– With a renewed feeling of financial confidence, more Canadians are planning to take the plunge into homeownership in the next two years. According to a poll sponsored by Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance Company Canada (“Genworth Financial Canada”) in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Credit Counselling Services (“CACCS”) there has been a significant increase in the number of people planning to purchase their first home, moving from six per cent in 2010 to 11 per cent in 2011.
This annual survey reviews the financial fitness levels of Canadians yearly, as well as their views on homeownership. Of those Canadians who are considering a first home purchase in the next two years, the most likely group to take the plunge include people under 35 (14 per cent), those with children (12 per cent) and those with incomes between $75,000 and $99,000 (11 per cent).
“Canadians recognize that one of the best steps towards financial security is owning a home,” said Debbie McPherson, Senior Vice-President, Sales and Marketing of Genworth Financial Canada. “As The Homeownership Company, we help Canadians responsibly achieve homeownership and we’re encouraged to see that more people are planning to pursue their dreams of homeownership over the next two years.”
Financial confidence also means that more thought is being given to prepare the next generation: An overwhelming amount of those polled felt strongly that children should be taught financial education in school (95 per cent) and 92 per cent said individuals should get educated before acquiring a credit card.
“We are a nation that wants to make sure our children learn the important lesson of being careful with their money so they can one day enjoy financial freedom and perhaps own a home,” said Henrietta Ross, Chief Executive Officer of CACCS. “Before you can buy your first home, getting your finances in order – and learning to keep them that way – is an important step.”