The True Cost of Homeownership: What You Pay Beyond the Mortgage When many new Canadian homebuyers calculate whether they can afford a new home, they focus almost exclusively on one number: the monthly mortgage payment. It's the figure lenders use for the mortgage stress test, the number real estate agents discuss during showings, and the benchmark buyers use to determine their budget. However, the mortgage is only the starting line. Homeowners also pay for property taxes,... [read more]

5 ROADBLOCKS TO AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP (AND WAYS TO MOVE PAST THEM) Dreaming of a new home but feeling priced out? You’re not alone! A 2024 survey by Royal LePage found that 46% of Gen-Z and millennial Canadians who don't already own a home have doubts as to whether they’ll ever be able to afford one.1 According to data from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Equifax, average monthly payments for new mortgage loans have risen 47% since the... [read more]

Higher Rates and Short Supply: The State of Real Estate in 2022 Canada's housing market hit a boiling point last year as homebuyers clambered for real estate in regions with significantly more demand than supply. But now that homeowners and buyers alike are feeling the pinch of rising interest rates and record inflation, the market appears to finally be simmering down. That, in turn, could create a welcome opening for shoppers to be more selective with their searches. However,... [read more]

Homeownership changes lives.   We want to hear your story—how has your life changed since you purchased your home? Or, if you’re still renting, what are you hoping will change when you do buy? Most homeowners will agree—purchasing a home is one of the best moves you’ll ever make, but only if you’re ready. If you’re contemplating your first home purchase, check out our latest blog post. We’ve shared the top 5 questions you need to... [read more]