TD Economics brought to you by Dina Ignjatovic, Economist
Data Release: Housing starts kick off the year on strong footing
- Canadian housing starts kicked off the year on a strong note, with homebuilders breaking ground on 207k units (annualized) in January. This extends December's sharp gain, and pushes the 6-month moving average up just shy of the 200k unit mark.
- The strength in January stemmed from the multi-family sector, which was up 4.2% following a 14% gain in December. Meanwhile, single family construction was down 4.6% on the month, reversing some of December's gains.
- Regionally, Ontario remained the key driver of growth, with starts up by a whopping 25% in January. Homebuilding in the Atlantic Provinces was also up during the month while the remaining regions recorded declines. B.C. experienced the largest pullback, as home starts slid 33% from the month prior.
Key Implications
- Overall, housing starts have been hovering around the 200k mark annualized (on a trend basis) for the last six quarters, or just slightly above the current rate of household formation. However, homebuilding construction should begin to slow over the course of the year, consistent with a cooling in overall housing market activity.
- Still, the recent strength in multi-unit projects could have further room to run given the surge in building permit approvals seen over the second half of last year. This could be partly offset by single-family construction, which is already at relatively lofty levels.
- The regional story will continue to reverberate across the housing markets, with central Canada leading the way, while B.C. and the oil-rich provinces lagging behind.
Go ahead. Jump in to home ownership!
March 1 2016 Posted by Jennifer Gaudet
Go ahead. Jump in!
Thinking about buying your first home? This may be your golden moment.
Mortgage rates are still very attractive, and it’s a great season to shop for a new home. You probably have some good questions before you jump in to home ownership. How much downpayment do I need to save up? Is the best mortgage just the one at the lowest rate? Will I find a house I love at a price I can live with?
That’s good; this is the time to ask lots of questions. I have the answers you need to make an informed decision. There are so many options out there that often cause people to focus on finding the lowest possible rate, and figure that’s the best route to the best mortgage.
Not so. Rate is only one feature in any mortgage – and a low rate with the wrong features could have you paying thousands of dollars extra over the life of your mortgage.
That’s why so many first-time buyers tend to seek out a mortgage professional for advice; they are thinking hard about this big financial decision, and are very savvy about seeking out their options. I have access to dozens of lenders so I can find a mortgage tailored to your needs, with the right balance of rate and features to suit your situation.
While it’s important to be prudent, some first-time homebuyers can be a bit too cautious. I can assess your situation to help you determine if it’s the perfect time to jump in, and can pre-approve you before you start shopping for a home. Call today!
Canforce Mortgage Inc. Greenwood, NS
Jennifer Gaudet, Owner/ Broker
Military Mortgage Broker
Jennifer Gaudet
Associate Mortgage Broker - Military Mortgage Specialist
- 902-824-2906
- jennifer@jennifergaudet.ca
- Licence # 2024-3000814
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