Recent Articles
OHBA lists finalists for 2023 Awards of Distinction
OHBA lists finalists for 2023 Awards of Distinction
The Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) has released the finalists for its 2023 Awards of Distinction, recognizing achievements in building, design, professional renovation and sales and marketing from the province’s residential construction industry.
Greybrook, Tribute pitch 1,200-home plan for Hamilton area
Greybrook Realty Partners and Tribute Communities have teamed up in a bid to develop to build more than 1,200 homes on 150 acres of farmland in the Hamilton area. The firms have yet to submit a formal application.
Greenbelt review could see more land opened to development
Ontario's new housing minister Paul Calandra says development will continue on 14 sites removed from the Greenbelt last year as he carries out a wider review of the protected lands. He also suggested more properties could be opened to housing.
How city permits and fees escalate development costs
After nearly two decades of community amenity contribution (CAC) development fees, Vancouver is finally getting its first new community centre and is now exploring long overdue, transparent “fixed cost” CACs for some smaller projects despite the fee being deemed illegal.
Bank of Canada hits pause on rate hikes
The Bank of Canada has paused its rate-hike campaign, holding its benchmark interest rate steady at five per cent in response to growing evidence the Canadian economy has begun to stall and inflation remains above two per cent.
“Performance has been stellar” on mortgage renewals: BMO
Despite mortgage payment increases of 10 to 20 per cent, BMO says the majority of its mortgage clients are having no issues with renewals. The comments were made by chief risk officer Piyush Agrawal during the bank’s Q3 earnings call.
Some homeowners gained hundreds of thousands in equity
Homeowners in 15 major housing markets across Canada who bought properties in July 2018 have, on average, seen their equity grow over the past five years, according to a new study by Zoocasa.
Tax wealthy homeowners to fund housing programs
To improve the housing supply, a B.C. economist says the province needs a more progressive property tax system — one that raises levies on high-value properties and people who own multiple homes, says economist Alex Hemingway.
Longer amortizations leave some mortgage holders stuck
Calgary mortgage broker Max Singh says some clients are unable to secure financing from the big banks and turn to private lenders, who in some cases charge much higher interest rates. More clients are taking 30 or 35-year terms.
Home prices set to plunge in much of Ontario: RE/MAX
RE/MAX Canada's 2023 Fall Housing Market Outlook Report predicts home prices will decline across much of the country, including Ontario, this fall, as Canada faces sky-high interest rates coupled with a demand for homes far outpacing supply.
Toronto housing market's ‘catatonic’ state to continue
Toronto’s real estate market has come to a “grinding halt” after the Bank of Canada’s recent rate hikes left buyers and sellers in the lurch. In Toronto, home prices dropped by almost $64,000 in July month over month.
Toronto home prices changed by neighbourhood in July 2023
Compared to July 2013, the average sale price for all houses and condos in West Lakeshore has increased 79.9 per cent according to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board including a $704,340 gain for detached houses.
New Canadian homes could become too risky to insure
Most of the discussion about the housing crisis focuses on building green homes, said Craig Stewart, vice-president of climate change and federal issues at the Insurance Bureau of Canada, but there’s not enough emphasis on building “resilient” homes.
Nanaimo bans natural gas as primary heat in new homes
Newly built homes in Nanaimo won’t be allowed to have natural gas as a primary heat source as of July 1, 2024. Following the lead of other B.C. municipalities Nanaimo council also approved implementation of the province’s zero-carbon step code
Strata can prohibit outdoor cooking on balconies and decks
Strata corporations may regulate the use and enjoyment of common property. Even when a balcony or deck is part of a strata lot, a bylaw may restrict, limit or prohibit activities in those areas, including prohibiting barbeques or outdoor cooking.
Owners of short-term rentals in Halifax face new rules
New short-term-rental rules are in force in Halifax, restricting how they can operate in residential neighbourhoods, in the hopes of freeing up housing stock. But creating different rules for various types of zoning is getting mixed reactions.
Industry Events
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Canada Real Estate Auctions
Dec 01 2024
to Dec 31 2024
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Toronto Real Estate Forum
Dec 04 2024
to Oct 05 2024
Metro Toronto Convention Centre - South Building -
First Nations Housing Conference
Feb 04 2025
to Feb 06 2025
Valhalla Hotel, Thunder Bay, ON -
2025 ULI Housing Opportunity Conference
Feb 25 2025
to Feb 26 2025
Atlanta, GA -
MIPIM: The Global Urban Festival
Mar 11 2025
to Mar 14 2025
Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France -
CHBA's Home Building Week in Canada
May 11 2025
to May 15 2025
Victoria, BC -
2025 CFAA Rental Housing Conference
May 13 2025
to May 15 2025
Vancouver, BC