Real Estate Blog - affordability

5.8M Homes Needed by 2030 To Tackle Affordability Crisis

The Canadian real estate market is experiencing a correction period. While many industry observers are stopping short of calling this downturn a crash, it is clear that the once-sizzling housing sector is being doused by rising interest rates and broader uncertainty surrounding market conditions. So, are we still experiencing an affordability crisis?

In September, the national average home price tumbled 3.9 per cent from the same time a year ago to $637,673, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). Even when Toronto and Vancouver – two of the hottest housing markets in Canada – are eliminated from the equation, the typical residential property in the country sold for more than $500,000. While this is…

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A Spotlight on Newfoundland Real Estate

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the Newfoundland and Labrador real estate market has seen the best of times and the most modest of times. In other words, the Atlantic Canada housing market has enjoyed a pandemic boom, but prices have not mirrored what was taking place in British Columbia or Ontario.

Despite climbing interest rates that have ostensibly impacted many major urban centres, small towns and rural communities across the country, Newfoundland and Labrador have held steady. The province and its municipalities have not fallen off a cliff. Instead, despite waning demand, prices have remained intact and affordable.

So, what occurred in the eastern province’s real estate market? Let’s explore the…

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What It Means to Be House Poor – and How to Avoid It

You’ve got your mortgage pre-approval, and you’re shopping the market for your perfect home. If you find one that’s priced too close to your limit, you run the risk of being house poor. Let’s look at what it is, what you can do to avoid it, and what to do if you are already house poor.

The Costs of Owning a Home

When you begin the process of looking for a home, you may think that the amount in your pre-approval letter and the house sale price are the only things that matter, but that’s not the case. There are several other costs associated with buying and maintaining a home that people often overlook:

Utilities – Your home needs water, electricity, and natural gas to run. You may also require utilities like internet and possibly city services…

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Architectural Trends in New Homes

Design trends come and go each year, and it’s always an exciting undertaking for interior designers to explore the current and upcoming design themes for condos, townhouses and single-family homes. When we think about these trends, however, we often overlook architecture or building design and instead tend to focus on fun, non-structural elements such as colours, materials, textures and accessories.

What’s interesting about this is the fact that architectural trends are a key consideration for both the government and developers when it comes to constructing new homes. 

“Guidelines are developed in collaboration with city staff, developers, planners, and architects,” says Melanie Doytchinova of Kirkor Architects & Planners, based out of Toronto,…

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Real Estate Tips for Buyers from REALTORS®

Buying a home is no easy task. It’s likely the biggest investment you’ll ever make in your lifetime and there are so many things you need to take into consideration, like where you should live, how much you can afford to spend, and when the right time to move is. 

These are just some of the questions that buyers need answers to—and truthfully, just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to buying a home. With the help of a REALTOR®, you’ll be able to answer these questions for yourself and get a better sense of what the home buying journey looks like for you.

We asked a few REALTORS® for some of the advice they give to home buyers, whether it’s their first home or they’re downsizing, to help them feel more confident in the process. 

When is…

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How Do Mortgage Brokers Get Paid in Canada?

When purchasing a home, one of the first steps is finding out just how much mortgage you can afford. The mortgage amount is determined on several factors, such as how much debt you carry, what your income level and if you pass the mortgage stress test. Prospective buyers often consult with a number of lenders to find the best mortgage rate available. This is where mortgage brokers come in. There are many benefits of using the services of a mortgage broker, including that the buyer doesn’t receive a bill for this service. So, how do mortgage brokers get paid?

What is a Mortgage Broker?

A mortgage broker is an intermediary who links borrowers to potential lenders to assist the borrowers in obtaining the best possible…

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Retiring in Newfoundland: A Complete Guide

Choosing a place to retire is an important decision to make. You must take into account the kind of lifestyle you want to enjoy during your retirement. Some seniors like to retire in a peaceful and laid-back community, while others seek out active opportunities and thrive in an environment that enables them to explore the outdoors more. No matter what you want to do and enjoy, retiring in Newfoundland is a smart idea. 

Use this guide to help plan your retirement and to help decide where you would like to spend your retirement years.

Why Retire in Newfoundland?

Many people choose to retire in a place or country with tropical weather. Therefore, you might be curious to know why Newfoundland is gaining popularity as a retirement destination.…

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Newfoundland Real Estate Frenzy and the Impact on Locals

Is the Newfoundland and Labrador real estate market still sizzling, or is it cooling down like a February evening in the province?

For the last two years, Canada’s housing market has been taken aback by the exceptional growth in Atlantic Canada, heated up by the population boom and the surge in home prices. This was a surprising turn of events because, before the coronavirus pandemic, people were leaving parts of the east coast, and some local real estate markets unable to gather much momentum.

Now it appears that Newfoundland real estate is joining the broader market. Sales activity is strong, though it has eased recently. Price gains remain sky-high, but growth has also eased year-over-year. Overall, the housing boom is…

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A Realistic Look at Federal, Provincial Non-Resident Buyer Bans

For years, even before the coronavirus pandemic, many public policymakers and housing advocates claimed that foreign investors contributed to the skyrocketing cost of home ownership in Toronto and Vancouver. At a time when Canadian real estate prices have skyrocketed since the beginning of the COVID-19 public health crisis, lawmakers are looking closely as possible solutions, with some suggesting non-resident buyer bans could cool the hot market.

According to the latest data from Statistics Canada, non-resident owners account for an average of nearly three per cent of housing stock. This is up from the pre-pandemic rate of 2.3 per cent.

Where are foreign investors dropping their capital in the Canadian real estate market?…

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Owning Is More Affordable Than Renting in Most of Canada

Is it better to buy or rent a home in today’s sizzling real estate market?

Because the barrier to entry in Canada’s housing sector has intensified over the last couple of years, many prospective homeowners have given up on the dream of homeownership, choosing to maintain their renter status. Even when they save enough for a down payment, the minimum threshold rises because of how rapid price growth is in this environment.

Remember, the national average price for a home in Canada is approximately $820,000.

As a result, many Canadians do not have a choice but to continue renting an apartment from a corporation or leasing a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house from private individuals.

But is this throwing money down the…

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