Good News for Homeowners: Bank of Canada Cuts Interest Rates Again

Jamie Ushko • September 4, 2024

If you've been keeping an eye on your mortgage payments or considering buying a home, we've got some exciting news for you. The Bank of Canada has just announced another interest rate cut, and it could mean more money in your pocket.


What's Happening?

On September 4, 2024, the Bank of Canada reduced its key overnight rate from 4.5% to 4.25%. This is the third rate cut in recent months, following similar reductions in June and July. Even better, the central bank has hinted at more cuts to come in the near future.

What Does This Mean for You?

  1. If you have a variable-rate mortgage: You're in luck! Your interest rate will decrease, potentially lowering your monthly payments.
  2. If you have a home equity line of credit (HELOC): You'll likely see a reduction in your interest rate as well.
  3. If you're renewing your mortgage soon: This rate cut could mean better terms when you renew.
  4. If you're a first-time homebuyer: Lower interest rates could make homeownership more affordable and increase your purchasing power.
  5. If you have a fixed-rate mortgage: While your current rate won't change, you might benefit from lower rates when it's time to renew.


The Bigger Picture

These rate cuts are part of a broader effort to provide relief to homeowners and stimulate the economy. Here in British Columbia, where housing costs have been a significant concern, this news is particularly welcome.


Recent data shows that inflation is cooling down, with the Consumer Price Index increasing by 2.5% in July, down from 2.7% in June. The Canadian economy is also showing signs of growth, which is encouraging for long-term financial stability.


What's Next?

If you're considering buying a home, refinancing your mortgage, or simply want to understand how these changes affect your financial situation, now is a great time to talk to a mortgage professional. We can help you navigate these changes and find the best solution for your unique circumstances.

Remember, every financial decision is personal, and what works for one person might not be the best for another. That's why it's crucial to get expert advice tailored to your situation.



Want to learn more about how the recent rate cut could benefit you? Give us a call or schedule an appointment. We're here to help you make the most of this opportunity and achieve your homeownership goals.


Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to monitor these exciting developments in the Canadian mortgage landscape!

Jamie Ushko

Mortgage Broker

Are You Ready To Buy A Home?

By Jamie Ushko • May 28, 2025
Buying your first home is a big deal. And while you may feel like you’re ready to take that step, here are 4 things that will prove it out. 1. You have at least 5% available for a downpayment. To buy your first home, you need to come up with at least 5% for a downpayment. From there, you’ll be expected to have roughly 1.5% of the purchase price set aside for closing costs. If you’ve saved your downpayment by accumulating your own funds, it means you have a positive cash flow which is a good thing. However, if you don’t quite have enough saved up on your own, but you have a family member who is willing to give you a gift to assist you, that works too. 2. You have established credit. Building a credit score takes some time. Before any lender considers you for mortgage financing, they want to see that you have an established history of repaying the money you’ve already borrowed. Typically two trade lines, for a period of two years, with a minimum amount of $2000, should work! Now, if you’ve had some credit issues in the past, it doesn’t mean you aren’t ready to be a homeowner. However, it might mean a little more planning is required! A co-signor can be considered here as well. 3. You have the income to make your mortgage payments. And then some. If you’re going to borrow money to buy a house, the lender wants to make sure that you have the ability to pay it back. Plus interest. The ideal situation is to have a permanent full-time position where you’re past probation. Now, if you rely on any inconsistent forms of income, having a two-year history is required. A good rule of thumb is to keep the costs of homeownership to under a third of your gross income, leaving you with two-thirds of your income to pay for your life. 4. You’ve discussed mortgage financing with a professional. Buying your first home can be quite a process. With all the information available online, it’s hard to know where to start. While you might feel ready, there are lots of steps to take; way more than can be outlined in a simple article like this one. So if you think you’re ready to buy your first home, the best place to start is with a preapproval! Let's discuss your financial situation, talk through your downpayment options, look at your credit score, assess your income and liabilities, and ultimately see what kind of mortgage you can qualify for to become a homeowner! Please connect anytime; it would be a pleasure to work with you!

Mortgage Financing For Home Renos

By Jamie Ushko • May 21, 2025
If you’re looking to do some home renovations but don’t have all the cash up front to pay for materials and contractors, here are a few ways to use mortgage financing to bring everything together. Existing Home Owners - Mortgage Refinance Probably the most straightforward solution, if you’re an existing homeowner, would be to access home equity through a mortgage refinance. Depending on the terms of your existing mortgage, a mid-term mortgage refinance might make good financial sense; there’s even a chance of lowering your overall cost of borrowing while adding the cost of the renovations to your mortgage. As your financial situation is unique, it never hurts to have the conversation, run the numbers, and look at your options. Let’s talk! If you're not in a huge rush, it might be worth waiting until your existing term is up for renewal. This is a great time to refinance as you won’t incur a penalty to break your existing mortgage. Now, regardless of when you refinance, mid-term or at renewal, you’re able to access up to 80% of the appraised value of your home, assuming you qualify for the increased mortgage amount. Home Equity Line of Credit Instead of talking with a bank about an unsecured line of credit, if you have significant home equity, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) could be a better option for you. An unsecured line of credit usually comes with a pretty high rate. In contrast, a HELOC uses your home as collateral, allowing the lender to give you considerably more favourable terms. There are several different ways to use a HELOC, so if you’d like to talk more about what this could look like for you, connect anytime! Buying a Property - Purchase Plus Improvements If you’re looking to purchase a property that could use some work, some lenders will allow you to add extra money to your mortgage to cover the cost of renovations. This is called a purchase plus improvements. The key thing to keep in mind is that the renovations must increase the value of the property. There is a process to follow and a lot of details to go over, but we can do this together. So if you’d like to discuss using your mortgage to cover the cost of renovating your home, please connect anytime!