Canadian Funding Corp. Reviews Housing Updates

by Amber E. Schaller

The real estae world has been sent completely on its ear this year, with bailouts, credit problems, foreclosures and more. What’s in store for us now? Is there any way to know if the rates will continue to go down?

Usually, with conditions so tight in the lending markets, one would expect banks to lower their rates to attract the best customers. But it appears that banks are actually raising rates, in the hope that will improve their revenue.

It seems pretty short sighted, but to make up for falling revenues, banks are increasing rates across the board, instead of offering attractive rates for their most credit worthy borrowers. This shortsightedness is not limited to the mortgage industry; credit card companies are doubling and even tripling their rates in reacton to defaults on the part of customers in this depressed economic environment.

It used to be that when the economy slowed down, lenders would lower their interest rates and this would give an incentive to borrowers. Things are not like they were before, though, and new rules seem to be the rule.

How should a homeowner view this crisis, and what things should he be doing? Wait for this time to pass and for rates to come down or grab a loan now, while there is still some credit available, or wait for the fallout from the recession?

Some economists are not only predicting a recession, but even a depression, with deflation instead of inflation. Normally, deflation will in turn lead to lower interest rates, so this indicates a wait and see approach is the best to take at this point.

There are lenders who are still granting mortgages. Many small banks are not suffering from the credit crunch that has hobbled many big banks. In this case, being small was better, because many of them were insulated from the issues now haunting most of the credit industry.

There is another strong reason for waiting to buy right now and that is because home prices probably still have a way to come down. The Case-Schiller study that came out in November of 2008 reported year on year decreases of 17% nationally, with 25% in some locales. The scene seems to be perfect not only for lower interest rates, but lower housing prices as well, with the wise homeowner putting off his plans until the entire mess is sorted out!

http://thephilippinerealestate.com/articles/mortgage-insurance-in-canada-interest-rates-in-the-new-world-of-mortgages/

reviewed by Moishe Alexander, CFC canadian funding corp CEO

Experts involved in the Calgary Real Estate market say that the selling of high end homes is down drastically. The market downturn in Calgary and area does not have professionals spooked though, they say conditions are still strong.

“Cautious, price-sensitive purchasers are now weighing their options, waiting as long as six months for the right property to come along,” the report says. “Properties that are priced well will sell, while those that are priced too high will linger.”
Although people who buy an upscale house generally have deeper pockets than those buying an average home, factors that influence their decision are largely the same, said Lowell Martens, a realtor with Re/Max Mountain View. Article.

Free Real Estate Listings.

http://surerealestate.blogspot.com/2008/09/real-estate-for-well-to-do-is-on-slide.html

reviewed by Moishe Alexander, CFC CEO

GTA Resale Housing Sales Up 19 Per Cent in the First Half of June
TORONTO, June 17, 2009 – Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 5,185 transactions in the
first half of June – an increase of 19 per cent compared to the same period last year.
“Households in the GTA have become more confident in purchasing a home over the past three
months,” said TREB President Maureen O’Neill. “Affordability, due in part to very low borrowing
costs, has played a key role.”
The average price for MLS® sales was $407,716, up by two per cent compared to last year.
“Heightened interest in ownership housing this spring has solidified resale home prices,”
according to Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “The number of home
buyers has been high relative to the number of listings, pushing the average price above last
year’s level.”
Summary Of Mid-June Sales And Average Price
June
2009 2008
Sales
Average
Price Sales Average Price
City of Toronto (”416″) 2,023 $449,946 1,733 $439,469
Rest of GTA (”905″) 3,162 $380,698 2,641 $371,686
GTA 5,185 $407,716 4,374 $398,542
Source: Toronto Real Estate Board
For a complete copy of the Market Watch Report visit www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com
Greater Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They adhere to a strict Code of
Ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service. Serving over 28,000 Members in the
Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada’s largest real estate board.

http://www.propertyedge.ca/gta-housing-market-up-in-first-half-of-june

reviewed by Moishe Alexander, CFC CEO