As expected, the Bank of Canada maintained its overnight rate this morning in the first scheduled rate announcement of 2020.  The overnight rate is what the banks base their prime rate on.  The non-bank lenders then follow the major banks.  Since the overnight rate remains unchanged, so does prime rate, which is currently 3.95%. While these [...]

It’s hard to believe that we are now in the year 2020, yet still no flying cars.  What gives?   Still, we have seen some great technological advances in the last decade, along with some of the lowest mortgage rates in history.    So what can we expect as we enter 2020?  We rounded out [...]

The controversial mortgage ‘stress test’ is what requires borrowers to qualify for a mortgage based on a higher rate than their contract rate (the rate the mortgage payment is based on).    It requires you to qualify based on the higher of the benchmark rate, which is currently 5.19%, or 2% above the contract rate, [...]

Fixed rates have fallen to their lowest levels in more than two years, with 5 year fixed rates as low as 2.54%.  Anyone currently in a variable rate mortgage will know that this is lower than their current rate.  Even those with the deepest prime rate discounts would be paying 2.75%. With fixed rates being [...]

This morning marked the Bank of Canada’s final rate announcement for 2019.  As expected, they have once again kept their rate unchanged.  Prime rate remains 3.95%. Earlier in the year, it was predicated that we would see at least one rate cut from the BOC before the end of the year. The wait will however [...]

Since the middle of the first quarter in 2019, it’s been predicted that the Bank of Canada will cut their prime rate at least once.  Ever since, the market has been watching closely, yet the Bank has been steadfast in maintaining the status quo despite continuous pressure to make the cut. The next scheduled rate [...]

It’s hard to believe that we are now approaching the end of 2019.  With the end of the year in sight, some mortgage lenders are introducing extremely aggressive promotions to finish the year strong. Regardless of whether you have a mortgage coming up for renewal, have a new home purchase closing soon, or if you [...]

New job opportunities can be exciting!  They typically offer a higher income, and more potential for growth.  But what happens if you’ve purchased a new home and are offered a new job prior to closing on your new home? This is not an uncommon situation.  Should you find yourself in this position, you’ll need to [...]

Since late in the first quarter of the year, it’s been predicted that the Bank of Canada will be dropping rates this year.  The wait continues however, as the Bank of Canada announced this morning that they will be maintaining their overnight rate.  The overnight rate is what prime rate is based on. .  For [...]

Since mid-winter, it’s been predicted that the Bank of Canada would be cutting their overnight rate this year.  The market has watched closely ever since, yet here we are in the fourth quarter and we have yet to see any movement. The next scheduled rate announcement will take place next week on October 30th. This [...]