Canadian Qualifying Mortgage Rate Lowered to 4.99%

General Robyn McLean 6 Feb

TD’s move may be an indicator of more to come. Some interesting insight from DLC’s Chief Economist, Dr. Sherry Cooper. Market interest rates have fallen sharply since the coronavirus-led investor flight to the safety of government bonds. The 5-year government bond yield–a harbinger of conventional mortgage rates–now stands at 1.34%, down sharply from the 1.60+% […]

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5 Financial Benefits Only Available for Homeowners 

General Robyn McLean 3 Feb

Did you know? Some great information from our friends at rew.ca  Sure, renting has its perks, but did you know there are some great financial incentives only available to homeowners? If you currently own or are thinking about buying, make sure you take full advantage of these. 1. Possible Tax Breaks and Benefits are Attractive […]

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How Long Would it Take to Save the Maximum Funds for the HBP?

General Robyn McLean 23 Jan

Some interesting statistics on savings for the Home Buyer’s Plan in Canada from our friends at Zoocasa Using the HBP comes with the caveat that RRSP funds must be saved in the first place – not always an easy feat in markets where incomes haven’t kept pace with housing prices and other inflationary pressures. With […]

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Bank of Canada Holds Steady Despite Economic Slowdown

General Robyn McLean 22 Jan

Today’s news from Dominion Lending’s Chief Economist, Dr. Sherry Cooper In a more dovish statement, the Bank of Canada maintained its target for the overnight rate at 1.75% for the tenth consecutive time. Today’s decision was widely expected as members of the Governing Council have signalled that the Bank still believes that the Canadian economy […]

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Improving your credit score isn’t as hard as you think!

General Robyn McLean 21 Jan

If you’re credit challenged but want to get into the housing market, it can be a tough road. But improving your credit to a point where a lender will give you a chance, is very doable. Basically, what you need to know is a score above 680 puts you in a good position to get […]

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Changing your financial direction

General Robyn McLean 17 Jan

Some great tips if you’re looking to change your financial direction this year from our friends at Dominion Lending! If you live paycheque to paycheque, the idea of somehow having enough money to invest and eventually have financial freedom seems about the furthest thing possible. But experts in financial education like to point out, no […]

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Welcome Rebound in Labour Markets in December 

General Robyn McLean 16 Jan

Looking at the positives… from DLC’s Chief Economist, Dr. Sherry Cooper For this notoriously volatile data series, it is particularly true that ‘one month does not a trend make.’ Following last month’s dismal employment report, job growth rebounded in December, erasing almost half of the earlier decline (even more if you exclude transitory factors in […]

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National Housing Market Update: Now a Seller’s Market in the GTA

General Robyn McLean 16 Jan

Statistics released today by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) show that national existing-home sales dipped between November and December owing to a dearth of new listings, especially in the GTA. National home sales edged down 0.9% in the final month of 2019, ending a streak of monthly gains that began last March. Activity is […]

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Jobs up. Rates steady.

General Robyn McLean 14 Jan

Valuable insight on our residential market from our friends at First National Jan 13, 2020 First National Financial LP The Canadian economy just keeps playing into the hands of the Bank of Canada as the central bank continues to resist pressures to trim interest rates. The latest jobs report has given the Bank yet more […]

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November Data Confirm Canadian Housing Rebound 

General Robyn McLean 9 Jan

The state of the markets from DLC’s Chief Economist, Dr. Sherry Cooper Statistics released today by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) show that national home sales rose for the ninth consecutive month and now stands a full 20% above the six-year low reached in February 2019. While the chart below shows that monthly home […]

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