Mortgage rates set to stay low for the next six months

Renewing a home loan shouldn’t be too painful for the next six months according to a new report from The Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals. It’s predicting that the low rates should continue well into 2015 and that means those that have been used to paying at a higher rate can look forward to savings and that will be good news for the economy as a whole. CAAMP says that of the 1.35 million homeowners that have renewed or refinanced their loans during this year 1.05 million are now paying at a lower rate. Their figures also show that 16 per cent of those with a mortgage have increased the level of their monthly payments or paid a lump sum to pay down their loan faster. Another 7 per cent have increased the frequency of their loan repayments to fortnightly. Around 11 per cent have taken equity out of their home for other purposes including debt consolidation, home renovation or investments. Among first-time buyers the average down payment is 21 per cent with 11 per cent of respondents being gifted the money from a relative and 6 per cent receiving a loan from a family member.

Housing Demand Ratchets Higher in British Columbia

Vancouver, BC – November 18, 2014. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its 2014 Fourth Quarter Housing Forecast today.

"Consumer demand has ratcheted up this year and is expected to remain at a more elevated level through 2015,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “While historically low mortgage rates support demand, the housing market is also being underpinned by a more robust economy and associated job growth, strong net migration and consumer confidence."

BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to increase 15.1 per cent to 83,900 units this year. Stronger economic conditions are expected to be somewhat offset by higher interest rates later next year, and keep home sales from advancing much further. As a result, MLS® residential sales are forecast to edge up a further 1.2 per cent to 84,900 units in 2015. The 15-year average is 80,400 unit sales and a record 106,300 MLS® residential sales were recorded in 2005. 

The average MLS® residential price for the province is forecast to increase 6 per cent to a record $569,800 this year and a further 1.2 per cent to $574,300 in 2015. “New construction activity is generally keeping pace with population and household growth, keeping supply in line with consumer demand,” added Muir. BC housing starts are forecast to increase 4.6 per cent to 28,300 units this year and a further 1.4 per cent to 28,700 units in 2015.