Deciding whether to jump into the housing market or rent instead is rarely an easy decision – especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer. But in today’s whirlwind market, you may find it particularly challenging to pinpoint the best time to start exploring homeownership. A real estate boom during the pandemic ...
Continue ReadingInterest rates have risen rapidly this year, triggered by the Bank of Canada’s efforts to curb inflation. The July MNP Consumer Debt Index found that 59% of Canadians “are already feeling the effects of interest rate increases.”1 Why has the impact been so widespread? In part, due to the rising ...
Continue ReadingLast year was one for the real estate history books. The pandemic helped usher in a buying frenzy that led to a record number of home sales in 2021 and a historically-high rate of appreciation, as prices nationally rose by more than 20% year over year, according to the Canadian ...
Continue ReadingIn a July release, the Canadian Real Estate Association reported that home sales had fallen for three months in a row after reaching an all-time high in March.1 So could one of the world’s hottest real estate markets finally be headed for a downturn? We wouldn’t bet on it. That’s ...
Continue ReadingIf you’re searching for drama, don’t limit yourself to Netflix. Instead, tune in to the real estate market, where the competition among buyers has never been fiercer. With homes selling for record highs,1 the appraisal process—historically a standard part of a home purchase—is receiving more attention than ever. That’s because ...
Continue ReadingWhile many areas of the economy have contracted, the housing market has stayed remarkably strong. But can the good news last? When COVID-related shutdowns began in March, real estate brokers and clients scrambled to respond to the shift. Record-low interest rates caused some lenders to call a halt to ...
Continue ReadingThe interest rate on Canada’s most popular mortgage, the five-year fixed rate, has fallen to its lowest level in history. In early June, HSBC made headlines when it began offering Canadians a five-year fixed-rate mortgage below 2%. Multiple brokers followed suit, and some are now advertising even lower rates.1 And ...
Continue ReadingTraditionally, spring is one of the busiest times of the year for real estate. But the coronavirus outbreak—and subsequent stay-at-home orders—led many buyers and sellers to put their moving plans on hold. In April, sales volume fell to its lowest level since 1984, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association.1 ...
Continue ReadingThese days, it seems like everyone’s looking for ways to cut costs and stretch their income further. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce your household expenses without making radical changes to your standard of living. When combined, these small adjustments can add up to significant ...
Continue ReadingHome ownership offers many advantages over renting, including a stable living environment, predictable monthly payments, and the freedom to make modifications. Neighborhoods with high rates of home ownership have less crime and more civic engagement. Additionally, studies show that homeowners are happier and healthier than renters, and their children do ...
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