Author: homegoal.ca

Loathe him or love him, Doug Ford has held the Premiership in Ontario for nearly seven years and led the PCs to two consecutive majority victories in the 2018 and 2022 elections. Even so, he’s controversial, to say the least, especially when it comes to his track record on housing.Months before his re-election, in early 2022, Ford’s Housing Task Force came out with 55 “high-level recommendations” for addressing housing supply and affordability issues in Ontario. The most bullish of those recommendations was to set a goal of building 1.5 million new homes in the next ten years.Despite lofty goal setting,…

Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll ever make. While it’s an exciting milestone, it can also feel a bit overwhelming at times. Finding the perfect timing is key — but what that timing looks like really depends on your personal and financial situation. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or ready to upgrade, here’s how to determine when it’s the right time for you to buy a house. 1. Assess Your Financial Status Before jumping into the housing market, take a close look at your financial situation. A healthy financial foundation is crucial when committing…

Port of Vancouver (Canva) The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT) has thrown down the gauntlet: it wants the B.C. government to pursue an ambitious 3 per cent annual GDP growth target over the next five years. Unveiled on Jan. 30, the initiative—dubbed the “3% Challenge: Agenda for Economic Growth”—comes as B.C. faces economic uncertainty, from U.S. tariff threats under President Donald Trump to growing concerns over affordability. The GVBOT’s call to action follows a survey of Metro Vancouver residents and businesses, revealing that 75 per cent see the province as lacking a cohesive economic strategy, while 80 per cent…

The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) has taken a step to help industry professionals manage economic challenges by recently releasing its new “Checklist for Navigating Tariff Uncertainty.” This high-level guide provides trade and general contractors with a practical framework to assess risk, address contract provisions, and take informed action amid evolving tariff policies. The BCCA notes that tariff uncertainty has an impact on the construction industry. The BCCA’s checklist is designed to equip contractors with strategies to navigate these challenges. It emphasizes that successful management of tariff issues requires proactive communication and a thorough understanding of contractual obligations. A primary…

While new homes sales in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) remained low in January, the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) says low prices and steady inventory are creating buyer-favourable conditions.After months of historic lows, including a December that saw new home sales hit their lowest point in 40 years, January posted 347 new home sales, down 40% year over year and 77% below the 10-year average, but up from only 319 sales in December. “January 2025 new home sales across the GTA recorded a near record low,” said Edward Jegg, Research Manager at Altus Group, in a press…

Canada’s sharp policy turns have dramatically impacted the quality of life. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data reveals that most people are highly satisfied with life and that share was rising in Q4 2024… but only for seniors 65 and older. The general sentiment in the country continued to erode, especially amongst the critical demographics of Core Aged workers and recent immigrants. A brief period of predatory policies appears to be setting up long-term destabilization for the country’s economic future.  Canadians Highly Satisfied With Life Continued A Downtrend The share of residents who scored “highly satisfied” with their quality of life…

Losing your job can be one of the most stressful experiences you can face, and the uncertainty of what comes next can be overwhelming. Among the many concerns, one that often weighs heavily on your mind is how to manage the cost of your home. Whether you’re renting or paying off a mortgage, the fear of losing your home or falling behind on payments is real. The good news is that with the right approach, you can find ways to ease the financial strain and protect your home during this challenging time. Here’s a step-by-step guide to managing your housing…

Re/Max Canada confirms it has reached a “substantial agreement on monetary terms and business practice changes” to resolve two proposed class-action lawsuits challenging real estate commission structures. This marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle over real estate commissions in Canada. The lawsuits, Sunderland v. Toronto Regional Real Estate Board and Kevin McFall v. Canadian Real Estate Association et al, allege that rules requiring homesellers to pay buyer brokerage commissions inflate costs and restrict competition. “This decision was made in the best interest of the Re/Max brand in Canada” While Re/Max Canada continues to deny any wrongdoing, the company…

The Calgary housing market, while still demonstrating strength, is showing clear indicators of a shift from the rapid growth experienced in recent years to a more balanced state. This transition is marked by increased construction activity, rising inventory, and a divergence in performance compared to other major Alberta markets like Edmonton. One of the primary drivers of this shift is the increase in housing supply. Reports from late 2024 and early 2025 consistently highlight a surge in new listings, particularly in the condo segment. A November report by Edge Realty Analytics noted a strong flow of new listings, rising 22%…

With borrowing costs on the decline, variable-rate mortgages have been gaining popularity amongst homeowners, Royal LePage reports in its most recent mortgage survey.Over the course of 2025, around 1.5 million mortgages will come up for renewal, the “vast majority” of which will face higher lending rates than when they locked in, even after the Bank of Canada’s (BoC) aggressive rate cutting cycle in 2024. This is because “hundreds of thousands” of these mortgages were signed when the key lending rate was at or below 1%, explains Royal LePage.Reflecting the changed lending environment, the survey found that only 66% of Canadians…