Real Estate Blog - home buyers

5 Most Googled Questions About Canada’s Housing Market

After two years of remarkable growth in the Canadian real estate market, the housing industry is experiencing a change. Perhaps it is a path to normalization, or maybe it is a sharp correction. Whatever the case may be, it is unlikely that Canada’s housing market will continue the meteoric growth it has enjoyed since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.

Indeed, many trends are forming in Canada: interest rates are rising, mortgage rates are going up, sales activity is slowing down, prices remain high, and supplies fail to meet strong demand. Because of this, many market participants – buyers and sellers – have questions. As a result, they are turning to Google to have their questions answered. But what exactly are…

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Top Things Sellers Often Forget to Do Before Showing Their Home [INFOGRAPHIC]

RE/MAX Agents have the tools, the knowledge and the know-how to get you moving. Check out these things to do before showing your home to potential buyers.

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Do Staged Homes Sell Faster?

Do staged homes sell faster, and for a higher price? The short answer is yes and yes. Conditions have started to moderate from the frantic seller’s market Canada has been experiencing since the start of the pandemic, largely due to rising interest rates. With homes taking longer to sell and buyers having more time to shop the market, sellers may have to step up their game to win the attention of prospective buyers. This includes engaging an experienced, professional real estate agent, evaluating the comparables and their asking price, and then staging the property to appeal to the right buyer.

Do staged homes sell faster?

According to a study by the Real Estate Staging Association, staged homes spend 73 per cent less time…

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Down Payment Planning: Examining RRSPs, TFSAs, and FHSAs

Putting together the funds for a down payment often takes time and a solid strategy that goes beyond tucking a few dollars away each month. Luckily, Canadians have access to a number of investment savings accounts that can optimize their savings towards homeownership. 

Unlike a standard savings account, an investment account offers specific tax and interest benefits a regular account won’t have, making an investment savings account more advantageous when building for a down payment. For instance, Jessica Moorhouse, a millennial money expert and accredited financial counsellor, explains the longer you plan to save for a down payment, the more appropriate it is to invest your money, rather than keep it in an account that’ll gain very little interest…

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Atlantic Canada Real Estate Activity Continues to Heat Up

How is the Atlantic Canada real estate market performing in the era of rate normalization? Eastern Canada has been a hotbed of growth for the last two years, from population gains to economic resuscitation. With the coronavirus pandemic turning the housing industry upside down and triggering a change in consumer patterns, the Maritimes region is enjoying a renaissance. But while there is the uncertainty of higher interest rates and a post-crisis national economy reopening, experts are confident that this part of the country will survive the next phase of the economic cycle.

In the meantime, market analysts are combing through the data to determine just how well places like Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia are doing in this environment. Experts…

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Climate Change Risk Disclosure when Selling Real Estate in Canada

Governments prioritize updating national flood maps, to help Canadians buying or selling a home assess climate change-related risk more comprehensively

RE/MAX Canada’s latest report looks at the Canada real estate market through a lens of climate change and the risks to homebuyers, which include displacement due to extreme weather events, higher insurance premiums and compromised liveability, and are already being felt by homeowners from coast to coast.

According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the estimated trend of the overall costs of catastrophic losses has increased from approximately $1 billion in 2005 to almost $2.5 billion in 2021.

“These climatic stresses are increasingly colliding with federal and…

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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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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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What Does a Real Estate Lawyer Do?

The world of real estate can be a little confusing. With so many players involved in the process of buying a home, keeping everyone’s role straight can be a little challenging. However, by educating yourself on what each professional does and how they can each help you on your home-buying journey, you can make sure that you get the best experience possible. In this article, we’ll answer the question, what does a real estate lawyer do?

While it’s fairly common knowledge that employing a real estate agent to help you find your dream home can make the process run much smoother, it is less understood how a real estate lawyer can benefit you.

Hiring a real estate lawyer in Canada is required to close the deal on a home,…

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