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Posted 1 Comment on Govt program makes solar power a cost effective option. Fun news

Govt program makes solar power a cost effective option.

We’ve heard about ‘green’ programs for some time now.  I thought we’d take a look at one of these programs… this one is of particular interest to me as I am considering participating with my house.

It’s called the Microfit program.   I’m looking specifically at the residential program…The deal is this.  You install the solar panels on your roof.  The solar panels produce electricity. The electricity is then sold back to your hydro provider…and here’s the real carrot…the Ontario Provincial govt will guarantee to buy the electricity from you for 80.2 cents Kwh for 20 years!!!...

Why is this good?  Currently, the price of electricity costs us between 6 cents and 10 cents Kwh depending on when you use your electricity…  (peak and off-peak hours…. another cash grab from our govt but that’s a discussion for another day).

So, if you haven’t figured it out yet,  you are making a profit of around 70 cents per Kwh….  They say you can produce around 10,000 Kwh per year… it depends on how much sun your roof gets.  That means you could potentially earn around $8,000 to $9,000 per year.  And the reason for the huge payout is to encourage homeowners to take part in green renewable energy.

So what’s the catch?   The panels are not cheap… look to pay around $40,000 for the panels…. And that’s why the govt is paying out 80.2 cents Kwh… to entice you..  You also have to apply to get approved for the Microfit program.  And like so many govt programs, it’s not an easy process.  An application must be completed. A sun/shade test is done to see if your roof can produce enough electricity.  If that works, then you need to apply to your local Hydro provider (Toronto Hydro, etc) and they will also need to accept your application to supply electricity to their grid.

I’ve only done some preliminary research and prices seem to be dropping as technology and more competitors get into the market.  $40,000 is not a small investment but definitely worth looking into with a 20 year guarantee from the govt at 80.2 cents Kwh.   Then there’s the environmental reasons…It’s green, renewable energy… we all want that… Eventually you could be right off the grid and supply your own energy.

Some words of advice…. with a Provincial election coming up this fall, this program could get taken off the table…Look for a reputable Solar energy company and get referrals.  If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.  Stay away from companies that say they will give you the panels for free and pay you 15% of the energy produced.  The govt recently stopped allowing the leasing of residential space.

By the way, the PC govt says they would scrap the Microfit program if elected…but they would have to honor existing agreements…

Posted Mortgage News

TD is not able to accept collateral mortgage transfers.

Last October, we reported one of the biggest changes by a major bank in recent history…. TD Canada Trust changed how they would register mortgages…  Quietly, TD announced they would now register all mortgages as a collateral charge…  Most borrowers won’t know what the difference is, but for us in the financial industry, we know this will have huge ramifications and limitations and could end up costing the average borrower $$thousands.   Click here to read what the experts say.

And then in December, we heard a rumor that TD was looking at ways to transfer in collateral mortgages…. They wanted to give us the impression that there were few limitations to taking a TD mortgage… uh, let me say that again… that’s TD collateral mortgage.

We just heard that this has been put on the shelf.   They just can’t figure out a way to transfer in collateral mortgages…  If this doesn’t make you think twice about taking a TD mortgage, then I don’t know what will.   I’ve never heard of any bank accepting a collateral mortgage for transfer……Just isn’t possible with today’s real estate and mortgage laws.

Oh and by the way, if you’re wondering.. TD will allow you to transfer in your mortgage from any other financial institution…  But be warned, once you are there, I think you’ll have a hard time getting out.

Posted 3 Comments on Economic and Real Estate Outlook from Annual Mortgage Broker’s conference. Interest rates

Economic and Real Estate Outlook from Annual Mortgage Broker’s conference.

On April 14, I attended the annual Independent Mortgage Brokers Association (IMBA) annual conference.   We were fortunate to have Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Regional Economist, Ted Tsiakopoulos, share his outlook on the economy, real estate and interest rates.

Click here for the entire presentation.    This is a summary of CMHC’s outlook:

  • No evidence of housing bubble.
  • housing market is stabilizing in Ontario.
  • we won’t see the growth in prices as in years past.
  • this outlook is still uncertain given all the global events, both political and economic.
  • credit growth is slowing.
  • Interest rates will rise as economy improves.

The good news is that there doesn’t seem to be a housing bubble.  Interest rates will gradually return to normal.  And we don’t seem to be taking on as much personal debt as the government and media has led up to believe in the recent months.

Posted 4 Comments on NDP polls up and Variable rate mortgages more costly… coincidence? Mortgage News

NDP polls up and Variable rate mortgages more costly… coincidence?

This week, we saw two major mortgage lenders raise their Variable rate pricing from Prime less 0.75% to Prime less 0.65% and Prime less 0.50%…

This is really quite unexpected…. We cannot ignore what is happening…  The explanation given for the prices changes is ‘profitability concerns’.  But the cost of Variable Rate funds hasn’t really changed.  We believe there are a few other possible explanations. 

First, we are seeing more borrowers flock to Variable rate mortgages again…. With a 2.20% difference between a 5 year fixed rate and a Variable rate, it’s been much easier to choose to Variable.  Banks make more money on 5 year fixed rate mortgages and would rather push you into these products….     And yet another reason is the possible gains in the recent polls by the NDP.

According to this article in the Globe and Mail, we should brace ourselves for more costly mortgages if the NDP keeps moving in the polls.  Here’s a quote from the article that says it well, “This interest rate premium on social democratic governments is unfair and tragic. But dismissing it is unrealistic.”


Posted Interest rates

The effect of an NDP win or coming in 2nd place and mortgage rates.

We don’t normally get involved in politics on this site… not unless it can affect mortgage rates, the housing market or the economy…One of the more infamous examples was in 1995 during the Quebec Referendum.   Does anyone remember that?

Just before the referendum, a new poll had suggested that Quebecers’ could win a majority vote to separate.  This sent the Canadian stock market and the Canadian dollar plunging.   You might also remember that the Bank of Canada rate jumped 1.00% over night along with mortgage rates.  It’s the single biggest increase that we have ever seen.  It forced many of us to lock into a 5 year fixed rate… (something the Banks loved as the 5 year fixed rate product is the most profitable).

I’m not saying this will happen again but there was a report in The National Post that says BMO put out a warning to investors that things could be shaky if Jack Layton and the NDP  continue to gain ground in the polls.

Another recent development this week is that a few major Lenders have increased their rates on new Variable rate mortgages.  We have seen them go from Prime less 0.75% to Prime less 0.50%.   They say it’s due to profitability pressures…. but I wonder if has more to do with the election next week?