Author: homegoal.ca
Each month, a BCREA leader shares their insights in an exclusive column for Real Estate Magazine. Interested in contributing? Send us an email. Radon gas is the definitive “silent killer.” It’s colourless, odourless and acts slowly, over long periods of time. It is the leading cause of lung cancer in Canada among non-smokers, and the second highest among smokers. This is the very reason why it’s important to be aware of its dangers and what to do when it is detected in a home. While homes with elevated levels of radon exist across the country, awareness of the issue…
Since 1998, RealtyServer Systems has quietly powered the real estate industry within Canada and beyond. While technology and markets have evolved, our mission has remained the same: build trusted MLS® solutions that empower REALTORS® and strengthen the profession. Canadian roots, global reach Based in Victoria, B.C., RealtyServer is the only Canadian-owned company developing full MLS® platforms from the ground up. We’re proud of that distinction — because it means we understand what matters most to Canadian REALTORS®: trust, collaboration, and data that stays secure at home. RealtyServer began with a simple purpose — to deliver MLS® technology created…
Creating a playroom that truly caters to your child’s interests and hobbies can be tricky if you don’t know where to start. Since kids have short attention spans, it’s important to design a flexible space that encourages imagination. A well-designed playroom should include various play zones as well as smart organization. To help, we’ve put together six creative ideas for your child’s playroom that are sure to keep them entertained. Chalkboard Wall Hanging a large chalkboard in the playroom is a fun way to encourage creativity and imagination. It provides a space where your child can practice visual storytelling, a…
Realtor.ca has named its new CEO. Scott Neil has been appointed chief executive officer, effective Jan. 5, 2026, as the listings platform continues its evolution as a standalone, taxable subsidiary of CREA. Neil most recently served as CEO of Kijiji Canada, where he led a restructuring, expanded the site’s automotive and real estate verticals, and introduced AI-powered tools. His earlier leadership posts include roles at eBay, Adevinta, AutoTrader, Microsoft and Mercedes-Benz, with experience spanning consumer and business-to-business marketplaces and full profit and loss oversight of businesses with more than $200 million in revenue, the company said in a press release. …
Canada’s job market showed surprising growth last month, according to Statistics Canada (StatCan). The agency’s latest Labour Force Survey (LFS) shows employment climbed sharply in October, marking a second consecutive month of growth. Employment was so strong that multiple jobholders surged, and seniors—who typically face hurdles to new employment—represented over 1 in 3 workers who found work last month. There’s definitely a problem here, but it certainly isn’t the weak labour market that policymakers are presenting—it’s more likely about the cost of living. Canadian Job Growth Surges, Unemployment Drops Canada’s job market is booming, according to the latest StatCan report.…
The B.C. Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) has issued “urgent orders” suspending Realtor Balpreet Singh Bal and his brokerage, Fraseridge Realty Ltd., over allegations of serious financial misconduct. The provincial regulator has also frozen trust accounts connected to Fraseridge Realty (operating as Amex-Fraseridge Realty), Bal Realty Services Inc., Jovi Realty and Lighthouse Realty Ltd., citing concerns that millions of dollars in client trust funds may have been mishandled “BCFSA has frozen the accounts of Bal’s brokerages to proactively ensure that trust funds are preserved while it continues its active investigation,” BCFSA said in a news release. Alleged mishandling of millions…
Canada’s latest budget could cost households more than just higher taxes. Fitch Ratings warns Canada’s sovereign credit rating is at risk of a downgrade, citing persistently large deficits and no credible path back to fiscal normalcy. A downgrade would act as a red flag for investors—eroding confidence and raising borrowing costs across the economy, from governments to households—including mortgages. Sovereign Credit Ratings Sovereign credit ratings assess a country’s ability to repay debt, guiding investors on risk. They’re based on fiscal, economic, and political factors—anything that could jeopardize repayment, from delayed payments to outright default. Countries are graded on a scale…
If you’re looking to practice medicine in Canada, we’re home to some of the best programs in the world. With numerous internationally recognized institutions and top-ranking medical schools. Choosing the right one can be a challenging task, with countless factors to consider, from the city’s lifestyle and the school’s academic reputation to the campus atmosphere and nearby housing costs. With the demand for healthcare professionals on the rise, provinces like Ontario are making it easier for American physicians and nurses to work in Canada. Additionally, it was reported that more than 260 U.S. physicians have relocated to Ontario so far…
Up to $130,000 in savings could be available on newly built homes priced up to $1 million Ontario’s government is proposing a major update that could make it more affordable for first-time homebuyers to purchase a new home. As part of its 2025 Fall Economic Statement, the province is proposing to rebate the full provincial portion (8%) of the HST on new homes priced up to $1 million, a move that would lower purchase costs for consumers and boost the construction of more homes, the government says. When combined with the federal government’s proposed removal of its 5% portion of…
Suze Cumming, founder of The Nature of Real Estate and Canada’s Real Estate Negotiation guru, answers Realtors’ questions on the first Friday of the month about negotiation tactics and working through tricky situations. Have a question for Suze? Send her an email. Recently, someone asked how to handle a home inspection renegotiation. It is a complex question, and I realized later I hadn’t answered it as fully as I would have liked. Here’s a deeper look at one of the most challenging moments in any real estate transaction: the second negotiation. We’ve all been there. You’ve successfully negotiated an…