8 Jul

Will rising unemployment hasten the Bank of Canada’s coming rate cuts?

Latest News

Posted by: Dean Kimoto

Canada’s labour market stumbled in June, with the unemployment rate rising more than expected to 6.4%. Despite the disappointing report, economists largely think the Bank of Canada will continue to bide its time before delivering its next rate cut. The economy saw a net loss of 1,400 jobs in June, according to figures released today by Statistics […]

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2 Jul

The latest mortgage news: Variable-rate mortgages are making a comeback

General

Posted by: Dean Kimoto

Mortgage borrowers are increasingly opting for variable-rate mortgages, a trend that is expected to continue as the Bank of Canada continues to lower interest rates. As of the first quarter, 12.9% of new mortgage borrowers opted for a variable-rate mortgage, according to figures from the Bank of Canada. That’s up from a low of 4.2% […]

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28 Jun

Mortgage payments: Understanding timing and avoiding confusion

General

Posted by: Dean Kimoto

Mortgage payments can sometimes be a tricky topic for some homeowners, leading to confusion about when payments are due and what time period they cover. Recently, we watched two client misunderstandings unfold, highlighting the need for clear, calm communication. Let’s delve into their cases and clarify why mortgage payments are made in arrears, not in […]

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24 Jun

Are longer mortgage terms the solution to Canada’s payment shock challenges?

General

Posted by: Dean Kimoto

Payment shocks at renewal due to shorter mortgage terms have become a growing concern for many Canadians. This has led some to question whether adopting longer mortgage terms, similar to those in the United States, would provide greater financial stability. While Canadian lenders can theoretically provide 15-, 20-, 25-, or even 30-year mortgage terms, market […]

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17 Jun

Borrowers leaving money on the table by not negotiating their mortgage renewal rates

General

Posted by: Dean Kimoto

In the face of higher costs, more Canadians are changing their grocery shopping habits, hunting for bargains and switching to lower-cost brands — yet many are leaving money on the table when it comes to their single largest transaction. According to a recent survey conducted by Mortgage Professionals Canada, homeowners are doing less haggling at renewal, despite most facing higher interest rates. […]

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14 Jun

Average Canadian rent hits an all-time high of $2,202

Latest News

Posted by: Dean Kimoto

Average rents across Canada are now up 32% from their pandemic lows. The average asking rent in May was $2,202, up $200 from the previous month and 9.3% from a year ago, according to the latest monthly report from Rentals.ca. Rent prices have been climbing steadily in recent years, rising $540 or 32% since hitting their […]

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11 Jun

Fixed mortgages are falling. Experts explain why and weigh in on fixed vs. variable

Latest News

Posted by: Dean Kimoto

Both existing homeowners and new homebuyers are benefiting from a drop in interest rates seen over the past week. Following last week’s Bank of Canada interest rate cut, which lowered rates for existing variable-rate mortgage holders, bond yields also plunged, triggering reductions in fixed-mortgage rate pricing. Last week, Government of Canada bond yields, which influence […]

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6 Jun

Bank of Canada Cuts Overnight Rate 25 bps to 4.75%

Latest News

Posted by: Dean Kimoto

A collective sigh of relief as the BoC cut rates for the first time in 27 month Today, the Bank of Canada boosted consumer and business confidence by cutting the overnight rate by 25 bps to 4.75% and pledged to continue reducing the size of its balance sheet. The news came on the heels of […]

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