5 percent of Canadians take out non-conventional mortgages (interest-only, 100% financing, etc…).  In the U.S. the number is 20%.

Could the U.S. housing bubble have anything to do with America’s penchant for higher risk mortgages with more buying power?  We think so. 

Furthermore, once non-conventional mortgages take hold in Canada (and they will), some think this same logic will apply here.  The result?  Many expect another bump up Canadian home prices.