Homebuilders Deals & Incentives on New Construction
Mike and Crystal Green couldn’t have picked a worse time to look for a new home. In mid-February, Mike was offered a promotion to be a regional sales manager at a computer security company. The catch was the couple would need to relocate
The Greens accepted an offer on their home two days after it went on the market in early March. But by then, the Greens didn’t feel safe flying to check out houses given the coronavirus pandemic. The government was urging workers to stay home if possible and practice social distancing when out in public to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
That wound up working in their favour. The Greens went online and took a virtual tour of a home they liked. It was in a new development. They were able to choose custom details via Zoom and email—and got a discount on their new home
If they closed in March, and the builder would throw in a free Whirlpool refrigerator, washer, and dryer as well.
The Greens have plenty of company on the receiving end of a wave of aggressive incentives for buyers of new construction. With a global health crisis raging and the ensuing financial fallout with many workers laid off, homebuilders around North America are offering discounts, throwing in freebies, and covering closing costs to attract buyers and close deals.
They had to do something. Tours of new-homes have dropped and more potential buyers deciding to put off their new home searches until things truly settle.
CMHC
2020 summer edition of the Housing Market Outlook report provides forecasts for Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. It builds on the Spring 2020 edition that focused on housing market activity for Canada and the provinces.
These reports give high and low range projections on new construction, home sales, house prices and rental market activity.
Housing forecast overview for Canada’s major urban centres
- Sales and construction have dropped
- House prices will likely fall because of uncertainty over the economy’s path
- It is possible that vacancy rates increase in the rental market
- Recovery in major markets is highly uncertain and will vary considerably
For Canada’s 3 largest cities, there had been steep employment declines according to Statistics Canada:
- 18% in Montreal
- 17% in Vancouver
- 15% in Toronto
Such large employment and income declines, coupled with uncertainty over the future trajectory of the virus, will lower the demand for housing in the urban centres. Housing starts should rebound by year-end, as projects, settled before the pandemic, should be starting soon. Rental apartment starts will benefit from the slowdown in the demand for homeownership.
By 2022, housing prices should be following a slight upward trend and even exceed their pre-pandemic levels.
Buyers may also get deals on custom homes
While deals on newly constructed homes abound, buyers can also shop around for discounted lots where they can have their dream homes built.
Buying a home is one of the most important and exciting steps in your life.... now that pesky financing! Deal with people who can offer you and your family the best options for you.
CONSIDERING A REVENUE PROPERTY IN SASKATOON?
When it comes to a revenue property having options and the best rate possible are at the top of the list.
Buying an investment property is a popular option for Canadians looking at different ways to invest their money. However, unlike the mortgage you took out on your principal residence, financing an investment property is a little more complex.
1. How Many Revenue Properties
The number of units in the building and whether or not you'll be occupying one of the units are the two major components that control what your financing will look like. When you start shopping around for an investment property, the first thing you need to consider is the number of units your building will have. Most buildings with 1-4 units are zoned residential, so the qualification criteria and financing options from lenders are only slightly more difficult than that of a mortgage similar to what you have on your principal residence. If it's a multi-unit property, the second thing to consider is if you, the owner, will be living in one of the units or not. If you will be occupying one of the units, the property would be considered owner-occupied. If all of the units will be rented out, your property would be considered non-owner occupied.
However, buildings with 5 or more units are zoned commercial, so a lender would require that you take out a commercial mortgage on it. With a commercial mortgage, the qualification criteria is even tougher to meet and interest rates are often much higher.
2. Downpayment
An investor will have to put down at least 20 percent to buy a property from a typical bank... On top of the down payment, an investor will have to pay closing costs, which can range from two to four percent of the loan amount.