I believe that relationships are more important than transactions. I started a career in real estate in 2006 with Remax Crown Real Estate In Regina, and since that time, I have built a Regina real estate business around that philosophy. My goal is a personalized one-on-one service to fully understand you and your real estate goals and to be 100% accountable to you. In my latest blog post, I provide some expert real estate tips that stand the test of time. In my latest real estate tip I tackle the subject of rising interest rates and how it may affect you as a homeowner ( or potential homeowner).  

When a rise in interest rates may affect you

A rise in interest rates often means that it will cost you more to borrow money.

A rise in interest rates may affect you if:

• you have a mortgage, a line of credit or other loans with variable interest rates 

• you’ll need to renew a fixed-interest-rate mortgage or loan

Your financial institution could also increase your interest rate if you don't make payments on your credit card or loan.

How interest rates work

Interest rates rise and fall over time. If you’re borrowing money, interest is the amount you pay to your lender to use the money. The interest rate is used to calculate how much you need to pay to borrow money. 

Financial institutions set the interest rate for your loan. This could be a mortgage, line of credit or another type of loan. 

You can find your interest rate in your loan agreement. Your financial institution must provide you with certain information about interest rates on your loan. 

Fixed and variable interest rate loans

When you get a loan, your financial institution may offer you a fixed or variable interest rate.

A fixed interest rate will stay the same for the term of your loan. A variable interest rate may increase or decrease over the term of your loan. 

Some lenders may offer you a lower introductory rate for a set period for certain types of loans. Make sure you can still afford the payments at the regular (higher) interest rate.

Dealing with a rise in interest rates

Pay down your debt as much as possible to deal with a rise in interest rates. If you have less debt, you may be able to pay it off more quickly. This can help you avoid the financial stress caused by higher interest rates and bigger loan payments.

You can deal with a rise by using these tips:

• reduce expenses so you have more money to pay down your debt 

• pay down the debt with the highest interest rate first to pay less interest over the term of your loan

• consolidate high-interest debts, such as credit cards, into a loan with a lower interest rate 

• avoid getting the maximum mortgage or line of credit that a lender offers you

• avoid taking on unnecessary debt with things you want but don’t need

• avoid borrowing more money as it could limit your ability to save for your goals

• find ways to increase your income to help you pay down debt

• make sure you have an emergency fund to deal with unexpected expenses, such as covering higher loan payments to avoid penalties

What is a trigger rate?

When your mortgage or loan has a variable interest rate with a fixed payment, you may reach your trigger rate if interest rises.

Your trigger rate is the rate at which your mortgage or loan payment will no longer cover the principal and interest due for that period. Once you've reached the trigger rate, your payment will only cover interest payments and no money will go toward paying down your principal.

Reaching your trigger rate means that you’ve stopped paying down your loan and you’re now borrowing more money. This is often called negative amortization.

The best way to find out your trigger rate is to review your mortgage or loan agreement. You can also contact your financial institution. They’ll be able to calculate the exact rate for you. They’ll also be able to let you know your options if you reach your trigger rate.

If you reach your trigger rate, you may be required to:

• increase your payments

• make additional payments to cover the excess interest

• change to a fixed-rate mortgage

If you’re not at the maximum amortization period allowed, your financial institution may offer to extend your amortization. This would avoid having to increase your payments. However, extending your amortization means paying for a longer period and paying more interest in the long run.

Suppose you have a mortgage of $300,000 with a variable interest rate of 4% and 20 years left on your amortization. If you extend your amortization by 2 years, it’ll cost you $15,126.26 more in interest. The decision to keep the same payments while interest rates rise can become very expensive over time.

When interest rates are on the rise, contact your lenders as soon as possible to find out about your trigger rate and discuss your options.

Impact of a higher interest rate on your loan payments

The following examples show you how your mortgage, line of credit or loan payments may be affected when interest rates rise.

How a rise in interest rates could affect your monthly mortgage payments

Suppose you have a mortgage of $300,000 with a variable interest rate and a 25-year amortization. Your interest rate is currently 3% and it goes up to 4,5%. Your mortgage payment will go from $1,420 to $1,660. An increase of $240 a month.

Partner up with me, I’m a top Regina RE/MAX Agent, and an experienced Regina REALTOR® 

If you are looking for a Regina Realtor who works tirelessly on your behalf and always offers honest and candid advice, I will be an expert at your side. 

Greetings Friends,

I am pleased to be able to share my 2023 February Regina Real Estate Market Report! 

February 2023 Monthly Housing Market Trends Report

How Does This Compare to National Data? 

National Statistics

New home prices in Canada dropped by 0.2 per cent month over month in January, according to Statistics Canada data released Wednesday.

In its latest New Housing Index report, StatCan said higher mortgage rates continued to put downward pressure on new house prices.

“Borrowing costs rose again in January, as the Bank of Canada increased the policy interest rate an additional 25 basis points, bringing it to 4.5%,” StatCan said.

READ MORE: Home prices in Canada could fall 5.9% in 2023, CREA forecasts

StatCan noted the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reported that 18.7 per cent more single-family homes had been completed but not sold in December 2022 compared with the same month in 2021.

In addition, the price of softwood lumber went down again in January, declining a total of 61.2 per cent since the high in March 2022, reducing builders’ construction costs.

These changes were felt by builders who reported deteriorating market conditions and decreased construction costs as the reasons for the decline in new home prices, StatCan said.

It also reported that Winnipeg (-1.3 per cent) recorded the largest decrease in new home prices last month, followed by Victoria (-1.1 per cent) and Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Ont. (-0.9 per cent).

In January, the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) predicted house prices could fall almost six per cent this year from 2022, which ended in a sluggish market as sellers and buyers sat on the sidelines.

The association’s forecast amounts to 495,858 properties changing hands in 2023 and is based on sales “more or less” stabilizing since the summer, “suggesting the downward adjustment to sales activity from rising interest rates and high uncertainty may be in the rear-view mirror.”

The same factors are also expected to put a damper on the average home price, which CREA said will reach $662,103 in 2023.

I believe in personalized one-on-one service to fully understand you, and your real estate goals and I commit to being 100% accountable to you. I want to bring value before, during and after the sale of your home!  If you are looking for a real estate agent who works tirelessly on your behalf and always offers honest and candid advice, please contact me today! 

Greetings Friends,

I am pleased to be able to share my 2023 January Regina Real Estate Market Report! 

JANUARY 2023 Monthly Housing Market Trends Report

How Does This Compare to National Data? 

National Statistics

Canada’s housing market ended off a turbulent year with prices at a 22-month low. Canada’s average home price has once again decreased on a monthly basis to $626,318 for December 2022. This is the lowest it’s been since January 2021. That’s a decrease of 1% from last month and it’s 12% lower compared to last year’s average sold price in December 2021, as Canada’s housing market continues to feel the effect of rate hikes and slowing demand. Nationally, sales during the month of December 2022 are down 39% year-over-year to 21,840 transactions.

Canada’s MLS Benchmark Price, which measures the price of a “typical” home in Canada, was $717,000 in December 2022. That’s a 7.5% drop compared to last year. The benchmark price has fallen on a monthly basis since March 2022, which was when housing prices in Canada peaked. Since then, multiple Bank of Canada rate hikes have caused Canadian mortgage rates and prime rates to rise, while Canada’s inflation rate remains elevated.

I believe in personalized one-on-one service to fully understand you, and your real estate goals and I commit to being 100% accountable to you. I want to bring value before, during and after the sale of your home!  If you are looking for a real estate agent who works tirelessly on your behalf and always offers honest and candid advice, please contact me today! 

I believe that relationships are more important than transactions. I started a career in real estate in 2006 with REMAX Crown Real Estate In Regina, and since that time, I have built a Regina real estate business around that philosophy. My goal is a personalized one-on-one service to fully understand you and your real estate goals and to be 100% accountable to you. In my latest blog post, I share the notification that  I was selected as Regina's Best Top Real Estate Professional - 2022

James Wruth - Realtor / Remax Crown Real Estate, Congratulations!

The 2022 RankMyAgent R-Oscars are here! And we are proud to announce you are one of the Best of in Regina.

The public has left thousands of verified reviews on RankMyAgent (RMA) for professionals all over North America, and you have emerged as one of the most trusted and respected agents in Regina. 

RankMyAgent knows just how hard you have been working. We are cheering you on and celebrating you. To highlight your success, you will see your badge added to your RMA profile and over the next few days we will be celebrating you by sharing your success across our network!

So from all of us here at RMA, congratulations on this incredible accomplishment. Keep collecting those reviews from your happy clients!

RankMyAgent (RMA) is always here in your corner.

Warmest wishes,
Riti and the RMA Team 

P.S. - Over the next few days we will be celebrating your success.

Look out for mentions on our blog, social media, and other outlets.

Partner up with me, I’m a top Regina RE/MAX Agent, and an experienced Regina REALTOR® 

If you are looking for a Regina Realtor who works tirelessly on your behalf and always offers honest and candid advice, I will be an expert at your side.

I believe that relationships are more important than transactions. I started a career in real estate in 2006 with REMAX Crown Real Estate In Regina, and since that time, I have built a Regina real estate business around that philosophy. My goal is a personalized one-on-one service to fully understand you and your real estate goals and to be 100% accountable to you. In my latest blog post, I provide some expert real estate tips that stand the test of time. 

Whether it’s buying, selling, or renting, a real estate transaction is a big undertaking. 

Since I started my career in real estate, the market has seen significant shifts. Over the last several years, many parts of the Country have seen a sellers’ market, complete with multiple and “bully” offers, and record-high prices. Of course, there was (and is) the pandemic, which did not have the expected cooling effect on the market. And now, in early 2023, we are seeing the repercussions of increasing inflation and a buyers’ market.

No matter what kind of market we are in, however, my essential tips remain the same.

1. Understand the market. You’ve seen it in the news. Canada's housing market is cooling. In Regina and Saskatchewan we didn't see the crazy market and price increases that impacted buyers in Toronto and Vancouver,  so now may be a more favorable time for buyers than sellers. However, it’s equally important to bear in mind that property values do fluctuate over time.

2. Assess your finances and priorities. Ask yourself these important questions: How much can you afford for a down payment and mortgage? How is your credit score? How much responsibility are you comfortable with? Do you care more about equity or having the freedom to move?

3. Set a clear budget. Make sure to account for the extra costs that come with buying a home — such as legal fees, land transfer tax, and utility costs.

4. Choose a Regina Real Estate Expert you can trust! 

Partner up with me, I’m a top Regina RE/MAX Agent, and an experienced Regina REALTOR® 

If you are looking for a Regina Realtor who works tirelessly on your behalf and always offers honest and candid advice, I will be an expert at your side.

I believe that relationships are more important than transactions. I started a career in real estate in 2006 with REMAX Crown Real Estate In Regina, and since that time, I have built a Regina real estate business around that philosophy. My goal is a personalized one-on-one service to fully understand you and your real estate goals and to be 100% accountable to you. In my latest blog post, I share information for new immigrants to Regina who may be seeking information about what is required to purchase a property in the Queen City! 

Are you new to Canada and wondering if you’re eligible to buy a house in Saskatchewan?

First and foremost—congrats! Let me be the first to welcome you to this great province of ours! 

Question: Can you purchase a home as a new immigrant? 

The answer? YES!  As a newcomer to Canada, you can buy a home, even if you have immigrated here very recently. Plus, new immigrants to Canada can often qualify for a mortgage, so long as all standard financial requirements are met.

1. Anyone in Canada who can afford the costs of homeownership is eligible to own a home. In fact, you do not have to be a resident or citizen to own a home. 

2. You must abide by Canadian taxation and real estate laws. 

Most Canadian banks and lenders are more than happy to work with newcomers, even if they don’t have an established Canadian credit history. Canada is actually one of a handful of countries in the world where non-residents can qualify for a mortgage—they can even be at the same interest rates as citizens. Some of the larger lenders and banks have dedicated newcomer mortgage programs to help you finance your first home, as they understand the challenges that you might face. 

PRE-APPROVAL - THE FIRST STEP. 

In Canada, most banks and mortgage lenders offer pre-approval, which is a process where you learn the maximum loan amount for which you can qualify. This process also helps you estimate your potential mortgage payments. Sometimes, lenders will even let you lock in a current interest rate for up to 4 months!

To get pre-approved for a mortgage, you normally have to provide information about your income, assets, debts, and current employment information.

After you submit this information, a lender will assess your application and either approve or refuse your request within about 5 business days. If approved, you can start shopping for a home in Saskatchewan that falls within your pre-approval value limits. 

Time to start looking for your new home in Regina and area?  

During this stage, you’ll likely want to enlist the help of an experienced Regina real estate agent. When you are ready to make an offer on your desired property they will help you navigate all of the paperwork and processes involved. Making an offer on a house in Saskatchewan generally involves a deposit. The deposit and the down payment are different. Homebuyers provide a deposit at the time of making an offer to demonstrate to the sellers that they’re serious buyers but be warned, you would generally lose your deposit if you walk away from the agreement before the sale is finalized. 

The deposit amount is rolled into your down payment when you close on the house. The down payment is the total amount that you put down on your home in cash as part of the mortgage lending process-  In Canada, the minimum down payment is 5% for properties up to $500,000, but some lenders may require more. When the purchase price is above $500,000, the minimum down payment is 5% for the first $500,000 and 10% for the remaining portion.

If you were pre-approved for a loan, you’ll continue working with your lender to get your mortgage formally approved. This normally happens within a few weeks. Your realtor will assist you with organizing your home inspection, signing any necessary paperwork, and finalizing your home purchase.

LAST STEP Enjoy your new home and I hope you enjoy living the Canadian dream in your new home

Partner up with me, I’m a top Regina RE/MAX Agent, and an experienced Regina REALTOR® 

If you are looking for a Regina Realtor who works tirelessly on your behalf and always offers honest and candid advice, I will be an expert at your side.