Author: homegoal.ca

Canada’s economy posted a mild contraction, but the bigger issue is what’s driving the remaining growth. Statistics Canada (StatCan) data shows real GDP fell 0.1% in May, up just 1.2% from last year. That’s slow—but the biggest issue is how much of that came from imputed housing activity. Imputed rent from owner-occupied homes—a theoretical estimate—accounted for over 12% of annual GDP growth, quietly taking up more space in Canada’s economy than many real industries.   Canadian Owner-Occupied Rents Play Increasing Role In GDP The owner-occupied segment of GDP shows the imputed rent paid by homeowners. It’s not rent that homeowners actually…

designed by freepik Are you thinking about buying a home or investing in Milton? Milton’s real estate market is booming, and everyone seems to be talking about it. I get it. You want to know if Milton’s real estate market is worth your hard-earned money. You want clear answers and simple facts. You’re probably worried about high home prices. You may wonder if it’s the right time to make a purchase. Or maybe you’re asking—Is Milton a good place to live? Let me explain everything you need to know about the Milton Real Estate Market. Whether you’re a first-time buyer,…

Starting on Thursday, July 31, 2025, Toronto landlords will be required to obtain a Rental Renovation Licence from the City in order to evict tenants to do renovations. The move follows similar bylaws passed in Hamilton and London and is meant to protect tenants from bad faith evictions, or so-called ‘renovictions.’There’s data to suggest renovictions — where tenants are evicted under the guise of renovations, allowing landlords to clear the unit and increase rents — have been on the rise across Ontario, and especially Toronto, for some time. According to research from ACORN, there was a 300% increase in the…

When most people picture Newfoundland and Labrador, they think of St. John’s: a city known for its strong East Coast character. It’s a hub of history, culture, and a real estate market that’s been getting plenty of attention lately. If you haven’t already, check out our recent article on what’s going on in St. John’s real estate this summer for a full breakdown. But if you’re looking beyond the capital? Quieter towns, more space, and housing prices that make your budget stretch a little further are available across the province.. In the age of remote work and lifestyle flexibility, many…

The Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) and its senior lenders have officially filed a motion in Ontario Superior Court seeking court approval for its proposed lease transaction with Central Walk, the company chaired by BC-based, Chinese billionaire Ruby Liu.After the Hudson’s Bay Company filed for and was granted creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) on March 7, all of the stores it was operating — under the Hudson’s Bay, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Saks OFF 5th brands — were liquidated and eventually closed, while stakeholders began the process of seeking out bids for Hudson’s Bay’s leases.The lease monetization…

Searching for warmer temperatures, fewer crowds, and an escape from big-city home prices? You’re not alone. Americans are increasingly choosing small, southern cities over large metropolitan areas.  In new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, the fastest-growing cities in America from July 2023 to July 2024 all had populations below 100,000. As Americans move out of the city and into the suburbs, home prices are shifting. Some of the fastest-growing cities in America remain attractive for their affordability, while others are seeing home prices spike following population booms. Zoocasa analyzed year-over-year home prices, sales, and population growth in the…

Canadian economy remains resilient despite threat of U.S. tariffs Today, the Bank of Canada announced that it would hold its target for the overnight lending rate at its current level of 2.75%. This is the third consecutive announcement where the Bank has chosen not to change interest rates.  While some parts of U.S. trade policy have started to take shape, negotiations are still ongoing, and new tariffs continue to be a possibility. Despite these pressures, Canada’s economy is showing signs of resilience.  “At this rate decision, there was clear consensus to hold our policy rate unchanged. We also agreed that…

The real estate development industry has already gotten the federal foreign buyer ban amended once. Can they do it again?On July 29, a group of developers published an open letter entitled “Crisis & Revitalization of the Real Estate/Construction Industry in BC” and addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney, federal Minister of Housing Gregor Robertson, Premier David Eby, BC Minister of Housing Christine Boyle, and former-BC Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon, who is now Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth.The focus of the three-page letter is the federal foreign buyer ban, which was introduced via the Prohibition on the Purchase of…

Canada’s central bank reiterated its wait-and-see approach to interest rates. The Bank of Canada (BoC) announced it will hold the overnight rate at 2.75% at its meeting this morning. This marks the third consecutive meeting without a change, driven by BoC officials focusing on short-term uncertainty. The BoC emphasized persistently elevated inflation, with trade uncertainty potentially providing a short-term boost to the numbers.   BoC Was The Most Aggressive G10 Central Bank, Pause Expected  The BoC has been aggressively slashing rates since June 2024, trimming 225 basis points (bps) by last March. Convention holds a standard-sized rate cut is 25 bps,…

In a widely anticipated announcement, the Bank of Canada decided to hold the overnight lending rate at 2.75% today. This marks the third consecutive rate hold of the year, with the BoC last lowering rates in March 2025.  A Reuters poll of economists correctly predicted that today’s announcement would be a rate hold, citing a recent rise in inflation and a fall in unemployment as key reasons. The good news? The same poll also expects two more rate cuts to come later this year.  If Reuters is correct and two more rate cuts are announced in 2025, then the fall…