Gerry’s Blog
If you noticed more “For Sale” signs cropping up in your neighbourhood last month, it’s not just you. In its January report, the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) noted an influx of new listings coming on stream, with the tariff threat being a key factor in the trend. We saw an 11-per-cent increase in new…
Will interest rates go up or down in the year ahead? With Canada facing a tariff threat from the United States, financial institutions have been adjusting their monetary policy expectations for the year ahead. One big bank is urging the Bank of Canada to take emergency action. On Monday, Trump signed executive orders to impose…
The Canadian housing market could see more action in 2025, following a period of persistent challenges including higher interest rates, a quickly growing population and the pressure that puts on our housing market), on top of a housing shortage that has existed for decades. We’ve already seen lower interest rates spark increased activity in the…
Affordability has played a serious role in the decline of ownership in the Vancouver housing market – Canada’s most expensive place to live. Home-ownership levels sat at 62.1 per cent in Greater Vancouver in 2021, down from 65.1 per cent reported by StatCan Census Data in 2006, while the average price for residential properties more…
Affordability remains the most challenging part of entry to the Hamilton housing market, with ownership rates in the city steadily declining over the census years, falling from a high of 71.6 per cent in 2006 to a low 68.6 in 2021, according to Statistics Canada Census Data. Hamilton-Burlington reported the highest increase in overall average…
Affordability has played a sizeable role in the decline in ownership levels in the Ottawa housing market, despite strong population growth that has pushed Ottawa’s population up over the one-million mark. Average price of a residential property in Ottawa has climbed more than 150 per cent between 2006 and 2021, according to the Ottawa Real…
Affordability continues to be the hallmark of the Calgary housing market, with the city leading major Canadian markets in terms of home ownership, despite a decline in levels in the 15-year period between 2006 and 2021. According to Statistics Canada Census Data, 70.5 per cent of Calgarians owned their home in 2021, down from 74.1…
While affordability has played a significant role in the decline of home-ownership rates in the GTA over the past decade, an assortment of secondary issues has contributed to the downturn in the Toronto housing market. The OSFI stress test, combined with land transfer taxes (especially in the City of Toronto), availability of housing supply, and…
RE/MAX offices come in all shapes and sizes, dotting Canada’s big cities and small towns, from coast to coast. But did you know that each of those RE/MAX offices is locally owned and operated by proudly Canadian broker/owners, who all serve and support their local communities in many ways? When you consciously choose to buy…
Making your home more energy-efficient is not only a smart way to reduce utility costs but also a meaningful step toward a more sustainable future. For homeowners in Canada, there are numerous programs designed to support these upgrades. With options for energy-efficient home improvement credits ranging from grants to loans and rebates, you’ll find valuable…
Owning a home is a keystone of wealth… both financial affluence and emotional security.