Canadian real estate is disconnecting from reality at a breakneck speed. RBC updated its affordability index for Q4 2021, measuring the share of income needed to buy a home. Housing affordability across most of the country is now out of reach for most households. Buying a home is nearly an “impossible” feat, according to one […]
Canadians expect to buy a lot of real estate over the next year, but not even close to last year’s volume. That’s one of the insights in this year’s RBC Home Ownership Poll released this week. Last year the poll showed a massive surge of buyers planning to enter the market, which proved true. This […]
Canadians are fleeing expensive cities and heading to distant small towns. RBC economist Carrie Freestone looked at population growth in their latest research note. The bank found “resort towns” are seeing the fastest growth in the country. In general, distant suburbs of major cities are growing the fastest. This can create a long-term boom for […]
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 largest bank observed the fastest deterioration of home prices in decades. RBC economists crunched the numbers on housing affordability for Q2 2021. The bank found the share of income needed to carry ownership costs on the purchase of a home has surged. Even with negative mortgage rates (or because of?), affordably made the biggest […]
Canada’s largest bank might be your landlord in the not-so-distant future… if they aren’t already, at this point. The RBC Global Asset Management (GAM) Canadian Core Real Estate Fund entered into an agreement to buy half of a real estate portfolio from Quadreal this week. The deal comes as more investors are crowded out of […]
The Canadian economy still has a long way to go before it’s recovered — possibly further than thought. RBC economist Josh Nye said today’s Bank of Canada (BoC) rate decision was widely expected. The central bank made no changes, reiterating the importance of quantitative ease (QE). Canada’s largest bank sees a risk of QE tapering […]
Canadian (and US) bond yields made an abrupt decline over the past few weeks. This is contrary to what experts had forecast, but it hasn’t changed their tune. In fact, Desjardins chief economist Jimmy Jean said it reinforces his belief. In a note to clients this week, he outlined the disconnect between yields and the […]
Canada’s largest bank now sees the US raising interest rates, and it’s a big positive for Canadian rate hikes. RBC senior economist Josh Nye said the bank sees the US hiking rates by next year. The hike will allow the Bank of Canada (BoC) to raise rates without a significant appreciation of the loonie. This […]
Canada’s largest bank sees the real estate market cooling down soon, especially for new homes. RBC Economics has forecast a sharp decline in new housing starts. The “Big Six” bank expects new building to slow down in the second quarter of this year, and taper into Q3 2022. This will result in a sharp fall […]
