Tag Archives: inflation

Open Topic

FFFA! The house is leaking (money)

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It’s the end of another workweek and that means it’s Friday Free-for-all time!

This is our regular end of the week news roundup and open topic discussion thread for the weekend.

Let’s get to it!

Here are a few recent links to kick off the chat:

–Biggest new home price drop in Canada
–Average house price takes record fall
–Inflation adjusted HPI lower than 2008?
–New house prices lower than 2007?
–Condo owners ignore depreciation reports
–Cashback mortgages, great way to cash in on suckers
–Removed all 4’s from floors, Vegas tower still doomed
–

So what are you seeing out there? Post your news links, thoughts and anecdotes here and have an excellent weekend!

BC, Budget, economy, prices, rates

2013: Everything costs more

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Well, maybe not everything…

You can probably pay less for a computer or a house, but many of the day-to-day expenses of living are going up around here.

As the new year rolled over there was a spate of announcement for rising taxes, user fees, premiums and fares in BC.

In Vancouver, homeowners will pay about three per cent more in 2013 on their property taxes and utility bills.

The cost of health care premiums is set to rise in the province, from $128 to $133 per month for a family, adding up to $60 per year, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

“Most of us would say, ‘OK, we can squeeze out five dollars a month somewhere,’ ” said spokesman Jordan Bateman.

But, he added, this is the fourth January premiums have increased and “it’s really starting to weigh down taxpayers.”

Federally, Employment Insurance and Canada Pension premiums will also increase.

Workers who make over $47,400 will pay $891, up $51 from last year, and employers will pay $1,247 in EI premiums, up $72. Workers and employers will both pay an extra $49 in CPP premiums, with workers paying $2,356 in 2013.

The cost of getting around is also going up.

Yep, Translink fares are going up too – a one zone fare goes from $2.50 to $2.75.  Also Tolls and BC Ferry fare.

For the whole list check out the original article in the Vancouver Sun.

Open Topic

FFFA! SALES! CONDOS! INFLATION! RENT! POT!

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93 Comments

It’s that time of the week again, this is when we do our regular end of the week news roundup and open topic discussion thread for the weekend.  Here are a few recent links to kick off the chat:

–Winter freeze for Vancouver sales?
–RET better than a new condo?
–Calgary & Edmonton beat Vancouver
–Don’t bet on inflation for home prices
–Rent Vs. Buy
–Everybody must get stoned
–West Van waterfront acreage $20.00
–Rona sales struggling
–Shadow inventory?
–Mr. Christie you make good condos
–Really low sales

So what are you seeing out there? Post your news links, thoughts and anecdotes here and have an excellent weekend!

Canada, debt, economy, prices

One bubble down, one to go

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The Vancouver real estate slow down is making news all over and people are now wringing their hands over Toronto.

This Financial Post article talks about our bloating inventory and collapsing sales while pointing out that Toronto sales are up 11% year over year.

..and yes, there’s yet another warning from the Bank of Canada:

“Although economic growth in Canada was slightly slower than expected in the first quarter, underlying economic momentum appears largely consistent with expectations. However, the composition of growth is less balanced. In particular, housing activity has been stronger than expected, and households continue to add to their debt burden in an environment of modest income growth.”

The warning is apt. Rosenberg said if the Bank of Canada felt the need to re-establish parity between short-term rates and its inflation target it would have to raise the rate 100 basis points.

“That wouldn’t cause a recession, but it sure would be painful for many households,” leading to more loan defaults and less spending growth.

If you can’t afford a 100 basis point increase in rates you probably shouldn’t be taking on too much debt.

Canada, debt, economy, opinion, rates

Days of ultra-cheap money coming to an end

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..At least that’s what Mark Carney and other Bank of Canada officials have said according to this article, yet they’re refraining from being more specific.

Meanwhile the Organization for Economic and Co-operative Development (OECD) is urging Canada to start raising interest rates in the fall and keep on raising them to stop an inflating housing bubble and reign in inflation.

The OECD, a high-powered economic research group backed by contributions from its 34 rich country members, offers a scenario: An increase in the benchmark rate of a quarter of a percentage point in the autumn, and similar increases each quarter through to the end of next year, leaving the benchmark overnight target at 2.25 per cent.

That still would be low by historical standards, yet, according to the OECD, likely a big enough increase to cause prospective homeowners to think twice before buying at current inflated prices. However, the OECD’s recommendation comes with a risk.

The Federal Reserve Board has made a conditional pledge to leave U.S. rates extremely low until the end of 2014. Following the OECD’s path could create an unprecedented spread between Canadian and U.S. interest rates, which would put upward pressure on a Canadian dollar that many say already is too strong.

Oh, and the OECD made this same recommendation a year ago and was ignored. So I wonder how Carney intends to bring the days of ultra-cheap money to an end?