Category: Latest Posts

In Ontario, taxes and government charges made up ~36% of a new home's cost, putting >one-third of the price beyond core building expenses.
Development charges were a major pressure point, topping $100K per single-family home in many municipalities and, with other levies, adding as much as $200K.
A joint federal-provincial program let municipalities access funding if they cut residential development charges by 30%-50% or more and kept those reductions for three years.
After the HST cut, Ontario logged 8.4K new home sales in the first three mo, versus 3.6K in the same period yearly.
Making the HST rebate and lower development charges permanent could give buyers, builders, and municipalities the certainty needed to improve affordability and housing supply.

Canadian home sales are showing renewed momentum, but buyers remain cautious and overall activity is still below last year’s levels.
New listings are declining while sales improve, gradually bringing supply and demand closer to more balanced conditions.
Price growth remains restrained, giving buyers more stability without creating the sharp correction many had anticipated.
Regional differences remain significant, making market selection increasingly important for buyers and sellers across Canada.

This current week featured Canada inflation, housing, and trade catalysts, with a tariff deadline looming alongside fresh readings on starts, retail sales, and lending.
Early-Q3 inflation and home sales readings may guide debate over whether the central bank eventually hikes again or keeps its policy rate steady through 2027.
A Real Estate group recently revised its 2026 outlook, now expecting national sales to edge lower this year instead of posting modest growth.
A Mid-Q3 deadline could place nearly US$20B of Canadian exports under ~50% US tariffs, with negotiations continuing but significant issues still unresolved.
Housing starts, retail sales, a loan officer survey, and preliminary business-activity indexes were also due, offering fresh signals on construction, spending, credit, and momentum.

Labour Day in Canada marks a well-earned break celebrating workers and the unofficial end of summer, when everyone suddenly remembers all the things they meant to do in August.
It’s the last big excuse for barbecues, lake trips, and squeezing in one more summer adventure before routines and school schedules take over again.
Stores and sidewalks feel a little calmer, while patios and parks get their final big rush of summer energy and “just one more weekend” vibes.
Happy Labour Day! Wishing you a relaxed, fun-filled long weekend with good food, no alarms, and maximum enjoyment before fall shows up uninvited.

Mortgage rate relief was no longer expected to support affordability, shifting attention to home prices and income growth as the main drivers ahead.
Over the next year, economists expected mortgage rates to stay steady or edge higher, making future affordability progress more reliant on price moderation.
Slower population growth was expected to limit housing demand and help contain prices, while an improving labour market was seen supporting household income.
Client conversations across Canada remain highly market-specific, with Vancouver and Toronto differing fundamentally from Calgary and Edmonton for buyers and sellers today.
An improving labour market was expected to support household incomes, though economists warned affordability gains would narrow without sustained moderation in home prices.