Our Low-Interest Rate Environment

Our low-interest rate environment

Where are interest rates heading and when will they start to move? This has been the hot topic of conversation for the past two years and it looks as if it will continue until rates finally start moving and everyone can exhale and say, "yes, there, we knew it." Or consider this: Can we just accept that low-interest rates are now the norm, since we've been in this environment since 2010, instead of trying to second-guess what the Bank of Canada will do every month? In a recent report by CIBC's Chief Economist, Avery Shenfeld said maybe it is time for a new message. It's easy to forget that the housing market has been a vital component to the success of the Canadian economy during the past decade. In many respects, the industry has helped to stabilize a faltering economy. Consumer spending and confidence remains high - a large of part of that comes from allowing consumers to take advantage of low interest rates and to tap into their equity for either spending or investing purposes. Yes, the government in Canada has had to keep our economy afloat during the recent recession first, by injecting billions of dollars in spending into the economy and second, by instilling a degree of confidence in Canadians and investors by tweaking credit guidelines. However, at the end of the day, it still comes down to actions taken by every day Canadians who put their faith in their ability to repay loans, their ability to manage their household debt, and through consumer spending, that is pulling us through. We are very fortunate to have weathered the recession as well as we have. However many Canadians are still worried. They are worried about rising rates, they are worried about the possibility of decreasing home values, and they are worried about their ability to save for the future. Let's look at recent messages from Bank of Canada's Mark Carney. He delivered the message that consumers will pay more in the future for what they borrow today. The latest economic news is positive for a growing economy going into 2013, which will make it easier for Carney to raise the rates. However, recently Carney backtracked slightly and has hinted that rates are not likely to rise until later in 2013 and/or into 2014. He also said that he sees no "imminent" changes ahead, but that "over time, rates are more likely to go up than not." The latest Housing Market Outlook reports that although slight increases are expected in 2013, rates will remain low by historical standards. Inflation is another reason rates could rise. Canada's inflation rate is sitting at approximately 1.2% - the lowest level in more than two years. If this should start to rise past Carney's 2.5% benchmark then rates could rise. The retail sector is a good indicator about consumer confidence and the state of the economy. New research from Ernst and Young predicts that 2012 holiday retail sales in Canada are expected to increase by 3.5% over last year. It's clear that Canada's economy continues to expand and that we are operating on sound principals. According to Carney, Canada is no longer in the recovery stage but in the expansion phase. That is good news for all economic sectors. Will interest rates go up? They will, but likely not until late 2013 so as not to negate any of the positive effects of a growing and expanding economy.   About The Mortgage Group Canada Inc. TMG Canada is an innovative and progressive mortgage brokerage company. With mortgage professionals serving 9 provinces and 3 territories, TMG is national in its reach helping Canadians navigate their unique mortgage options with over 50 lenders. TMG has a network of more than 800 mortgage brokers and agents and has helped more than 200,000 Canadians arrange their mortgages in the past 20 years.

Interest Rates And Monthly Payments

So, you have been reading or hearing about rates being lowest in history.  You have been reading or hearing different rates in the news, from banks, from mortgage professionals, from newspapers, etc.  Every week there is a new rate being advertised. It is up , it is down.  It can be just as confusing as the gas prices. 

You may be asking yourself  'where are the best rates'?

Well of course mortgage professionals have the best rates. But, not only the best rates, they have the best products. Our products are the full suite products. Meaning that even if our rates are low, your mortgage comes with many options such as, being able to port your mortgage to another house, if you should want to sell and buy another one.  Each of our Lenders have great products and well as fantastic rates.

If rate is your deciding factor, make sure the rate comes with all the bells and whistles, because you can have both.  The Banks want you to believe that if you are a rate shopper, you do not get the bells and whistles. Not true. That is what most Banks offer, one or the other.  A low rate and nothing else or a high rate and all the bells and whistles.
The Lenders I work with offer one option and that is low rate and all the bells and whistles. 

Now what about rates and payments?

Today is August 1 2012. Today I can offer you 2.99% on a 5 year term. The rate that most Lenders are offering is 3.19% and the Banks are offering 5.24%. Big difference for sure.

I would like to show you the difference in your monthly mortgage payment, to give you an idea of how much you can save.
So imagine you want to buy a house for $300,000.00.
5% down would be                                      15,000.00
                                                                 ------------------
Mortgage is                                               285,000.00    
 I used 25 year amortization as per new Canadian guidelines.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Unadvertised                    Advertised                            Posted Rate
                          Rate (Lender)                   Rate (Lender)                       Bank
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOAN                2.99%                                3.19%                                 5.24%
$285,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly
Payment             $1347.28                           $1376.68                             $1696.72
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, you can see the difference on payments for the same mortgage with the same bells and whistles.
Why would you pay more?
You could save almost $4200.00 per year. That would be a nice vacation during our most darkest, wet and coldest month on Vancouver Island.  A little sun vacation would be good for the soul and family life.

So you think, Wow, I am hooked. But who are these Lenders?
Our Lenders are called Mono Lenders. Why, because all they do is Mortgages. They follow the same rules as our Canadian Banks.  They are regulated by Canada.  They are safe and here to stay.  Also our Lenders can be Credit Unions and Banks, depending on which is the best fit for  your situation.

One thing Canada does have is the best regulated Mono Lenders, Private Lenders, Credit Unions and Banks, probably the best in the world.

My friend got a mortgage with a mortgage professional and the mortgage is with a Bank and a good rate, why can't I get that same rate with the same Bank?  The Banks have a few programs going on. If you are a Bank client, they will offer you their best rate which is today around 5.24%.  But, if you go through a mortgage professional we get better rates. Why? Because the Banks still have to compete with the Mono Lenders.  It doesn't seem fair that you are a client of the Bank, pay lots of service charges just to bank with that Bank and then they give you a higher rate for a mortgage? 

If you have any questions, send me an email at akroemer@mortgagegroup.com
                                                              Phone or text me at  1.250.650.4182

For a great Mortgage

Angela Kroemer, AMP

Mortgage Professional

TMG The Mortgage Group Canada Inc.

TMG Sharie Marie Mortgage Team

Local: 1.250.650.4182

TFP: 1.888.679.0190

Fax: 1.888.679.0192

akroemer@mortgagegroup.com

www.KROEMERmortgages.com

Your Mobile Mortgage Professional in The Comox Valley TM

Is It Time To Get Locked In At The 10 Year Fixed Rate?

There is a great reason to get into the housing market right now. The 10 year fixed Mortgage rate is available for under 4%. Which is unheard of in the history of mortgages in Canada.

Depending on how the housing market goes in the next few years, will be the indicator if you can afford your payments. If you are getting into the housing market now with the low rates and locking in for 2, 4 or 5 years. Will you be able to afford the payments once you renew with higher rates?

If you choose the 10 year low interest rate now then you will have 10 years to pay on the mortgage and by the time you need to renew to higher rates , hopefully your house will have increased in value, making your equity in that house so much more. You will also have 10 years of payments and prepayments towards the mortgage.

Low mortgage rates give you low mortgage payments. If you have tried in the last 5 years to get a mortgage and were declined because of your earnings, then now would be a great time to try again.

Most Banks will not give you the lowest rate because they bundle up their mortgages and sell to investors. Please call a mortgage professional (me) to get the best rates for the 10 year fixed mortgage.






Thank you
Angela Kroemer, AMP
Mortgage Professional
1.888.679.0190
akroemer@mortgagegroup.com
www.ComoxValleyMortgagesToday.com
TMG The Mortgage Group Canada Inc.