Skip to content

CategoryMoney saving tips

Ask the Expert: Steve Garganis – With the capital gains tax hike on its way out, is this your chance to buy an investment property?

With the capital gains tax increase looking less and less likely, how should Canadians be thinking about investment properties? Is now the time to buy?

Earlier this year, the federal government announced that it will be deferring the effective date for the proposed capital gains inclusion rate increase to 66.67% from 50% to January 1, 2026.

The proposal to increase to the capital gains tax was first introduced last April applicable to gains above $250,000. (For gains below $250,000, the same 50% capital gains tax would apply.) However, the government didn’t have the opportunity to table the legislation before parliament was prorogued.

However, this capital gains tax increase would have left some people in a tough position.

Related: How capital gains taxes work in Canada

Some that entered into new construction agreements in 2022 were the most vulnerable, as they would have purchased when real estate values were inflated during the lower COVID-era mortgage rates. (However, this may not be the case for all, as property values in general, are down across Canada compared with 2022, with condos taking the biggest hit in Toronto and Vancouver.)

Family cottage owners and long-time property owners with larger capital gains would also be affected. Read More – Interview with Steve Garganis

I hope you will enjoy this article and if you have any questions or would like to discuss I am always available.

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@canadamortgagenews.

Ask the Expert: Steve Garganis – How Trump’s tariffs will affect your Canadian mortgage

I will start with a quote from Trump’s book, The Art of the Deal

I aim very high and then I just keep pushing and pushing and pushing to get what I’m after. Sometimes I settle for less than I thought but I still end up with what I want.

In the summer of 2016, ahead of the U.S. election, I was sitting at a business dinner. In attendance was one guest who was from the U.S., who had a distinct southern drawl which drew attention from us Canadians.

At the time, presidential hopeful Donald Trump was being mocked and ridiculed by the media as joke. Nobody thought he would be voted in. Then this southern gentleman made this statement: I think Trump will win. We all laughed, but he said the people were tired of the status quo. They didn’t like where the country was going. They were not happy.

And that’s really what it came down to for him: When the masses are not happy in a democratic country, eventually there will be change.

The change happened quickly, and not just for Americans:  Read more – Interview with Steve.

 I hope you will enjoy this article and if you have any questions or would like to discuss I am always available.

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@canadamortgagenews.

Ask the Expert: Steve Garganis on how the US impacts Canadian mortgage rates

We all know that whatever happens in US it will affect Canada. Here is my next interview with RatesDotCa for their Ask The Expert edition – Steve Garganis on how the US impacts Canadian mortgage rates.

With President Trump making his return to the White House, financial markets are scrambling to make sense of what’s to come. And whatever our neighbours to the south do, Canada tends to follow. Here’s how this might shape your fixed mortgage rate in the near future. Read more – Interview with Steve

 I hope you will enjoy this article and if you have any questions or would like to discuss I am always available.

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@canadamortgagenews.

Why Everyone Should Choose The Longest Amortization Possible

One of the most common requests I get when discussing mortgage options with my clients is that they want the shortest amortization they can afford. They want to pay their mortgage off as soon as possible.  I get it! And then I hit them with an unexpected recommendation. I tell them to take the longest amortization possible. Sounds contradictory?  I’ll explain.

Continue reading “Why Everyone Should Choose The Longest Amortization Possible”

The Great Mortgage Reset

A FOUR PART SPECIAL EDITION… PART 4 of 4

THE GREAT MORTGAGE RESET… MY RECOMMENDATIONS.

This policy of making it harder to borrow money has only hurt the little guy, the first time buyer and second time buyer.  Those with a higher net worth and accumulated savings can more easily buy a home.  This goes against what CMHC stood for. Their mandate was to promote housing in Canada. Somewhere along the way, this goal has been lost.  We need to bring it back.

Here are the changes that I would propose to make life more affordable immediately:

Continue reading “The Great Mortgage Reset”