2026 Home Design Trends: What's In, What's Out, and What Buyers Are Responding To After a decade of cool grays, crisp whites, and spaces that looked more like showrooms than homes, buyers have changed what they're looking for. Call it quiet luxury — the idea that richness comes from depth, craft, and intention rather than flash and excess. It's not maximalism. It's a shift toward spaces that feel like somewhere you'd actually want to live. That shift is... [read more]

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]

Top 6 Home Design Trends To Watch in 2023 Over the past few years, many of us have spent extra time at home—and that means we appreciate the personal design touches that make a house cozy and comfortable more than ever. Some of us have adapted our dwellings in new ways, from creating functional home offices to upgrading the appliances we use most.  But while it’s important to make your home your own, it’s also smart to think about the long-term impact your... [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]