Author: homegoal.ca
Realtor.ca is organizing a fundraiser to support colleague Hind Iguernane who was seriously injured and lost her husband in the recent Lisbon funicular derailment. Iguernane, based in Ottawa and a member of Realtor.ca’s marketing team, suffered multiple injuries in the crash that occurred on Sept. 3, only to find out later that her husband had passed away from his injuries. The couple was vacationing in Portugal when the tragedy occurred. Iguernane’s husband Aziz Benharref, 42, was one of 16 people who were killed in the accident. A GoFundMe page has been set up by her colleagues to raise funds for…
On Wednesday, the City of Brampton announced it is reducing development charges (DCs) by up to 100% on purpose-built rental units in order to encourage their construction and “address the city’s growing housing needs.”DCs are taxes that builders pay to a city in order to help fund increased infrastructure needs that may be required as a result of growth, including services like roads, transit, water, and sewer systems. But over the last 15 years, DCs across the GTA have skyrocketed, placing additional strain on already struggling development pipelines.“Brampton is taking a bold step to address one of the biggest challenges…
Every city has a personality of its own. Just like people, places can feel bold, mysterious, or even fiery. When you’re choosing where to live, it’s often about more than just location, but also vibes. For instance, adventurous Calgary is a world apart from innovative Montreal. This got us thinking: if Canadian cities were zodiac signs, which ones would they match? From fiery Scorpios to free-spirited Sagittarians, we’ve paired each of the 12 signs with a city that we think captures its spirit. Aries: Mississauga Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, known for its competitive and pioneering spirit.…
The Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) has released its 2026–2028 strategic plan, outlining priorities for Realtors as the industry undergoes major change. Developed after a survey of more than 1,000 members, interviews with partners and focus groups with over 60 stakeholders, the plan focuses on three main areas: Enhancing member experience and professionalism through education, tools and support, while ensuring the MLS system meets evolving needs. Fostering community and influence by strengthening brokerage engagement, partnerships, and advocacy. Ensuring sustainable growth by investing in infrastructure and revenue streams. “The 2026-2028 strategic plan is not just about where we are now –…
Toronto’s St. Luke’s United Church could soon get a very interesting new steeple in the form of a 48-storey addition that would involve the retention and adaptive reuse of the late-1800s heritage building. The project would be mixed-use in nature and would deliver 15,639 sq. ft of institutional and community space and over 400 new rental units, substantially building upon a previous 2022 approval acquired for the site.The revised proposal was filed by Kindred Works in early September and includes an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) and Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA) application to permit the proposed built form and heritage redevelopment…
The Halifax housing market is settling into a new normal after a meteoric rise, yet signs suggest it’s far from cooling off entirely. Buyer demand remains strong in the coastal city. With its laidback charm, top-rated restaurants, access to nature, and relative affordability compared to Canada’s major metros, Halifax continues to attract interest from across the country and beyond. “Nova Scotia, I think, was a stepping stone, whereas now it’s a destination,” said Re/Max Nova broker/partner Ryan Hartlen. Hartlen describes the current housing market as “a slight seller’s market.” He said that the city has “come out of a really…
Toronto is about to stage a drama unlike any other city on the continent. After years of silence in its glass towers, the country’s most powerful employers are summoning workers back, not for a day or two but for four and five days a week. Sixty thousand civil servants, armies of bank employees, the foot soldiers of telecom empires, all called to fill desks that have sat half empty since the world locked down. What looks like a cultural correction is in fact an economic experiment, one that will decide the fate of suburbs, test the strength of downtown real…
Canadian banks are seeing mortgage arrears rates climb to multi-year highs, according to the Canadian Bankers Association (CBA). Historically, the Big Six banks are known for their low-risk approach, but recent regulatory filings show that most now have much higher mortgage arrears. The unusual skew is far from over, with most banks also reporting faster arrears growth. Canadian Mortgage Arrears Rate Hits Multi-Year High The CBA has observed a rising trend of arrears. The arrears rate climbed to 23 basis points (bps) in June, up 4 bps (+21%) from last year. While the rate isn’t at dizzying heights, it’s still…
Your home is more than a place to sleep and eat – it’s your sanctuary. A calming environment can do wonders for your mood, productivity, and overall well-being. But, even small visual distractions, like cluttered countertops or a pile of shoes at the front door, can subtly disrupt your sense of peace. To create a home that promotes clarity, calm, and ease, it helps to start with your physical surroundings. Below are nine practical ways to improve the flow and organization of your space, removing both visual and mental barriers along the way. 1. Declutter surfaces Clear your kitchen and…
The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) has taken the first steps in launching legal proceedings against iPro Realty’s former principals and other parties. RECO has issued a notice of application with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, asserting that Fedele Colucci and Rui Alves, among others, “orchestrated and executed a trust scheme involving the systematic diversion, removal and misuse of consumer deposit and agent commissions held in trust on their behalf,” reads a statement from RECO released on Friday. “The trust scheme was a deliberate breach of the iPro respondents’ fiduciary, statutory and ethical obligations, and was executed at…