in part-time employment. Also, the drop in unemployed people? It […]
The US is signaling the end of easy money might be near. The Federal Open Market Committee (the Fed) announced a taper to quantitative ease (QE). The central bank plans to reduce asset purchases this month and the program could wind up by next summer. This will translate into more expensive credit and may pump […]
It’s not just Toronto or Vancouver real estate. Canadian home prices have risen so fast, they’re no longer affordable for Canadians in general. The Desjardins Affordability Index (DAI) shows housing became less affordable in Q3 2021. Falling incomes and rising home prices combined to create a national affordability crisis. The financial institution doesn’t see much […]
