OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada raised its benchmark interest rate Wednesday by 25 basis points to 1%, arguing financial conditions remain “exceptionally stimulative” even in the face of a slowing — but still growing — economy.

In its accompanying statement, the central bank acknowledged the economic recovery in Canada would be “slightly more gradual” than envisaged it its most-recent economic outlook, due to sluggish private-sector demand in the United States. However, it said domestic demand was expected to be “solid” and business investment to advance “strongly” — powered by “accommodative” credit conditions that have eased further in recent weeks due to sharp declines in bond yields.

Banks price loans, such as mortgages, based on yields for relatively safe government debt.

The statement provided no suggestion the central bank was set to keep rates on hold for an indefinite period, as some analysts now expect.

“As a result of monetary policy measures taken since April, financial conditions in Canada have tightened modestly but remain exceptionally stimulative,” the central bank said.

For instance, consumers continue to take out loans at a steady pace, with central bank data suggesting household credit expanded at an annualized 7.1% pace for the three-month period ended July 31.

The Bank of Canada said future hikes in its key lending rate, up 75 basis points in the past three months, “would need to be carefully considered in light of the unusual uncertainty surrounding the outlook.”

This decision may come as a bit of a surprise for traders, who have been largely divided as to which way Mark Carney, the central bank governor, and his colleagues would lean toward in the face of slower than anticipated economic growth. Markets had priced in a roughly 60% chance of a rate hike, and those odds increased over the past week from a less than 50-50 chance based on better-than-expected manufacturing and labour data in the United States.

Canadian GDP expanded 2% annualized in the second quarter, well below the central bank’s forecast of 3%. However, analysts have said the economy was stronger than the headline print indicated, as final domestic demand advanced at a robust pace (3.5%). Plus, much of the drag in the second-quarter was from so-called “import leakage,” in which gains in imports — as firms acquired productivity-enhancing equipment at the fastest pace since 2005 — outstripped exports.

Of the GDP results, the Bank of Canada said economic activity “was slightly softer” than expected, “although consumption and investment have evolved largely as anticipated.”

The central bank is likely pleased at the turnaround in business investment, which it has argued is required for the recovery to maintain momentum once consumer spending tapers off. Plus, investment from firms in productivity-enhancing technology is required to ensure future growth.

The bank said the Canadian recovery would be “slightly more gradual than it had projected in July … largely reflecting a weak profile for U.S. activity.” The U.S. Federal Reserve has said it was prepared to take further action if required to stoke the recovery, although officials at the powerful central bank are unsure such measures are required.

The Bank of Canada said inflation — which the central bank aims through rate decisions to hit and maintain a 2% level — has been “broadly in line” with expectations and “its dynamics are essentially unchanged.”

In terms of the global picture, it said the recovery is proceeding “but remains uneven, balancing strong activity in emerging market economies with weak growth in some advanced countries.” As for the United States, the world’s biggest economy and Canada’s biggest trading partner, the central bank said the recovery in private demand is “being held back by high unemployment and recent indicators suggest a more muted recovery in the near term.”

Economists have scaled back growth expectations for both Canada and the United States, although at the same time boosting the forecast for Europe as its major economies are advancing better than expected following the sovereign debt crisis in the spring.

The central bank is scheduled to provide an updated economic outlook next month, two days following its next rate decision on Oct. 19. Previously, the central bank had forecast 3.5% economic growth this year, followed by 2.9% expansion in 2011. The output gap — a rough measure of the amount of excess capacity in the economy — is expected to close by the end of 2011.
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Today’s desirable home features depend greatly on the type of buyer. Buyers can be divided into two main groups. The first group are first-time buyers which is pretty self-explanatory. The second group are the move up buyers, which are looking to move into a home that addresses the shortcomings of their existing home. They aren’t necessarily second-time buyers but they are often people that have out grown their current home. Buyer age is also a main factor in deciding the desired home features.

This article focuses on what is hot in the housing market today. Whether you are planning on renovating, selling, or you are looking for a new home, this information will help you make choices that will contribute to both your real estate enjoyment and investment.

Home Exterior
Today, stone and stucco are very popular choices. Brick is the standard material used with mass builders, but the more customized and trendy home builders are using stone and stucco on a more frequent basis.

Floor Layout
Bungalows are hot nowadays. Excessive floor level changes are no longer popular as people desire to live on one or two levels.

Room Sizes
Room sizes have been gradually increasing for a number of years. Buyers tend to place the most importance on three key rooms: the kitchen, family room and master bedroom. You can expect to see these three rooms continue to increase in size over the next 10 years while rooms such as the living and dining room are likely to get smaller or disappear altogether. Many new homes scrap the living room and instead incorporate that space into the family room or the ‘Great’ room.

Buyers still, ideally, desire four bedrooms in their home and would like, if possible, two living areas. One of the living areas can be the recreation room in the lower level (basement).

A master bedroom on the main floor is ranked very important for buyers 65 and older. A two-car garage with ample storage area and a main floor laundry area is desirable for move-up buyers.

Kitchen and Bathrooms
The kitchen is becoming the hub of the house. The most desired features for the kitchen include: an abundance of counter space, a butler’s pantry, deep drawers and two sinks. Stainless steel appliances are also very popular today, and in the upper end market, appliances concealed as cabinetry are very chic.

Large kitchens with an island and counter tops made of granite or marble are very desirable for move up buyers. However, this must be matched with stylish kitchen cabinets.

Luxurious bathrooms with a separate tub and multiple shower heads; pedestal sinks and large mirrors; an overall spa like feeling; attached dressing rooms and a place to sit are all desirable features. Master suite soaker tubs and whirlpools are still desirable for many home buyers, but not as important as other features.

Energy Efficiency
With the green movement becoming more popular, energy efficient appliances, high-efficiency insulation, eco-friendly treatments, and environmentally smart building plans are among the “green” features touted in homes.

Tech-readiness
Satellite and internet wired along with multiple phone jacks are what people want in today’s technology world. With today’s busy lifestyles relaying heavily on technology, even a day or two without high speed internet could be a major inconvenience.

Home Office
Today, many people would much rather have home office space than a formal dining room. Many employers are seeing the business advantages of allowing employees to work from home. As well, many people are using work from home opportunities to help supplement income because of work shortage or as an opportunity to make money online.

Outdoor Living Space
The popularity of outdoor spaces continues to grow. Patios, deck, exterior lights, fenced yard and fire pit extend the outdoor living space at home and make a great extra feature.

Other Notables
Some other notable features that home buyers consider very important when buying a home include central air conditioning, recessed lighting, hardwood flooring, energy efficiency and the potential to turn a profit should they decide to sell their home in the near future.

Today’s buyers are looking for a little luxury and features and treatments that are the highest quality their price range will permit.

- there is no HST tax payable on the sale of a resale home (residential).

- home buyers and sellers will have to pay extra tax on a range of services associated with the real estate transaction: services such as legal fees, moving costs, real estate commissions and home inspection fees. Currently, consumers only pay the 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on these services.

In a nutshell, after July 1, 2010, if you are a seller, there will be a 13% percent tax payable on the real estate commission you pay – currently there is only the 5% percent GST payable on this fee. Your lawyer’s fee will also be subject to the 13% percent HST, as will the cost of a Condominium Status Certificate.

If you are a buyer, any Home Inspection you pay for will be subject to the 13% percent HST. And so will the cost of movers hired. In addition, the cost of the CMHC premium for “high-ratio” mortgages has traditionally been taxable for PST – this amount will now be taxable for the full 13% percent HST.

As legal fees, home inspection fees, mortgage insurance premiums, and real estate commissions become subject to additional taxation under the new Harmonized Sales Tax regime, housing affordability will suffer.

Current owners in urban areas will be impacted as well; condo fees are expected to increase 5-7% as management fees, concierge services and utilities will be taxed under HST.

Renters will be hit as landlords pass on the higher costs soon to be associated with electricity, gas, cable, maintenance, property management, and other services.

The Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO) estimates an increase of 2.5% to 3.0% in residential rents as a result of the HST.

The Cost for “New” Housing (not applicable to resale):
Under the new proposal, all price ranges would receive a 75 percent rebate on the provincial portion (75percent of 8percent) on the first $400,000. Up to a maximum rebate of $24,000.
New homes under $400,000 would not be subject to this additional new tax.

The new HST tax will not apply to sales of new homes where ownership or possession is transferred before July 1st, 2010.

Please note that the above made statements do not constitute legal advice.