Author: homegoal.ca
Lucas Smith Signature Real Estate is spearheading a record-setting event this week, bringing together real estate, community, and philanthropy in support of Make-A-Wish Canada. From Oct. 2 at 4 p.m. to Oct. 5 at 5 p.m., the World’s Longest Open House will take place at Metric Homes’ model home at 51 Axel Crescent in Stittsville, West Ottawa. The event will run continuously for more than 73 hours, offering visitors the chance to tour the new home while helping raise funds and awareness for the children’s charity. “You can come at 1 a.m. and grab a bowl of popcorn and join…
The Dominican Republic has quickly become one of the most compelling destinations for international real estate investors, not only because of its robust tourism industry and favourable tax environment but also due to the rise of hotel-managed properties. These projects offer investors a unique “hands-off” opportunity for potential cash flow, with the ease of professional management and the added benefit of lifestyle perks. For investors seeking both strong financial performance and minimal operational hassle, hotel-managed properties represent one of the most attractive entry points into the Dominican market. Occupancy and Rental Performance Tourism in the Dominican Republic is steadily expanding,…
Despite the fact that Toronto’s unhoused population has more than doubled since 2021, the City is set to receive a fraction of the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) funding in its sixth year that it did in both its fourth- and fifth-year allocations. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow wrote in a letter that went to the Executive Committee on Monday that the Province allocated $38 million to Toronto from the COHB between April 2024 and March 2025, and $19.75 million from April 2025 to March 2026 — but between April 2026 and March 2027, the City will receive only $7.95 million, representing…
Canada’s job market is worse than it looks, according to one of Canada’s largest banks. National Bank of Canada (NBF) is warning investors the surprising growth in payroll data has been misread as strength, but zooming out reveals it’s now aligning with the weakness observed in the Labour Force Survey (LFS). When combined with plunging job vacancies and a broad weakness across industries, the risk is much greater than initial data implies. The latest Canadian payroll data was stronger than expected, but it should be viewed in context. Canada added 21k payroll employees in July, according to the latest Statistics…
For first-time homebuyers, entering the real estate market can feel daunting—but choosing a location with favorable conditions can make all the difference. As we enter the last quarter of the year, Canada’s real estate landscape is marked by sharp contrasts: major cities are becoming more buyer-friendly, while smaller, more affordable regions are heating up for sellers. Zoocasa analyzed which markets provide the best prospects based on the latest sales-to-new listings ratios, according to the respective local real estate boards’ August 2025 data. This ratio, a key indicator of market conditions, reflects the balance between supply and demand: a higher ratio…
When Clarence Debelle, Realtor with Royal Pacific Lion’s Gate Realty, took on the $38.8-million listing for one of West Vancouver’s most unique luxury properties — a sprawling white mansion on Crestline Road with a private casino, custom-designed, hand-cut-and-built, leaded glass dome and three elevators — he approached it the same way he does every home, just on a larger scale. A key reason Debelle was chosen to represent the property is his attention to detail. “I really studied the property,” he says. “There’s a list of special features 10 pages long (that) took (many) days to create.” That kind of…
After a period of uncertainty and cautious activity, Canada’s housing market showed signs of renewed activity in August 2025. August 2025 brought a combination of rising sales, expanding inventory, and relatively stable prices. The latest Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) housing data for August 2025 confirms this trend, revealing a market regaining momentum with notable implications for real estate investors. National home sales rose 1.1% month-over-month, marking the strongest August for sales in four years and the fifth consecutive monthly gain. Compared to August 2024, sales were up 1.9%, signaling a steady recovery despite varied conditions across regions. Regional Activity…
This article was written and submitted by former CEO of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) Tim Hudak and long-time senior Ontario civil servant Frank Denton. Hudak is currently partner at Counsel Public Affairs Inc., and Denton is a senior advisor. The collapse of iPro Realty, one of Ontario’s largest independent brokerages, has left at least an $8-million shortfall in its trust accounts and put the regulator, the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), under an intense spotlight. For buyers, sellers, and real estate agents, the scandal raises urgent questions about whether their deposits are safe. When suspicion falls on…
Few investments have created wealth as broadly in Canada as real estate, but is it always the best return? A new study from wealth management firm PWL Capital compares homeowner equity to the invested savings of renters. The results were surprising: in most major markets—including Toronto—renters came out ahead. While past returns don’t guarantee future outcomes, the data offers insights that can help shape your financial future. About Today’s Data Today’s study compares renting and owning from 2005 to 2024 across 12 major Canadian cities. It examines how renter’s net worth would compare to a homeowner’s if they invest the…
Since the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter-point last month, anticipation of a real estate rebound has been growing. Mortgage applications rose 29.7% ahead of the rate cut announcement, and climbed again the following week by 0.6%, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The average 30-year mortgage rate now sits at 6.3%. Compared to two years ago, when the average rate was 7.19%, this is a welcome improvement for affordability. As a result, average monthly mortgage payments are more affordable than they once were. In some cases, prospective homebuyers stand to save thousands of dollars annually compared to…