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State of the Real Estate Market: May 2021
Soaring sales in March and April may have marked the crescendo of buyer demand in many local markets around the country as May saw numbers trend gently down. Nevertheless, market conditions remained tight, with limited supply continuing to put upward pressure on prices relative to one year ago.
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BuyingGood ’Hoods: Best Winnipeg Neighbourhoods for Families With KidsWith its character neighbourhoods, green spaces and access to outdoor activities, Winnipeg is an ideal city for families with children. If you and your family are considering becoming Winnipeggers or plan to move within the city, here are four excellent family-friendly neighbourhoods.
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BuyingSold Over Asking: Why Real Estate Bidding Wars Could be on the Way OutWe’ve all heard the stories of homes selling for thousands over asking, but recent reports from some of Canada’s hottest markets suggest the tides may be turning. We’ll look at how real estate bidding wars contributed to the over-asking frenzy and the factors that could be ushering the trend out.
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BuyingWhat the New Mortgage Stress Test Means for First-Time Home BuyersStarting June 1, Canadian home buyers will be subject to a new mortgage stress test to ensure that they can handle their payments if interest rates go up. We’re taking a look at what the new stress test means for first-time home buyers in an already challenging market.
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BuyingState of the Real Estate Market: April 2021Though March holds the record for all-time sales in many parts of the country, it was a stunning April for Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba as strong buyer demand kept supply levels low and prices high relative to just one year ago. New trends may be emerging, but the market is still favouring sellers!
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BuyingGood ’Hoods: Best Calgary Neighbourhoods for Families With KidsWhen you’re looking for a place to grow your young family, only the best will do. Luckily, Calgary offers plenty of great spots with quiet residential streets, nearby parks and schools, and even a dash of culture! Read on to discover three of Calgary’s top neighbourhoods for families with kids.
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BuyingState of the Real Estate Market: March 2021Many Canadians wondered if we’d see a spring-market rush this year, and March did not disappoint! Strong buyer demand and seller’s market conditions in much of the country continued to propel sales and prices upward, while increased numbers of new listings suggest homeowners are ready to cash in.
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BuyingGood ’Hoods: Best Toronto Neighbourhoods for EntrepreneursPlanning to cultivate your million-dollar idea in Canada’s city of dreams? With a diverse population of over 2.9 million and resources for every stage of your startup journey, Toronto is a mecca for entrepreneurs. Here are our picks for the best Toronto neighbourhoods to set up shop!
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BuyingHow the Third Wave Could Affect Canada’s Real Estate MarketsNot so long ago, vaccine rollouts in Canada had us hoping we’d get COVID under wraps by the end of 2021 – then came the third wave. What could this mean for the spring and summer real estate markets? Given what we’ve seen happen, we’re exploring two possible scenarios.
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BuyingRental Market Update: What the Markets Look Like One Year Into the PandemicA year into the pandemic in Canada, jumping into the rental market with an investment property could be a great idea – if you’re in a position to weather potential storms. We’re taking a look at the latest data to bring you national trends and stats from six of the country’s largest markets.
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BuyingGood ’Hoods: Best Ottawa Neighbourhoods for Young ProfessionalsMoving to Ottawa to launch your career? You’ve probably heard of the city’s most coveted (and pricey!) real estate destinations, but here are three sweet spots in the nation’s capital that are becoming ever more desirable for young professionals!
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BuyingGood ’Hoods: Best Toronto Neighbourhoods for Real Estate InvestorsLike many, you might be eyeing Toronto’s hot housing market wondering if now is the time to make your entry with an investment property. But what and where in these feverish markets should you consider buying? Here’s what we’ve found out.
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BuyingShould You Buy a Home in a Seller’s Market?In the year since the pandemic halted the 2020 spring real estate market, record-breaking sales have pushed prices to soaring heights in many parts of the country, while inventory levels have dwindled. In seller’s markets like these, should you buy a home? Here’s what you need to consider.
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BuyingGood ’Hoods: Best Toronto Neighbourhoods for Young ProfessionalsThe largest of Canada’s urban areas, Toronto is tailor-made for the energetic and enterprising. If you’re looking for a neighbourhood to call home, these three downtown districts are attractive targets for young professionals making their debut on the Toronto scene.
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BuyingToronto’s Urban Exodus: Where GTA Home Buyers are GoingSince the pandemic began, the work-from-home phenomenon has made commute times in and out of the city less of a concern for home buyers. As a result, Torontonians are flocking to find affordable housing in more rural parts of the province – here’s where they’re going.
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BuyingGood ’Hoods: Top Toronto Neighbourhoods for Families With KidsIn the city of Toronto, you’ll find a variety of smaller neighbourhoods especially attractive to families with kids. Of course, there are some perennial favourites that spring to mind, but we’re featuring three lesser-known options that have a plenty to offer you and your little ones.
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BuyingBuying Your First Home in 2021? Here’s What You Need to KnowLike many Canadians, you may be planning to buy your first home in 2021. While it’s a big undertaking under normal conditions, the pandemic creates a special set of circumstances worth considering. Here’s what you need to know before taking the plunge into homeownership in 2021.
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BuyingShould You Buy a Home this Holiday Season?The holiday season in Canada typically sees slower real estate markets with more buyer-friendly prices. But with the 2020 real estate market being far from ordinary because of the pandemic, is this holiday season a good time to buy a home? Here’s why we think it might be.
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BuyingPrice Growth in the GTA: A Decade in ReviewThe GTA is notorious in the Canadian real estate market for ever-increasing home prices, causing what’s been described as a “housing bubble.” We’re taking a look at the last decade to see how low supply and fierce buyer demand have been pushing prices upward.
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BuyingWhat does the End of Canada’s Mortgage Deferral Programs Mean for the Real Estate Market?With the expiration of Canada’s mortgage deferral programs upon us and the economy starting to get back on track, what is the outlook for the national real estate market? Just like everything else affected by the coronavirus, there are differing opinions.
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BuyingBuying an Investment Property: 5 of Canada’s Top Cities for RentalsThere are a lot of reasons why a rental property can be profitable, but if you’re thinking of making this type of investment, it’s important to look at the local rental market. Like residential real estate, each city or region has a rental market which can be measured with key metrics.
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BuyingOntario Real Estate Market Update: August 2020Records continued to be broken in some parts of the province as market activity remained high. Many regions continue to see low inventory levels and homes selling for top dollar. For the second month, most regions have seen a year-over-year average home price increase of 20% or more.
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BuyingBuying a Home? 5 Things To Do Before You Move InBetween getting the keys to your new home and moving in, there’s a lot you can do to make it a dream come true. From the practical and the nitty-gritty to the great ideas you might not have considered, here are 5 things to cross off your to-do list after you buy.
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BuyingBuying your first home during COVID-19? Use these 5 tips to help you navigate these uncharted watersBuying your first home is a huge milestone and can be stressful even under ideal conditions. Add a global pandemic to the mix and it might start to feel unmanageable. Use these 5 tips to help you navigate your first purchase during these unprecedented times and land your perfect home.
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Buying7 Ways COVID-19 has Changed Homebuying Behaviour in OntarioThe latest Pulse Check on Consumer Attitudes from the Ontario Real Estate Association and Nanos Research has shed some light on how the COVID-19 pandemic might affect the real estate industry on a long-term basis.
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BuyingCMHC’s New Mortgage Rules Start July 1 – Here’s What You Need to KnowFind out what the new CMHC mortgage rules are and what they mean for homebuyers.
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BuyingVariable Mortgage Rates are Low, and Here's How They Work in Your FavourOver the past several weeks, the Bank of Canada has reduced its overnight rate from 1.75 to just 0.25. This means that homebuyers can get a desirable interest rate on their variable rate mortgage loan. Paying less interest on your loan means more money in your pocket.
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BuyingAre we Headed Towards a Mini Real Estate Boom? Possibly.Many Canadians who were hoping to capitalize on the spring market are holding their breath waiting to see how the real estate market reacts in the coming weeks and months amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. It is a bit of a guessing game at this point, but we can make some educated predictions.
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BuyingCOVID-19: Necessary steps you need to take if dealing with mortgage payment difficultiesThe impact of COVID-19 has been difficult for all Canadians. Job loss or reduced hours can create serious difficulties for homeowners. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has resources and information available for homeowners and renters affected by the pandemic.
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Buying14 Reasons Why Windsor is a Great Place to Call HomeAnd while Windsor is as close to Detroit as a Canadian city could be and it is home to Ford, GM and FCA auto plants, Windsor should be known for more than these two facts. Windsor is a great city to call home, and here’s 14 reasons why.
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BuyingHow Canadian Homebuyers are Being Supported During the Coronavirus OutbreakThe Government and financial institutions are reacting quickly to provide solutions during this unprecedented period in our history. As Canadian homebuyers, we are lucky to quickly have resources available to us.
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BuyingHow Purplebricks is Keeping Canadians Safe During the COVID-19 OutbreakPurplebricks has adapted quickly to this unprecedented time in our history. We are pleased to share that we are in full operation for home sellers and buyers - with specific pandemic modifications. The safety of our customers and our staff are top priority.
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BuyingHow COVID-19 is Impacting Canadian Real EstateThings have changed quickly nationwide due to the coronavirus outbreak, but there are still some good news pieces about the Canadian real estate market we should feel confident in.
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BuyingState of the Real Estate Market: February 2020As we post this February Market Data, it is hard to imagine that one month later we would be amidst the current COVID-19 situation. While the outbreak will certainly have an impact on the real estate market in the coming months, people are still listing their homes.
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BuyingHow to Navigate the Real Estate Market During the COVID-19 OutbreakCOVID-19 has shaken up our lives in Canada and worldwide. Schools are closed, workplaces are allowing staff to work from home, major league sports have halted — it seems like the whole world is standing still. But does that mean the real estate market should as well? Not necessarily.
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BuyingBuying a Home? Here’s How to Navigate the Busy Spring MarketAcross Canada, we are seeing various buyer markets. Depending on whether a market favours sellers, buyers, or is balanced, homebuyers will have varied experiences. However, more often than not, the spring real estate market is a busy one, so here is how to expertly navigate it.
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Buying5 Ways to Know if a House is “The One”How do you know if you should buy a certain home? When house hunting, it is easy to get swept up in the moment and potentially jump the gun on a house that really isn’t “the one”. The right house needs to check several boxes, well five to be exact, to be considered “the one” in our eyes.
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BuyingBuying a Home in 2020? Here’s How to Prepare in 4 Easy StepsWhether you're buying your first home or your fourth in 2020, keep these tips in mind for homeownership success.
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BuyingReady to Take the Plunge? 7 Signs You’re Ready to Buy Your First HomeMaybe you’ve lived with your parents up until this point, or perhaps you have been renting and patiently waiting to enter the real estate market. Whichever it is, you should ensure you are truly ready to take on the responsibility of homeownership before taking the plunge.
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BuyingChristmas Home Shopping? Follow These 4 Tips for SuccessIf you’re hoping Santa brings you a new home for Christmas this year, then you are in luck! Despite December typically being a slower season, there are many reasons to still buy a home in this festive month. Keep these tips in mind while home shopping during the Christmas holidays.
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BuyingDo “Good Deals” Exist in Real Estate? It’s All About CompromiseSince we all have different wish lists when house hunting, what makes a home a “good deal” is different for everyone. If you’re willing to compromise on a key aspect of the home, such as location, neighbourhood, and/or condition, you will likely be able to save money on the home price.
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BuyingState of the Real Estate Market: October 2019Curious to know how the real estate market is doing in Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta? We thought so. Our monthly update will help you better understand the current state of the market so you can make informed decisions with your real estate purchases.
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BuyingA Guide for Every Age: How to Take Your Kids on Home ShowingsA new home really is a family affair but taking kids on showings can be a tedious task at best and a disaster at worst. To increase your odds of success, follow these easy tips for taking a child of any age on home showings.
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BuyingThe Votes Are In! What the Election Results Mean for Canadian HomebuyersHousing affordability has been a hot topic in Canada and was a key point in political party campaigns. Each party had varying agendas, but overall making housing more accessible to Canadians and first-time home buyers was important for most parties.
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BuyingState of the Real Estate Market: September 2019Curious to know how the real estate market is doing in Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta? We thought so. Our monthly update will help you better understand the current state of the market so you can make informed decisions with your real estate purchases.
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BuyingThe Benefits of Buying a Home in the FallFall is a great time to go house hunting. Check out these benefits to kick off your efforts in everyone's favourite season!
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BuyingThe 5 W’s of the New First-Time Home Buyer IncentiveWith the 2019 Federal Election quickly approaching, all political parties are addressing housing affordability, especially for first-time buyers. Part of the discussion is the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive that recently took effect under the Trudeau Administration.
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BuyingBuying a Home: 10 Tips Before you StartBuying a home is an exciting experience but if you delve into it impulsively, it can be a disastrous endeavor. Being one of the biggest purchases people will make in their lifetime, it helps to know lessons that others have learned from their home buying experiences.
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Buying5 Tips That Will Have You House Hunting Like a ProWhen you’re looking for a new house and visiting properties that caught your eye, it can be easy to get swept up in the moment and start making concessions about what you want or, even worse, what you need. It’s also common for home buyers to feel pressure to make a fast decision.
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Buying4 Financial Considerations Before Buying a HomeWhen we’re preparing to buy a new home, our checklists often begin with the obvious: curb appeal, plenty of bedrooms, an ensuite, close to work and the best schools. These points are important, but there are other equally as important considerations that are sometimes overlooked—the financial kind.
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BuyingTips for First-time Home BuyersFor first-time homebuyers, the speed of the real estate industry can feel overwhelming. Here are five simple tips to help you keep your hunt for a house on track.
