How to Become a Homeowner on a First-Time Buyer’s Budget It's not easy being a first-time home buyer right now. At the end of last year, housing affordability hit an all-time low.1 Additionally, mortgage rates have risen significantly since 2021, while inventory remains tight for many property categories, but especially for starter homes. Even lower-priced condos are harder to snag these days, as investors and downsizers muscle out first-timers by offering stronger, often... [read more]

Renovate or Relocate? 3 Questions To Help You Decide Does your current home no longer serve your needs? If so, you may be torn between relocating to a new home or renovating your existing one. This can be a difficult choice, and there’s a lot to consider—including potential costs, financial implications, and quality of life.  A major remodel can be a major commitment. From hiring contractors to selecting materials to managing a budget, it can take a tremendous... [read more]

Lesser Property Listings & Stronger Demand for Home Ownership Resulted in 16.5% Increase in Real Estate Transactions in June 2023 TORONTO, ONTARIO, July 6, 2023 – Home sales and the average selling price in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in June 2023 remained above last year’s levels. Seasonally adjusted sales dipped on a month-over-month basis. The seasonally adjusted average selling price and the MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Composite benchmark were up compared to... [read more]

7 Common Homebuyer Regrets (And How To Avoid Them)  To avoid buyer's remorse, be sure to consider your future self when shopping for a home.  Most new homebuyers don't regret becoming homeowners. In fact, according to a recent survey by Zolo, 80% of Canadians who purchased a home during the pandemic say they're glad they bought their current homes.1 But that doesn't mean newly-minted homeowners don't have any regrets about their buying... [read more]

Celebrate Sustainably: 5 Ideas for an Eco-Friendly Holiday at Home It's the most wonderful time of the year. But for many families with festive plans and hectic schedules, it's also the most wasteful.  According to one survey, for example, 60% of respondents admitted to throwing away more than usual during the holiday months as they filled up their trash bins with uneaten food, wrapping paper, gift bags, and commercial packaging.1 The reality is, Canadians routinely... [read more]