Canadian real estate prices just turned the least affordable it has been in decades. A National Bank of Canada (NBF) analysis shows affordability worsened in Q4 2021. They found this was the case for every quarter last year, as low rates encouraged higher prices. As the overnight rate rises, housing affordability is expected to further […]
Ontario Rental Eviction Notices Are Normalizing, Which Can Mean Doubling Next Year
Ontario rental evictions cratered during the initial public health restrictions. Government of Ontario data shows that rental evictions dropped sharply for the 2020-2021 period. The impact was likely short-lived, with the current period already rising more briskly. As public health restrictions are lifted, expect applications for evictions to normalize. That can mean double the filings […]
Canada Has Seen Over 1 In 5 Mortgages Go To Investors: Bank of Canada
Canada’s central bank is adding another data point to show the extent of real estate investors. A Bank of Canada (BoC) staff report looked at the country’s mortgage market up to Q2 2021. They found over 1 in 5 recently issued mortgages in Canada went to investors. The data reveals a sharp increase, but even […]
Foreign Buyers Own 1 In 10 Recently Built Condos In Canada, 1 In 20 Homes In Total
Canadian real estate might have a lot more foreign owners than previously thought. Diving through Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data, we found non-resident participation in homeownership soared in 2020. Non-resident buyers have a small share in property transfer records, but foreign capital is pouring in. In the four provinces tracked, about 1 in 10 recently […]
Canadian Real Estate Equity Should Be Taxed, Suggests CMHC-Funded Working Group
Canadian real estate has been the ideal tax shelter, but that might change soon. Generation Squeeze, a Vancouver-led non-profit advocating for Millennials, released its Solutions Lab report. The CMHC-funded (but independent) study has four suggestions for improving housing affordability. Today we’re going to dive into its most controversial proposal stirring debate — a progressive tax […]
The Canadian Government Just Put Real Estate Investors In Its Crosshairs
Canada quietly put real estate investors on notice, right before the holidays — probably hoping it slips under the radar. A newly re-elected Liberal Party of Canada (LPC) distributed mandate letters. These letters contain orders for the Minister to execute and are usually pretty dry. A big exception is the Minister of Housing’s mandate letter, […]
Canadian Real Estate Affordability Improves When Rates Rise, Despite The Rhetoric
Canada has seen a surge in real estate buyers looking to get ahead of rising rates. After all, a higher cost of borrowing means higher payments, right? Running TransUnion mortgage payment data against mortgage rates shows the exact opposite. This is due to the basic design of interest rates, which are increasingly ignored due to […]
One In Five Canadians Are In “Shelter Poverty” and It’s Worse For New Immigrants
Soaring Canadian real estate prices has left many in a form of poverty, shows government data. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) recently dropped the results of its 2018 housing survey. Amongst the many insights are the number of people living in shelter poverty. These are households that spend more than 30% of their income on housing […]
Canadian Real Estate Affordability Is Worsening As Household Incomes Fall: Desjardins
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 […]
Nearly 30% of Canadian First-Time Home Buyers Received “Gifts” For A Down Payment
Canada is making a triumphant return to feudalism, where homeownership requires family wealth. A CIBC Capital Markets analysis shows 30% of first-time homebuyers received a down payment “gift.” Not a little help either, but it was the primary source of funds for the majority that received a gift. It’s now occurring at such a scale, […]