10/16/2016
OK Canada you have had just over one week to digest what our Government has fed you with the new "stress test" to qualify for a mortgage. This of course was to help to stop the increasing home prices in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. Guess what? These misguided politicians have hit the wrong target. Instead of curtailing the house values they have put a "bullseye" on the first time buyers.
You have to ask yourself, why have these politicians not consulted professionals in this field?
Now, that these "new rules" take effect October 17th, it has now become harder for our young Canadians to have the pleasure of home ownership. Before this took effect, a couple with 10% down making $100,000 per year would qualify for a $700,000 mortgage. As of October 17th, they would qualify for $550,000. Our politicians need to be educated on an industry that contributes to Canada's GDP in 7 of 10 provinces. Are you kidding me?
I find it ironic that this announcement came out one week after a Swiss Bank (UBS) published an article where it named 10 of the world's cities where the "bubble" will burst. The number one was Vancouver. Are you kidding me again?
I have been born and raised in Vancouver and have been associated in the mortgage industry since 1977. I can't count how many times "the bubble is going to burst " for almost 40 years. Vancouver is an international city recognized the world over in a country where there is political stability, low interest rates, a dollar currently trading 25% below the US Dollar. It's no wonder that prices of real estate here is rising.
One week after this was published we all received the news that the rules will change.
You have ask yourself "what does some Swiss economist know anything about one of the most scenic and most liveable cities in the world?"
Our organizations and networks are working hard to push-back on these rules so that all Canadians have the same set of rules that make sense.
I will communicate further information once more is announced.