Author: homegoal.ca

No BS. No Fridge Magnets. No Such Thing as a Bad Question. A Weekly Real Estate Advice Column from the BREL team. Dear HOMEROOM, My girlfriend and I saved some money to buy a new home. With a little help from her parents, we can do it. Her parents live out of the country, so they want us to buy a home with an in-law suite where they can stay when they visit. They are retired and miss their daughter, so sometimes their visits last two or three months. Do you think this is a good idea? – Homeowner or…

Realtor.ca has introduced two new features for property listings in Saskatchewan. Updates include the addition of a publicly displayed “conditional sale” status and enhanced search fields to provide more detailed information about property locations, according to a press release from the Saskatchewan Realtors Association (SRA). Realtor.ca Conditional sale status now displayed   Saskatchewan listings on Realtor.ca will now show a “conditional sale” status when an offer has been accepted but the sale has not yet been finalized. Previously, listings remained active on the site until a sale was firm. “Saskatchewan’s housing market has been experiencing record demand for the past…

Calgary’s real estate market is one of Canada’s most dynamic, offering a range of housing options that cater to diverse lifestyles and budgets. Unlike other major Canadian cities, such as Toronto and Vancouver, where high property prices often push buyers into small condos, Calgary offers a unique mix of urban high-rises, inner-city infill homes, master-planned suburban communities, and even sprawling estate properties. This variety makes Calgary an appealing destination for buyers seeking affordability, space, and strong long-term value. The city’s economy, historically driven by the energy sector, is diversifying, attracting new residents and investors.  Jesse Davies, leader of the Jesse…

With much of the GTA waking up to a fresh blanket of this morning, many of us will be walking — and shovelling — through a winter wonderland today and tomorrow. Everyone knows (or should know) that big fines are in store if you fail to shovel the snow outside your home. But what if you rent your property? Is it still your responsibility, or your landlord’s? That’s the $500 question. According to Section 20(1) of the Residential Tenancies Act, “a landlord is responsible for providing and maintaining a residential complex, including the rental units in it, in a good…

While homeownership is getting further out of reach for many, rental affordability is improving across the United States. So how large is the gap between renting and buying right now?  At the start of 2024, average 30-year mortgage rates were high at around 6.6%, but many were hopeful that interest rates would decline after the Federal Reserve lowered its federal funds rate. Rather than improving, current mortgage rates are higher than they were a year ago. Fannie Mae predicts the year will finish with rates around 6.5%, not much lower than in early 2024, and not likely low enough to…

Montreal’s real estate market kicked off 2025 with a bang, marking the completion of a two-year recovery. With January sales and prices climbing at a steady pace, the city is once again one of Canada’s hottest housing markets.   Sales rebound to pre-pandemic levels   RBC economist Robert Hogue writes in his monthly housing report, “Another strong advance in January effectively sealed the deal on a two-year-long market recovery in Montreal.” By his count, seasonally adjusted and annualized resale transactions surpassed 54,000, bringing activity back to pre-pandemic levels—when the city was already booming.   The Quebec Professional Association of Real…

For landlords operating in today’s dynamic rental markets, providing an attractive, move-in-ready property can set them apart. Furnishing services, tailored specifically to landlords and property managers, have emerged as a valuable solution to ensure rental units stand out. These services provide a one-stop approach to equipping a property with furniture, appliances, and decor, catering to various tenant preferences and elevating rental appeal. What Is a Furnishing Service for Rental Properties? A furnishing service for rental properties is a professional service that will furnish a property with everything tenants need to live comfortably, while creating an attractive, welcoming space. These services…

The Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) is considering providing in-stream projects with additional protection from development cost charge (DCC) increases, according to a report that’s set to be considered by the Finance Committee on Thursday, February 13.Although more in-stream protection is something developers have been asking for, Metro Vancouver is making the proposal in order to secure funding from the federal government’s Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF). As a condition of the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund, applicants are required to adopt multiplex zoning in all low-density residential areas and implement a three-year freeze on increasing development charges above the rates…

Canada has some of the most highly indebted households in the world, and they may be approaching their breaking point. Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB) data shows December was one of the busiest in years for consumer insolvencies. The year ended with the most filings since 2009, growing at a pace similar to the Global Financial Crisis.  Why Are Consumer Insolvencies Important? Consumer insolvencies are a filing made when a person is seeking formal debt relief. It’s composed of both consumer proposals and bankruptcies. The former is a negotiation for debt repayment while protecting assets, while the latter…

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home, and in recent years, it has become more of a central hub than ever before. Fixr surveyed 67 professionals currently working in the home design field to share what their clients are asking for this year to uncover the biggest kitchen do’s and don’ts for 2025. Kitchen trends are always evolving, but certain outdated or unique design choices can deter potential buyers. If you’re planning on selling your home in 2025, it’s crucial to be mindful of the following kitchen design trends that could cost you a sale.…