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Category: Canadian Interest Rates

  • Will You Wait for the Canadian Interest Rate Surprise on July 11?

    Most years, July 11 is just another day. But in 2018 it could mean a change to the Canadian interest rate.

    The Bank of Canada has scheduled its next interest rate announcement for July 11, 2018. This is when they will publicly say if interest rates are going to increase again or not. If they do increase, unsecured debt will be affected. Could you handle a hike?

    If you’re not sure, it may be time to think about other options.

    One of those options might be mortgage refinancing. If you’re saddled with a lot of high-interest, unsecured debt, such as credit cards, student loans, or other consumer debt, refinancing your first mortgage could give you a lifeline out.

    Essentially, a first mortgage refinance would give you money based on equity available in your home. You could then use that money to pay off your outstanding, high-interest debts. You will then be left with a single monthly payment with a significantly lower interest rate.

    Even if you’re not struggling with debt, you may be considering refinancing your first mortgage for other reasons – perhaps there’s a home renovation project you’d like to undertake, or you’re planning for a big purchase, or you have a lot of equity available in your home and want to take advantage. Whatever the reason, if you’re considering refinancing, it’s better to do it now than after interest rates increase even further.

    Why would you want to refinance before an interest rate change? For one thing, if you’re on a variable-rate mortgage, you may want to lock into a fixed-rate mortgage so your payments won’t fluctuate with the interest rate.

    If you’re thinking about refinancing your first mortgage, doing so will get more expensive as interest rates rise, which means you could be saving less over the long run.

    Take the following example:

    You have a mortgage for $200,000 with Lender A at a 7% interest rate, and you have $20,000 in credit card debt. You find that you can get a mortgage of $220,000 from Lender B with a 5% interest rate. You use the $200,000 to pay off Lender A, and the $20,000 to pay off your credit cards, and then you repay Lender B over the long-term with a lower interest rate.

    But if interest rates keep rising, you might not be able to secure as low of an interest rate for your refinancing, which could make the loan harder to pay off.

    If mortgage refinancing is on your mind, but you’re not sure if it’s the right move, we can help. DebtCare Canada can assess your situation to determine whether refinancing your first mortgage is a good idea, or if another debt consolidation method would work better.

    Don’t wait until July 11. Get in contact today to go over your options.

    Call us for a free consultation: 1-888-890-0888.

  • Bank of Canada Mortgage Rates Stay at 1.25% After May 2018 Announcement

    The Bank of Canada mortgage rate is remaining at 1.25% for now.

    In an announcement on May 30, 2018 the Bank of Canada (BOC) said that the overnight interest will stay at 1.25%, at least until the next statement scheduled for July 11, 2018.

    The BOC said it is proceeding with caution, but that it still believes higher interest rates will be needed for the future.

    Since July of 2017, the BOC has raised Canadian interest rates (and correspondingly Canadian mortgage rates) from a record low of 0.5% to the current 1.25%. There have been three increases during that time, with the most recent hike happening in January of 2018.

    Despite the May 2018 hold, economists are predicting that the BOC will raise interest rates at least once more in 2018 — and it could be during the July 11 announcement. Currently, the predicted chances of a July interest rate increase are sitting at about 55%.

    What does this mean for your mortgage, or other debts?

    As you’re likely aware, the BOC interest rate affects all forms of unsecured debt. This can include the amount you owe on your credit cards, unsecured lines of credit, variable-rate mortgages, or any other forms of debt with a changing interest rate.

    Even if you have a debt with a fixed rate, such as fixed-rate mortgage or a fixed-rate loan, if you have a renewal coming up, the increasing interest rates might mean that your lender will renew your debt at a higher rate.

    Although Canadian interest rates are staying steady for now, it’s still important that you look at the overall picture. Consider the following:

    1. Don’t Rush into Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals

    Recently, some Big 6 banks have been offering heavy discounts on variable-rate mortgages. To recap, a variable-rate mortgage is one that changes with interest rates. If interest rates go down, your mortgage goes down. But if interest rates go up, your mortgage goes up.

    If you’re shopping for a mortgage, you’re up for a mortgage renewal, or you’re considering mortgage refinancing, these deals can look very tempting. But you need to consider the rest of the implications. If interest rates increase, as they are predicted to do, could you afford the hike? How much other debt do you carry and how would that be affected by an increase? You need to assess all the variables.

    A variable-rate mortgage could still be the best choice for you, but make sure you are comparing it to a fixed-rate mortgage and understanding that there is a greater chance of a variable-rate mortgage becoming unaffordable.

    1. Make a Plan for Your Debt

    The good news about the BOC keeping interest rates at 1.25% is that you have more time to pay down existing unsecured debt before rates increase again. So, if you haven’t yet made a plan to deal with your debt, now is the time to do so.

    Look into your debt consolidation options. It might be in your best interest to consolidate your debts into one fixed, monthly payment. This way your payment rates will remain the same no matter what happens with the interest rates, and your debt won’t rise any higher.

    1. Be Extremely Cautious About Taking on New Debt

    These interest rate increases aren’t going anywhere. In fact, this is just the beginning. The BOC has stated they still feel interest rates need to be higher. One of the reasons they kept interest rates low for so long was because Canadians needed to spend money to fuel the economy. Lower interest rates encouraged more Canadians to take out more loans, put more on credit cards, etc. But now the economy is relying less on consumer spending, which means that it will get more expensive to take out new debt and more expensive to pay back existing debt.

    If there’s a debt you’ve been considering taking out, really ask yourself if you can afford it. Take a look at your whole financial picture. Now might not be the right time to look into a new line of credit or to open up a new credit card. If you are already living paycheque to paycheque and making ends meet through loans, adding more debt is likely to only make the situation worse, especially as interest rates rise.

    Don’t wait until the next BOC interest rate increase to get your debt under control. Whether you’re affected by Canadian mortgage rates, interest rates, or just want to understand your financial picture, DebtCare Canada can help.

    We offer debt relief solutions, financing programs for loans and mortgages, and much more.

    Contact us today for a free consultation: www.debtcare.ca or 1-888-890-0888.

     

  • Will Canadian Interest Rates Keep Rising? We Think So

    Canadian interest rates are on the rise. From July 2017 to April 2018, the Bank of Canada (BOC) interest rate rose from 0.5% to 1.25% — the highest it’s been in nine years.

    The question on everyone’s mind is will Canadian interest rates keep increasing? The short answer is yes, we think so.

    The long answer is in the evidence we’ve found to back it up.

    Fact #1: Canada’s new mortgage rules.

    On January 1, 2018, new mortgage regulations came into effect for Canadians. These introduced a mortgage stress test for uninsured mortgages to make sure that Canadians shopping for a home or renewing a mortgage can afford their house at higher rates. The new mortgage rules make it clear that regulators are assuming interest rates will keep increasing. If the regulators believe that, there is probably merit in that view.

    Fact #2: Canada’s economy is strong.

    The BOC increased interest rates to 1.25% in January of 2018 due to Canada’s strong economy. Canada had solid economic growth in 2017, exports are up, and new jobs are being added. Economic experts are predicting that the economy will keep doing well in 2018. BOC officials say consumer spending will have less of an effect on the economy going forward than it did in the past.

    In a nutshell, this means the government doesn’t need the average Canadian to spend as much anymore. In the past household spending played a bigger role in keeping the economy afloat. Lower interest rates made it easier for Canadians to get credit to fund those purchases. But now that the economy is doing better, household spending isn’t needed as much, and interest rates can go back up.

    BOC officials have also said they are worried about the current level of Canadian household debt and hope that higher interest rates will stop Canadians from relying on credit so much.

    Fact #3: The BOC has said to expect more increases.

    When they made the January 2018 interest rate announcement, BOC officials wrote, “While the economic outlook is expected to warrant higher interest rates over time, some continued monetary policy accommodation will likely be needed to keep the economy operating close to potential and inflation on target.”

    In summary, BOC officials think that interest rates will keep increasing, but it’s not going to happen all at once.

    What does interest rates increasing mean for you? If you are carrying a large amount of high-interest household debt, the time to take action is now. Rising interest rates could cause financial turmoil.

    You need a plan to deal with the debt and eliminate the highest interest rates before it becomes too much. Debt consolidation options are plentiful and a financial consultant can help find the right solution for you.

    At DebtCare Canada, we deal with debt. We can work through your debt consolidation options and help you prepare for increasing Canadian interest rates.

    Call us today at 1-888-890-0888 for a free consultation or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • Consider Consolidating Debt Before Canadian Interest Rates Go Through the Roof!

    The interest rate may go up again – are you prepared?

    If not, it may be time to consider consolidating debt before this happens. It’s been all over the news that the Bank of Canada (BOC) recently announced a significant increase in Canada’s prime interest rate. A strong Canadian economy was one contributing factor in this decision. And, if it does continue to perform well, which hopefully it does, raising rates may just become a trend. If you’re carrying a mortgage and other debt, it may be time to find out how to consolidate debt.

    A hike in interest on mortgages for the average Canadian family could have long-term impacts in the hundreds of thousands of dollars they may currently carry in debt. Consolidating debt may help offset that increase because every slight increase can result in additional monthly payments of hundreds of dollars each month. According to a 2016 TransUnion report, more than 250,000 Canadian credit consumers might find themselves in financial trouble if rates rose by 1%.

    If you own a home, now is a good time to look long and hard at your debt and examine how you can use any existing equity to reduce interest rates on your other debt payments.

    While demand is still high for Canadian real estate, increased interest rates could eventually slow this demand, and that could severely impact the value of your property. It may end up eliminating the equity you need to refinance and consolidate your debt.

    Here are some options to consider:

    • Mortgage financing: This usually means taking out a second mortgage in addition to the one you currently have.
    • Personal loan/line of credit: This means going to a bank or private lender to take out a personal loan or line of credit to consolidate. This often isn’t an option for those with debt problems or bruised credit.
    • Consumer Proposal: This involves a plan for one payment with no interest that stops collection action, reduces debt and requires a lower monthly payment.
    • Bankruptcy: This is a one-payment option with no interest which stops collection action and gives you a fresh financial start.

    There are pros and cons to all the debt consolidation options, and the one you choose to get your finances settled and reach financial stability will be decided by your circumstances and financial goals. A financial consultant with experience helping people get back in good financial shape is the best place to start. They have the knowledge and expertise to help you set a plan to meet your goals with consolidating debt.

    At DebtCare, we’re here to help you achieve financial freedom. Call us today at 1-888-890-0888.

  • What to do Before Canadian Interest Rates Rise?

    canadian-interest-rates-smWhen it comes to the Canadian economy, the last few years have been a whirlwind of activity. Record low oil prices which hurt the economy and a dollar which fell to levels we haven’t seen in years led the Bank of Canada to drop Canadian interest rates to record lows.

    For some, a lower interest rate has been a good thing – the ability to afford more and spend less – but for others the trouble will come when those rates rise.

    What will happen when rates go up? CBC News tackled this question in a really interesting article recently – Bank of Canada must open people’s eyes to debt sinkhole danger. You can check it out here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/debt-bank-of-canada-poloz-housing-1.3621994. With people buying houses left, right and centre, the mortgage bubble is set to burst and the results could be disastrous.

    Think about it this way: the average price of a home in Canada is now more than a million dollars. That’s a lot of money. Even much more modest homes, though, can be seriously impacted by a rising interest rate. For example, a 2% increase in interest on a $300,000 mortgage amortized over 25 years would mean a $300 per month increase in your mortgage payment! For many Canadian families, that $300 could be the difference between affording a mortgage and losing the house.

    In fact, the impacts could be so significant that economists have speculated that the only thing that could take down the Canadian housing market would be rising interest rates.

    Since the average Canadian household is carrying heavy mortgage payments coupled with record levels of consumer debt, the best thing to do before Canadian interest rates go up is to get rid of that debt. Interest rates may not go lower than they are right now so now is actually the perfect time to use your home equity to deal with the debt.

    A second mortgage, structured more like a loan than a mortgage, with a short amortization period, can help you consolidate all of those other debts that are costing you more in interest than actual payments on balances, and because a second mortgage is separate from your first you are not required to overcome the fees or penalties to refinance.

    So, before interest rates rise and you find yourself struggling to pay your mortgage thanks to all of those monthly debt obligations, get rid of them. DebtCare can help.

    Call us today at 1-888-890-0888.