Life on Credit

The art of borrowing money

What Is Driving up the Prices in Cottage Country?

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It is mainly Canadians living in urban areas that are driving up prices in the cottage industry, including knowledge workers, seniors, and young families with children. Amidst the pandemic, cottage prices increased by 11.5 percent in 2020, and this trend is expected to continue in 2021. More and more people are choosing to relocate to small towns and rural areas and are buying all sorts of properties, including cabins, chalets, and farmhouses. For many of them, the most important thing is to have a stable internet connection as many are working remotely.

What Figures Tell

While home sales skyrocketed by over 31 percent in November 2020, cottage properties gained in value because of increased demand. Ontario is leading when it comes to price gains, with an increase of close to 30 percent in some places and hikes of 15 percent in Moncton, Montreal, and Ottawa. The recreational property industry is booming in Ontario, with home prices skyrocketing in North Muskoka (17 percent), Haliburton Highlands (28 percent), Gravenhurst (44 percent), and Rideau Lake (25 percent). The prices of recreational homes in Quebec also saw significant gains, with increases by 36 percent in Sutton and 27 percent in the Laurentides. According to senior economist Robert Kavcic working for BMO Capital Markets, the trend is expected to continue in 2021.

Inventory levels have hit record low levels due to increased demand, with buyers from Quebec and Ontario relocating to the countryside. A recent report by Royal LePage confirms this, pointing to the fact that real estate agents in more than half of the regions (54 percent) report increased demand for cottage properties. The report also shows that more retirees are choosing to relocate, with 68 percent of regions seeing a significant increase compared to 2020. Because of the surge in demand, the prices of waterfront properties are up by 13.5 percent to about $498,000, the average price of recreational homes standing at $453,000

In British Columbia, the biggest gains are in Kimberley/Cranbrook (over 27 percent) and Whistler (18.3 percent). Condo prices have also increased by 15.5 percent.

Why Are Prices Going Up

As many businesses, restaurants, hotels, and recreational venues remain closed or are operating at reduced capacity, people don’t really need to be in cities and in a walkable area. It is also true that people are willing to invest more in real estate because they are spending more time at home due to social distancing measures, restrictions set in place across Canada, and lockdowns. As experts note, there are currently two categories of buyers – the first is the worried buyer who believes that the pandemic is never going to end. The second group comprises all those who can do their job from anywhere and have already been working remotely for quite some time. There are other reasons for the recent price hikes, but the main one is that many people are rethinking and re-evaluating their lifestyle, as Vancouver realtor Faith Wilson notes. From shifting to digital and shopping online to changing family and travel plans and health and safety concerns, consumer behaviour is changing which has a significant impact on the real estate market. More people are buying waterfront and ski-hill properties but many are also opting for conventional homes in the countryside. As Royal LePage owner in East Kootenay Philip Jones notes, what they are looking for is raw land.

The ongoing pandemic is certainly driving the exodus to the countryside, with an increasing number of families reappraising urban living. The global health crisis turned the lives of many upside down, from working and schooling to shopping and travelling. Cities where many were born and spent their whole lives now feel like claustrophobic and dangerous places because of repeated lockdowns and tightening and easing of measures. This results in a growing uncertainty as to when and if this will ever going to end. For many, buying a cottage property is like having a place to walk around and breathe, somewhere you don’t stay locked day in and day out. People need more space as their homes have become so central to their lives, with many working, looking after children, exercising, and shopping from home. Cities have long attracted people for the fact that there is plenty to do and crowds of young people socializing. Closures and social distancing simply put socializing on hold. Other factors why people consider relocating to the countryside include distance from family and friends in their community, overcrowding in cities, and lack of gardens.

For others, living and working alongside people who are not following Covid-19 guidelines and social distancing rules is also a factor. There are people moving to the place they grew up to be close to family members and friends. High property prices in metropolitan areas are also forcing many out.

With lockdowns due to recurring outbreaks and waves, more and more people need to be closer to nature. The main reasons impacting purchasing decisions are wanting to have access to a garage or a parking space, to live closer to green spaces, have a pet-friendly home, live in a bigger home, and have a garden. The experience of lockdown in a thirty-story, 2-bedroom condo has made the decision to relocate much easier, especially for those who don’t even have a balcony. Young families with small children are also moving to the countryside to spend lockdowns in more specious properties and to avoid antisocial behaviour due to pandemic fatigue. This is also an option that many families with vulnerable members consider, including those with chronic conditions. Walking along empty streets in cities that look completely deserted feels depressing for many and is forcing them to escape to the countryside. People have all sorts of reasons to relocate, and many have already done that, driving up prices in the cottage country.

Will Millennials Ever Be Able to Buy a House in Toronto?

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Some millennials definitely want to buy a home but the reality is that housing affordability is a source of concern for both, homebuyers and policy makers.

Why Millennials Are Reluctant to Buy a House?

Today demand exceeds supply and this is the reason why housing prices keep going up. In light of this fact, more than 50 percent of millennials believe that they will never be able to buy a home, whether a detached or semi-detached house. Many of them simply can’t afford it, especially in Toronto and other big cities. What is more, according to a recent survey, about 63 percent of owners plan on selling their homes because they find it increasingly difficult to carry a mortgage.  Some 57 percent of respondents believe that rising interest rates add to the cost of owning a home, and they find it difficult to keep up with payments. This makes renting a property a more attractive option for many residents. Figures prove this – today some 42 percent of millennials rent while 38 percent own a house. Some Canadians plan on selling their home to downgrade as well.

Тhe Angus Reid survey shed light on perceptions and beliefs about price movements. Only 40 percent of respondents were positive about home prices within a 5-year period. This explains why millennials are reluctant to buy a home. And those who plan on buying a house or a condo have important decisions to make. Home prices are high in neighborhoods that are attractive and safe to live. It is difficult to find an affordable home in a good neighborhood, however, which means that many millennials either choose to rent or find it hard to live within their budget.

Contributing Factors: College Loans and Low-Paid Jobs

There are factors that magnify the problem. Many college students borrow heavily to pay for tuition and cover school-related expenses such as rent or board, textbooks, supplies, and so on. This means that many students are forced to borrow heavily, whether in the form of a student loan, personal loan, credit card, etc. College graduates often have one or more loans or cards to repay and to make things worse, some young people land low-paid jobs. The problem is that a low-paid job makes it more difficult to qualify for a low-cost mortgage loan. Many banks are actually reluctant to offer mortgage financing to graduates who are knee-deep in debt and have a low income. To add to the problem, the wages in some industries and sectors have been stagnant over the last couple of years, and many young Canadians worry that they may end up in a dead-end, low-paid job. With interest rates on the rise, this means that they would find it increasingly difficult to make mortgage payments in a timely manner.

Is Home Ownership an Attractive Option for Millennials?

Some share the opinion that home ownership is not an attractive option for young people who are more flexible and mobile than the old generation. Home ownership security is not a priority for many millennials. Young people travel more than the old generation and often change jobs. This means that many of them relocate every couple of years and the purchase of a high-priced property is not an attractive option. On the other hand, there are housing markets in Canada that are millennial-friendly, and some young people choose to relocate and buy an affordable home. The average price for a house in Atlantic Canada is around $254,000, and the average down payment stands at around $34,000. This means that borrowers have a monthly payment of about $995. In Quebec, the average home price stands at around $235,000, and the monthly mortgage payment is $927. Home prices for condos, bungalows, and two-story homes are affordable in places like Montreal Southshore, Montreal Northshore, Laval, Gatineau, and elsewhere. Thinking small and buying a small condo or a tiny house is also a good way to find an affordable alternative for those who prefer to live in Toronto. Some people choose to rent a small house first to see whether they feel comfortable and then buy a small-size condo or house.

More and more young people in Canada have begun to share former hotels and mansions, making community homes increasingly popular. This is one alternative to high-priced homes in Toronto and the GTA. On one side, these millennials are mortgage debt-free, and it is easier for them to relocate to a region where wages are higher and unemployment rates lower. On the other side, people who choose to rent won’t build home equity, which is definitely an asset.

What Can Be Done?

It is true that local authorities and territorial governments have few tools to control the housing market. At the same time, there are some possible solutions so that more millennials and Canadians in general have the chance to buy affordable housing. To this end, it is important to build a good transport and transit infrastructure to encourage building and increase the housing supply. Target infrastructure is also an important component and requires local planning approvals. They allow builders to secure water supply, sewers, and other facilities. Improving and speeding up the approval process is one way to secure affordable housing. An important step to help millennials find low-cost homes is to change existing zoning laws. This is one way to deal with the current shortage of land and build more homes to increase supply so that property prices go down. A good way to encourage more homeowners to list their properties is to reduce the land transfer tax in Toronto. A high land transfer tax discourages people from listing and many of them prefer to make home improvements and renovations.

Can I Get a Mortgage with Bad Credit?

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Different mortgage loans are offered to customers based on their income and credit profile, down payment, and other factors.

Is It Possible to Get a Mortgage with Bad Credit in Canada?

While many brick-and-mortar banks consider customers with poor credit to be high risk, there are lenders who are willing to extend loans to clients, regardless of their payment history. One option is to contact online bad credit mortgage lenders or finance services in your area. They generally look at factors such as income range, type of employment, and whether the applicant is a first time buyer.LOC11

How Do I Qualify for a Mortgage in Canada if I Don’t Have Good Credit?

There are secured loans that are specifically designed for borrowers with less-than-perfect credit. One of the most important factors that lenders look into is proof of sufficient income. Financial institutions want to make sure that borrowers earn enough to make timely payments. Obviously, many lenders also require a higher down payment because they deal with risky clients. Customers with stellar credit are often offered competitive terms, and the down payment can be as low as 5 – 10 percent. At the same time, borrowers with poor credit may have to put 15 – 20 percent down. The higher the down payment, the better the chances of getting approved for a mortgage loan. A reliable co-signer with a solid payment history may be required as well.

Be Realistic – Buy What You Can Afford

Since the down payment is a certain percentage of the property’s value, you may want to set a price range based on the maximum down payment you can afford. Your debt to income ratio is also an important consideration, and a high DTI shows that you may be unable to meet your monthly payments. Look at your housing expenses as well and factor in costs such as cooperative, condominium, or homeowners association fees, hazard insurance, property taxes, interest charges, and principal amount. Lenders also look at your total debt ratio. They factor in recurring payments such as alimony and child support, student and consumer installment loans, vehicle leases and loans, and credit cards.LOC23

Online Bad Credit Mortgage Lenders in Canada

Canadian Mortgage Finder – http://www.canadianmortgagefinder.com/
This is a good place to look for a bad credit mortgage if you can put at least 15 percent down. The terms offered depend on whether you are a repeat or new home buyer. There are different options available, including open, variable, fixed rate, and special mortgages. Rates vary based on the loan term and range from 2.89 percent on a 1-year mortgage to 4.49 percent on a 10-year loan. The rate on variable mortgages is set at 2.45 percent.

Family Lending – https://www.familylending.ca/lending/poor-credit.html
This is a lending service that specializes in bad credit mortgages and offers rates ranging from 2.3 percent for a variable rate mortgage to 4.39 percent for a 10-year closed loan. Fixed rate mortgages usually go with higher rates but give customers a sense of security. The interest rate is based on the loan type while amounts vary from less than $50,000 to $500,000 and higher. There is an option to get preapproved. Borrowers with poor credit are asked to provide proof of professional appraisal as well as proof of income.

Canada Lend – http://www.canadalend.com/Services/BadCredit.aspx
This is yet another loan provider that offers mortgages to borrowers with average and bad credit. Customers are offered fixed rate loans and terms range from 1 to 5 years. The rate on a 2-year mortgage can be as low as 2.49 percent while 3-year mortgages feature a slightly higher rate of 2.59 percent. Borrowers with different credit profiles qualify, even applicants who have consumer proposals, bankruptcies, and tarnished credit. Clients who are in a consumer proposal and those who are new to credit are also likely applicants. To apply for a loan, clients provide details such as their SIN, current mortgage balance, residential value and status, reason for loan and amount required, outstanding debts, type of employment, and income.

Mortgage Brokers in Canada

Mortgage brokers can be helpful in many ways as they help potential homebuyers to find competitive interest rates and terms. Brokers maintain contacts with different financial establishments and save customers valuable time and money. Some lenders work exclusively with brokers, and they have access to a large pool of borrowing solutions. There is a difference between financial establishments and mortgage brokers in that the later work as intermediaries between lenders and homebuyers. It is their job to determine which financial institution is the best choice based on the customer’s credit profile and loan purpose and requirements.

Is Canada in Danger of Subprime Lending?

ottawaLast year data shows that slightly over 2 percent of all mortgages in Canada are underwritten by subprime lenders, which isn’t a serious cause of concern. While the share market of unconventional lenders has increased substantially, defaults are unlikely to trigger a major financial crisis. Some experts warn that the Canadian housing market may be overvalued but there is no reason to worry about serious adverse shocks in the near future.

Conclusion

While many borrowers apply for mortgage loans with banks and credit unions, bad credit applicants are often turned down and look for alternative lenders and solutions. The good news is that there are bad credit mortgage lenders that offer fixed and variable rate solutions to clients with different credit profiles and payment histories. Subprime lenders offer loans with different repayment terms to high-risk borrowers. This is why many lenders require a substantial down payment and proof of income and regular employment. Subprime mortgages are also available to borrowers with a history of delinquencies, arrears, foreclosures, and defaults who have few other options left to finance the purchase of a home.