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Posted Mortgage News

Fall 2015 housing market remains hot!

$$ up arrowThe stats are in… House prices are up 6.1% in September compared with Sept 2014.  In fact, house prices were up across the country except Alberta, Saskatchewan and PEI.

Now, what’s the first thought that popped into your head?  Did you ask, ‘when will house prices collapse or go downs?’.   That’s probably what most of us are thinking.  The answer is, no one really knows.

The Canadian real estate market has proven to be as resilient as Justin Trudeau.   Our new PM took a lot of personal attacks but somehow, he managed to survive and win… a majority govt.  (not saying I want or don’t want him there… I’ll keep my personal politics private… for now anyways). Continue reading “Fall 2015 housing market remains hot!”

Posted Consumer Debt

Personal debt level concerns are overblown…!

record low ratesThere’s a lot of talk in the media about Canadians carrying too much debt.   We’re getting hammered with messages of ‘record high personal debt levels’.   It’s true.  Our mortgage balances are higher, car loans are higher, student loans are higher, personal loans and lines of credit balances are higher.

Is this a problem?  Are Canadians in trouble?  Is this a reason to panic?  Let’s try to answer…

Well, here’s one very interesting stat that might crush that statement once and for all.   Canadians, on average, spend 14% of after-tax income on personal debt. 

Did I surprise you?   I’ll bet most people thought that number would be way higher given all the negative reports in the media.  Continue reading “Personal debt level concerns are overblown…!”

Posted 11 Comments on These 3 clients broke their mortgages, paid a penalty, and still saved between $9,000 and $26,000! Money saving tips

These 3 clients broke their mortgages, paid a penalty, and still saved between $9,000 and $26,000!

long term contractsFixed mortgage rates are at an all-time low.  If you have a mortgage that is over 3.09%, then you should consider breaking it, paying the penalty and getting into today’s lower rates.

That’s short answer… the full answer is a little more complex but, it’s really just simple math.   If the savings is greater than the cost to break, then the answer is obvious.  You should do it!   I’ll give you some real life examples of clients that could be savings huge $$s today if they paid their mortgage and the penalty and went into a new lower rate mortgage…. check out these success stories….
Continue reading “These 3 clients broke their mortgages, paid a penalty, and still saved between $9,000 and $26,000!”

Posted Interest rates

It’s September, sharpen your pencils!

Sharpen pencil

It’s September…and as green turns to gold we return refreshed to the rhythm of our daily routines. It’s our seasonal cue. Autumn is the perfect time to “get back to business” with a fresh look at your finances. Maybe you spent a little extra on that summer vacation, or the little home reno job that grew. That’s okay. Get out your calculator and get back on track.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RECORD LOW RATES!

Mortgage rates have hovered around historic lows for longer than anyone thought they would or could. That’s created a golden moment of opportunity for Canadian homeowners. In fact, the right mortgage can build your wealth… and save you thousands of dollars.

Thinking about a cottage or investment property? Wondering if it’s the right time to expand your space… or find a new one? Looking at ways to reduce your debt? Talk to an experienced Mortgage Broker.  A good broker will provide a free, no-obligation review of your situation – wherever you are in your current mortgage journey.

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

Posted Interest rates

Rates usually drop leading up to a Federal election!

Election 2015History tells us that mortgage rates usually drop leading up to an election. And 2015 has followed that trend.   It started in January of this year, when the Bank of Canada (BOC) Governor, Stephen Poloz, shocked Economists with his surprise 0.25% Bank Rate cut.

(CanadaMortgageNews.ca readers will remember, not all were shocked, as I had predicted a rate drop just days earlier).

Then in July, the BOC Govr did it again..  this time, it wasn’t as much a shock.  The Bank Prime was cut by another 0.25% after months of negative Economist data showed the Canadian economy was slowing.  Continue reading “Rates usually drop leading up to a Federal election!”