Author: homegoal.ca
The City of Edmonton is investing up to $20 million in grants to support affordable housing development in 2025, marking the seventh round of funding through its Affordable Housing Investment Program. This initiative aims to accelerate the creation and preservation of affordable homes by providing financial support to non-profit and private-sector developers. Since 2019, the Affordable Housing Investment Program has offered financial assistance for both new developments and the rehabilitation of existing units, with an investment of $254 million to date by the City of Edmonton. The program’s latest round of funding is now open to eligible developers, with applications…
For years now, real estate lawyer Mark Morris has been sounding the alarm on blanket appraisals, a financing arrangement where the bank assumes the original purchase price of a new build rather than the true appraisal value. It’s not an unattractive proposition at first blush, particularly when you think about the state of the new condo segment in the Greater Toronto Area, for example, where valuations have aggressively downtrended.“It happened frequently, particularly several years ago,” says Morris, who’s with LegalClosing.ca. “I’ve seen it less now, but it still does happen.” In fact, The Globe and Mailreported earlier this week that…
Montessori schools help children reach their full potential by encouraging them to learn and explore at their own pace alongside peers of various ages. This child-centered approach nurtures independence, creativity, and a love for learning. While many parents are familiar with Montessori classrooms, creating a similar environment at home is entirely achievable with a thoughtful design. The growing trend of Montessori-inspired playrooms stems from a desire to give children spaces that foster self-directed learning and development. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine an existing playroom, these tips will guide you in creating a nurturing environment where your…
Canada’s homeownership rate is steadily declining, with affordability challenges and supply shortages pushing more people into the rental market. A new report from Re/Max Canada, The Nation of Renters, highlights factors currently shaping the country’s housing landscape. First-time homebuyers are struggling to enter the market, while renters face affordability and supply constraints of their own. Christopher Alexander, president of Re/Max Canada, describes affordability as “by far, the greatest barrier to homeownership from coast to coast.” He notes that “with the average price of a home in most Canadian markets more than doubling between 2006 and 2021, first-time buyers are falling…
On February 2nd, Playbook Media hosted the inaugural event of its 2025 Investor’s Series, a one-day lunch and learn session that brought together over 200 investors and industry professionals for a successful afternoon of learning. Combining an informative, educational program with exclusive investment opportunities, the event provided a comprehensive look into the evolving landscape of real estate investment. The gathering not only delivered valuable insights from experienced speakers but also offered a chance to invest in a master-planned development in Kitchener-Waterloo – The Platform at Station Park – with benefits. Pre-construction incentives were available, for a limited time for attendees,…
With the Ontario election set for February 27, and a federal one looming, we must not lose sight of the fact we need to pick political leaders who can step up to the plate and take a serious swing at the housing crisis.We are in unprecedented times. Housing starts and sales are abysmal. People are leaving our cities because they can’t find an affordable place to live. We need unprecedented solutions. In Ontario, unless there is a very sudden and dramatic turnaround, the much-touted target of building 1.5 million homes by 2031 is a pipe dream. Roughly 74,500 units were…
When considering the question of whether rural or urban residents are happier, the latest data from Statistics Canada reveals some fascinating trends. In its 2023 report, titled Life Satisfaction in Canada, Statistics Canada sheds light on how different living environments influence the overall well-being of Canadians. This raises important questions about the role that lifestyle, environment, and community play in shaping the happiness and life satisfaction of individuals. A Snapshot of the Findings According to the 2023 survey, 59% of rural Canadians reported having high life satisfaction. In comparison, only 49% of urban residents felt the same way. This disparity…
Did you know that by this time of year, 80 per cent of people have already abandoned their 2025 goals? That means only 20 per cent are still actively working toward what they set out to achieve. So why does this happen? Why do so many give up so soon? Is it a lack of motivation, poor planning or did they even start in the first place? Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: you don’t want to be in that 80 per cent. It’s easy to say, “I want to be in the 20 per cent,” but the reality…
Calgary’s real estate market demonstrated strength in 2024. Despite some seasonal declines, the year was characterized by solid sales activity and robust price growth across multiple property types. Sales and Inventory Trends In December 2024, the market recorded 1,322 sales, for a 3% decline compared to December 2023, but this figure remained nearly 20% higher than long-term trend levels for the month. Overall sales for 2024 came in just shy of the previous year’s totals. Gains in higher-priced properties helped to counterbalance the pullbacks in the lower price ranges, where supply challenges were more pronounced. Inventory levels rose as the…
In November, Starlight Investments and BGO (formerly known as BentallGreenOak) announced their joint acquisition of a newly-constructed apartment building in Pickering, Ontario — the latest in a series of joint ventures between the two firms. The building is Fourteen75 and is located at 1475 Whites Road, a few steps away from the Whites Road Shopping Centre and midway between Kingston Road and Sheppard Avenue. Neither partner disclosed financial details in their announcements, but the acquisition was the largest multi-family transaction in the GTA in Q4 2024, according to a report published this week by Altus Group, who said the purchase…