Gerry’s Blog
What are the steps to buying a home? You’re starting to think about becoming a homeowner, or maybe you’ve even started to look at listings. Either way, you likely have lots of questions, from the general “how tos” to specific queries around financing, different home types and locations, to how to make an offer. To…
Tucked on the western edge of Lake Ontario, Hamilton has become a hot spot in recent years. Hamilton’s economy is primarily driven by its manufacturing sector, with healthcare and education also significantly contributing to the local economy. Hamilton has attracted homebuyers seeking respite from the high prices characterizing Toronto real estate. This exodus has caused…
Sales activity has slowed considerably in the Ottawa real estate market as broader uncertainty in the nation’s capital impacts everything from single-family homes to condominiums. Industry experts say many prospective homebuyers are sitting on the sidelines due to uncertainty around current economic conditions. While the higher cost of living is a major factor in today’s…
A year ago, housing affordability dominated national conversations as the Canadian real estate market exploded in growth, across major urban centres and rural communities alike. For the last couple of months, it seems like this discussion has shifted, with affordability taking a back seat given recent moderation in the market following the unprecedented “COVID boom.”…
The good news is that you’ve found your dream home. The bad news is it’s a bit of a fixer-upper. You’ve saved for the down payment but do not have the money to undertake the necessary renovations. Fear not, homebuyer! There are many options available to help you finance the renovations, so you can stop…
As a kick-off to RE/MAX’s annual Month of Miracles on August 1, Bruce Johnson, founder of Motorcycle For Miracles and Sales Representative with RE/MAX By The Bay, set off from his home in Wasaga Beach, Ontario for a 10,000-kilometre solo ride to Labrador, with a goal of raising $250,000 for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN). Bruce stopped…
Canada real estate balance and affordability requires prioritization of residential building activity Inventory levels in major Canadian real estate markets have been dwindling over the past decade, with active listings in July running below the 10-year average in almost all markets surveyed based on Canadian Real Estate Association data and insights from the RE/MAX network….
In 2022, the Bank of Canada (BoC) has been raising interest rates at the fastest and most significant pace since 1998. In July, the organization increased the benchmark rate to 2.5 per cent for the first time since 2009, when the global economy was coming out of the financial crisis. Here’s what the Bank of…
Nearly every Canadian real estate market experienced meteoric growth throughout the COVID boom. From British Columbia to Prince Edward Island, major urban centres and rural communities enjoyed unprecedented sales activity and price gains, exacerbating even Canada’s most affordable housing markets. But now that higher interest rates and broader market uncertainty have sent Canada’s real estate…
The red-hot Canadian real estate market is finally cooling down thanks to higher interest rates, and is poised to experience some stabilization after the unprecedented boom of the last two years. Is this a terrific opportunity for households looking to purchase a home, or is ownership still out of reach for many Canadian families? Canada’s…
Owning a home is a keystone of wealth… both financial affluence and emotional security.