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Posted 1 Comment on Bank of Canada Rate Cut July 2024: Impact on Mortgages and Economy Bank News

Bank of Canada Rate Cut July 2024: Impact on Mortgages and Economy

The Bank of Canada just cut the overnight rate by another 0.25%. For the second consecutive month, they’ve lowered the rate. In total, a 0.50% drop in two months. (not enough, but it’s a start) Great news for anyone in a Variable rate mortgage. It means you will be paying 0.50% less on your mortgage. We can expect further cuts this year and next. Read on for more details.

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Posted Consumer Debt

Why your groceries, homes and rents cost more. A Critical Analysis

The Bank of Canada put out a report entitled   What drives up the price of groceries?

They could have easily simplified the title to say “What Drives Up the Price of Everything”.  Their answer is the cost of ENERGY and the cost of labour. I’m going to remind you that this report is from the Bank of Canada.. “a Crown corporation that is separate from the political process” as their website says.   

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Posted Mortgage News

Finally!! The Bank of Canada cuts the rate. 

Today, the Bank of Canada cut the Prime rate by 0.25%.  Hooray!  This will directly affect Variable rate mortgages and indirectly affect Fixed rate mortgages. 

It has been 27 months since the Bank of Canada governor, Tiff Macklem, started hiking rates to combat inflation.  The last hike was in July 2023. Since then, it’s been a guessing game to see when Macklem would act.. Finally, he cut the rates which is much needed and welcome news to all.

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When Second Mortgages Make Sense
Posted Mortgage Products

When a Second Mortgage makes good financial sense.

When Second Mortgages Make Sense

Quick, what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of “second mortgages”?   For some, it could be that shady-looking character in a smoke-filled pool hall… guys with gold chains and a baseball bat nearby. Maybe you’re thinking of someone in financial trouble? Or, perhaps it’s just someone who doesn’t want to pay outrageous costs and penalties to refinance their existing mortgage.

The mere mention of second mortgages conjures up all sorts of images. Most of them, negative. For many, a second mortgage can be a last-resort solution during a financial crisis. For several others, it can be an opportunity to save money. That’s right, to save money.

Sure, second mortgages carry a higher interest rate than first mortgages, but they can also serve a purpose. One of those purposes can be to save you money. Yup, I said it again. There are some new trends emerging with today’s new mortgage products that are forcing consumers to seek other options. Two of these trends are INFLATED PREPAYMENT PENALTIES and NO FRILLS MORTGAGES! Continue reading “When a Second Mortgage makes good financial sense.”

A beautiful gift wrapped box - When it comes to mortgages are you looking at the packaging or what is actually inside.
Posted Mortgage News

Are you looking at the beautiful box or what’s inside?

A beautiful gift wrapped box -

If I gave the option of choosing between two cell phones, which would you choose?   Both phones had similar specs and were identical in almost every way… except PHONE one came in a nicely gift wrapped box with a bow on it.   PHONE two came in a brown paper bag but was less expensive and also had slightly better options.

Most of us would choose PHONE two right?  Wrong!   When it comes to mortgages, most of us are focusing too much on the beautiful gift box and not paying enough attention to the contents.  They say around 47% of all mortgages go through a BANK and 39% go through a Mortgage Broker.   Broker share is up, but not enough in my opinion.

When it comes to mortgages, historically the BIG SIX BANKS have been charging higher rates than what can be had from MORTGAGE BROKERS. (see Bank of Canada study ‘competition in the Canadian mortgage market). And their inflated prepayment penalty calculations are now infamous (typical BIG SIX BANK penalties are around 4 times higher than other lenders).
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