Experts suggest that likely we will see a modest
increase in mortgage rates from the low 4 % range where they are currently at to around 4.5 % by the end of the year.
The reason to get a fixed mortgage rate is to fly under the inflation radar, but extreme
price increases in mortgage rates have not been much of an issue since 1991.
Will Dunning, chief economist for Mortgage Professionals Canada, is not anticipating a steep
increase in mortgage rates for those renewing this year, however.
In talking about monetary policy's contribution to the management of the economic challenges, the speech notes the
recent increases in mortgage rates of the commercial banks, outside of the cycle of changes in the cash rate.
Expect modest
increases in mortgage rates over the next 18 months, which will slow originations to near $ 1.77 trillion, advises the Mortgage Bankers Association of America (MBA) in its annual economic forecast...
Affordability may only have recently begun to hit a pinch point, though, as a recent
stronger increase in mortgage rates seems certain to provide additional challenges to homebuyers this spring.
With further
increases in mortgage rates still to come (according to CMHC, posted 5y rates were at 4.14 % in January against a low of 3.59 % last May), it is premature to conclude that home prices have definitely turned the corner in Toronto.
Despite this week's breather, the 66 - basis point
increase in the mortgage rate since November 3 is taking its toll — the [Mortgage Banker Association]'s refinance index plunged 22 percent this week.»
The problem is Canada doesn't collect or publicly disseminate some data that could give us a clearer picture about what is actually happening in the market — whether it is headed for a soft or hard landing — and whether households can
withstand increases in mortgage rates, how much and how quickly.
Thanks to strong fundamentals led by ongoing boomer demand, only two things can really derail our strong markets right now: a
significant increase in mortgage rates (by at least two or three percentage points) or a sharp, damaging recession accompanied by a large drop in jobs (say 4 percent to 6 percent).
With further
increases in mortgage rates still to come (according to CMHC, posted 5y rates were at 4.14 % in January against a low of 3.59 % last May), it is premature to conclude that home prices have definitely turned the corner in Toronto.
In some of the higher - priced areas of the West Coast, including San Jose and San Francisco, a
slight increase in mortgage rates could make renting the cheaper option.
«The economy is in great shape, most local job markets are very strong and incomes are slowly rising, but there's little doubt last month's retreat in contract signings occurred because of woefully low supply levels and the
sudden increase in mortgage rates,» says Yun.
John Moony, managing vice president of Guaranteed Rate, a national mortgage company based in the Chicago area, says that even a 1
percent increase in mortgage rates can make a big difference in a home owner's decision - making process.
While economic conditions will continue to favour high levels of new home construction, continued growth in house prices coupled with expected
modest increases in mortgage rates will lead to a slight pull back in housing starts this year and next.»
However, using the Bank of Canada posted rate as a benchmark is excessive in our view, as an overnight 2 percentage
point increase in mortgage rates is unlikely given the low inflation rate and moderate growth in Canada.
The lack of change in mortgage rates overall reported by the FHFA does contrast with
the increase in mortgage rates over the month of October in the Mortgage Bankers» Association's Mortgage Applications Survey (MAS).
The increase in mortgage rates follows the increase in the 10 - year Treasury note.
«Home sales are holding up despite
the increase in mortgage rates compared to last year.»