Vacation home market slows after pandemic boom, but prices still rising: Royal LePage
By Sammy Hudes The report released Wednesday by Royal LePage forecasts the median price of a single-family home in Canada’s so-called recreational regions to rise four per cent year-over-year to $652,808. The national increase reflects expected price boosts in each provincial market, led by an eight per cent appreciation in Atlantic Canada to a median […]
Mortgage Digest: Fixed mortgage rates keep falling, but variable-rate pricing is on the rise
If you’re in the market for a mortgage this spring, you’ve probably noticed fixed rates are continuing to trend lower. That’s thanks in large part to falling bond yields, which drive fixed-rate pricing, and a fresh wave of spring competition among lenders. In the past week alone, some banks and monolines have cut 3- and […]
With prepayment penalties surging, game-changing new tool helps borrowers weigh their options
Newly launched Prepayment Penalty Mentor can help borrowers capitalize on the golden opportunity of falling rates. It also equips brokers with the insights they need to help their clients make smarter decisions about breaking or paying off their fixed-rate mortgage early. Shedding light on hidden prepayment costs The tool uses deep historical data rates, lender […]
Tariffs are sending markets on a wild ride. Here’s advice for young investors
By Ritika Dubey But even as the trade war between Canada and the U.S. brings a heaping spoonful of additional volatility, experts say in the grand scheme of things, it could just be a blip in young investors’ portfolios — if they stick it out. “The first step is you’re not going to do anything,” […]
When can a seller lend you money? What to know about vendor take-back mortgages
But is this strategy allowed in Canada? The short answer: Yes—but with conditions. This question often comes up in real-world scenarios. For example, we recently assisted a real estate agent and her client who wanted to propose a VTB to the seller. However, the client’s mortgage was high-ratio and insured—making a VTB ineligible under insurer […]
Federal election set for April 28, with economy and housing top of mind
Canada’s 45th general election is officially underway, with voters heading to the polls on April 28. Liberal Leader Mark Carney triggered the campaign Sunday by asking Governor General Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament. In his first campaign promise, Carney pledged to cut the lowest federal income tax bracket by one percentage point—from 15% to 14%—which […]
Two years after fatal fire, Montreal tightens rules on short-term rentals like Airbnb
By Maura Forrest Members of city council on Tuesday passed a new bylaw that will allow people to rent their homes for short stays only during peak tourist season, between June 10 and Sept. 10. “This is a major step forward,” Coun. Benoit Dorais said during an impassioned speech at Montreal’s city hall. “I’m sure […]
Foreign investors dump U.S. stocks, pour billions into Canadian bonds
According to Statistics Canada, foreign investors bought $7.9 billion in Canadian securities, marking the highest monthly bond investment since April 2020. At the same time, Canadian investors pulled back from foreign holdings, selling off $3.2 billion, mostly in U.S. equities. The increased appetite for Canadian bonds in January is partly a response to U.S. tariffs […]
Mortgage rate war heats up as big banks slash rates — “The spring market starts now”: Butler
Written by Steve Huebl• March 18, 2025• 6:53 PM• Interest Rates • One Comment • Views: 94,365 Mortgage rate war heats up as big banks slash rates — “The spring market starts now”: Butler RBC led the charge with aggressive, across-the-board cuts. The bank has trimmed rates on nearly every term, with […]
Which Is Better and Why?
To mortgage folks across the country, it’s an age-old question: “Lock or float?” It’s a question loan officers and mortgage brokers get asked on a daily basis, often over and over again by panicked borrowers and first-time home buyers. And it might just be the most important answer you come up with during the loan […]