A new normal for Canadians: The way of mortgages today

Source: https://realestatemagazine.ca/a-new-normal-for-canadians-the-way-of-mortgages-today/

With interest rates and inflation rising high over the last few years, Canadians have gone through some tough times — to the point that many are holding their real estate plans, whether buying or selling.

Although the Bank of Canada announced its final rate hold of 2023 earlier this month, the mortgage industry has already changed with the 10 rate hikes since March 2022. Here’s what’s happened.

Different lender types and loan terms

The market share of non-traditional lenders (non-bank mortgage lenders, mortgage investment entities and other chartered banks) has increased, as the usual big six Canadian banks (TD, Royal Bank, Bank of Montreal, Scotiabank, CIBC and National Bank) experienced a drop of 5.9 per cent of newly extended mortgages in 2023’s first quarter. However, they still hold the largest portion of outstanding mortgages.

Statistics Canada reports that non-bank mortgage lenders enjoyed a 1.9 per cent boost while mortgage investment entities an increase of 2.9 per cent.

New and refinanced mortgages from chartered banks went down by 44 per cent and 34 per cent, respectively, compared to 2022, CMHC reports. This is thanks to declining interest in the real estate market earlier this year from 2022 activity before interest rate hikes began.

To deal with higher monthly mortgage payments, many homeowners re-amortized their loans — to the point that two out of three mortgages in the first half of 2023 had amortization periods over 25 years (in 2022, it was one in two).

Fixed-rate mortgages still favoured

Whether renewing an existing mortgage or starting a new one, homeowners continue to prefer fixed-rate mortgages, which is currently more affordable than their variable-rate counterparts.

It’s thought that homeowners are starting to accept that higher rates aren’t changing anytime soon, which is causing mortgage holders to lock into fixed rates and at least have some certainty, which is important to homeowners. “Bank of Canada officials are helping to ingrain this, telling Canadians to brace for an era of higher borrowing costs,” analysts say, as Zoocasa reports.

CMHC reports that over the first two-thirds of this year, $244.5 billion was lent for new and renewed fixed-rate mortgages — a contrast to the $20.4 billion lent for variable-rate mortgages. 

There were 1,006 sales reported across the province in November, a 10 per cent year-over-year increase, marking the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases in Saskatchewan. Much of the monthly sales gains were driven by rising activity in the Regina and Saskatoon Regions. As seen in previous months, year-to-date sales remain well above long-term, 10-year trends, as the province continues to report strong sales.

A slight year-over-year increase in new listings was not enough to offset above-average November sales, causing further retractions in inventory levels, specifically in homes priced below $400,000. Inventory levels decreased by over 16 per cent on a year-over-year basis and remain over 30 per cent below long-term, 10-year averages.

“Saskatchewan’s housing market continues to benefit from a strong economy, record employment and population growth,” said Association CEO, Chris Guérette. “These factors, when paired with our relative affordability, continue to support above-average monthly sales and stable demand in home ownership.”

The months of supply rose above five months in November, slightly higher than levels reported earlier this year, but still over 40 per cent below the 10-year average. Despite a slight gain in the months of supply compared to October, nearly all of the growth was in higher-priced products, as the more affordable segment of the market continues to face significant inventory challenges.

In line with typical seasonal factors, Saskatchewan reported a slight decrease in the benchmark price of $324,400 in November, down from $327,300 in October and up nearly 2 per cent from November 2022.

“Our market continues to outperform many regions across the country, as we once again report strong sales levels and prices that are holding relatively steady,” said Guérette. “Where we are similar to other markets, however, is that we are experiencing persistent inventory challenges, specifically in the more affordable segment of our housing continuum.”

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