Mortgages in Canada can be a murky subject – one that we hope to shed some light on with a series of highly informational articles.
Latest News
Here’s how much a GST break could save first-time home buyers + MORE Jun 11th
The Liberal plan to give first-time home buyers a tax break on a newly built home could have substantial impacts on housing affordability—with a few caveats—a new analysis finds.
The Liberal government introduced legislation on June 5 to eliminate the GST portion from new home sales of up to .... More »
Bank CEOs see mortgage risk easing as attention turns to political uncertainty + MORE Jan 8th
The heads of Canada's biggest banks are finally seeing risks around mortgage renewals easing, only for worries about tariffs and political uncertainty to take their place..... More »
Latest in Mortgage News: Canadians Say Low Interest Rates to Blame for High Home Prices Sep 5th
More than three-quarters of Canadians (77%) believe home prices in suburban and rural areas have risen to unsustainable levels, and most feel that ultra-low interest rates are to blame. A full 8 out of 10 people say low borrowing costs are to blame for the recent run-up in home prices, according to .... More »
The Canadian mortgage stress test, explained + MORE Jul 19th
The Canadian mortgage stress test applies to anyone applying for a mortgage, refinancing their current home loan, or renegotiating the terms of their mortgage contract with a federally regulated lender. And while provincially regulated lenders have more flexibility when it comes to mortgage app.... More »
The Mortgage Stress Test: What It Means If You’re Buying a Home Nov 3rd
It’s been almost a couple of years since the mortgage stress test came into effect. So, we thought it was the perfect time to revisit it and clear up any confusion. The mortgage stress test took effect January 1, 2018, affecting how much mortgage money Canadians are able to borrow towards.... More »
CREA Blames Stress Test for Slow March Housing Market
– canadianmortgagetrends.com
The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) largely blames tighter mortgage lending rules for the slow housing market in March. Sales dropped 4.6% year-over-year to levels not seen since 2013. Sales were 12% below the 10-year average for March, and 20% below the average for British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. But there was a glimmer of […]
How to Use a Mortgage Calculator
– ratesupermarket.ca
Looking at mortgage rates for a new house? Need a mortgage calculator? Canada residents know it’s easy to fall in love with your dream home. But, it helps to factor in the mortgage loan amount and interest rate beforehand. You want to determine how much house you can afford - preferably before you call the movers!
Use these steps to walk-through how to use a mortgage calculator. You can find a mortgage that’s affordable (and, then tell the kids to go pack their toys).
When to Use a Mortgage Payment Calculator
A mortgage payment calculator can help determine your monthly mortgage payment. The payment is based on interest and principal (the mortgage).
To use a mortgage payment calculator, you need:
The mortgage loan amount: If the home costs $50,000, and you put down 20 percent, or $10,000, the loan balance is $40,000.
The payment type: Do you want monthly or bi-weekly payments?
The loan term: Typically loan terms (amortization) are 30-years unless you select a shorter term…
The Big Shift in Banking that Could Hurt Your Savings Accounts and Investments
– ratesupermarket.ca
Every once in a while you may get a notice from your bank. Your account’s monthly fees are going up. It may be a modest difference, of a dollar or so. You may write it off as the cost of doing business with your financial institution.
But right now, that fee hike may be a symptom of a broader economic phenomenon. It affects almost everything about your money, from how much you may pay for a mortgage to how much return you get on your savings.
What is it? The yield curve, which in Canada is teetering between flat and inverted. An inverted yield curve is uncommon, and it has ripple effects throughout the financial industry.
What is the Yield Curve?
The yield curve shows the relationship between expected returns on short-term versus long-term fixed income instruments. We’re talking here about how much banks make on the purchase of government treasury bonds.
When things are normal, the curve plots upwards. Typically, longer term vehicles bring in a greater return…
