Current rate:The greater of the mortgage contract rate plus 2% or 5.25%. The minimum qualifying rate (MQR) for uninsured mortgages is a mortgage stress test applied by lenders to borrowers. OSFI obliges federally-regulated lenders to apply this stress test to their borrowers. This helps lenders prepare borrowers so they can continue to make mortgage payments…
Who had a 7.7% increase in home sales on their real estate bingo card for October? Matt Day The latest data from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) shows Canadian home sales activity spiked last month, reaching a level unseen since April 2022, and surpassing the 10-year monthly moving average. “The jump in home sales…
Spruce up your home in just a few days. Spruce up every room in your home with our collection of quick and easy do-it-yourself home improvement projects. Each one can be completed in just a weekend and increases the function—and style!—of your home. Make Your Entrance Inviting A cheery front-door color and a touch of landscaping can…
What is the Speculation and Vacancy Tax? The Speculation and Vacancy Tax is an annual tax that affects owners of vacant homes or homes that are empty more than 6 months of the year. The government has stated that it is designed to ensure that foreign owners and satellite families are fairly contributing to B.C’s…
British Columbia Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a 5% tax you pay on goods or services for personal use and enjoyment. Much like the GST you pay for the purchase of clothing, the same principle applies to the purchase of a new home in BC. GST is charged on top of the purchase price…
PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX One of the major expenses associated with the purchase of real estate in British Columbia is the property transfer tax (“PTT”). PTT becomes payable when a change in title is registered at the land title office. PTT is taxed on the fair market value of the land and improvements and is charged…
If you’re a buyer considering purchasing a property for the short-term or a seller looking to sell within the first 730 days of ownership, there’s an important new tax you need to know about. Starting January 1, 2025, the BC Home Flipping Tax will apply to certain property transactions, and it’s important to understand how it…
Second in command speaks out amid supply and demand imbalance The Bank of Canada’s second in command cautioned against “tinkering too much with the mortgage market” to fix housing affordability. Canada’s high home prices are primarily a function of a supply and demand imbalance, and the fix “will take time,” Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers…
Canadians could see a “mortgage war” in the months and years ahead as interest rates fall and unprecedented conditions drive competition among the country’s banks, according to RBC Capital Markets. The growth restrictions recently imposed on TD Bank’s U.S. operations and the eventual arrival of open banking in Canada are among the factors at play,…
While the vast majority of homeowners opt for the familiar 5-year fixed term, a tiny percentage of Canadians prefer the stability that comes with locking in a 10-year rate. In an unpredictable world where interest rates fluctuate, a 10-year fixed mortgage can offer peace of mind with long-term, stable payments. However, this product comes with…