It’s very understandable that, if you’re been even casually observing Canada’s housing, construction, real-estate, mortgages, etc., sectors, you might have a gloomy outlook. Inflation is at historical highs and, if kept uncheck, it might erode everyone’s ability to buy just about...
As much as today’s housing market may seem unique, the current speculation about a crash in the market is not new. In fact, since the last Canadian recession in 2009, talk of a so-called “bursting of the housing bubble” has never ended. And it still hasn’t ended.
However...
Despite the fact that mortgage investment corporations (MICs) are considered to be an alternative, private and perhaps riskier source of mortgage investment, data from traditional and mainstream sources, such as the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), continue to show that the...
One of the prevailing themes on this blog has been documenting the growth of the alternative mortgage market. There are various reasons for this growth. Traditionally, the strict lending practices of the big banks have been a contributing factor. In addition, federal regulators have the...
There has been no shortage of naysaying within Canada’s housing market, for good reason. Various government bodies have taken measures specifically designed to prevent a so-called bubble, and the results speak for themselves. Many recent housing numbers show a slowdown. But the question...
There was a time when just about all banking was synonymous with inconvenience. Had a cheque that needed to be cashed after work? Too bad. Bank was closed. Short on cash and needed to make a withdrawal? Too bad. Bank was closed.
We’ve come a long way since then, haven’t we. In fact...
Guidelines recently imposed by Canada’s federal financial regulator serve as a perfect example of the state of Canada’s mortgage sector, and why the alternative markets, such as mortgage investment corporations (MICs), often fill the void when over-regulation occurs in the...
Various types of investments are qualified for Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs), including guaranteed investment certificates (GICs), bonds, savings accounts and more. Although RRSPS are often associated with these generally safe long-term asset classes, the investment market...
While so much of the discussion surrounding Canada’s construction sector involves housing, and the never-ending debate about a housing bubble, the word construction literally involves more than just housing. It also includes Canada’s commercial real-estate sector, which adds a...
I suppose it wouldn’t be a normal week in Canada if there wasn’t some sort of debate surrounding the so-called housing bubble that was supposed to have “burst” many years ago. However, if you take away some of the noise, and the politics, there are some truths about our...
