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CategoryMortgage Rates

Posted 2 Comments on BIG SIX BANKS aren’t passing along the Bank of Canada rate cut to consumers? Bank News

BIG SIX BANKS aren’t passing along the Bank of Canada rate cut to consumers?

banksters monopolyToday, the actual BANK PRIME rate should be 2.50%, not 2.70%.   What am I talking about?… follow me on this and let’s see if this makes sense.

It’s been a few weeks since the Bank of Canada cut the rate.  I’ve been waiting to see how this would play out… First, let’s get the terminology clear.    Bank of Canada overnight rate, or Key rate as it’s referred to, directly affects the Retail Bank Prime rate and Variable rate mortgages.   This does not have a direct impact on fixed rate mortgages.

Last January, the Bank of Canada Governor, Stephen Poloz, surprised most economists and financial experts when he cut the rate by 0.25% (well, not all experts, I called for a rate cut just a week earlier).
Continue reading “BIG SIX BANKS aren’t passing along the Bank of Canada rate cut to consumers?”

Posted 1 Comment on Bond Yields are up… will Fixed Mortgage rates follow? Interest rates

Bond Yields are up… will Fixed Mortgage rates follow?

graph trend upFixed mortgage rates are tied closely to the Govt of Cda bond yields.   And bond yields are up…  Since mid April, the 5 yr Gov of Cda bond yield has gone from 0.75% to 1.07%.   That’s a 0.32% jump.   Normally, we would see fixed mortgage rates go up.

So far, no increase.  But that’s probably more to do with a competitive Spring housing market.   This is when most house sales and mortgage transactions take place.   The Banks need to maintain certain market share levels in order to keep shareholders happy.    They are willing to sacrifice a little profit margin (and I do mean little… they seem to make up for this with higher service fees as was recently reported, but let’s not get into that now…).

If the bond yields continue to increase, we will see fixed mortgage rates rise.  That’s an automatic.   The real question is how long will the bond yields continue their climb?   It will be interesting to watch the next few months.   We can expect to see some rate increases as the Spring market ends and Banks look to increase their profit…. A pattern that repeats itself year after year..   but here’s what you can do to protect yourself… Continue reading “Bond Yields are up… will Fixed Mortgage rates follow?”

Posted Mortgage News

RBC announces ’employee pricing for mortgages’.. and it’s April Fools day.

RBC-BankRBC is coming out with their employee pricing program for mortgages… yet again.   And like last year’s promotion, it deserves a closer look.. or at least some exposure.

Last year, the program promised to “break through the clutter of price wars within the mortgage marketplace”, to quote Sean Amato-Gauci, Senior VP at RBC.    It was a twist on the auto industry.

And like last year, they aren’t putting their actual interest rate isn’t going to be advertised in any print.  They are hoping Consumers will be intrigued enough to call or walk into a branch to get the actual rate.   Well, I’ll save you the suspense.  Rumors say it could be as low as 2.69% for a 5 yr fixed rate product.  Hey, that’s a good rate.  It’s a competitive rate.  But it’s not the best mortgage out there!   Check out these facts… Continue reading “RBC announces ’employee pricing for mortgages’.. and it’s April Fools day.”

Posted Interest rates

News Flash! BMO and TD’s 2.79% is great but it ISN’T the lowest rate!

Bmo wide thumbs downIt’s become an annual tradition.  Every year around this time, BMO announces, what appears to be a great mortgage for a 5 year fixed rate.   Last week, BMO announced they were lowering their 5 yr Fixed rate to 2.79%.  TD jumped in and did the same thing.  Wow!  That’s the lowest advertised rate by a BIG SIX BANK, in history. (excuse me while I yawn..pause for long yawn here)

Hey! Guess what?  It’s NOT the best rate available!  Read on….

HERE’S 7 FACTS BMO AND TD DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW, BUT I’LL TELL YOU: Continue reading “News Flash! BMO and TD’s 2.79% is great but it ISN’T the lowest rate!”

Posted Money saving tips

$22,500 savings by breaking mortgage and getting into today’s low rates!

break your mortgage A few weeks ago, I posted an article about one of my readers that had the potential to save $15,000 by breaking the mortgage and getting into a new 5 year fixed rate.   This was a net savings.  The actual savings was just over $20,000 less the penalty of $5,000.

This week, we had an even bigger savings.  My clients are in a 10 yr term at 3.59%, with a $710,000 balance and 8 yrs to go.   The penalty to break is $6500.   The savings is $29,000.   Result is a net savings of $22,500.   Wow!  $22,500 savings over the next 5 years!  That’s $4500/ year in savings! 

This type of savings opportunity is extremely rare.  I’ve only seen this level of savings a few times before.  We can thank the record low interest rates for that.

If you are in a mortgage with a rate that’s above 3.20%, then you could be missing an opportunity to save $$thousands.  You should at least consult with a Mortgage Broker to do the math.   Remember, I haven’t even listed the lower rate product options available, such as Variable rate, or a 3 year fixed rate.   It’s worth looking into.

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