The Edmonton Real Estate Blog, Market Information, Advise & OpinionThursday, December 16, 2010 Get the Straight Goods on MortgagesCheck this out, more free tools!
Taking out a mortgage is a big financial commitment — probably one of the biggest you’ll ever make. From deciding whether to go with a fixed or variable rate, to determining how long you’ll need to pay off your mortgage, to figuring out how much you can afford to borrow and how much money you’ll need to buy and maintain your home, there are many factors to consider.
"Researching the choices available can make a huge difference in the amount of money consumers will pay in interest and other charges. There are so many options for consumers, including the type of lender, and the size and frequency of payments, that it can be overwhelming,” according to Ursula Menke, Commissioner of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC). FCAC offers free mortgage material, including publications, tip sheets, video testimonials and two online interactive tools — The Mortgage Qualifier Tool and Mortgage Calculator that can be found online at moneytools.ca. There’s also information on areas you may not have considered: how to pay off your mortgage faster, how to borrow on your home equity and what to consider when renewing and renegotiating your mortgage. This article was provided by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC). The FCAC protects the rights of consumers and informs them about financial products and services. It was established in 2001 by the federal government to strengthen supervision of the financial industry and expand consumer education in the financial sector. More information is available on our website: fcac.gc.ca. Another great resource. Remember, great rates and BEST TIME to buy is now, during Christmas holidays. Give us a call if you are looking at rewarding yourself with a fantastic present by picking up a great deal. Tuesday, August 31, 2010 Housing Activity StabilizingCategories:CMHC,Real Estate News From CMHC:
OTTAWA, August 31, 2010 — After rebounding in the second half of 2009 and early 2010, housing starts are expected to moderate in the second half of 2010. Starts are expected to stabilize at levels consistent with demographic fundamentals in 2011, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) third quarter Housing Market Outlook, Canada Edition.1 Housing starts are expected to be in the range of 170,200 to 198,400 units in 2010, with a point forecast of 184,900 units. In 2011, housing starts will be in the range of 146,900 to 210,500 units, with a point forecast of 176,900 units. "Housing starts will moderate in the coming months as activity becomes more in-line with long term demographic fundamentals,” said Bob Dugan, Chief Economist for CMHC. Mr. Dugan also noted that the existing home market conditions will remain balanced over the next two years as MLS®2 sales ease and inventory levels remain elevated. Existing home sales will be in the range of 450,000 to 485,700 units in 2010, with a point forecast of 463,800 units. In 2011, MLS® sales will move lower and are expected to be in the range of 425,000 to 490,700 units, with a point forecast of 456,000 units. With an improved balance between demand and supply, the average MLS® price is expected to edge lower through the end of 2010 and then rise modestly in 2011. As Canada's national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable and affordable homes. CMHC also provides reliable, impartial and up-to-date housing market reports, analysis and knowledge to support and assist consumers and the housing industry in making vital decisions. 1 The forecasts included in the Housing Market Outlook are based on information available as of July 30, 2010. Where applicable, forecast ranges are also presented in order to reflect economic uncertainty. 2 Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) is a registered certification mark owned by the Canadian Real Estate Association. Information on this release: Download Edmonton's Market Outlook here  Categories: 23, Edmonton | agents, buyers, negotiate | Brookfield | bursary, news, RE/MAX | Buy | buyers | Christmas | CMHC | Community Care | DND | Edmonton | first time buyers | Fort Saskatchewan, Fort Saskatchewan Real Estate | fsbo | Holiday Greetings | Holidays | Home Buying | Home Selling | income tax | IRP | Legal, Legal Real Estate | market knowledge, making an offer | marketing | Military | Morinville, Morinville Real Estate | Morinville, Sturgeon Real Estate | Mortgage News | over pricing | Posted | RCMP | RE/MAX | RE/MAX N | RE/MAX News | real estate info | Real Estate News | realtor | remax | Rural Sturgeon County, Rural Sturgeon County Real Estate | Sell | sellers | selling mistakes | Sherwood Park, Sherwood Park Real Estate | showings | St. Albert, St. Albert Real Estate | Staging | traffic | website | Winter | Xmas | Zone 01, Edmonton | Zone 01, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 02, Edmonton | Zone 02, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 03, Edmonton | Zone 03, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 05, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 06, Edmonton | Zone 06, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 07, Edmonton | Zone 07, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 08, Edmonton | Zone 08, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 09, Edmonton | Zone 12, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 14, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 15, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 16, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 17, Edmonton | Zone 20, Edmonton | Zone 20, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 21, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 23, Edmonton | Zone 23, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 24, St. Albert | Zone 24, St. Albert Real Estate | Zone 27, Edmonton | Zone 27, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 28, Edmonton | Zone 28, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 29, Edmonton | Zone 29, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 35, Edmonton | Zone 35, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 51, Edmonton | Zone 51, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 53, Edmonton | Zone 55, Edmonton | Zone 55, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 58, Edmonton Real Estate | Zone 61, Sturgeon | Zone 61, Sturgeon Real Estate | Zone 62, Fort Saskatchewan | Zone 62, Sturgeon | Zone 62, Sturgeon Real Estate | Zone 70, Lac Ste. Anne | Zone 91, Spruce Grove |
