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Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada's housing market has faced significant challenges. Low interest rates led to a surge in borrowing and a 50% increase in house prices between 2020 and 2022. As interest rates rose to combat inflation, variable-rate mortgage holders, about a third of Canadians, saw immediate payment increases. Banks extended mortgage amortization lengths, leading to some mortgages stretching 70-90 years. High prices and interest rates have made homeownership unaffordable for many, with only 10% of Canadians able to afford a home currently. Homeownership rates are falling, exacerbated by a growing housing shortage. Increased immigration, around 1,000,000 people per year, strains the economy, healthcare system, and housing supply. Canada builds approximately 200,000 new homes annually, far short of the required 5,800,000 in the next seven years. Soaring apartment rents and rising homelessness are consequences. There is a lack of political will to address the issue due to financial constraints and fear of alienating homeowners. Despite public concern, immigration levels remain high. The situation is expected to worsen, with potential consequences including preventable deaths and increased homelessness.

BlackRock has purchased £1,400,000,000 worth of UK homes, and Lloyds Bank aims to own 50,000 homes by 1930. Massive institutions are buying up UK homes, potentially leading to a society where homeownership is unattainable and people are forced to rent. The next fifteen to twenty years may represent the last opportunity to buy a home. Renters will not be able to negotiate with massive US private equity firms, where they are just a line item. Multinationals are buying up all of the homes in the UK.

Canada's housing market worsened post-COVID-19 due to lowered interest rates and soaring house prices. Unlike the US, Canadian mortgages typically last five years and are then renewed at the current interest rate, impacting homeowners. Banks extended mortgage amortization lengths to lower monthly payments, leading to some Canadians facing 70-90 year mortgages. High prices and interest rates mean only 10% of Canadians can afford a home, causing homeownership rates to fall. Simultaneously, Canada's population grows by 1,000,000 per year due to increased immigration, straining the economy, healthcare, and housing supply. The economy is in a per capita recession, and the healthcare system is overwhelmed. Canada builds approximately 200,000 new homes annually, far short of the required 5,800,000 in seven years. Immigration policies favor skilled labor, not construction workers. Rents are soaring, leading to increased homelessness. No political party has a viable plan to increase housing supply due to financial constraints and fear of alienating homeowners. Lowering immigration is also off the table due to political sensitivities.

Peter Schiff argues that the economic crisis ahead will be much bigger than 2008 and will center on a dollar and sovereign debt crisis. He says gold’s rise to and beyond $5,000 (and his longer-term view that it will go much higher) signals that the problems that previously led him to forecast $5,000 gold are now much larger. The core issue, he says, is not just a mortgage crisis but a loss of confidence in the United States’ ability to repay its debt and manage deficits and inflation. He contends that the problems were delayed for over a decade by policy “kicking the can down the road,” but have grown more severe, making the coming crisis broader and more damaging. On the dollar and U.S. debt, Schiff contends that the world is moving away from the U.S. dollar as a reserve currency. He notes foreign central banks are buyers of dollars, but argues the United States has alienated many nations and created incentives for diversification away from the dollar. He predicts gold will become the primary reserve asset for foreign central banks to replace U.S. treasuries. He emphasizes that the U.S. economy relies on the world supplying goods and saving money, and without that external support, the U.S. economy would not function as it currently does. Regarding housing and wealth creation, Schiff dismisses the idea that housing-price gains create true wealth if buyers cannot afford to purchase at inflated prices. He accuses former President Trump of aiming to sustain or enlarge a housing bubble through inflation, noting that the only way to keep home prices from falling would be higher inflation. He distinguishes between genuine wealth and artificial price levels created by monetary policy. Inflation is presented as a consequence of expanding money supply and credit. Schiff points to the dollar’s four-year low and a record low against the Swiss franc as signs that the dollar will depreciate further, leading to higher consumer prices in the U.S. He expects a protracted downturn accompanied by high inflation and higher interest rates, with the dollar at the epicenter of the crisis. On timing, Schiff believes the crisis will unfold differently from 2008 because the U.S. government cannot bail itself out in the same way. He foresees a dollar crisis that benefits other nations through a realignment of purchasing power: as the dollar weakens, prices rise in the U.S. while goods become relatively cheaper elsewhere. He foresees increased demand for gold and possibly other currencies as the dollar declines, with central banks more inclined to hold gold. Regarding policy distortions, Schiff argues that current fiscal and monetary policies distort markets beyond Keynesian ideals, with deficits seen as perpetual. He critiques GDP as an imperfect measure, noting that it includes expenditures many would rather avoid, such as disaster-related spending, health care costs, and crime prevention expenses, and excludes beneficial aspects like leisure time. On the political economy, he suggests that the U.S. debt problem will worsen as long as there is no political will to cut spending, predicting creditors will increasingly stop funding the U.S. debt. He cites Japan as a potential large seller of Treasuries, which would push interest rates higher. He says that if the dollar falls, Americans will lose purchasing power while the rest of the world gains access to cheaper goods, and global investment will shift away from the U.S. In summary, Schiff foresees a coming, substantial dollar and sovereign-debt crisis, with gold and other real assets serving as refuges as the U.S. economy confronts devaluation, rising prices, and a reconfiguration of global reserve currencies.

During my presidency, mortgage rates reached an all-time low of 2.6%. However, currently, it is difficult to obtain loans as banks are reluctant to lend money. With a $2,000 monthly mortgage payment, you can only afford a house valued at less than $295,000. In contrast, under the Trump administration, the same payment would have allowed you to purchase a house worth $460,000 today.

When we see downgrades like this, it typically makes the cost of borrowing more expensive for the consumer. You're already seeing it today, and the average thirty year fixed mortgage went up to past 7%. We haven't seen that since April. We also know that homebuilder sentiment, for example, is at the lowest level since 2023 according to the National Association of Homebuilders, their monthly index. We also know that it could have a hampering effect on the ability of the Federal Reserve to make a decision that would sit well with consumers who are looking to enter the, you know, housing market or trying to borrow a car. We heard from the Fed president of Atlanta who said possibly only one quarter point rate cut given what is happening not just with the downgrade, but also that volatility that we're seeing when it comes to tariffs.

Canada's housing market worsened post-COVID-19 due to lowered interest rates and soaring house prices, followed by raised interest rates. Unlike the US, Canadian mortgages typically renew every five years, exposing homeowners to fluctuating interest rates. Many chose variable rates during the pandemic, and now face increased costs. Banks extended mortgage amortization lengths to 70-90 years to lower monthly payments. High prices and rates make homeownership unattainable for many, with only 10% of Canadians able to afford a home currently. Homeownership rates are falling. Simultaneously, Canada's population grows by 1,000,000 per year due to increased immigration, straining the economy, healthcare, and housing supply. The economy is in a per capita recession. Foreign medical credentials aren't recognized, exacerbating healthcare worker shortages. Construction can't keep pace with demand, needing 5,800,000 new homes in seven years but only building 2,000,000. High-skilled immigration doesn't address the construction labor shortage. Rents are soaring, leading to increased homelessness. No political party has a viable plan to increase housing supply or cut immigration, fearing backlash from homeowners or accusations of racism.

Housing prices and interest rates have doubled, making homes unaffordable due to large companies like BlackRock buying up properties. Nearly 30% of new home purchases are by investors, not individuals. This shift from ownership to renting erodes community ties and turns citizens into subjects. Homeownership fosters community involvement and care for neighbors, police, firefighters, and teachers.

Existing home sales have dropped for the fourth time in five months, marking a 23-month consecutive decline compared to the previous year. This is the worst streak since the housing boom and subsequent crash. The main factor contributing to this situation is the injection of trillions of dollars into the economy, leading to high inflation levels not seen in decades. As a result, the average home price in America has surpassed $400,000, making it increasingly unaffordable for the average person. The Goldman Sachs affordability index is currently at its lowest point ever, with monthly payments for a house with a 20% down payment averaging around $2,310.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada's housing market was heavily impacted. The Bank of Canada lowered interest rates, leading to increased borrowing for home purchases. However, when inflation hit, interest rates were raised, causing mortgage costs to rise. Variable rate mortgages became more expensive, affecting a third of Canadian homeowners, while fixed rate mortgages also faced higher interest rates upon renewal. To avoid a housing bust, banks extended the length of mortgages, resulting in some Canadians having mortgages that will take 70-90 years to pay off. The combination of high housing prices and interest rates has made it nearly impossible for first-time buyers to enter the market. Canada's population growth, driven by immigration, has strained the economy, healthcare system, and housing supply. The country's political parties lack plans to address the housing crisis, and the situation is expected to worsen before action is taken.

In 2023, private equity firms, specifically BlackRock, accounted for 44% of single-family home purchases. This trend is impacting people's ability to buy homes, as BlackRock aims to create a world where ownership is impossible. They want to control what you can purchase by putting everything on debt. This means you may not own a home, a car, or even the clothes you wear. Their goal is to destroy permanence and the family structure, aiming to atomize and dehumanize individuals for easier control.

Canada's housing market worsened post-COVID-19 due to lowered interest rates and soaring house prices. Unlike the US, Canadian mortgages typically have five-year terms, leading to frequent renewals at new rates. Many opted for variable rates during the pandemic, and when the Bank of Canada raised rates, a third of mortgages became more expensive. Banks extended mortgage amortization lengths to avoid a housing bust, resulting in some Canadians facing 70-90 year mortgages. High prices and interest rates have made homeownership unattainable for many, with only 10% of Canadians able to afford a home currently. Homeownership rates are falling, exacerbated by a growing housing shortage. Increased immigration, reaching one million new residents per year, strains the economy and healthcare system. The economy is in a per capita recession, and the healthcare system is overwhelmed. Canada builds approximately 200,000 new homes annually, far short of the required 5.8 million in seven years. Immigration policies favor skilled labor, not construction workers. Rents are soaring, leading to increased homelessness. There is a lack of political will to address the issue due to financial constraints and fear of alienating homeowners. Lowering immigration is also politically unpopular.

Professor Michael Hudson and Glenn discuss how the war against Iran is reshaping the global economy and international order. Hudson contends this is World War III in the sense that energy, fertilizer, and oil exports are fundamental to the world economy, and the conflict targets these choke points. He notes a recent US stock market rally of about a thousand points, driven by hopes of reversibility, while insisting the war’s effects extend far beyond Iran and are irreversible. He asserts the US is waging a war to maintain control over the world oil economy by preventing any sovereignty that could export oil outside US influence. This includes sanctions on Iran and Russia, and earlier sanctions on Venezuela, with the aim of ensuring oil proceeds flow to US-controlled channels. He argues the US sought to control the Strait of Hormuz to decide who gets Gulf oil, but Trump’s advisers warned that attempting to seize Hormuz would leave troops as “sitting ducks,” yet the underlying goal remains “grab the oil.” He claims Iran’s objective is to guarantee security by removing all US bases in the Middle East and by relief of sanctions imposed by US allies; without that, Iran claims the world will not return to the previous order. Hudson emphasizes that the war disrupts key supply chains: oil, fertilizer, helium, sulfur, and related inputs. Although Iran allows oil exports via Hormuz for payments, it does not permit fertilizer exports, impacting the upcoming planting season. He forecasts the world entering the most serious depression since the 1930s due to these interruptions and the consequent financial ripples. On the financial system, Hudson explains that since the 2008 crisis, the US pursued zero or near-zero interest rates to rescue banks, enabling asset price inflation in real estate, stocks, and bonds. He describes a shift where non-bank lenders and private equity could borrow cheaply and buy up assets, creating a debt-led, Ponzi-like dynamic that depended on continued access to credit and rising asset prices. As long as rates stayed low, this system could keep rolling; now, with 10-year treasuries around 4.5 percent and 30-year mortgages above 5 percent, the cost of rolling over debt intensifies. The war-induced disruptions to energy and inputs threaten defaults and a feedback loop of debt collapse, catalyzing a depression. Regarding the broader international system, Hudson argues Europe is following sanctions on Russia at great economic cost, with Germany already experiencing GDP declines after energy sanctions in 2022. Europe’s shift away from Russian energy, the Ukraine-Hungary/gas dynamics, and the broader energy choke points threaten the cohesion of NATO and the EU. He predicts Europe may suffer consumer price increases and living standard cuts as deficits expand to subsidize heating and energy, leading to a reordering of alliances and economic blocs. He characterizes Asia–Russia–China as increasingly separate from Western systems, with a shift toward Asia as the growth center and Europe/US lagging. He asserts the West’s operational vocabulary frames the conflict as a clash of civilizations, but the underlying dynamic is a clash of classes, where the US seeks to subordinate others through energy and trade controls. Hudson argues the current trajectory signals not simply a decline but an abrupt systemic change: the end of the postwar Western-led order. He calls for rethinking international institutions and law, including a new framework to replace a discredited United Nations and to organize economic and military arrangements that protect sovereignty outside US-dominated systems. He highlights the need for energy and food self-sufficiency to resist weaponized foreign trade and to avoid being drawn into US-imposed economic chaos. In closing, Hudson points to Britain’s looming non-viability under deindustrialization and limited energy resources, illustrating how advanced economies may struggle to adapt to a new multipolar order.

Americans are struggling to afford homes as prices continue to rise. Home prices in March increased by 0.4% compared to February, marking the second consecutive month of gains. Many people feel hopeless about ever being able to afford a house, with one person mentioning how their parents' house has skyrocketed in value over the years. Owning a home is now seen as a luxury that only the rich can afford, which is a radical shift from what people expected when they were younger. The rental housing market is also causing distress, with exorbitant fees just to apply for an apartment. The lack of affordable housing is a major issue, leading to homelessness and societal blame on the victims rather than addressing the problem.

The speaker argues that the mortgage and housing markets are being distorted because underwriting relies heavily on credit scores, while lenders and brokerages aren’t focusing on debt-to-income ratios or credit quality. They note that credit scores were inflated due to reporting gaps and moratoriums during forbearance, which hid delinquencies. A Federal Reserve study indicated that student loans can cause drops of over 180 points in credit scores overnight, because student loan reporting to credit agencies occurs only when you are 90 days delinquent, with no earlier indicators like 30- or 60-day delinquencies. The speaker mentions that many people thought loans wouldn’t be collected, but the contracts were signed. They point out that Department of Education data show about 20% delinquency on student loans, contradicting a claim that delinquency was minimal. Additionally, around 4.5 million people are currently in payment plans (through PAYE or SAVE) that involve paying nothing, and if a broad new repayment plan passes, millions could be required to start paying around $600 a month. Since GDP is about 70% consumption, the speaker warns that many people unable to spend $600 could have a large negative impact on the economy. Affirm, a major buy now, pay later lender, began reporting to credit on May 1, which could affect credit scores as people stack multiple small loans (e.g., for shoes and groceries). This stacking behavior would be viewed negatively by lenders, yet the impact may not appear in Fed numbers until after Q2. The speaker asserts ongoing inflation in everyday items, rising property taxes, insurance costs due to widespread events (including tornadoes and floods across the country), and higher replacement costs, all contributing to financial strain. Appraisals were previously inflated; Fannie Mae analyzed 7,000,000 comparables and found that 55% did not list seller concessions properly, inflating values. Consequently, many homeowners may believe they are wealthier than they actually are, leading to increased borrowing against perceived equity via buy now, pay later or credit cards. The Fed reported a February 2023 spike in mortgage refinance rejection rates, at 41.8%, the highest since tracking began in 2013; the prior month was 27%. The speaker concludes that the doors of credit are closing across the system, affecting individuals who previously qualified based on current payments rather than long-term affordability. They emphasize that people qualified for credit because they could make a payment at the time, but now broader credit constraints are emerging.