27Jan/12Off
BMO: CMHC Is Solid
In their most recent weekly financial digest, BMO economist Sherry Cooper adamantly states that the financial strength of Canada’s mortgage insurer, CMHC, is solid. CMHC is fully funded and strong enough to withstand any reasonable (though improbable) stress test. In addition, CMHC … Continue reading
26Jan/12Off
CIBC: Looking Beyond the Debt-to-Income Ratio
A new report by CIBC looks beyond the debt-to-income ratio of Canadians to assess how we really are doing financially. Indeed, using simply the debt-to-income ratio to gauge the well-being of finances isn’t enough as there are some other countries … Continue reading
25Jan/12Off
CIBC: ‘Soft Landing’ Will Still Impact Economy
In a new report out today, CIBC says that “even if house prices land softly, the impact on the economy in general, and construction jobs in particular, will be far from gentle.” CIBC still reiterates that a housing market crash is not foreseen, … Continue reading
25Jan/12Off
House Price Index (HPI): November 2011
For the 3rd straight month, Calgary home prices saw month-over-month declines according to the Teranet-National Bank House Price Index. Between October and November, Calgary’s HPI fell -1.6%, the largest drop of the municipalities tracked. Year-over-Year, house prices were up … Continue reading
23Jan/12Off
MLS® Housing Price Index (HPI) Launching February 2012
Back in September, you first read about a national HPI that was to be launched in 2012. We’re happy to say that the MLS® Housing Price Index (HPI) is coming to Calgary in February, as part of a nationwide rollout … Continue reading
23Jan/12Off
2012 Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey
Calgary was once again ranked as “moderately unaffordable” by the Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey. In its 8th annual survey, Calgary was rated at a 3.9 which was down slightly from the 4.0 in 2011, and the 4.6 in 2010. … Continue reading
23Jan/12Off
January 1-21, 2012 Calgary Real Estate Update
Buyers braved the cold and single family home sales gained ground on 2011′s levels this week and ended with a month-to-date total of 463, down -0.6% y/y. The average sales between 2002-2011 for the first 3 weeks of January was … Continue reading
19Jan/12Off
Calgary Ranked 9th in CIBC’s Metropolitan Index: 2011 Q3
CIBC’s Canadian Metropolitan Economic Activity Index assesses the relative performance of Canada’s major cities using 9 key macroeconomic variables: Population growth Employment growth Unemployment rate Full-time share in total employment Personal bankruptcy rate Business bankruptcy rate Housing starts MLS Housing resales, and Non-Residential … Continue reading
19Jan/12Off
TD: “Likelihood” of Housing Correction
In a new report by TD Bank, Chief Economist Craig Alexander warns that if interest rates remain stable and there is no further tightening of mortgage rules, the debt-to-income ratio could reach 160% in the second half of 2013. That marks … Continue reading
19Jan/12Off
CREB 2012 Forecast
A much more conservative forecast compared to last year was released today by the Calgary Real Estate Board. CREB predicts single family home sales will see a 12.2% increase in 2012. Meanwhile, the average price is forecast to rise just … Continue reading