| Recent Blog Posts by Robert Atkinson | ||
Mortgage Rules Change, What Does It Mean? Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced three new changes to financing rules. Effective March 18, 2011, it will become harder to buy a new home or consolidate debt into your mortgage. What are the changes?
The maximum amortization period has been reduced from 35 years to 30 years for mortgages that are insured by CMHC where the homeowner has less than 20% equity ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on January 18, 2011
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Boom? Bust? Where's the market going?Economists are predicting the current activity in housing to slow down. This means home prices will stabilize as the demand begings to balance with the availability.
See this attached story from the Toronto Sun.
Last year’s comeback for Canada’s housing market will carry through early 2010 but subdued activity is on the horizon as higher prices and interest rates make property ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on March 26, 2010
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Economists predict higher interest rates in fall According to many of Canada’s top economists, higher interest rates – and debt servicing costs – may be just around the corner. Exactly when rates will rise is unclear and depends on who you talk to.
In its latest Financial System Review, The Bank of Canada judges that vulnerability of Canadian households to adverse wealth and income shocks has grown in recent years. “At ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on February 2, 2010
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Invest in real estate AND get a tax break, how is this possible?There is a 'secret' out there that many people are not aware of that allows them to invest in income producing real estate and also get tax deductions for up to 6 years!
Instead of putting a monthly amount into RRSP's and then praying that they are wisely invested (mine slid over 34%!) you can put this same money into an investment plan that has you owing a share of a commercial property with solid ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on March 28, 2009
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The 40 year mortgage is dead.As of October 15th, 2008 the government of Canada will no longer be guaranteeing 40 year mortgages in an effort to strengthen and protect the Canadian housing market. Some of the rule changes are:
Fixing the maximum amortization period for new government-backed mortgages to 35 years;
Requiring a minimum down payment of five per cent for new government-backed mortgages;
Establishing ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on September 19, 2008
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Help for the First Time Home BuyerBeing a first time home buyer is an exciting and somewhat intimidating process. If you scan the Internet you can find a wealth of information and you can spend hours upon hours reading it all. While this will make you a more informed person it may also make you feel more intimidated as there is a lot of risk that needs to be pointed out however, without risk there is no reward. Below ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on April 19, 2008
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