Anticipating forthcoming interest rate reductions by central banks, certain fixed mortgage rates have hit their lowest points in months. However, against the backdrop of economic uncertainty, both prospective homebuyers and existing homeowners facing renewals confront challenging decisions.
In contrast to the trajectory observed since the onset of 2022, mortgage rates in Canada have surged, spurred by interest rate hikes implemented by the Bank of Canada. Nevertheless, a noteworthy shift has occurred, with some lenders now presenting insured five-year fixed mortgages carrying interest rates below five percent—the first occurrence since May. This change is attributed to diminished bond yields, responding to the recent pronouncement from the U.S. Federal Reserve indicating the possibility of three rate cuts in 2024. Such a development could potentially influence rate adjustments for other global central banks, including the Bank of Canada.
According to Frank Napolitano, a mortgage broker based in Ottawa, “The employment number is expected to rise in 2024; we’ve seen inflation come down to 3.1 percent.” Napolitano believes that this has prompted a shift in the bond market’s perspective, foreseeing a decline in interest rates in 2024. He asserts, “First-time homebuyers have been sitting on the sidelines, and I believe that this is the optimism they were looking for with interest rates coming down.”
Escalating mortgage rates have posed challenges for homeowners and posed hurdles for potential buyers. David Speakman, an Ottawa resident waiting for two years to purchase a home, remains committed to opting for a variable rate, anticipating further rate reductions. He explains, “My sense is that the variable rates will fall faster than the fixed rates in the near future, and probably more than half of the term of my mortgage will be lower than the fixed rate, so in the long run, I’ll be saving some money.”
While many mortgage brokers anticipate a decline in rates, they caution against expecting a return to the ultra-low levels witnessed during the pandemic, such as the 1.39 percent rate. Victor Tran, a mortgage and real estate expert with Ratesdotca, advises Canadians to continue saving, emphasizing that even if rates decrease by a quarter percent or more, it may still be unaffordable for many.
Approximately 60 percent of Canadian mortgages are set for renewal over the next three years, according to RBC, exposing millions of homeowners to potential significant increases during the renewal of their fixed-rate mortgages. Vancouver-based mortgage broker Andy Hill remarks, “Is four percent a lot of relief for somebody that’s holding at a 2.5 percent fixed rate? You know, it’s better than six, but it’s not going to provide a ton of relief for those borrowers.”
Despite market expectations, the possibility of a rate cut is not guaranteed. The Bank of Canada asserts the need for several months of data to ensure a downward trend in inflation. A report from Scotiabank economist Derek Holt suggests that Canada’s inflation data leans more towards a hike than a cut, introducing an element of caution amid the prevailing optimism. Hill emphasizes, “Everyone’s kind of starting to take that victory lap. But if inflation returns, that could mean rates are quite a bit higher for longer, and I think that’s the big risk today
