The housing market has long been the measuring stick of how well the economy is doing or how badly it is doing. When the economy is good houses are being built, banks are lending money, and people are buying houses. When the economy is bad houses are not being built, banks are not lending money and people are not buying houses.

When houses are not being built there are a lot of people affected. People in construction are not hired and therefore they do not make money to support themselves or their families. Companies that sell material to build houses do not make money so they cannot hire more people.

The manufacturing companies that make the building materials go without orders and they have to lay off employees in their plants. Banks do not loan money to the banks keep interest rates up. With the higher cost of borrowing money people do not seek loans and this creates a situation that makes it hard for anyone to get a loan to buy a house.

It is a self defeating merry go round. Much of our economic situation is all about the home market. But as many real estate agent knows it has its ups and its down times. The government is very involved in the housing market. Many government regulations control the house market. The government for all intents and purposes controls everything from house construction to the money lending business that funds home purchases.

The government controls the mortgage broker and puts in place the rules banks must follow in order to lend money. The government dictates the rules real estate agents must follow. Our government can build up house sales by offering incentives to buy like the first time home buyer tax credit. The government also provides income tax savings for all home owners. If you own a home and are making loan payments you can write off the interest you pay on the loan off your income tax bill.

This is an age old reason why people want to own a home, so they can pay less tax. We simply take for granted this benefit when in reality it is a major way government controls the home market. There are many factors involved in our economy but no other area is controlled or determined by the government than the housing market.

Why is this so? Perhaps they know that the stability in home ownership keeps people busy. People are too busy paying for their homes that they have no time to question the government. Or perhaps they think that the part about the pursuit of happiness and all that starts in the home.

No matter the reason the government and the housing market are the same thing. And if that is good or bad is all in how you look at it. The house market will always be up or down. It will always be a way for people to try to make a lot of money and will always be a way for people to simply buy a house and raise a family. And the government will forever be there controlling every step.

When you’re deciding to buy a house, some of the factors that you have to take into account are mortgage rates. As mortgage rates are important for home-buyers, rates GIC are important for investors. If you’re interested in a customized financial plan, remember to visit us.