Canada
Canada’s housing market witnesses largest affordability improvement in four years: National Bank
Toronto/IBNS: Canada’s housing market has witnessed the largest improvement in affordability in nearly four years in the first quarter of 2023, according to a report from economists at the National Bank of Canada.
Canada’s 10 major census metropolitan areas showed improved housing affordability for the first time in all markets in two and a half years, with the largest improvements occurring in Vancouver, while the least affordable Canadian city for buying a home was Hamilton and Toronto.
By contrast, Calgary, Edmonton, and Quebec saw the smallest increases in improvement, the report notes.
The economists note that the average mortgage payment as a percentage of income (MPPI) improved.
Meanwhile, there was a decline of 14 basis points in the benchmark five-year fixed rate mortgage used to calculate affordability.
Factors contributing to the improvement in housing affordability, according to the report, were restrictive interest rates, a decrease in home prices and rising incomes.
National Bank says in the second quarter of 2023. it’s expecting to see a slight easing of pressure on interest rates.
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
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