Diane Birk

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all sectors of Canada’s economy, including housing. Job losses, business closures and a drop in immigration are adversely impacting Canada’s housing markets, and CMHC foresees a 9% to 18% decrease in house prices over the next 12 months. In order to protect future home buyers and reduce risk, CMHC is changing its underwriting policies for insured ...

As expected, the Bank of Canada held the benchmark rate steady at .25%. So far in 2020, Canada has experienced an energy sector shock, a shutdown of its service sector industry, real capacity destruction due to the coronavirus, and there is fear of a second wave of infections. However, despite the grim Canadian data of 16% unemployment, negative GDP growth for 2020 of 8% and a TSX stock market plunge...

As the longest spring in memory finally gives way to summer, it's nice to see people safely enjoy the sunny weather. IWehope that you and yours are in good health. There continues to be uncertainty about the shifting mortgage market. Here are the most common questions:
 

Should I break my fixed mortgage to get a lower rate?
If you're only partway through your term, you'll need to pay a penalty...

It is no surprise the Bank of Canada held firm on its overnight rate of .25% (1/4 percent) and did not venture into negative interest rates that have been tried notably in Europe and Japan with no evidence that negative rates improved GDP outcomes. Generally, economists agree there will not be much of an effect from lower interest rates on new borrowing, because few firms and households will want...

The provincial government brought a new Rental Tenancy Order (RTO) into effect yesterday, restricting rent increases and evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver has been working with the BC Real Estate Association to clarify details of the RTO that are most likely to affect REALTORS® and their clients.  

Eviction moratorium...

At the turn of the year, many buyers may have become first-time home buyers. As a result of ongoing lobbying efforts, Budget 2019 included not only an increase to the withdrawal limit for the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP), but also an expansion of eligibility criteria through a redefinition of what the federal government considers a “first-time home buyer.”

As of January 2020, buyers are...

The Bank of Canada announced today that it is keeping its benchmark rate unchanged despite a weaker economy in the fourth quarter of last year and expectations that growth in the near term will be weaker. Should the recent slowdown in growth be more persistent than forecast, we may see a rate cut. In particular, the Bank will be watching consumer spending, the housing market and business investment....

The Bank of Canada announced today that it is keeping its key rate unchanged, noting that the global economy appears to be stabilizing with growth expected to edge higher in the coming years, although uncertainty relating to ongoing trade conflicts continues to be a risk. A resilient Canadian economy, with investment spending stronger than expected, has allowed the Bank to hold rates while...

The Bank of Canada announced today that it is keeping its key rate unchanged, making Canada an outlier as many countries around the world have responded to a weakening global economy by lowering rates. The Bank noted that Canada's economy has held up well but will be tested as trade conflicts and uncertainty persist. Going forward the Bank will be closely watching our main sources of strength which...

While persistent trade tensions are affecting global economic momentum, the Bank of Canada announced today that it is keeping its benchmark rate unchanged. While growth in Canada has been strong, the Bank expects this to be temporary with economic activity expected to slow in the remainder of the year. The Bank believes the current accommodative interest rate policy to be appropriate, although they...

The Bank of Canada announced today that it is keeping its benchmark rate unchanged as persistent trade tensions are having a material effect on the global economy. These ongoing trade conflicts cloud the outlook for the Canadian economy, which is returning to potential growth. As a result, the Bank deems that the current accommodative interest rate policy remains appropriate.

The next rate-setting...

The Bank of Canada announced today that it is keeping its key rate unchanged. The Bank noted that while a slowing economy was anticipated in late 2018 and early 2019, the slowdown was in fact "sharper and more broadly based" than expected. While there was growth in employment and labour income, consumer spending, the housing market, exports and business investment all fell short...

The Bank of Canada announced today that it is keeping the key rate steady. The Bank continues to judge that the policy rate will need to rise into a neutral range to achieve the inflation target, but that will happen over time. Going forward, rates increases will depend on key factors – global trade uncertainty, the housing market, and developments in the oil sector. The next rate-setting day...