RECENT BLOG POSTS
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Choosing between a short or long term and fixed rate or variable rate depends on:• The level of interest rate risk you can take• Your flexibility• The level of security you need.Generally, you get lower interest rates with a shorter term (i.e. 1 year) and higher interest rates with a lo...
07/22/2010
The Bank of Canada raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points for the second time in two months, even as households and governments in the developed world continue to cut back on spending.The rate is now 0.75 per cent. The bank said any further increases “would have to be weighed care...
07/20/2010
Most experienced agents have gotten the call. You know. The one from a broker from another firm calling or emailing you to come over and check out how green their grass is – much greener than where you are now. Sometimes the grass is greener. Just as often, it probably isn’t. To stay in bu...
07/20/2010
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The latest Bank of Canada Business Outlook Survey reveals optimism, despite economic turmoil in Europe and a slow recovery in the U.S. The survey was conducted with senior managers of 100 businesses selected in accordance with the composition of Canada's gross domestic product. Survey highlights...
07/16/2010
There is no shortage of media fallout from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) announcement on June 2 that it is revising its forecast for home sales. Some news reports blame inflated prices in BC for precipitating the CREA decision to revise its forecasts. Whatever the source, word of m...
07/10/2010
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The Certified General Accountants of Canada (CGA) released a study today showing a trend by Canadians toward investing in riskier assets, leaving them more prone to market fluctuations and financial stress. The study reveals a steady decline in investments by Canadians in ‘safe’ assets over the p...
07/09/2010
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How about both? According to the annual RBC Homeowners Survey released this week, 40 percent of people surveyed who are planning on buying a home in the next two years would opt for a combination mortgage. This is a stark rise above the 32 percent who chose this option last year. Not surprisingly...
07/09/2010
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Canada’s mortgage market was a highlight of a recent industry meeting sponsored by the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Virginie Traclet from the Bank of Canada was there to present rules governing our mortgage market. Wall Street Journal housing reporter and blogger James R. Hagerty noted...
07/09/2010
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For the first time in seven years, Canadian GDP has outpaced credit growth, according to a CIBC World Markets report released today. After an uncomfortable increase due to the recession, debt-to-service ratios among Canadians are now flattening. Mortgages in Canada are expanding at a rate of 0....
07/09/2010
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Canadians living in B.C. and Ontario woke up on Canada Day to the inevitable reality of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Homebuyers taking out mortgages for new properties now have to factor in HST on purchases over $400,000 in Ontario and $525,000 in B.C.; however, they can still qualify for re...
07/09/2010