Category Archives: About Mortgage Brokers

Taking a Closer Look at the Canadian Housing Economy

Just how important is the housing market to the Canadian economy? According to a recent report by Willing Dunning, Chief Economist for the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals, the Canadian housing market accounts for nearly 8% of total Canadian employment. That’s nearly 1.35 million direct and indirect jobs.

The report also shows that the mortgage industry plays a particularly important role in job creation. According to the data released in the report, it’s estimated that 18% of all job creation in the last five years has occurred as a direct or indirect result of growth in the housing and mortgage sectors.

Not surprisingly, rising home values lead to increased consumer spending, which results in a stronger economy. But what happens when values reach their max? Continue reading →

Renters Could Drive Increase in Canadian Homeownership

According to a recent study conducted by TNS Canada, the nation’s housing market is expecting to see increased activity within the next two years. The online study, which was commissioned by TMG The Mortgage Group Canada, discovered that just under one third of Canadian renters are planning to buy real estate within the next two years. That amounts to a potential increase in demand of nearly 12%. Not surprisingly, many recipients credit mortgage interest rates for driving their purchase decision. Continue reading →

“Price War” Prompts TD and RBC to Up Rates

Canadian mortgage rates are on the rise again, reportedly thanks to “price-cutting” by some of the nation’s top banks. After briefly offering record-low rates of 2.99% on a 4-year fixed mortgage, both RBC and TD have raised rates by 40 basis points. The move comes rather unexpectedly; when the Royal Bank of Canada announced it was dropping their rates on January 13, the bank stated that they intended to keep the rates locked in the market until February 29. Continue reading →

Getting to Know Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

Do you know your debt-to-income ratio? If you’re like most Canadians, the answer is no. Unfortunately, failure to fully understand this important element of your financial portfolio could cause you grief when it comes time to secure a mortgage pre-approval. Luckily, calculating your debt-to-income ratio is easy – all you need is a good financial calculator and a few necessary numbers. Continue reading →

Why Aren’t More Canadian’s Using a Mortgage Broker?

Sound financial advice is key for any property purchase. Mortgage brokers in particular are expected to provide house hunters with personal assistance throughout the buying process. Data from a recent report shows that Canadian mortgage brokers are living up to these expectations, providing their customers with a highly positive purchasing experience.

So why aren’t more people working with a mortgage broker? Continue reading →