eLoan Canada

The big 5 Canadian banks have been showing considerable rise in their prime lending rates today after the Bank of Canada’s rate hike earlier in this week. Banks like RBC, TD, BMO, CIBC and Scotiabank have increased their Prime lending rates by 0.25% to 2.75%, effective July 21. It also increased variable mortgage rates, including those offered by brokers as well, for the best mortgage rate that were closed at 1.75% for a 5 year variable previously was now expected to increase up to 2.00% now.

The Bank of Canada hiked its key interest rate by a quarter point earlier this week! For the second month in a row.

In its statement the Bank noted that it “expects the economic recovery in Canada to be more gradual than it had projected in last April, with growth of 3.5% in 2010, 2.9% in 2011, and 2.2% in 2012. This revision reflects a slightly weaker profile for global economic growth and more modest consumption growth in Canada.”

Most lending institutions including Canadian big banks are expected to respond to the Bank’s rate hike by increasing their prime lending rates by a minimum quarter point. However, lenders do vary in when exactly they adjust their rates for variable-rate mortgages. Contact your bank or a mortgage professional for more information on how a particular lender may implement a rate increase. As its a time when mortgage holders or potential borrowers should sit down with their mortgage professional to explore their options and decide what makes the most sense for their own financial situation.

A competitive five-year fixed mortgage rate is available to qualified borrowers at 4.29%, while with the Bank’s rate increased, a competitive variable rate mortgage is available to qualified borrowers at 2.15%, prime of 2.75 per cent minus 0.60 per cent.

Prime & variable mortgage rates update with Canada’s lenders / brokers / bankers as of July 21, 2010:

• Dominion Lending – Prime rate: 2.75%; Change (%): +0.25%; Variable mortgage rate: 2.00%; Change (%): +0.25%
• ScotiaBank – Prime rate: 2.75%; Change (%): +0.25%; Variable mortgage rate: 2.60%; Change (%): +0.25%
• CIBC – Prime rate: 2.75%; Change (%): +0.25%; Variable mortgage rate: 2.60%; Change (%): +0.25%
• RBC – Prime rate: 2.75%; Change (%): +0.25%; Variable mortgage rate: 2.60%; Change (%): +0.25%
• Canada Trust – Prime rate: 2.75%; Change (%): +0.25%; Variable mortgage rate: 2.35%*; Change (%): +0%*

As far as the Fixed-rate mortgages are concerned, it will not get any changes directly by the Bank of Canada rate hike announcement as their rates are influenced more by movements in the bond market.

Compare the Canadian best mortgage rates from banks and brokers!

Getting lower mortgage rates mean great saving but increased affordability is what attracts more homebuyers. Anyhow, there are few more ways available to first-time homebuyers that offer affordable housing along with financial tactics that increases our savings to the point where we feel comfortable. Here are some time-tested strategies to consider in the light of our updated present economical situation to further increase mortgage affordability:

Pre-Qualification! Know What You Can Afford

The first thing I recommend to all homebuyers to find a mortgage broker and get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage. A mortgage pre-approval helps you establish a price range and the maximum mortgage you can reasonably afford. There are many lenders who offer pre-approving facility to their potential borrowers for a mortgage to lock-in a rate for up to 120 days.

Fixed-Rate Mortgages! Fix The Rate For A Longer Term You Afford

Consider locking in your rate for a longer period of time! If you’re uneasy about fluctuating interest rates and your ability to meet any increases, then a fixed-rate mortgage could be an ideal fit. Many lenders are open to longer fixed terms that may be up to 10 years in some cases.

Down Payment! Pay Maximum You Can Afford

Increased affordability comes from increasing the size of your down payment that results a lower monthly payment. A common way for first time buyers to come up with more cash for a down payment is to make use of the federal Home Buyers’ Plan. With this Plan, you can now withdraw more than before which is up to $25,000 each from a RRSP (registered retirement savings plan) without tax penalty to buy or build a qualifying home. Also, many lenders allow the down payment to come from a properly documented gift, and a borrowed down payment may be possible for some borrowers.

Debt Restructuring! Revisiting Your Current Debts

Your total debt service ratio (TDS) is what your lender will look at while considering your mortgage application to see how much of your total income is going towards various types of consumer loans, including your personal loans, credit cards, charge cards, child support, car loans and other. To increase your affordability and success that your TDS ratio is acceptable to prospective lenders, your mortgage broker can advise on restructuring your current debt (by increasing the amortization and lowering payments on your consumer loans like car loan, etc.,).

You could get more valuable advice and practical tips to boost affordability specific to your own situation by your mortgage professional. However, first-time homebuyers need to be very careful when finding a mortgage that is several times their income. If you lose your job or get into financial difficulty, you could easily miss mortgage payments and lose your home. It is vital you are borrowing no more than you can afford to spend each month. Although present real estate market and its soft home prices along with the low interest rates have been making affordable house plans to further enhance mortgage loan market about which economists believe interest rates will stay at its lowest position for the next two years or so but you should not treat this as a guarantee.