Author: homegoal.ca

You’ve likely heard that buying a home is a smart financial move, but just how much equity can a property accumulate over time? Equity builds as you pay down your mortgage and as the property’s market value appreciates, potentially increasing your financial security. To give you a clearer picture, let’s explore some compelling examples of homes in the GTA that have built impressive equity over more than a decade. Listed by: Coldwell Banker Community Professionals Listed by: Coldwell Banker Community Professionals Property Details: Detached 3 beds, 3 baths, 5 parking Walk score 54/ Transit score 37/ Bike score 39 Originally purchased for…

QUICK HITS   A buyer who failed to close on a Burlington property due to lack of funds attempted to rely on legal defences of force majeure and frustration, citing difficulties accessing inherited money from Afghanistan and a failed sale of another property.  The Ontario Superior Court ruled that these circumstances did not qualify as unforeseen events under contract law and that the buyer remained responsible for fulfilling the APS.  As a result, the court awarded the sellers $280,739 in damages, covering the $250,000 difference in sale price and additional expenses incurred while relisting the property.   Parties to a…

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) recently published its January 2025 housing start data, offering detailed insights into the market. Nationally, housing starts are showing a steady trend; however, urban centres are displaying different dynamics. In cities, especially in the multi-unit residential sector, there has been a stronger performance—reflecting a significant boost in purpose-built rental projects. This divergence between overall national activity and urban-specific trends highlights the evolving demand patterns in densely populated areas. National Trends and Moving Averages The data shows that the six‐month trend measure for housing starts, calculated as a moving average of the seasonally adjusted…

Canada remains in the grips of a historic housing crisis, one that is sure to be top of mind as voters gear up to elect a new Liberal leader to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the wake of his January resignation.The Liberal leadership race likely conclude after voters hit the booths on March 9, and the winner will assume the role of Prime Minister for a short period. But with a federal election set to occur sometime on or before October 25 of this year, the Liberal candidate that is elected could serve as Canada’s leader for years to…

Canadian businesses had a rough year throughout 2024, and it didn’t get much better by year end. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows a slight drop in the number of active businesses in November. Annual growth remained positive but just barely, printing the lowest rate since 2021, when the economy was locked down & restrictions on trade were put in place.  Canada Saw 2,300 Fewer Businesses Survive &  Proceed To The Next Round of Its Hunger Games Canadian businesses are still navigating a tough environment. The seasonally adjusted data shows just 890.3k businesses continued operating in November, about 0.26% (-2.3k)…

If you’re lucky enough to share your home with a furry companion, you know they quickly become an important part of the family. But balancing your needs with your pet’s can be a challenge. Whether you’re a dog parent, a cat lover, or both, here are some tips for creating a comfortable, safe, and pet-friendly space where everyone can thrive. Create a “Purrfect” Cozy Space A pet-friendly home starts with carving out a special area just for your furry friend. Whether it’s a cozy spot by the window or a quiet corner in the living room, this space should be…

Calgary’s real estate market has been on a rollercoaster ride, with frenzied bidding wars in the spring giving way to a much cooler landscape by the end of 2024.  New data from Wahi suggests that the market slowed significantly in the fourth quarter, with the vast majority of neighbourhoods experiencing underbidding rather than the heated competition seen earlier in the year.   A shift in buyer behaviour   According to Wahi’s analysis, only four of the 176 Calgary neighbourhoods where at least five homes sold in Q4 landed in overbidding territory—just 2 per cent of the market. Meanwhile, six neighbourhoods…

What if your mortgage could do more than weigh on your finances? What if it could work for you—saving you money on taxes, cutting down your interest payments, and even growing your wealth? For savvy homeowners, this isn’t just a pipe dream. The Debt Swap strategy turns these possibilities into reality. With today’s rising interest rates and stretched household budgets, Canadians are hungry for smart financial solutions. The Debt Swap strategy is an under-the-radar approach that transforms part of your mortgage into a tax-deductible tool, all without disrupting your cash flow or financial stability. Here’s the good news: it’s simpler…

A recent resubmission from Toronto-based developer Almadev seeks to add substantial height to portions of its master-planned community set for Sheppard and Victoria Park avenues. The 15-acre development has been dubbed ‘Lansing Square’ or ‘LSQ’ and once complete, will consist of five Blocks containing seven buildings with heights currently ranging from four to 43 storeys.After originally being proposed in May 2019, the ambitious development received zoning approvals to redevelop the 2550 Victoria Park Avenue site with a new transit-oriented mixed-use community in July 2022. Previously approved by city council were two residential mixed-use towers of 43 storeys (Tower A) and…

Just as the amount of groceries you can buy with $100 will differ between downtown New York and rural Ohio, the type of housing you can afford will also differ depending on local purchasing power. Due to regional price level variations, $100 in some cities is worth more than in other cities, leading to some home buyers being able to purchase more for less.  As calculated by the Tax Foundation, $100 in Los Angeles is actually worth $88.40 when adjusted for the area’s cost of living compared to the US average, while in Tulsa it’s the equivalent of $110.50. This…