Landlords’ dream run of incremental rental increases appears to have taken a sudden turn, with average rents declining for the first time in three years, according to a Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). Our most expensive cities – Toronto and Vancouver – appear to have suffered the steepest declines. For investors, this may be a…
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The real estate scene is on the move thanks to falling interest rates and reduced mortgage costs. Transactions were 7.7% higher in October than for the corresponding period last year, according to the latest Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) figures. The result suggests we can put aside any doubts that homebuyers would not respond to…
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Premium brands always do well in market downturns – and that’s true for the “dress circle” properties in the Queenstown area. The value growth down south has been stellar while other areas of New Zealand – most noticeably Auckland and Wellington – continue to feel the impact of high mortgage costs. The announcement of a…
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As millions of Americans prepare to cast their vote, it’s interesting to note how housing policies have played a larger role than historically normal in the race for the White House. Housing is always an important topic, but the recent challenges with inflation and higher interest rates, which has led to rising rents and stagnant…
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New loan rules to expand insurance mortgages from 25 to 30 years are set to take effect next month to help first homebuyers into the market. By increasing the repayment period five years, first-time buyers will face lower monthly mortgage bills. However, if the loan were to go to full-term, they would pay more in…
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Forget wedding bells, young Canadians are more interested in being a homeowner. Some 40% of under-30s say buying a property is critical to their five-year plan, signalling a preference over travel (30%) and marriage (24%). The survey conducted by the Royal Bank of Canada comes as interest rates have dropped a further 0.5% to 3.75%,…
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The dial is starting to move as more Canadians enter the real estate market. Sales activity was 1.9% higher for September compared with August, which is the last month of the traditionally popular selling season. It’s the third successive month that an increase in transactions has been recorded by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).…
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Buyer anticipation of an elusive cut in interest rates has applied a temporary brake on the property market as sellers entered the first month of the traditionally strong spring season. With the rate stuck at 4.35%, buyers appear to be waiting for the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to make its move to reduce mortgage…
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Property is a reliable case study of how a market responds to varying economic factors. Whether you are a buyer or seller, the dynamics that influence real estate rarely change – confidence in the economy, perceptions of job security, mortgage costs, and supply and demand. Right now, we’re seeing buyers pivoting as they grapple with…
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A great way to take the temperature of Australia’s property market is to watch the auction results come in. The numbers vary from week to week, but the trend rarely deviates substantially in terms of providing a sense of the market sentiment. A clearance rate of more than 70% is an indicator of a strong…
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