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According to recent findings, Canadians are piling on the debt. Canadian consumers collectively owe more than $1.5 trillion, up 7.4% from $1.4 trillion a year ago. The average total debt owed on items like cars, vacations, and shopping and paying hydro now stands at $20,891. The sector that experienced the most growth was auto loans, increasing 6.8% year-over-year. That doesn’t factor in mortgage debt.

This is a significant number: for every dollar that Canadians earn, we owe roughly $1.65 to credit card companies, banks, and other lenders.

Even if Canadians rein in their spending, it doesn’t look like we’re going to get much of a break. That’s because the cost of food is going to climb as much as 2.4% in 2015; that’s faster than the rate of inflation.

For whatever reason, many Canadians find themselves overwhelmed with debt. It could be due to a lost job, unexpected expenses, overspending during the holidays, or even the rising cost of living.

On the plus side, even though debt levels are increasing, the delinquency rate (bills more than 90 days past due) is on a downward trend and stands at just 1.1%. This is due in large part to the ultra-low interest rate environment.

But that could be in jeopardy. First, debt levels can become more unmanageable should Canadians get hit with a large, unexpected bill. On top of that, an eventual uptick in interest rates could put added stress on daily finances.

The mortgage experts at Canadalend.com can help those overwhelmed with debt overcome the day-to-day financial stresses through debt consolidation. Debt consolidation is about taking out an equity home mortgage loan; by doing this, you can consolidate several debts into one easy payment.

You can also refinance a first or second mortgage into a single monthly payment with one interest rate. With interest rates near record lows, it’s still a good time to take advantage of the equity you have built up in your house.

One of the main benefits of a debt consolidation loan or first or second mortgage is that the interest rates will be significantly lower than what bank credit cards or store credit cards charge. You can choose to pay off your mortgage as quickly as possible or reduce your monthly payments and use the extra money for other expenses.

That said, no matter where interest rates are, you’re going to save money by getting a consolidation loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC).

If you’re a homeowner and struggling with debt, Canadalend.com can help you refinance your mortgage at the best rates and conditions possible. To see what kind of loan you qualify for, contact the experts at Canadalend.com today or apply online and a mortgage specialist will help you set up an appointment for a free personal consultation.

Source:

“Canadian Consumer Credit Trends, Q3 2014,” Equifax web site December 12, 2014; www.equifax.com/international/canada/documents/Equifax_Canadian_Consumer_Credit_Trends_Q3_2014.pdf.

Canadian home sales edged higher in October, supported by low interest rates. The strong momentum is expected to continue for the rest of the year and into the traditionally slower winter months.

The Strongest Home Sale Activity in Five Years

October home sales rose 0.7% month-over-month. Year-over-year, sales were up seven percent. This marks the sixth consecutive month of increased resale housing activity. October also represents the strongest sales activity in five years (October 2009) and stands in stark contrast to the quiet start of the year—which many believe was a result of the brutally cold winter. (Source: “Canadian home sales edge higher in October,” The Canadian Real Estate Association web site, November 17, 2014; http://crea.ca/canadian-home-sales-edge-higher-october-1.)

That said, sales of existing homes did not increase in all regions of the country. This is real estate after all—it’s about location, location, location. Overall, October sales were up on a year-over-year basis in about 70% of all local markets.

Canadian Home Prices Dominated by Three Cities

But, for the most part, Canadian real estate is still a tale of three cities: Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. In October, the national average price rose to $419,699. But if you take Vancouver and Toronto out of the equation, the average price rose 5.4% to $330,596.

By city, the average price of an existing home in Toronto rose nine percent to $587,505, and in Vancouver, prices were up 5.6% to $819,336. Housing prices were flat in Saskatoon, Ottawa, Greater Montreal, Halifax, and Greater Moncton. Prices were down 3.4% in Regina.

Mortgage Rates at Historic Lows

The continued strength in existing-home sales is being helped in large part by historically low mortgage rates. Potential homebuyers can get a five-year fixed mortgage rate, the most popular mortgage product in Canada, for less than three percent.

Still, that robust monthly sales growth could slow down if interest rates begin to climb. The higher-interest-rate environment will make it more difficult for some first-time homebuyers to qualify for a mortgage.

What Will the Bank of Canada Do?

Most don’t expect the Bank of Canada to raise its overnight lending rate (which impacts what banks charge for mortgages and loans) until late 2015. Not everyone agrees, though. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) thinks the Bank of Canada will raise its key interest rate to control inflation in May 2015. (Source: Quinn, G., “Bank of Canada to Raise Policy Interest Rate in May: OECD,” Bloomberg web site, November 25, 2014; www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11-25/bank-of-canada-to-raise-policy-interest-rate-in-may-oecd.html.)

Stephen Poloz, the head of the Bank of Canada, will announce his next decision on borrowing costs on December 3. At Canadalend.com, we fully expect Governor Poloz to keep the overnight rate at one percent, where it has been held since September 2010.

Canadian Real Estate Going into 2015

As a result, the Canadian housing market will remain healthy as we enter 2015. Sales will be particularly strong in the four busiest markets: Calgary, Toronto, Hamilton, and Vancouver.

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, are looking to move up the property ladder, or are taking out a second mortgage, Canadalend.com can help you find the best mortgage designed to meet your financial and lifestyle needs. To take advantage of record-low interest rates and see what kind of mortgage you qualify for, contact Canadalend.com today, or apply online and a Canadalend.com mortgage specialist will contact you to set up an appointment at your earliest convenience.

While Canada’s record housing prices and ultra-low interest rates continue to make news, the fact of the matter is the real estate data continues to be skewed by three markets: Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. This information has not gone unnoticed by the experts at Canadalend.com .

In fact, the gap between housing prices in these three cities—which represents one quarter of Canada’s housing stock—and the rest of the country is growing. The robust appreciation in real estate prices is great news to property owners in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver, and the growing price gap also means that 75% of the Canadian housing market is following a different trajectory.

Over the last decade, the average property values in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto combined have risen 83%, from $345,000 to $634,000. In the rest of the Canada, property values have climbed 60%, from $205,000 to $327,000.

More recently, over the last year, the average property value in these three cities has increased by nine percent, from $578,000 to $634,000. More tellingly, the price appreciation in these three cities, and by extension the rest of the country, is being driven by detached homes in the downtown cores. Amazingly, these properties account for just 4.4% of Canada’s housing stock.

Over the last year, property value appreciation in the rest of the country has been a more manageable three percent, from $317,000 to $327,000. This means the majority of the Canadian housing market is more affordable for the average first-time home buyer.

The experts at Canadalend.com observe that thanks to robust property values, many first-time home buyers are facing headwinds in Calgary, Vancouver, and Toronto. At the same time, other Canadian cities are actually more affordable now than they have been historically.

For example, the most affordable housing market in Canada is Windsor, Ontario, where prices are 12.2% more affordable than the historic norm. Ottawa-Gatineau is the second most affordable area, where property values are 8.6% more affordable than the historic norm. Rounding out the top five are Kingston (7.9%), London (6.9%); and Sudbury (6.5%), all in Ontario.

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to get on the property ladder in Victoria, British Columbia; St. John’s, Newfoundland; or anywhere in-between, the lending experts at Canadalend.com can help you get aresidential mortgage at the most competitive rates.

Unlike the big banks, which only promote their own financial products, the licensed, independent agents at Canadalend.com have access to hundreds of lenders and will get you the best rates possible.

If you’re interested in seeing what kind of mortgage you qualify for, contact Canadalend.com today or apply online and a Canadalend.com mortgage specialist will set up an appointment at your earliest convenience. Your Candalend.com agent can help you get pre-approved for a mortgage in 24 hours or less and help you find the best mortgage and rates to meet your financial and personal needs.

Sources:

Perkins, T., “Housing price disparity growing between major centres, rest of Canada,” The Globe and Mail , November 7, 2014; www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/housing/the-real-estate-beat/housing-price-disparity-growing-between-major-centres-rest-of-canada/article21487447/.

“Desjardin Affordability Index,” Desjardins web site, October 29, 2014; www.desjardins.com/ressources/pdf/iad1014e.pdf.

Canada may have a stable economy, but that doesn’t mean Canadians are financially sound. And while the real estate market might be on fire, Canadalend.com observes that that doesn’t mean most Canadians are feeling richer.

In fact, Canadians are facing near-record debt loads. If Canada’s interest rates start to rise next year, climbing to more normal levels, consumers could start to find their debt loads unmanageable. This is especially concerning when you consider a whopping 42% of Canadians say they would be in financial trouble if their pay was delayed by just one week.

For example, the average ratio of debt-to-disposable income is dangerously high. The debt-to-income ratio is a common metric used to gauge how indebted Canadian households are.

At the end of 2011, the average debt-to-disposable income ratio was 150.6%; it climbed to 152% in 2012, and in 2013, it hit a record 164.1%. Today, it’s hovering around 163%. A more stable ratio is between 110% and 120%.

What does that mean? For every $1.00 in income earned, Canadians owe their banks, credit card companies, auto dealers, and other lenders $1.63 in debt. While the debt-to-disposable income ratio is down slightly from last year’s record levels, it remains high. This leaves the average Canadian vulnerable should they get hit with an unexpected expense or job loss.

Whether you’re being weighed down by debt, want it to be more manageable, or need a little breathing room, the experts at Canadalend.com can help you through debt consolidation.

Debt consolidation is about taking out an equity home mortgage loan; doing this allows you to consolidate your debts into one manageable payment. Alternately, you can also refinance a first or second home mortgage into a single monthly payment.

Of the 10% of Canadians who refinanced their mortgages last year, 62% cited debt consolidation or repayment as the main reason.

This is because consolidating high interest debt, like credit card balances and auto loans, into a low-interest mortgage can save you thousands in interest payments. Consolidating your high-interest debt (credit cards car loans) into a low-interest mortgage is an easy way to manage your payments and save money.

How? Let’s say you have $50,000 in debt spread out over three credit cards with an interest rate of 18%. Assuming you pay three percent of the outstanding balance—and don’t get yourself any further into debt—your minimum monthly payment would be $1,500.

It would also take you 352 months, or more than 29 years, to get rid of your debt. During that time, you’ll have paid the credit card companies $49,697.08 in interest.

Consolidate your debt into an equity home mortgage loan and you will not just have one convenient payment to make each month, but you will also pay a lot less in interest. That’s because interest on a secured loan is much, much lower than the interest on a credit card.

If the interest on a five-year fixed rate is 2.75%, your monthly payments plummet to $230.66. Over the 25-year amortization period, you would pay out $69,196.63, of which, $19,196.63 is interest. By simplyconsolidating your debt , you free up more than $1,200 per month, save more than $30,500 in interest, and pay off your debt five years sooner.

If you can afford to pay more each month, you can shorten the amortization period, meaning you’ll save even more in interest charges and have your debt paid off sooner.

If you own a home and want to see if you qualify for a debt consolidation home mortgage, equity loan, or refinancing, contact Canadalend.com or apply online . An independent, licensed Canadalend.com debt consolidation specialist will help set up an appointment for a personal consultation at your earliest convenience.

Sources:

“42 per cent of Canadians living paycheque to paycheque: survey,” CTV News web site, September 11, 2013; www.ctvnews.ca/business/42-per-cent-of-canadians-living-paycheque-to-paycheque-survey-1.1449473#ixzz3HSpD48xh.

Parkinson, D., “Canadians’ household debt burden edges higher in second quarter,” The Globe and Mail ,September 15, 2014; www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/household-debt-burden-for-canadians-edges-higher-in-second-quarter/article20573363/.