Author: homegoal.ca

As Canadians continue to absorb the news that the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), our oldest and most iconic retailer, is now insolvent, there is a significant subplot that has received little attention: the creditor protection HBC was granted last Friday also applies to RioCan (TSX: REI.UN), one of the country’s largest REITs by market cap. RioCan was not an applicant and there is nothing to suggest that RioCan is in any kind of financial jeopardy, but it has a very large and complex joint venture with HBC that is now also under creditor protection, which means RioCan will undoubtedly be…

The Canadian economy has outperformed the central bank’s expectations for months now. That didn’t stop the Bank of Canada (BoC) from slashing the overnight rate by 0.25 points to 2.75% this morning. Since this easing cycle began 9 months ago, the key policy rate has been reduced by 2.25 points, making it one of the most aggressive in history. More importantly, the last round of cuts came as the BoC warns of accelerating inflation. Consequently, the well-intended cut may prove counterproductive by driving higher inflation expectations and borrowing costs.  Bank of Canada Warns Inflation Will Rise Sharply In Coming Report …

The Bank of Canada announced the second rate cut of 2025 today, bringing the overnight lending rate down by 25 basis points to 2.75%. This was a highly anticipated move after tariff uncertainty left many Canadians feeling shaky about the economy. A weak Canadian jobs report released last week further contributed to the expectation of a rate cut today.  The last time the overnight lending rate was below 3% was in September 2022. Similarly, the average 5-year fixed mortgage rate was 3.89% in February, the lowest since the summer of 2022. As buyers navigate 3-year lows in borrowing costs, will…

Have you been waiting to buy a home? You aren’t alone – the last 5 years of economic uncertainty have caused more than a few people to pause their home search…but at what cost? The decision to buy a home is deeply personal, influenced by various factors beyond dollars and cents. While nobody has a crystal ball to predict real estate prices or interest rates with certainty, we created this Waiting to Buy Calculator to help illustrate the financial impact of waiting. The results might surprise you – often revealing that the “cost of waiting” exceeds the temporary benefits of…

The 25 basis point cut marks the seventh consecutive time Canada’s central bank has dropped rates On March 12th, the Bank of Canada announced that it had lowered the target for the overnight lending rate by 25 basis points to 2.75%. This marks the seventh consecutive decrease to rates since June 2024.  In its announcement, the Bank acknowledged that the Canadian economy had started the year on good footing. Now, with a trade war underway with the United States, the country is expected to see slower economic activity and increasing inflationary pressures in the months ahead, justifying the central bank’s…

The impact of U.S. tariffs and chaotic back-and-forth threats are rippling through housing markets across Canada, and the uncertainty isn’t likely to fade anytime soon.  Robert Hogue, assistant chief economist at RBC, dissected February data from local boards and says the mere threat of a trade war has dampened confidence, sidelined buyers and put downward pressure on prices. And if tensions escalate further, the effects could become even more pronounced.   Housing market stumbles in February   The economist explains in his monthly report, “Any signs of market optimism that emerged in January (mostly from sellers) quickly vanished in February”…

In what is likely a sign that the office market in Vancouver will still be murky for some time, Vancouver-based real estate developer Rize Alliance has decided to move on from The Grid, an office project it has been planning for several years. The Grid was set for 306 Terminal Avenue in Vancouver, one block east from Main Street and the Expo Line SkyTrain’s Main Street-Science World Station. The site spans 29,367 sq. ft, about half of which is currently occupied by a standalone Tim Hortons, while the other half remains vacant. Rize Alliance acquired the property for a reported…

Have you ever had one of those mornings where you wake up late, rush through your routine, and feel like you’re already behind before the day even begins? Maybe you skip breakfast, miss an important meeting, or struggle to focus at work. We’ve all been there. The way you start your morning can significantly influence how the rest of your day unfolds. Establishing a routine that sets a positive and productive tone can help you approach your tasks with focus, energy, and enthusiasm. By incorporating small but impactful habits into your morning, you can set yourself up for success every…

For the fifth consecutive month, average asking rents in Canada have dropped year-over-year, hitting their lowest level since July 2023.  According to the latest Rentals.ca and Urbanation report, February saw a 4.8 per cent decline in rents compared to the previous year, bringing the national average to $2,088. “Rents in Canada are softening as supply is outweighing demand,” said Shaun Hildebrand, president of Urbanation. “Apartment completions are currently running at record highs, while at the same time, population growth has slowed and the economy faces heightened risks due to a potential trade war with the U.S. Expect rents to continue…

British Columbia’s real estate market in Q4 2024 exhibited varied trends across residential, industrial, and office sectors. Residential sales and prices showed notable increases, while industrial and office markets experienced shifts in vacancy rates and new supply. Residential Summary for Q4 2024 An Edge Realty Analytics report indicates some notable trends in the residential market for British Columbia during this quarter. Sales Residential sales in British Columbia increased by 11.5% quarter-over-quarter and by 24.6% year-over-year, reflecting robust buyer demand in the province. Listings New listings declined by 1.8% from Q3 2024, although they registered a 6.8% increase on a year-over-year…