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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.

Posted Bank News

Tariffs Up but Mortgage Rates Down

 A quick note… we’ve all heard about the Trump Tariffs. It will make everything more expensive. Canada and also in the USA. It will put people’s jobs at risk, we are likely to see layoffs, and economists are forecasting for a recession. This is if the tariffs do go through and continue for over a month.

Now that I’ve cheered you up, here’s the good news. And there is some.  Mortgage rates are headed lower. Fixed rates and variable rates. The old rule of bad economic news brings lower interest rates is true. A few things to point out about How interest rates are calculated.

Continue reading “Tariffs Up but Mortgage Rates Down”
Posted Bank News

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.

Posted Bank News

Ask the Expert: Steve Garganis – Solutions for a flatlining condo market and New Year predictions

With 2024 behind us and the new year upon us, the housing market is in a delicate balance. Interest rates are declining, which is great news for borrowers. However, these cuts are giving way to a small rebound in the housing market, and, to many real estate watchers, threatening to bring on another affordability crisis.

At the same time, no jumbo cut nor government incentive to bring first-time homebuyers into the field seems to be helping a stagnated condo market.

In my interview with RATESDOTCA, I shared my thoughts on what buyers and sellers can expect in 2025 and some moonshot ideas on how to revive condo development in Canada. 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.

Posted Bank News

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.