Millenials better at saving than their parents?

Labelled as the “lazy and entitled” generation, Millenials have seen their share of criticism. But revel in this – a recent study shows that millennials are better at saving than their parents, the baby boomers.

According to bankrate.com, 60 percent of 18 to 26-year-olds are planning ahead compared to just 25 percent of the older generation. Another study, conducted by Nerd Wallet, shows that millennial parents are putting away 10% of their annual income, compared to Gen X saving 8% and Boomers saving 5%. NerdWallet also found that only 7% of millennials surveyed were not saving for retirement. These numbers are most likely linked to the fact that Millenials had a front-row seat to the 2007 financial crisis. If millennials continue to save at this rate, Nerd Wallet say’s the will outsave previous generations

Regardless of the fact that Millenials are paying more bills than their parents, and facing a much higher cost of living, they still lead when it comes to savings and retirement plans. Given that most millennials have between 20 to 40 years before they retire – there is plenty of time for that money to grow. This is a very smart financial decision on their part.

 

 

The Rebound We’ve Been Waiting For

After having been walloped by a combination of new taxes, higher interest rates, tougher financing rules, and a massive glut of housing listings, the Toronto housing market showed positive signs of resilience and recovery by posting a 6% increase in re-sale home prices in August from September. Market watchers and realtors pointed to the increase as a good sign the market was finally pulling out of a period of price stagnation, low buyer interest, and dampened demand.

Many officials, market watchers, and financial and real estate professionals predicted the market would begin to recover and that prices would increase again in the beginning of fall. The news that this has been confirmed is yet another sign that the Toronto real estate market is in good shape and that it has strong underlying fundamentals. New listings numbers are also beginning to fall, meaning the supply of new homes is dropping, this is another positive trend for sellers who had a very tough summer selling season.

The price increase brought the average September price to $775,546.00, $20,000.00 more than the same price last year. The rebound mirrors long term trends in Vancouver, where a foreign buyer tax gutted demand and prices for almost a year, only to see prices and demand rebound and exceed past levels later. Market watchers are now eager to see if the positive trend continues into the middle of the fall and whether interest rate hikes and tighter insurance rules from federal regulators further increase pressure on the fragile market.

Housing starts increasing in urban areas

The market is responding to strong economic growth and still reasonably low borrowing costs. Urban housing construction is on pace to reach its strongest level since 2007 with a 8% increasing in urban detached housing starts which exceeded 60,000.00 units in August-September.

The Bank of Canada Holds its Ground

The Bank of Canada was generally expected to raise its benchmark interest rate from 1.00 to 1.25 this week, but decided to hold its rate at 1.00. The Bank cited strong economic growth and the desire to moderate its pace of rate increases so consumers and the economy can better adjust to more expensive money. The Bank’s decision was met with interest as many expected it to stick to its aggressive rate hike pace. Many, however, believed the bank would hold off as surveys and media coverage showed that consumers were weary about the speed of interest rate increases and were worried about their ability to service the increased costs.

The immediate market reaction saw the dollar fall 0.65 cents and the TSX drop 60 points. Investors reported their view that the interest rate holding would lower economic growth for next year. Market watchers will take mixed views. Those in the real estate sector will cheer, as new taxes and stress test rules recently implemented will inevitably serve as a disincentive for builders to construct new homes and for buyers who are already under tremendous scrutiny from banks and insurers, especially first-time buyers.

The decision to hold shows that the Bank is concerned about excessively pressuring the real estate sector, given the new stress test rules will add cooling effects to an already lukewarm market at best. The Bank is likely to keep a close eye on inflation, GDP figures, and job numbers in the coming weeks and months before deciding to raise rates again in the next quarter. Fundamentally, the international trend is focused on raising rates, increasing the cost of capital, cooling consumption, and adding space and breathing room for central banks to decrease rates in any future economic challenges.

Stress Tests May Squeeze Homebuyers

Home buyers could lose a quarter of their home buying power if federal officials get their way in establishing guidelines to prevent people from borrowing too much. Federal officials are proposing stress testing uninsured mortgages. Uninsured mortgages are ones with a 20% minimum down payment. The government is wary about the financial sustainability and serviceability of these mortgages if interest rates rise.
If stress testing becomes a norm, it will reduce the ability of Canadians to borrow money and take on mortgage debt, and will place enormous pressures on an already pressured market to respond. Developers will see their pool of potential customers decreased, and demands for cheaper housing, which is already high, will continue to increase.
The federal agency responsible for stress tests in the financial system is the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), located in Toronto with offices around the country. OSFI’s mandate is to ensure that risk and contagion in the financial system is a low as possible. One particular area of concern has been the long-term reality of low-interest rates and their impact on mortgage insurance, banks, overall debt in the country, and the stability of the financial system.
While many recent changes to regulation, down payment standards for housing purchases, and interest rate increases have added stability and cooled what was an inflamed market, OSFI continues to work towards tougher and tighter standards in anticipation of future market risks. When recently questioned about the state of the housing market and the need for tougher measures, Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau made the point that he felt enough had been done and that further action was not necessary for the time being.
With future interest rate rises on the horizon and the possibility of stress tests, it is clear that regulators are weary and vigilant about the potential risks to Canada’s housing market – a market that has become crucial to economic activity and the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands.

Tembo Tips: How to Save on Moving Costs

How to save on moving costs

Purchasing a new home in the current housing market already takes quite a toll on your finances. Considering all that is involved in moving from one place to the next, these costs can add up quickly. However, there are steps that can be taken to reduce moving costs and allow you to set aside a little something extra to go towards your mortgage payments each month.

Do Your Research & Ask For Multiple Quotes

Research moving companies in your area to find out what services they offer, and how much they charge for these services. Make sure that you provide these companies with ample information regarding where you are moving to, and what you require from them. Different companies will offer different packages and rates depending on your needs. Consider the costs associated with the size and weight of your items, the amount of mileage and gas included in the quoted price, as well as the various moving supplies and number of movers that may be included in each quote. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and request a price match or discount if you come across a deal that you may not have been offered.

Consider Doing It Yourself

Depending on the number of belongings you have and the distance that you are moving, it may be more beneficial to complete the move without hiring professionals. Keep in mind, that costs do add up quickly and this may not always be the most cost-effective method. Consider the cost of a moving van, boxes, and other supplies that you will need to complete your move. Reach out to friends and family who may be willing to assist with loading and unloading; saving you from the cost of hiring professional movers. Make a list of everything that you will need as well as items that you may already have, and compare the total cost to the quotes you have received from moving companies to determine the best option for you.

Get Rid of What You Can

Reducing the amount of items you are taking with you will ultimately cut down costs by decreasing the weight of your load, as well as the number of boxes needed. Does your old furniture fit in your new space? Make sure you take measurements and are sure that everything you are moving has a space in your new home. If it doesn’t fit – get rid of it! Selling gently used items that you no longer need will also make you some money that you can use towards your moving supplies. Is the item worth less than the cost to move it? The cost to move an item should be a fraction of the cost to replace it. Don’t be afraid to sell it and purchase a new one for less than the cost of moving it.

Still Renting? The Financial Benefits of Owning a Home

There’s no place like home. It’s a place for family; a place to make lifetime memories- and a place to bring in the bucks. From the tax benefits, to good ol’ fashioned financial stability, the financial benefits of home ownerships are obvious. Here are a few of the many financial benefits you can reap from owning a home.

1. Home ownership builds wealth overtime
Were now in a “new market”, and it’s time to revisit the idea of buying a home as financially saavy. Our parents grew up on this idea, their parents knew this to be true. It can be a canny financial move – but only if you can afford the home. Stick to a home that you can afford and gradually build wealth.

2. You Build Equity every month
Every payment on your home gets you a little closer to owning it. Each payment builds up the equity your have in that property. If you only rent, you’re simply paying to rent the space, and not building any equity in the property that you could potentially borrow from in the future.

3. Forced Savings Account
Paying that mortgage every month and reducing the amount of your principal is like a forced savings plan. Each month you are building up more valuable equity in your home. In a sense, you are being forced to save

4. Owning is cheaper than renting, in the long run
In the first few years, it may be cheaper to rent. Over time, as the interest portion of your mortgage payment decreases, the interest that you pay will eventually be lower than the rent you would have been paying. But more importantly, you are not throwing away all that money on rent. You gotta live someplace, so instead of paying off your landlord’s home or building, pay off your own!

These are just a few of the many financial benefits you can reap from owning a home. Is it time to reconsider renting and start thinking about becoming a homeowner?

Tembo Financial provides our customers with the most suitable finance solutions to fulfill their needs. We understand the complexity of selling your home and moving, and realize it can be a stressful and expensive process. It is our goal to help you alleviate some of the stress! Connect with us today at tembofinancial.com/contact-us.