Author: homegoal.ca

Canadian capital is heading south—literally. Real estate transaction dollar volumes fell in May, an ominous start to the year’s busiest season for homebuying, according to CREA. At the same time, Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows investors pumped a record amount into US stocks that month. While policymakers double down on real estate investment incentives, capital is quietly fleeing to foreign markets. This is a problem that should be addressed sooner rather than later, since it’s difficult to ground capital flight once it takes off. Canadian Real Estate Transaction Dollar Volumes Have Plunged Despite sky-high prices, Canadians are putting less…

Choosing where to live used to be all about rent prices. But for today’s young Canadians, lifestyle matters just as much as affordability. With housing costs climbing and evolving job markets, many are rethinking what makes a great city. Beyond price tags, they’re looking for walkable streets, good public transit, job opportunities, nightlife, culture, and a sense of community.  That’s especially important when you consider income. According to Statistics Canada, the average after-tax income for Canadians aged 25 to 29 is about $38,600, rising to $47,520 for those aged 30 to 34. That makes it crucial to find cities where…

A lush, healthy lawn does more than improve curb appeal – it creates a space for relaxation, play, and connection. Whether you’re starting from scratch or reviving patchy grass, the key to lawn success is consistent care rooted in smart, seasonal decisions. From soil prep to watering, mowing, and fertilizing, this guide walks you through the essentials of lawn maintenance in Canada for every yard size and condition. Start with the soil Healthy grass starts below the surface. Begin by clearing away dead leaves, branches, and leftover clippings. If your lawn feels uneven or compacted, lightly rake and level out…

For millions of Canadians, homeownership is one of life’s biggest milestones. In today’s economic climate of rising interest rates and affordability challenges, real estate professionals must go beyond just understanding mortgage basics—they need to interpret how these broader trends impact their clients’ decisions in real time.  Compared to the U.S., Canada’s mortgage industry—while restrictive—is uniquely structured to prioritize long-term stability. While there’s always room for modernization, our framework has historically shielded homeowners from the volatility that has plagued other markets.  That said, with growing interest in non-traditional lenders and fintech options, Realtors are now expected to help clients evaluate a…

Calgary’s multi-family market in 2025 is being reshaped by two forces: increased new construction and broad zoning reforms that have opened up many previously restricted neighbourhoods to higher-density multi-unit development. Together, these shifts are expanding the range of opportunities available to investors, from apartment-style condos to infill multiplexes and townhomes. Multi-Family Forecast According to the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB)’s updated forecast, as of June 2025, the city is continuing to experience record-high levels of new home construction, much of which includes multi-family units and is targeted to the rental market. While this influx of supply has begun to temper…

Based on their current rates of growth, the City of Surrey will very likely exceed the City of Vancouver in population as early as 2027, according to Statistics Canada projections published earlier this year. Thus, Surrey’s City Centre Plan is important not just to the growth of Surrey, but the entire Metro Vancouver region. The City Centre Plan was originally approved in 2017, laying the groundwork for the area’s transformation from a suburban town centre to the transit-oriented downtown taking shape today. A lot has changed since then, thus the City is now embarking on a significant update to the…

Brenda Buchanan has been appointed CEO of Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), following a national search. The appointment is effective immediately, as announced by RECO’s board of directors on Monday.  Following the retirement of the previous CEO Michael Beard, RECO’s board named Buchanan as interim CEO in February 2025, following a six-year tenure as the organization’s COO. “I am honoured to continue to lead the RECO team as we build on our momentum as a consumer-focused, forward-looking and technology-enabled regulator,” said Buchanan in a statement.  “I’m excited to deepen our collaboration with the Ontario government, and our stakeholders, as…

“Members of the public, homeowners, sometimes they resist change,” says Andrew Whittemore, Commissioner of Planning and Building at the City of Mississauga. “But when they experience it and they see it firsthand, it makes them sort of realize, you know what? It’s not that bad. Maybe I’ll do it myself.”The change Whittemore speaks of is Mississauga’s decision to update its Official Plan and Zoning By-law in late 2023 to make it easier for homeowners to build up to two Additional Residential Units (ARUs) on their property, such as a garden or laneway suite, or basement apartment.The following June, the City…

The Great Canadian real estate price slowdown has been greatly exaggerated by a modeling skew. CREA data shows the composite benchmark price fell in June, furthering a double-digit correction for national home prices. The substantial correction is almost entirely due to prices falling in two of the country’s most expensive markets. The majority of Canada’s provinces are seeing prices rise, and hit new record highs. Canadian Real Estate Prices Have Corrected Substantially… Sort Of National home prices have made a substantial correction, with the composite benchmark falling 0.2% (-$1,600) to $688,600 in June. Last month’s decline helped to push prices…

From oceanfront escapes to alpine retreats, Canada’s landscapes are as diverse as its home prices. Whether you’re dreaming of charming coastal towns, European-style cities, or rugged mountain life, there’s a place for almost every lifestyle you’re looking for. But when it comes to affordability? That’s another story.  Zoocasa found the median prices for single-family homes in 20 of Canada’s top vacation destinations, calculating both the average monthly mortgage payment and the annual income needed to afford a home in each location. Average monthly mortgage payments were calculated based on a 20% down payment and a 5-year fixed mortgage rate of…