We Need Good Supply and an Equal Level of Demand.

I would tend to agree with a few of the points from an article that appeared in the globe and mail from a few weeks ago (see below). It is my understanding that the more first time home buyers that enter the market without sufficient inventory to select from can be one of the contributing factors of what happened a few years ago where too many buyers in the market didn’t have enough homes (inventory) to select from. Demand outstrips supply and we see 2, 3 or 4 buyers looking to acquire that entry level home in a good neighbourhood and multiple offers increase the purchase price which then has a trickle down affect to the next sale in the neighbourhood and the feeling from Buyers that they have to outbid other buyers as opposed to being able to shop for a home.

Article from Globe and Mail

There seems to be recognition that maybe there could be somethings to consider to assist 1^st time home buyers getting into home ownership. Although, RBC warns against taking measures to spur the market.

Some highlights as follows;

Some chatter of late of what Bill Morneau may unveil in the March 19^th budget related to housing affordability
Some possibilities mentioned have been;

o 30 year amortizations for 1^st time home buyers

o Relaxing the stress test

o Increasing the tax free RRSP withdrawal limit for 1^st time home buyers

RBC Senior Economist, Robert Hogue, warns against taking such measures as they don’t address concerns such as;

o Gaps in the mix of housing options

o High household debt

o Inventory challenges

o He even warns such measures could inflate prices

Hogue does not believe Canada has a problem with home ownership;

o On average, more than 40% of Canadian Households headed by those under the age of 35 own their homes

o The proportion of Canadian households who own a home is one of the highest in advanced economies

Hogue feels that the collective goal should be to remove barriers (regulatory, administrative etc.) inhibiting developers and builders to respond quickly to the demand for new housing

If you would like to know more about the real estate market in your neighbourhood or community i would be happy to create a customized report that will outline the details of the market is performing from both sides of the equation.