Montreal archdiocese launches real estate arm aimed at maximizing social impact
By Sidhartha Banerjee and Morgan Lowrie The creation of the Roman Catholic Real Estate Corp. of Montreal, announced Thursday, is the first non-profit subsidiary created by a Catholic archdiocese “to leverage real estate development as a tool for community benefit” and heritage preservation, the church says in a news release. With congregations dwindling and buildings […]
Why Scotiabank thinks the Bank of Canada is done cutting rates
While most of Canada’s Big 6 banks expect at least one more rate cut from the Bank of Canada this year, Scotiabank believes the central bank is already finished. In its latest forecast, Scotia sees the BoC’s overnight rate holding at 2.75% through 2026—well above the 2.00% predicted by BMO and National Bank, and the […]
EV-ready parking spots should be required in new apartment builds: report
By Jordan Omstead As Canada sets out on major home-building plans, the federal government and most provinces have no regulations to ensure those apartments are EV ready, the Clean Energy Canada report said. Apartment-dwelling is more prevalent among younger Canadians, who are also generally more inclined to go electric, the report said. “In short, those […]
Bank of Canada’s urge to cut rates fades amid tariff uncertainty
Officials acknowledged Canada’s economy had ended 2024 on a strong note, with robust growth of 2.6% and inflation near the 2% target, supported by previous rate cuts. However, the outlook for early 2025 weakened considerably due to increased caution among consumers and businesses. Surveys have indicated a significant pullback in spending and investments due to […]
Vacation home market slows after pandemic boom, but prices still rising: Royal LePage
By Sammy Hudes The report released Wednesday by Royal LePage forecasts the median price of a single-family home in Canada’s so-called recreational regions to rise four per cent year-over-year to $652,808. The national increase reflects expected price boosts in each provincial market, led by an eight per cent appreciation in Atlantic Canada to a median […]
Mortgage Digest: Fixed mortgage rates keep falling, but variable-rate pricing is on the rise
If you’re in the market for a mortgage this spring, you’ve probably noticed fixed rates are continuing to trend lower. That’s thanks in large part to falling bond yields, which drive fixed-rate pricing, and a fresh wave of spring competition among lenders. In the past week alone, some banks and monolines have cut 3- and […]
With prepayment penalties surging, game-changing new tool helps borrowers weigh their options
Newly launched Prepayment Penalty Mentor can help borrowers capitalize on the golden opportunity of falling rates. It also equips brokers with the insights they need to help their clients make smarter decisions about breaking or paying off their fixed-rate mortgage early. Shedding light on hidden prepayment costs The tool uses deep historical data rates, lender […]
Tariffs are sending markets on a wild ride. Here’s advice for young investors
By Ritika Dubey But even as the trade war between Canada and the U.S. brings a heaping spoonful of additional volatility, experts say in the grand scheme of things, it could just be a blip in young investors’ portfolios — if they stick it out. “The first step is you’re not going to do anything,” […]
When can a seller lend you money? What to know about vendor take-back mortgages
But is this strategy allowed in Canada? The short answer: Yes—but with conditions. This question often comes up in real-world scenarios. For example, we recently assisted a real estate agent and her client who wanted to propose a VTB to the seller. However, the client’s mortgage was high-ratio and insured—making a VTB ineligible under insurer […]
Federal election set for April 28, with economy and housing top of mind
Canada’s 45th general election is officially underway, with voters heading to the polls on April 28. Liberal Leader Mark Carney triggered the campaign Sunday by asking Governor General Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament. In his first campaign promise, Carney pledged to cut the lowest federal income tax bracket by one percentage point—from 15% to 14%—which […]