Months of inventory numbered 2.8 at the end of October 2024, compared to 3.8 in October 2023. The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity..2 To put this into perspective, new housing starts haven’t been able to […]
Multigenerational Living: Finding a Home For The Whole Family
For many homebuyers, multigenerational living used to be considered an option of last resort: it was a route families took only when they needed to ride out a financial storm or care for ailing family members. But that mindset is on the decline: A growing number of families now say that they are embracing multigenerational […]
Top 4 Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Mortgage
With home prices and rates still relatively high, securing a mortgage can feel daunting––even to the most experienced borrowers. But don’t let that deter you: If other homebuyers’ experiences are any indication, odds are you’ll eventually find a home loan that works well for you. In fact, research from the Real Estate and Mortgage Institute […]
Ultimate Relocation Guide: Finding a House To Feeling at Home
May is “Moving Month,” as designated by the Better Business Bureau and Canadian Association of Movers.1 It also happens to kick off the peak moving season, which generally runs from May through September for a myriad of reasons that go beyond the scope of this post. But no matter the reason, the Ultimate Relocation Guide […]
6 Strategies to Save on Home Insurance Premiums
From extreme cold to wildfires and floods, the past few years have brought a historic number of devastating climate and weather events to Canada. In 2023 alone, unusually harsh weather and a string of natural disasters caused more than $3.1 billion in insured damages, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, making it the fourth […]
35 Tips to Furnish Your New Home for Less
Buying a new home is one of the most exciting experiences in life. And if you’re like most homebuyers, you’ll be planning your furniture placement and decor before the ink dries on your offer letter. But before you run to the nearest home goods store, take a deep breath. First, you’ll need to delay any […]
7 Common Homebuyer Regrets (And How To Avoid Them)
Most new homebuyers don’t regret becoming homeowners. In fact, according to a recent survey by Zolo, 80% of Canadians who purchased a home during the pandemic say they’re glad they bought their current home.1 But that doesn’t mean newly-minted homeowners don’t have any regrets about their buying choices. On the contrary, research shows that even […]
How to Become a Homeowner on a First-Time Buyer’s Budget
It’s not easy being a first-time home buyer right now. At the end of last year, housing affordability hit an all-time low.1 Additionally, mortgage rates have risen significantly since 2021, while inventory remains tight for many property categories – especially for starter homes. Even lower-priced condos are harder to snag these days, as investors and […]
Buying a Home? Here Are 5 Tips for Negotiating
Before negotiating the purchase of a home, you have to look closely at the seller’s motivation and the current market conditions. Whether it’s a seller’s or buyer’s market, these tips should help you successfully negotiate a deal on a home. 1. Begin by knowing what you want in a home. Decide on what kind of […]
2023 Real Estate Market Outlook for Ottawa, ON – by Graham WEBB
Last year, one factor drove the real estate market more than any other: rising mortgage rates. In March 2022, the Bank of Canada began a series of interest rate hikes in an effort to pump the brakes on inflation.1 And while some market sectors have been slow to respond, the housing market has reacted accordingly. […]