Tag Archive for: Bond yields

Buckle Up

Buckle up as it may be a bumpy ride. Since Russia decided to invade Ukraine, I am not saying because of it but this did start around the same time, that bond yields have been steadily rising thus the fixed mortgage rates have also been increasing.

In the past month the 5 year discounted fixed rate has increased by 90 basis points from 2.89% to 3.79%. There are many in the mortgage industry who say that they see this increasing further to over 4% and only then possibly settling down. There is also talk of the Bank of Canada increasing the overnight lending rate by 50 basis point on the next meeting on April 13th. Doing so will then increase the prime rate from 2.70% to 3.20%.

While the costs of almost everything has been increasing lately from the homes we buy, the wood we use the construct them and the gas we use to get ourselves around. Just be thankful that we live in a safe and free country. Do your best to help those around you who are in need. So until this all settles down, just buckle up and do your best to get through it.

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Patrick

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia Brokerage (2021-3000179) Broker (2021-3000180), Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

p.s.s.s You can download my new mortgage app here

The Rate Game!

Over the last few weeks the rates on five year fixed mortgage have steadily risen as the corresponding bond yields have also increased. This all has to do with recent concerns with inflation or better yet a game of cat and mouse between bond traders and the FOMC ( Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee) which sets the US federal funds rate. You see the traders believe that the FOMC have the funds rate set too low so as a result they are pushing the yields up higher to see if the FOMC will react.

You may be asking how does this effect you and me here in Canada. Well their actions have increased the yield of our five year bonds and thus drove our fixed rate mortgages higher. Mortgages which as of late were at historic low rates. So if you have heart set on a 5 year fixed mortgage rate and are currently shopping for a new home, now is the ideal time to lock in your rate with a pre approval.

However do you know what may be a better option? Historically the better option has always been to go with a variable rate. Not only do you get a lower rate, but you also have a much better penalty if you have to break it. This would three months interest vs a very probable Interest Rate Differential penalty.

Another differentiator is the fact that the variable rate mortgage is based on the Bank Of Canada prime rate rather than the whims of the bond market in general. The bank of Canada meets 8 times a year and current the over night rate is set at .25%. The current bank forecast says that the overnight rate will remain unchanged for the rest of 2021 and also for 2022. As for 2023 and beyond it will depend on how the Canadian and global economies recover from Covid-19.

While this is no crystal ball as it is very difficult to predict the market. Generally 9 times out of 10 you will save more money with a variable rate as compared to a fixed rate. Right now, I like these odds and think that people will prefer the variable.

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to your mortgage needs.

Pat

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).

#TuesdayVibe

Well after several months of mortgage rates going down, they turned the corner and started going back up yesterday. As fixed mortgages are tied to bond yields, they hit a 10 month high on Monday with the 5 year bond closing at 0.67% forcing lenders to pass the increase on to borrowers.

The bond yields are increasing because there is belief that the US inflation with rise much quicker than initially expected. Thus taking our Government of Canada bonds up with them. While I have no crystal ball, we have been very fortunate lately with our current rock bottom fixed mortgage rates. Nothing stays low forever, so if you have been on the fence about buying a property then now is the time to get pre approved and lock in your mortgage rate in advance of future increases.

While these increases have only affected fixed mortgages. The variable rate is based on Bank of Canada Prime Rate. Which after their last meeting in January 2021, they kept their overnight rate at .25% and said that it will likely stay unchanged till 2023. So if you are comfortable with a variable rate, and 9 times out of 10 people have saved more money that way, then I would highly suggest sticking with a variable rate mortgage. As an added bonus even if you every break it, your penalty is only 3 months interest vs a much larger penalty for breaking a fixed rate.

Irregardless of slight changes in the 5 year fixe rate, don’t forget that to get a mortgage these days that you must qualify based on the 5 year posted rate of 4.79%. Also known as the stress test. So while your overall potential payment may have increased by a small amount your buying power remains the same.

I look forward to hearing from you in regards to your mortgage needs.

Pat

p.s- You can click on this link to start the process whenever you are ready. Schedule your meeting with me here.

p.s.s- I should tell you that I am licensed in Nova Scotia, Ontario(M18001555) & in British Columbia(BCFSA #504098).