Bank of Canada hints of rates hikes.. bond yields spike up

Bank of Canada Senior Deputy governor, Carolyn Wilkins, made headlines this week when she hinted of pending rate hikes.

The reaction by investors was swift.  Bond yields were up 20bps. Fixed mortgage rates are priced from Gov of Cda bond yields.  Variable mortgage rates are priced from Bank of Canada rate.  And the next Bank of Canada meeting is scheduled for July 12th, the fifth of eight scheduled meetings.  Many are betting we could see a rate hike then.

DON’T PANIC…. RATES ARE STILL RIDICULOUSLY LOW…   The media was quick to find ‘so-called’ experts to quote.  I’ve seen some saying we should all lock in our variable rate mortgages into fixed rate products.  And others say you should brace yourself for payment shock.

Here’s a reality check..   Variable rate mortgage are around 2.20% .. Some are higher, some are lower..    EVERY Canadian must qualify for a Variable rate, using the POSTED 5 year fixed bank rate.  That rate has been at or near 4.64% for several years.

If rates go up, we can expect a slow gradual increase..  around 0.25% at at time.  And here’s the thing..If you can qualify at 4.64%, what makes you think you can’t afford your mortgage at 2.45% or 2.70%??

The sky isn’t falling.   Many Canadians are already paying more than they have to by increasing their regular payments to accelerate the amortization and retire their debt sooner.  In fact, most of my clients are doing this because they can.   Don’t believe everything you hear or read in the media…  We are experiencing record low interest rates and yet, we’re made to feel like it’s a horrible time to have a mortgage..  Anyone else seeing something wrong with this?

By the way, I still like Variable rate mortgages today.

Your best interest is my only interest.   I reply to all questions and I welcome your comments.  Like this article?  Share with a friend.

Steve Garganis 416 224 0114 steve@mortgagenow.ca