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Monday’s CPI Could Decide Your Next Mortgage Payment

  Canada lost 68,000 jobs in September. Inflation is sitting at 3%. The Bank of Canada has to decide on October 28 which of those facts matters more, and on Monday morning one more number lands to help it choose. If you carry a variable-rate mortgage, a HELOC or a renewal this winter, that number has a price tag. Two reports pulling in opposite directions The jobs data came first. Statistics Canada reported on October 9 that employment fell by 68,000 in September, pushing the unemployment rate to 6.5% from 6.4%. It followed a drop of about 42,000 in August, which means more than half of the 181,000 jobs gained between April and July have now been wiped out. Ontario shed 20,000 positions on its own. Markets reacted within hours: the odds of a quarter-point Bank of Canada hike on October 28 dropped to roughly 25% from about 40%, according to LSEG data reported by Reuters. Inflation is telling the opposite story. The consumer price index rose 3.0% year over year in August, matching Ju...

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Toronto Home Sales Dip in March Amidst Fierce Competition, But Prices Climb

 

The Greater Toronto real estate market experienced a nuanced landscape in March. While home sales dipped by 4.5% compared to the previous year, the average home price saw a moderate rise due to intense buyer competition.

Key Insights:

  • Sales Volume: A total of 6,560 homes changed hands in March, down from 6,868 in the same period last year. However, this decline can be partially attributed to the Good Friday holiday, which fell within March this year instead of April.
  • Average Selling Price: Despite the drop in sales volume, the average selling price increased by 1.3% year-over-year, reaching $1,121,615.
  • New Listings: New listings surged by 15% during this period. Homeowners seemed to anticipate an improvement in market conditions as spring approached.
  • First Quarter Trends: The first quarter of 2024 ended with 11.2% higher sales year-over-year and a substantial 18.3% increase in new listings.

Market Outlook:

  • Interest Rates: If borrowing costs decrease later this year, we can expect sales to rise and new listings to be absorbed. This could lead to tighter market conditions, further pushing selling prices upward.

As the Toronto real estate landscape continues to evolve, buyers and sellers must stay attuned to these dynamics. The interplay between demand, supply, and economic factors will shape the market’s trajectory in the coming months.


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