Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney’s plans to raise interest rates this fall have been put on hold as a result of the continued financial struggles in both the U.S. and Europe. It was originally believed that the bank would be raising rates this September, but recent indications suggest that we could be looking at rates dropping again before we begin to see increases. Home owners concerned ...
Posted by Sean Kavanagh
on August 17, 2011
It was pure chance that Danny and I chose Sean as our real estate agent when starting our search to buy a new home but upon our first meeting, we knew the fit was perfect. Many agents pay lip service to their client's wish list but you truly want your clients to be happy with the choice they make. I know we had quite the list but you were patient, ...
Posted by Sean Kavanagh
on August 17, 2011
Low interest rates will “create their own risks” for the economy as it pertains to household debt levels, says the Bank of Canada deputy governor.
With household debt reaching extraordinary high levels, the Bank of Canada urges people to show prudence in their personal finances. Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney also warns of the risks posed by overstretched Canadian households, ...
Posted by Sean Kavanagh
on January 11, 2011
As anticipated, July 1st has come and gone leaving a cooling of the real estate market in its wake. With many buyers and sellers trying to complete transactions before July 1st due to the HST introduction, raising interest rates and new government regulations on real estate purchasing, we are now witnessing a collective SIGH in the market......the calm after the storm, if you will.
Experts ...
Posted by Sean Kavanagh
on July 13, 2010
A Canadian study on family finances says the average household debt has climbed to $96,000 in 2009.
The number of mortgage payments that were at least 90 days late was up 50 per cent compared with 2008. There was also a 40 per cent increase in the number of credit card holders who were at least three months behind in their payments.
The finance minister has announced changes to the home buying ...
Posted by Sean Kavanagh
on February 18, 2010
Jim Flaherty has indicated that his measures to slow the Canadian real estate market back in July 2008 have not worked and he may need to take additional measures to prevent another housing crisis. Back in July 08, Flaherty decided to raise the minimum down payment for buyers from 0% down to 5%. He also lowered the amortization of mortgages from 40 years to 35 years. This seems ...
Posted by Sean Kavanagh
on February 16, 2010
Mortgage rates have eased slightly for both the fixed rates & the variable rate mortgages.
The 5 year fixed rate has finally come back down below 4% to 3.99%. The variable has also moved down to prime (2.25%) plus .15% on a 3 year term & prime plus .20% on a 5 year term. The variable seems to be the way to go, as the economists are now predicting that the Bank of Canada rate will ...
Posted by Sean Kavanagh
on September 9, 2009
Sales of homes in Canada jumped 31.5 percent in the second quarter from the first and saw their first year-over-year quarterly increase since before the peak of the financial crisis, the Canadian Real Estate Association said on Tuesday. The report is the latest piece of evidence showing that consumers are venturing back into the home market, encouraged by low mortgage rates and signs that the worst ...
Posted by Sean Kavanagh
on July 15, 2009
If you have been considering buying a house, refinancing to see if it you can save money by lowering your monthly payments, or are interested in taking some equity out to pay for some renovations, pay for some upcoming large purchases, or even just to use that money to go on that much needed vacation, then now is the time to consult a mortgage broker and find out whether now is the right time for you ...
Posted by Sean Kavanagh
on May 30, 2009
First-time homebuyers are being lured into the real-estate market this spring by falling prices, lower interest rates, a large selection of homes to choose from and new government incentives. Century 21 Miller Real Estate has shown a drastic increase in the number of real estate transactions since the beginning of the year and much of that can be attributed to the number of first timers not wanting ...
Posted by Sean Kavanagh
on May 27, 2009