Author: homegoal.ca

Looking for unique date ideas in Toronto that don’t require a car? Some of the city’s most walkable neighbourhoods offer everything you need for a perfect day or night out—great food, outdoor spaces, and a fun, local vibe. Whether you’re a new couple, longtime partners, or just new to the city, these walkable neighbourhoods in Toronto make it easy to explore together. And if you’re house- or condo-hunting, these same areas offer a convenient, vibrant lifestyle you’ll love coming home to. Why Walkability Matters for Lifestyle & Real Estate When you live in a walkable neighbourhood, life feels easier. You…

Each month, REM shares brokerage expansions and conversions, leadership appointments and other key industry moves. Have an announcement to share? Email your news to editor@realestatemagazine.ca by the 26th of each month, and don’t forget to include a photo!     Leadership appointments    Coldwell Banker Canada appoints Hashim Arthur as chief operating office   Coldwell Banker Canada has appointed longtime employee Hashim Arthur as chief operating officer (COO). Having previously served as vice president of operations, he brings over a decade of leadership and operational expertise to the elevated role.  Arthur has held several key leadership positions at Coldwell Banker Canada,…

In the first quarter of 2025, the Canadian economy didn’t implode. But it did show us, in detail, what a slow bleed looks like.According to Equifax Canada’s latest Market Pulse report, household debt climbed to $2.55 trillion, while non-mortgage debt hit a national average of $21,859 per consumer. For a country already stretched thin by high housing costs, inflationary pressures, and rising unemployment, these are not just numbers – these are cracks beginning to show on the surface of Canada’s economy. Like a stone chip on the windshield of this economic machine, the cracks start with a small, well-defined core…

Real Estate Council of Ontario chair Katie Steinfeld described the past year as one of “transformation” for the province’s real estate regulator.~ Speaking to members at RECO’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday, she said the industry watchdog has “successfully navigated a period of significant change,” and has more to come via its 2024-27 strategic plan.  “Under the board’s oversight, RECO has continued to evolve, becoming a more modern, responsive, and effective regulator,” she said. Among the most notable achievements of 2024 was the completion of the majority of action items recommended by the Auditor General, Steinfeld said. With a refocused…

The BCREA is projecting that MLS® residential sales in British Columbia will decline by 1.1% in 2025. It further indicates that this anticipated slowdown stems from buyers postponing decisions amid tariff‑related economic uncertainty, despite significant pent‑up demand. Looking ahead to 2026, however, sales are expected to rise by 8.8%, climbing to roughly 80,150 units, if trade tensions ease and market confidence returns. Source: BCREA Inventory and Price Trends As transaction volumes ease, active listings across the province are forecast to average above 40,000 units in 2025, for levels not seen in over a decade. This expanded supply exerts mild downward…

After disclosing earlier this month that it is taking a loss of $209 million on its investment, Toronto-based RioCan REIT (TSX: REI.UN) has now filed an application to place its joint venture with the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) under receivership.As previously outlined by STOREYS, the partnership between one of Canada’s largest REITs and Canada’s most iconic retailer was formed in 2015 with each partner contributing some of their real estate assets. Hudson’s Bay contributed 10 properties — five it owned via freehold (inclusive of the land) and five it owned via leasehold (not inclusive of the land) while RioCan contributed…

Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) may appear stable, but its foundation is anything but. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows that real GDP rose 0.5% in Q1 2025, matching Q4 2024 after a downward revision. While the headline signals expansion, it conceals a more troubling reality: domestic economic activity is flatlining, and the terms of trade have slipped into negative territory—a combination that threatens household resilience and national income.  Canadian Consumer Spending Slows Sharply In Q1 2025 The biggest red flag in the GDP report is the stall in domestic demand. Household spending slowed to just 0.3% in Q1 2025—a…

With the average home price in Toronto now over $1.1 million, finding something more affordable might seem tough, but there are still great deals out there. Here are some of the best homes currently listed for under $1,000,0000. Tips for Buying a Home in Toronto Toronto has gained a reputation as a notoriously hot real estate market in recent years. While it’s true that buyers will likely face steep competition in today’s market, there are strategies that successful buyers can use to secure their first property on the ladder.  The first, and arguably the most important step, is selecting the…

Re/Max has dropped Calgary’s Re/Max Central, among the city’s best-known brokerages, owned by longtime Realtor Pat Hare, amid allegations surrounding the multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme run by a former employee.~  The brokerage was the employer of former Realtor Eric Drinkwater, who is charged with $1.9-million in alleged fraud.  He is the nephew of Hare, who has been a Re/Max realtor for more than 40 years.  “We can confirm that the independently-owned and operated Re/Max Real Estate (Central) in Calgary, Alberta, has been terminated from the Re/Max network and its owners are no longer affiliated with the Re/Max brand,” said a company…

It’s report card time – and not just for Canada’s students. The Report Card on More and Better Housing, which grades provincial and federal governments on their progress relative to the 140 policy recommendations made by the Task Force for Housing & Climate, has just been released.And it isn’t exactly grounds for celebration. Far from it, actually. The Report Card from More and Better Housing Canada – a coalition made up of some of the biggest players in urban planning and housing – grades federal and provincial governments according to five criteria identified by the Task Force for addressing Canada’s…