Clarrie Feinstein
TorontoStar
Canada
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Past articles by Clarrie:
Toronto’s home prices have likely hit bottom, experts say, and will increase for the rest of the year
The city’s affordability crisis will only get worse with the Bank of Canada holding the line on interest rates, which some economists say won’t decrease until next year. → Read More
CMHC says high-risk loans — where homes are almost underwater — more than doubled in 2022
Mortgage insurer said the insured mortgage balance of its highest loan-to-value ratio category hit $5 billion in the third quarter last year. → Read More
Almost one third of Canadian homeowners with a mortgage now have amortization periods of more than 30 years
The standard 25-year amortization period is fading as lenders deal with stressed homeowners, putting banks at ‘greater risk of loss,’ says banking regulator. → Read More
Surging inflation is chipping away at your retirement nest egg — here’s what you can do to protect it
Portfolios that contain a healthy percentage of stocks that are diversified across different industries is a step in the right direction, experts say. → Read More
Why racialized workers are more stressed than ever
Many corporate inclusivity programs fall short and workplace stress is on the rise among those who are Black, Indigenous and people of colour. There are solutions, so why is progress so slow? → Read More
The First Home Savings Account is finally here. Here’s how it can save you thousands in taxes
The new federal plan has some hiccups — it’s still not available at the Big Six banks — but once it’s up and running, it will allow potential buyers to save for their first home tax-free. → Read More
Is the cottage real estate bubble bursting? Prices set to fall amid waning activity
Ontario is expected to see a five per cent price drop in 2023 as pandemic rush fades, according to a new Royal LePage report. → Read More
Surprising new data shows Canadians aren’t spending more on groceries — we’re just buying less
An RBC consumer spending tracker shows Canadians are making fewer transactions and buying more food on sale while the cost of food remains high. → Read More
Riskier private mortgages have soared by 72% in Ontario — and now brokers fear a wave of defaults
The percentage of Ontario borrowers with private mortgages has hit roughly 20%, says one broker. He predicts 5% to 10% of those mortgage holders will default due to rising rates. → Read More
These four cities have seen home prices fall by almost 30% — nearly double Toronto’s drop
Despite experiencing dramatic price drops, home prices still remain elevated, making affordability a top issue in many cities across Ontario. → Read More
Do you really need $1.7 million to retire? We surveyed financial experts — and they all agreed you don’t
A recent BMO survey found Canadians expect they’ll need to save $1.7 million to retire comfortably. Such reports stoke unnecessary fear, financial experts say. → Read More
Indigo says employees’ personal banking information may have been breached in hack that brought down website
Company says in email that workers’ social insurance numbers, banking details may have been breached during cyberattack that brought down website and online payment system → Read More
What will Toronto’s spring housing market look like? Experts expect a 20% jump in sales — and an increase in supply
Sales will see a modest uptick and more new listings will appear. But dark clouds still hang over the market and this spring will lag far behind previous years, experts say. → Read More
Reverse mortgages are on the rise, but are they the right choice?
The number of reverse mortgages has surged recently. Experts caution it’s worth exploring all other options first, like lines of credit and downsizing. → Read More
Indigo website still down and company likely losing ‘millions’ after cybersecurity attack last week
Cyber incident on Feb. 8 impacted website and electronic payment system, but stores remain open and company says it is working with experts to investigate and resolve. → Read More
‘We have to wake up here’: Canada must build record number of new homes to keep pace with immigration, report finds
Nationally, new homebuilding needs a boost of at least 50 per cent through 2024, according to a recent Desjardins Securities report. → Read More
New report predicts Canadian home prices could drop by 30% — or more
National home price decline is only halfway there, and could plunge more than 30 per cent from the peak by the middle of 2023, according to a report from Oxford Economics. → Read More
My mortgage is coming up for renewal and I can’t afford a higher rate. What are my options?
Locking into a short-term fixed rate can be a helpful strategy for homeowners looking to renew, experts say. → Read More
More than one third of Toronto’s condos are owned by investors, new StatCan report finds
‘Toronto is heading in the direction of global cities like New York City — Manhattan especially — London, and Shanghai, where they have up to 80 per cent of their condo market taken by investors,’ one expert says. → Read More
Yes, your auto insurance company can drop you. Here’s how to protect yourself against worst-case scenarios
A 74-year-old Brampton retiree was dumped by her insurance company after she was in two accidents, even though she says one wasn’t her fault. → Read More