The Bank of Canada announced this morning that it is lowering its target for the overnight rate by 0.25 percentage points to 0.5 per cent. In the press release accompanying the decision, the Bank emphasized that while this additional stimulus is required to help return the economy to full capacity given a contraction of GDP over the first half of the year, vulnerabilities associated with household imbalances could edge higher.

Although core inflation remains close to the Bank's 2 per cent target, growth in the Canadian economy has stagnated. Today's rate cut should help to partially offset the negative impacts of low energy prices in the parts of Canada hardest hit by the dramatic decline in oil prices and oil and gas activity while providing further stimulus to regions like British Columbia that are enjoying more robust growth. For housing, the impact in markets like Vancouver or the Fraser Valley that are already experiencing very strong demand may be relatively muted.  For other markets that been more negatively affected by low energy prices, including some areas of Northern BC,  this may help spur housing demand.

“Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.”

The Bank of Canada announced this morning that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 0.75 per cent. In the press release accompanying the decision, the Bank noted that inflation in Canada continues to evolve as forecast with core inflation boosted by a lower dollar while CPI inflation remains near the bottom of the Bank's 1-3 per cent control range due to the transitory effects of lower energy prices. The Bank sees the underlying trend of inflation at 1.6 to 1.8 per cent, which is consistent with persistent slack in the economy. The Bank's outlook for economic growth remains largely unchanged from its previous forecast with expectation of a solid recovery beginning in the second quarter. 

With oil prices stabilizing and core inflation firming around its 2 per cent target, a further loosening of monetary policy is becoming more unlikely. If growth recovers as the Bank forecasts over the next couple of quarters, attention will shift once again to the timing of future rate increases. While we do not expect the Bank to act on interest rates for the remainder of the year, long-term bond yields and therefore mortgage rates are likely to rise from their current lows as growth improves and the US Federal Reserve begins raising its own target rate later this year. 

For more information contact The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team today!!

“Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.”

The Bank of Canada announced this morning that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 0.75 per cent. In the press release accompanying the decision, the Bank noted that temporary sector-specific factors as well as pass-through effects from a lower Canadian dollar to import-prices is keeping core inflation close to its 2 per cent target in spite of increasing slack in the economy. The Bank now expects the growth impact of low oil prices to be more front-loaded than assumed in January and for growth to rebound beginning in the second quarter with real GDP growth projected at 2.5 per cent on average through the middle of 2016.  Weak first quarter growth will translate to a widening of the Canadian output gap and downward pressure on projected inflation, but the Bank expects a higher rate of growth in the second half will push the economy back onto its previous trajectory, reaching full-capacity around the end of 2016. 

Since unveiling a surprise interest rate cut in January, each successive Bank of Canada announcement has brought heightened anticipation. However, stable oil prices, a low Canadian dollar and firm core inflation mean that the Bank is likely to take a wait and see approach as to the ultimate impact of low oil prices on the Canadian economy. Monetary policy generally operates with a four to six quarter lag, which is why the Bank opted to reduce its target rate in January to cushion the potential impact of low oil prices. Unless the Bank anticipates further shocks to the economy or a deepening impact on growth and employment arising from the oil sector, it may ultimately hold rates constant for the remainder of the year. 

Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.

In a bombshell announcement this morning, the Bank of Canada announced that it is lowering its target overnight rate to 0.75 per cent. The surprise loosening of monetary policy is in response to the recent dramatic decline in oil prices and the consequent negative impact on Canadian growth and inflation. The Bank expects the Canadian economy to grow 2.1 per cent in 2015 and 2.4 per cent in 2016. Given the initial drag on growth from lower oil prices, it does not expect the Canadian output gap (the difference between actual GDP and GDP at full capacity) to close until the end of 2016. 

While we expected the sharp decline in oil prices and the uncertainty regarding when they might stabilize would keep the Bank of Canada from raising interest rates in 2015, the Bank has instead opted for a more aggressive approach.  How long the Bank intends to keep its overnight rate at 0.75 per cent is unclear, but given strong underlying growth pre-oil shock, if oil prices rise as expected in the second half of the year we could see this move reversed by the end of 2015.   For now, the BC housing market should continue to benefit from low and now likely lower mortgage rates

“Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.”

Contact the Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team today for more information!!!

The Bank of Canada once again chose to maintain it's target for the overnight rate at 1 per cent this morning. In the statement accompanying the decision, the Bank noted that core inflation, which excludes volatile prices such as energy and food, has risen more rapidly than expected due to unexpected sector-specific factors while CPI inflation has evolved largely as expected.

While the Bank’s preferred measure of core inflation has trended above its 2 per cent target in recent  months, financial market volatility and fresh concerns over stagnant European economic growth provide some cover to maintain the status quo. Our forecast for the Canadian economy matches that of the Bank for economic growth to average 2.5 per cent for the second half of 2014 and for all of 2015. That rate of growth should eliminate much of the estimated slack in the Canadian economy by the middle of 2016. That forecast, and traditional lags in how monetary policy impacts inflation, suggests the Bank will embark on tightening monetary policy sometime toward the end of next year. 

“Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.”

For more information contact The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team today!!

The value of Canadian building permits fell 27.3 per cent in August. Prior to Augusts's decline, building permits had posted double-digit increases for three straight months.  Lower construction intentions were primarily the result of declines in Quebec and Ontario.

New building permits in BC tumbled almost 28 per cent on a monthly basis and 11.1 per cent year-over-year. Both non-residential and residential permits were lower in August. On a unit basis, permits fell 22.6 per cent but were above the monthly average for 2014. The outsized monthly decline in August reflects a moderation of activity following robust construction intentions in July.

Building permit activity was mixed in BC's four census metropolitan areas (CMA). Permits in the Abbotsford-Mission CMA fell 30.3 per cent on a monthly basis, but were 33.8 per cent higher than August 2013.  Construction intentions in the Kelowna CMA jumped 38 per cent from July but were 37.2 per cent below August 2013 levels.  In the Victoria CMA, permit activity increased 3.1 per cent on a monthly basis and was up 6.2 per cent year-over-year. Finally, in the Vancouver CMA, permits were down 32.9 per cent on a monthly basis and were 16.9 per cent lower year-over-year. 

“Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.”

For more information contact The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team at Royal LePage Kelowna. 

When you make or receive an offer to buy a property, it's important that you read and understand every clause. It is especially important to understand any conditions or any changes that are made to the standard offer.

An offer may contain several types of conditions. The most common are "conditional upon arranging financing" and "conditional upon passing a professional home inspection." However, there may be other conditions as well.

You should be aware of – and fully understand – all of them.

In addition, the wording of an offer may change during the back and forth negotiations that often happen. Aside from changes to the price, other clauses may be added, removed or reworded as well.

A good agent will always ask you to initial changes. This is done primarily to ensure you know and approve of what you're signing.

A recent newspaper article tells the story of a buyer-seller legal dispute that resulted in a six-figure judgement against the seller. This was due, in part, to a lack of understanding of one of the clauses in the agreement.

You don't want that to happen to you. Take the time to carefully review and understand an offer.

Want to make sure everything goes smoothly with your next move? Call The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team today!

The Bank of Canada announced this morning it was once again holding its target for the overnight rate at 1 per cent.  In the statement accompanying its decision, the Bank highlighted that while total CPI inflation has risen close to its 2 per cent target in recent months, the rise is due to temporary effects of higher energy prices and exchange rate pass-through from a lower loonie.  The Bank also noted that slower than expected global economic growth has trimmed the Bank's Canadian economic outlook for the next two years. This means the Canadian economy will be delayed in reaching full capacity, now expected in 2016 rather than 2015.

In spite of low inflation and disappointing growth, the Bank of Canada remains wary of easing monetary policy further at risk of upending the delicate balance of over-indebted Canadian households.  Interestingly, the Bank explicitly stated that it remains neutral with respect to both the timing and direction of the next change in interest rates, which leaves the door open for a rate cut should incoming data warrant it.  That said, we still expect that the next move for the Bank to be in the direction of higher rates. In particular, recent momentum in consumer prices, if sustained, may push the Bank to act sooner rather than later though very likely not until early to mid-2015.

“Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.” BCREA makes no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. 

The Bank of Canada announced this morning that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 1 per cent.  In its accompanying statement, the Bank noted that total CPI inflation has reached its 2 per cent target sooner than the Bank had forecast due to higher energy prices and a lower Canadian dollar. On economic growth, the Bank expects an improvement in exports in the second half of the year as well as strengthening business investment and a soft landing in the housing market. The Bank judges that the balance of risk in the Canadian economy is weighted modestly to downside risk to inflation.

Inflation in Canada has started to move materially higher in recent months, driven by a substantial increase in energy costs.  At the same time, the Canadian economy has posted disappointing growth due to slowing household spending and a drag on exports from weakness in the United States.  However, as the Bank noted in its statement, there are good reasons to believe that both of these trends will prove temporary.  Much of first quarter economic weakness was due to unusually severe winter weather which kept consumers at home and construction projects delayed.  As the weather warms up, we anticipate a rebound in growth in the second quarter. As for inflation, the impact of higher energy prices on headline CPI should fade in coming months and the Bank has already suggested it will look past the transitory increase in inflation. However, there does seem to be some underlying momentum in core CPI, which if sustained will be much harder for the Bank to ignore. For now, we anticipate the Bank will remain in neutral, leaving rates unchanged until 2015. 

Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.

The Bank of Canada announced this morning that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 1 per cent. The Bank's target rate has now remain unchanged for 29 consecutive meetings. In its accompanying statement, the Bank noted that inflation in Canada remains low and is expected to remain below the Bank's 2 per cent inflation target this year due to slack in the economy and heightened retail competition. The Bank left is forecast for Canadian economic growth unchanged at 2.5 per cent this year and next, citing a strengthening global economy and ramped up business investment. The Bank also noted that recent developments are in line with the its expectations of a soft landing in the housing market, though elevated household debt remains a risk should economic conditions deteriorate.

While some expected a slightly more dovish note from the Bank given continued muted inflation and a slight rise in the dollar, the Bank remains decidedly neutral. An expected second half rebound in growth and firming inflation means that the next move for interest rates is likely higher, but the timing of that move remains uncertain. Our view remains that the overnight rate will stay at its current level until at least early 2015. 

Information provided by www.bcrea.bc.ca

The Bank of Canada announced this morning that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 1 per cent. In its accompanying statement, the Bank noted that the economy is preceding largely on the path the Bank projected in its January Monetary Policy Report. While inflation and growth were slightly higher than expected in the fourth quarter of 2013, the Bank expects slack in the economy to keep inflation below the Bank's 2 per cent target this year. The Bank does not view the risks associated with elevated household imbalances as materially changed and judges the current stance of monetary policy, with the overnight rate at 1 per cent, as appropriate.

Speculation of an impending rate cut by the Bank of Canada has receded in recent weeks following a modest acceleration of inflation and stronger than expected economic growth. The uptick in inflation and growth is in part due to a sharply lower Canadian dollar and, while not explicitly targeting a lower value of the loonie, policymakers at the Bank have welcomed the decline in the dollar. A depreciation in the currency tends to be inflationary and impacts consumer prices in fairly short order while traditional monetary policy, through adjusting the overnight interest rate, impacts inflation only with a significant lag of 12 to 18 months.  With the lower loonie helping to pull inflation higher, we expect the Bank will likely maintain its target rate at 1 per cent until 2015 when economic conditions may require a gradual increase in the overnight rate. 

Information provided by BCREA. 

Great news for first time home buyers!

Effective February 19, 2014, the Property Transfer Tax exemption threshold under the First Time Home Buyers’ Program is increased to $475,000 from $425,000, with the partial exemption/phase out applying between $475,000 and $500,000. Call more information The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Group today!!