May 2012 – NORTH AMERICAN & INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS Merkel’s Bluff by Benjamin Tal Recent polls from Greece are showing the anti-austerity Syriza party capturing around 22% of popular support—up by five points from the election tally. And markets are not liking it. The iTraxx Europe Crossover Index widened to the 740 basis point zone, […]

10th Annual Garage Sale Sponsored By Dave, Cindy, and Amanda Walker 604-889-5004 or 604-531-1111 HomeLife Benchmark Realty and Dominion Lending Centres Saturday, May 5 at 9:00 AM – Specialty Items Marked Below Elgin Park: Off 144 Street, turn west onto 30A Avenue 1. 14322 30A Avenue – moving sale Chantrell Park: Off 140 Street, turn […]

The 10-year fixed-rate   mortgage has generated renewed interest lately as borrowers look to lock in   for the long term and enjoy the security and peace of mind this brings. With mortgage rates at all-time lows, it turns out that   fashion isn’t the only thing that comes back into style! In fact, 10-year […]

Rob Carrick Once again: Pay down your debts before rates rise ROB CARRICK |Columnist profile| E-mail From Wednesday’s Globe and Mail Published Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2012 7:53PM EDT Last updated Monday, Apr. 23, 2012 10:12AM EDT The decade’s most ignorable piece of financial advice: Pay down your debts before interest rates rise. You’ve heard this […]

Last month, the federal   government published a Mortgage Prepayment Code to ensure borrowers are   better informed by lenders (federally regulated institutions) when it comes   to situations where mortgage prepayment penalties may be charged – namely,   for the purpose of clarifying interest rate differential (IRD).      This is a positive step, because […]

Code of Conduct  for Federally Regulated Financial Institutions Mortgage  Prepayment Information Purpose The purpose of the Code is to ensure that federally  regulated financial institutions (“lenders“)  provide enhanced information in respect of credit agreements secured by  mortgages where a prepayment charge could apply (“mortgages“) to assist borrowers in making decisions about  prepayment of their mortgage. […]

Article by Benjamin Tal Deputy Chief Economist, CIBC World Markets  After bleeding workers in recent months, Canadian factories boosted headcount in December, helping employment register its first positive reading after two straight losses. Canadian jobs edged up by 17,500, led by hiring in the manufacturing sector. However, we don’t expect a renewed pickup in manufacturing […]

  Fraser Valley Real Estate Board   Contact   Laurie Dawson, Communications Coordinator laurie.dawson@fvreb.bc.ca Fraser Valley Real Estate Board Telephone 604.930.7657 Fax 604.930.7623 www.fvreb.bc.ca   For Immediate Release: Feb. 6, 2012   2012 kicks off with new home price measurement; and, a   sluggish start to sales   SURREY, BC – The Fraser Valley Real […]

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK   United States   *    The Federal Reserve committed to keep rates on hold through the end of 2014 this week, while today’s Q4 GDP released underscored the fragility of the economic recovery. Unfortunately, further monetary easing isn’t what is going to provide the jolt the economy needs.   *    What’s […]

How will the new MLS® Home Price Index help you help your clients? The housing price index (HPI) has always been the best measure for home price trends and now it’s going to get even better. In February, CREA and five of Canada’s largest real estate boards, including FVREB, will launch a national index replacing […]