Overview of Rentals.ca Latest Rental Data Report

 

Rentals.ca released its latest report on the Canadian rental market, covering select areas from January to June of 2022.

We took a look at the detailed, robust report, with a few key take-aways. 

 

 

Average rents this June are higher than last year:

In comparison to last June, the average rent in Canada is up 9.5%. 

 

Rental prices have experienced 3 straight quarters of annual increases:

Rentals.ca aggregated median rents for all property listings by quarter from Q4-2019 to Q4-2021, to Q2-2022. Median rent for all property types increased by an annual 7%. After seven consecutive quarters of annual declines, rental prices have experienced three straight quarters of annual increases. 

 

Rental apartments best represent the overall conditions of the market:

Rental apartments typically account for about 55% of listings on Rentals.ca, whereas condo apartments for lease make up about 25%. This suggests that rental apartments best represent the overall conditions in the domestic rental market, and act as a good point of reference. 

Average rental rates for rental apartments have seen an annual increase of 5%. This stock did not experience the same levels of decline during the pandemic, which is why they have not experienced the same levels of price growth when compared to other rental unit types.

 

British Columbia & Ontario are the most expensive provinces to rent in: 

Average rent data for all property types during the second quarter of 2022 suggest that British Columbia and Ontario had the highest monthly rental rates. This year’s rates were compared to second quarter average rates in 2019, 2020, and 2021. In Ontario, rents increased 18% monthly, and in British Columbia rents increased 25%. 

 

Renters are paying the most for square footage in Vancouver and Toronto: 

For all unit sizes, Vancouver and Toronto are paying the highest rents on a per-square-foot basis. The data reports that these cities had the highest average rental rates for apartments, while having the smallest average unit sizes. Many other high ranking cities were municipalities in Ontario. 

 

Higher number of larger units on the market: 

The slight decline of average monthly rates in June 2022 is likely due to the changing composition of listings by province. Average unit size for listings across all property types increased in June 2022, suggesting that a higher number of larger units are becoming available and being listed as market demands shift. Tenants are looking to rent larger units as they work and spend more time at home post-pandemic.

 

Interested in learning more?

 

Read the full report here:

https://rentals.ca/blog/rentals-ca-august-2022-rent-report

“Strong Mayor” Legislation, Ontario

“Strong Mayor” Legislation Coming to Ontario 

The Ontario government is proposing to give mayors of its major cities, such as Toronto and Ottawa, veto powers over bylaws that conflict with building housing. The legislation introduced intends to hand power to cities in the most urgent need of new housing and that are “shovel ready.” 

The bill would allow mayors in Toronto and Ottawa to override council approval of bylaws, such as a zoning bylaw amendment. The legislation will also give mayors the responsibility for preparing and tabling the city budget, instead of council, appointing a chief administrative officer, hiring and firing heads of departments (with the exception as the auditor general, police or fire chief). The government’s greater goal is to build 1.5 million homes in 10 years and to build critical infrastructure. It hopes to support efficient local decision-making to speed up development timelines, cut red tape and get housing built faster. 

 

Not all on board: 

Although Toronto welcomed the proposal, Ottawa’s government doesn’t entirely support the move. Mayor Jim Watson expressed that more power won’t build more houses. Instead, more money, flexibility in rules, such as inclusionary zoning, which would allow for more construction and greater in certain areas. Furthermore, ending exclusionary zoning would allow for the building of duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes on lots zoned for single-family housing. 

 

Will Premier Ford’s attempt to localize decision-making power facilitate the construction of new housing options for the people of Ontario? 

The Ontario Real Estate Association said the strong mayor legislation is a good step, but would like to see it extended to cities beyond Toronto and Ottawa. Overall, Ontario is 1.2 million homes (rented and owned) short of the G7 average, with prices tripling in the last 10 years.

 

Only time will tell. 

 

 

Access the full article here: 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-set-to-introduce-strong-mayor-legislation-to-speed-up-housing-development-1.6546743

Canada’s Housing Market: A Theoretical Paradox?

The Canadian housing market is experiencing the opposite of what is assumed in urban economic theory. This theoretical paradox has causes and consequences. We take a dive into what this means and conclude by providing a potential solution to the paradox.

What does urban economy theory assume? 

Urban economic theory assumes housing prices and rents are intrinsically linked. The value of a dwelling is assumed to be the present value of future cash flows (such as rents) generated through propriety. Thus, when rents increase, so should housing prices. 

What is the paradox? 

Housing prices and sales in Canada are decreasing, while rents are rapidly increasing. The Canadian housing market is experiencing the opposite of what is assumed in urban economic theory. 

Take Toronto, Canada’s largest city, as an example. Since 2021, rents for 1-bedroom apartments increased 20%, 2-bedrooms increased by 15.3%, and 3-bedroom units went up by 12.8%. Overall, there has been a 30% decrease in stock availability in the city within a year. This is also taking place beyond major Canadian cities. In Halifax, Nova Scotia, vacancy rents reached less than 1% in 2022. In London, Ontario, rental rates have increased 28.5% in just one year. 

What is causing the paradox? 

A few key contributing factors can be identified as causing the paradox: 

Hikes in Interest Rates: rising rates have increased mortgage rates, causing hesitation and postponement of ownership by aspiring homeowners, resulting in longer than expected stays as renters. 

Resumption of Economic Activities: the pandemic forced individuals to isolate at home, but re-openings are causing increased migration back into the city, especially for workplaces. 

Students: with higher learning institutions open for on-campus learning, students are flocking back into the city, with heightened demand for student rentals beginning in May 2022. 

Immigration: the anticipated arrival of new immigrants as a result of border reopening’s and international turmoil will put increased pressure on the rental market, as this group generally relies on rental housing upon arrival. 

Its Consequence? 

Although unintentional, the consequence of this paradox is increased pressure on an already tight rental market. With future homeowner postponing purchase decisions, the turnover rate of higher-earning individuals in rental housing is lessening. This group, unwilling to purchase with current interest rates, is now in direct competition with students and immigrants, who oftentimes don’t have alternative housing options within the small pool of expensive Canadian real estate. 

The Solution: 

Government action at the federal, provincial and local government levels is required, and is key in solving the riddle in Canada’s current rental market. The basis of a solution is through government intervention to incentivize the construction of new purpose-built rental housing. Only through additional measures taken by regulatory bodies, such as lowering development costs and/or offering interest-free loans, will much needed purpose-built rental supply be generated to meet the demand.

Interested in learning more?

Access the Financial Post article here: https://financialpost.com/real-estate/mortgages/prices-are-falling-but-rents-are-rising-in-canadas-paradoxical-housing-market?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=FP_promo#Echobox=1659531563-13

Generation Rent?

Finder’s “Generation Rent” survey suggests that Canada’s rental market will flourish in 2022

A new survey conducted by the financial research firm Finder, known as “Generation Rent,” revealed that a majority of Canadians 18 or older are opting out of homeownership. In a similar survey conducted in 2019, Finder reported that a significant number of Canadians reported no interest in owning a home. Two years later, the survey suggests a sentiment increase of 60%. 

Why are Canadians Opting-Out of Homeownership? 

The spike in interest rates together with lack of affordable supply are causing more and more Canadians, especially younger generations, to consider renting as a long-term housing solution. 

What the Survey Reveals: 

The recent survey focused on Canadians with home-buying intentions. The results revealed that only 1 in 10 Canadians remain optimistic about becoming a first-time home buyer within the next 5 years against the backdrop of interest rate hikes. On the other hand, 29% expressed that “renting forever” is a far more realistic option, with 16% of Canadians stating they were no longer interested in ownership, and another 13% expecting to rent for the rest of their lives. 

Ramona King, senior finance editor at Finder.com, said “for many, the erosion of housing affordability combined with rising mortgage costs, means the barriers to homeownership appear almost insurmountable – and it’s turning a generation of Canadians into forever renters.” 

What this means for Cacoeli: 

Multi-family rental housing projects have been, and continue to be, our real estate investment strategy. For over two decades, Cacoeli has focused solely on rental properties in Ontario’s strongest primary and secondary markets. To date, we own and operate over 250 square feet of GTA rental real estate. Our experience has granted the opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the most valuable GTA market trends, planning departments, and local trades personnelle. 

Finder’s survey suggests demand for Cacoeli’s asset type is only growing. Cacoeli already has a foot in the door to Ontario’s rental market industry, and we will use this to our advantage in the pursuit of further rental real estate investment projects. 

Are you an ultra high networth individual, institutional and/or family office investor looking to tap into Ontario’s growing rental market?

Cacoeli’s Multi-Residential Opportunity Fund is a great opportunity to do so. Made up of 4 properties located in Ontario’s hot-markets, Toronto, Kitchener and St.Catharines, the fund expects to generate a target net IRR of 18% within a 4 year investment term. 

Get in touch with one of our team members to find out more!

Read more about Generation Rent here:

https://www.westerninvestor.com/british-columbia/nearly-a-third-of-canadians-say-they-will-rent-forever-new-survey-5563163

Take-Aways from “Analysts say interest rate hike should push rent growth in Canada’s large cities” – Global News

Global News assessed aggregated rental data from two Canadian-based agencies, Rentals.ca and Zumper, and concluded that Canada’s largest cities are experiencing rent growth as a result of increased interest rates, a return to the workplace and general changes in daily human migration patterns. 

As an investor in rental housing, we are keeping a close eye on rent growth. 

Here are some of our key takeaways: 

Rising Interest Rates Pushing More Into Rental Market 

Recent interest rate hikes mean higher costs for those in search of a place to call home. More and more, many are reconsidering locking themselves into a hefty mortgage commitment amid rising interest rates, turning to the rental market instead.  

Ontario & BC Have Canada’s Highest Average Monthly Rental Rates 

Ontario, home to Toronto, Hamilton, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, has some of the highest monthly rental rates in Canada. According to the data, Ontario rents are up 1.8% monthly, and 14% year-over-year, with BC experiencing similar increases. 

Hamilton is Red-Hot

In Hamilton, the combined average price data on one-bedroom suites suggests increases of $170 more per month, year over year. For two-bedroom rentals, increases of about $280 a month. Hamilton continuously ranks as one of the highest one-bedroom average monthly rents on Rentals.ca and Zumper’s lists.

Rent Growth in Ontario is Predominantly Concentrated in the Southwest 

St.Catharines is witnessing a 12 per cent increase in rent year to year. Toronto continues to rank as the highest average price for a one-bedroom apartment at $2100. Housing market correction coupled with recent interest rate hikes mean higher costs for those renting in Canada’s major cities, including Toronto, Hamilton, and St.Catharines. Aggregated data from vacant units say rents are likely to continue to rise as many reconsider hefty mortgage commitments amid rising interest rates. 

Interested in reading the full article? 

Access it here: https://globalnews.ca/news/8990244/analysts-interest-rate-hike-rent-growth-hamilton-june-2022/

Tips to Retire Comfortably

You may be in your 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, or even 50’s. Retirement may be years away, but it’s never too early to think about how today’s actions can impact you 10 or 20 years into the future. With rigorous research, analysis and careful planning, Cacoeli believes that financial independence and early retirement can be achieved. 

The Traditional Method: 

Traditionally, retirement savings are in the form of pay cheque contributions and/or saving accounts. Overtime, these contributions accumulate to make up the funds an individual depends on for survival once retired. Typically, an individual requires 1-2M in savings to retire at 65 (with a life expectancy of 75-85 years of age in North America) to maintain a certain lifestyle once no longer active in the workforce. 

What Alternative Methods Exist? 

At Cacoeli, we strive to be different and establish alternative methods towards helping our investors achieve financial independence. Additionally, we only perform transactions that we not only believe in, but invest in.  

Cacoeli’s COO, Kasey Wong, looks to monthly income producing assets as the alternative to traditional savings accounts. Shedding light on multi-family rental real estate assets, Kasey identifies the assets active, tangible, highly-desirable and diversified offerings, in addition to its monthly-income producing capabilities (based on rents paid by tenants). Capital poured and held in multi-family rental assets are better able to accumulate capital and increase in value within a shorter period of time, particularly when compared to traditional methods of retirement savings.  

Check out Cacoeli’s COO, Kasey Wong’s insights on alternative methods to achieve financial independence and early retirement: 

Interested in getting involved in our monthly income producing rental real estate projects?

Get in touch! Any member of our team will be glad to provide you with further information.

Reaching financial independence and retiring comfortably are not impossible. We at Cacoeli are here to help.