Cautious Steps Taken to Prevent a Housing Bubble... As predicted!

"We're taking proactive, prudent, measured, and cautious steps today - to help prevent a housing bubble"; these were the words spoken by Jim Flaherty, Canadian Finance Minister on February 16th, 2010 - words many expected to hear (including this very BLOG at the end of 2009). The steps however were less far-reaching than many anticipated.



The goals of the Finance Minister were to help slow down rapidly rising housing prices across the country, and to help prevent the subprime crash our American neighbours experienced in 2008. Following the minister's comments, the banks weighed in - and in interviews given by Patricia Croft, RBC Chief Economist, and Derek Holt, VP Economics at Scotia Capital, both seemed to agree that the government's move was a good one (although Ms.Croft believed it came about 6 months too late). While sceptics (and many pure capitalists) argued that the government should leave the business of policy setting to the private industry; Derek Dunphy REALTOR from Johnson Associates Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage believes that the government should play a role in ensuring that Canadians can obtain affordable home ownership.


So, what were the steps taken? In broad terms, the steps were all subtle changes to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) policies:
1. Mortgage applicants will minimally need to qualify for a five-year fixed rate mortgage (even if they end up choosing a lower term or variable rate mortgage).
2. When refinancing a mortgage, the amount Canadians can withdraw from the equity of their home has been lowered to 90% (from the current rate of 95%).
3. A 20% down payment will be required for non-owner-occupied properties. Meaning investors will not qualify for high-ratio mortgages.


The immediate impact will be felt by many first-time buyers who will need an estimated $9200 more a year in income to qualify for an average priced house in the Greater Toronto Area (based on a house costing $337,000).


These changes come into effect April 19, 2010 - and that will likely cause some short term stimulation to sales, perhaps causing buyers that were planning late spring and summer purchases to act sooner.

Does your REALTOR understand the evolving market? If you are planning on buying or selling real estate in the Georgetown Ontario area (or anywhere else in the GTA), call Derek Dunphy, Salesperson with Johnson Associates Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage at (905)877-8233, or email Derek@CallDerek.ca.  Derek's website can be viewed at http://callderek.ca/.