Canada’s national statistics agency reported real estate prices made the biggest gain in years — during a pandemic. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows real estate prices increased in Q4 2020. The rise was the biggest since 2017, and is being attributed to low interest rates. The data is consistent with local real estate boards, […]
Mortgage rates might be low, but nosebleed home prices still make payments difficult. National Bank of Canada (NBC) data shows the household income required to carry a mortgage on a typical home in Q4 2020. The numbers in some regions are staggering, before even considering downpayments. In Toronto or Vancouver, the middle class can no […]
The first hurdle to buying a home in Canada is getting much higher – saving for a downpayment. A National Bank of Canada (NBC) analysis shows it took a record number of months to save a downpayment in Q4 2020. Households need to save for the longest period in history, passing even the late 1980s […]
Low income Canadians are going to have a heck of a time finding new rental housing. A Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) analysis shows how much rental stock is affordable by income quintile in 2020. Affordability is defined as purpose-built units that cost less than 30% of each quintile income. For those that skipped […]
Greater Vancouver real estate is soaring, but it’s uneven across the region, and all segments. Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) data shows prices generally advanced in December. Suburban homes represented most of the price gains. The City’s condo apartments even continued to see price growth decelerate. Greater Vancouver Real Estate Prices Rise 5.5% […]
Canada’s central bank has finally stopped juicing the mortgage market… or at least it’s taking a break. Bank of Canada (BoC) data shows December was the first ever drop in the amount of Canada mortgage bonds (CMBs) held. It’s too early to tell if it’s just temporary, or if it’ll start again. If the buying […]
Canadians act cheery, but most are feeling a big drop in the quality of their life during the pandemic. A Statistics Canada (StatCan) analysis shows how the average person’s life satisfaction has changed between 2018 and 2020. The agency found polarization in scores – a higher level at the top and bottom, with less middle […]
Canadians are falling behind on their rent. A lot of them. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) data shows rent in arrears at purpose built rentals in 2020. Over 125,000 Canadians were behind on rent in October, with almost a third located in Toronto. Despite the large number, it likely only represents a fraction of […]
Households in Canada’s largest real estate markets are big premiums to own. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) analysis shows the gap between the cost of owning and renting in 2020. Carrying costs in the largest market are now almost double that of paying rent. That isn’t a general rule though, with some markets cheaper […]
Greater Toronto real estate buyers are paying massive premiums to own. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) data shows 2020 rental data. The organization observed, despite more rental vacancies, rents are still rising. More interesting though, they observe that apartment buyers are paying very large premiums for a shot at making big money. Toronto Rental […]
