Prime Rises Again...

Last week, the Bank of Canada(BoC) raised its key overnight lending rate by 0.25%, resulting in a corresponding increase to the Bank's Prime interest rate to 3.00%. For the Central Bank to have taken this action in the midst of continuing uncertainty, and ongoing fears of a double dip recession can be viewed as a sign that the Canadian Government is confident in the Canadian economy's ability to sustain it's momentum; but also can be viewed as a sign of the Central Bank's insistence for keeping to its schedule for the economic stimulus program.

For those with Variable Rate Mortgages, this is an important time to evaluate your situation and discuss the impact of a rising Prime on your mortgage with a licensed mortgage professional. Since most variable rate mortgages offered by Alberta Mortgage carry the option of converting to a fixed rate, now would be a good time to sit down with a broker and evaluate your options.

For more information about mortgage interest rates, or to discuss your situation, contact one of the qualified mortgage professionals at Alberta Mortgage at 780-479-2222 or visit www.albertamortgagecentre.com.

5 Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rates Continue Slide

Published by Anuj Gupta, AMP, BComm
Mortgage Associate

5 year fixed rate mortgage interest rates have continued their downward fall since late-July, now falling as low as 3.79%. I expect that increased appetite for mortgage loans in the fixed interest rate segment by Canadian Mortgage Lenders will lead to further reductions in rate.

At the same time, the Bank of Canada(BoC) reduced its mortgage qualification rate by another 0.1% this week; now down to 5.49%. With this move, more Canadians are able to qualify for variable rate mortgages, as well as qualify for fixed terms shorter than 5 years.

For more information regarding mortgage rates and qualification, contact one of the qualified mortgage professionals at Alberta Mortgage at 780-479-2222 or visit http://www.albertamortgagecentre.com.

Fixed rates continue slide

5 year fixed rates have dropped again. As of today, potential and existing home owners in Canada can get a mortgage with a 5 year fixed mortgage interest rate as low at 3.89%.*

For more information regarding mortgage interest rates, or to get pre-qualified, contact one of the qualified mortgage professionals at Alberta Mortgage at 780-479-2222 or visit www.albertamortgagecentre.com.

BoC Increases Its Key Overnight Lending Rate by 0.25%

The Bank of Canada has increased its key overnight lending rate by 0.25%, signaling a possible end to a period of record low interest rates in Canada. While no concrete evidence to suggest with certainty that the BoC will continue to raise interest rates each quarter, it appears that the Central Bank is confident in the Canadian economy's ability to absorb these increases --which is great news for everyone. While higher interest rates may not be welcome, the accompanying increase in economic activity and job creation are great signs of things to come. Were the BoC afraid that the economy was still too weak to carry an increase, it is likely that we would not have seen this move.

For more information regarding mortgage interest rates, or to get pre-qualified, please call one of the qualified mortgage professionals at Alberta Mortgage at 780-479-2222 or visit www.albertamortgagecentre.com.

BoC Drops Mortgage Qualifying Rate Once More

Just 2 weeks after its last drop, the Bank of Canada has reduced its mortgage qualification rate once again by 0.10%. The mortgage qualification rate has now been reduced to 5.79% after reaching a high of 6.25% earlier this year.

For more information regarding mortgage rates and qualification, call one of the qualified mortgage professionals at Alberta Mortgage at 780-479-2222 or visit www.albertamortgagecentre.com.

BoC drops mortgage qualifying rate again

This week, the Bank of Canada lowered its Bank of Canada Posted Interest Rate from 5.99% to 5.89%. This move can be interpreted as a signal of the Bank's lowering its forecast for rate hikes in the coming months or even years.

For more information regarding mortgages, mortgage interest rates or to get pre-qualified, call one of the qualified mortgage professionals at Alberta Mortgage at 780-479-2222 or Apply Online.

Mortgage Interest Rates Discussion

It looks like mortgage interest rates are beginning to settle once again; with a drop of nearly 0.30% over the past 2 weeks in five year fixed rate mortgage interest rates --lessening the blow of the nearly 1% increase in early May, 2010. Today, existing and potential Canadian Homeowners can get a 5 year fixed rate mortgage with an interest rate as low as 4.35%, subject to qualification criteria.

Just 3 weeks ago, it appeared that we were finally on a path to returning to historical averages in mortgage interest rates --but the trend was unable to be sustained. With increased pressure from foreign markets, and a drop in real estate activity has resulted in precisely the drop indicated above. Normally, spring means higher fixed mortgage interest rates, however, this year that may not be the case. In the coming weeks and months, if market activity increases and other economic factors allow, Canadian mortgage lenders will likely again test the market's ability to tolerate a return to what would be considered historically "normal" fixed mortgage interest rates.

For more information about mortgage interest rates, call one of the qualified mortgage professionals at Alberta Mortgag e@ 780-479-2222 or visit http://www.albertamortgagecentre.com.