Construction costs in Vancouver have surpassed those in Toronto, making it the most expensive city in Canada to build residential properties. According to Altus Group's 2025 Canadian Cost Guide, Vancouver's construction costs are higher across nearly all residential building types. For example, constructing a concrete high-rise between 13 and 39 storeys in Vancouver costs between $360 and $455 per square foot, while in Toronto, the range is approximately $300 to $400 per square foot .

KingSett Capital, a major Canadian real estate investment firm, now has nearly $1.2 billion tied up in receivership proceedings across British Columbia and Ontario. This significant financial entanglement reflects the broader challenges facing the real estate sector amid high interest rates and declining property values.

As the weather warms up and the summer months approach, many homeowners and handymen start to notice a familiar problem: tools seem to vanish. Whether it’s your favorite hammer, a wrench, or your trusty drill, it’s as if they’ve mysteriously disappeared into thin air. If you’ve found yourself searching your garage, shed, or tool chest every year around June, you’re not alone. After a long winter of storage and less frequent use, the tools tend to get shuffled around and buried under piles of seasonal clutter. The good news is that there’s an easy fix for this issue. Organizing your tools after winter chaos doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With a few simple steps, you can set up an efficient system that will keep your tools within reach all year long.

Canada is rethinking how it builds affordable housing, moving beyond traditional models to embrace smarter, more inclusive designs. From Toronto to Vancouver, cities are experimenting with new forms of housing and partnerships to tackle the growing affordability crisis. The focus is on creating homes that are not only cost-effective but also sustainable and community-oriented.

A remarkable home in West Vancouver, British Columbia, is drawing attention for its unique blend of engineering precision and architectural beauty. Known as the Engineer's House, this residence was the personal home of Graeme Macleod, a geotechnical engineer renowned for his contributions to major projects across British Columbia, including collaborations with famed architect Arthur Erickson. Built in 1960, the house stands as a testament to Macleod's vision of integrating technical mastery with natural surroundings.

As the long winter nights in Canada stretch on, outdoor lighting becomes more important. The cold, dark evenings can make it difficult to feel safe and secure in your own home. Whether you're walking to your front door or enjoying your backyard, motion sensor lights can provide both safety and convenience. These lights automatically turn on when they detect movement, illuminating dark areas and reducing the risk of accidents or intruders.

Colliers International Group Inc. has announced its plan to acquire Triovest, a privately held real estate services firm, from Coril Holdings. The acquisition, expected to close in the second quarter of 2025, will see Triovest integrated into Colliers, effectively retiring the Triovest brand. This move is part of Colliers' ongoing strategy to expand its footprint in the commercial real estate sector.

Real estate developer Beedie has sold its former head office at 3020 Gilmore Diversion in Burnaby to BC Housing for $16.2 million. The two-storey building, encompassing approximately 47,000 square feet of office space on a 1.5-acre lot, was listed for sale by Colliers and recently acquired by the provincial housing agency.

As energy costs continue to rise across Canada, homeowners are looking for ways to save on their utility bills while also making their homes more comfortable and sustainable. One of the most effective upgrades you can make is replacing your old windows with Energy Star windows. These windows are designed to provide better insulation, reduce heating and cooling costs, and improve indoor comfort. With Canadian winters being long and cold, as well as hot summers, upgrading to Energy Star windows can be an excellent investment for your home.

Canada’s National Housing Strategy (NHS), launched in 2017 with an $82 billion commitment, was designed to tackle the country’s housing crisis by building and repairing homes, supporting vulnerable populations, and improving affordability. Despite progress—over 296,000 units have been built or repaired as of late 2024—the strategy is still falling short of its goals, leaving many Canadians struggling to find affordable housing.

A recent Ipsos poll reveals that more than half of Canadians say housing policies will influence how they vote in the upcoming federal election. With 95% acknowledging a housing crisis, and nearly half holding the federal government responsible, housing affordability has become a central concern for voters nationwide.

Winter in Canada can bring heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, creating beautiful landscapes but also a host of challenges for homeowners. As snow accumulates, it’s important to remove it from your roof and walkways to prevent damage and ensure safety. Accumulated snow and ice can put a significant strain on your home, causing roof leaks, structural damage, and hazardous walking conditions. Knowing how to safely remove snow from your roof and walkways is essential for protecting your property and keeping everyone safe.

A Toronto home was recently built in just three days, showcasing the potential of modular construction in addressing Canada's housing crisis. This innovative approach involves assembling homes in factories before transporting them to the site, significantly reducing construction time and costs. The rapid completion of this three-storey house highlights how modular building techniques could revolutionize home construction in urban areas.

Toronto's condo market is experiencing a significant downturn, with over 2,800 planned units cancelled in 2024—the highest number since 2020. This sharp decline is attributed to escalating construction costs, high interest rates, and a drop in investor interest. Urbanation, a real estate research firm, reports that 14 condo projects were cancelled last year, with six converted into rental units, reflecting a shift in developer strategies.

Canadian winters can be long and harsh, with freezing temperatures that often last for months. During these cold seasons, heating becomes essential, and energy bills can rise quickly. Many homeowners in Canada struggle with high heating costs during the winter. However, the good news is that there are simple and affordable ways to lower energy use while still keeping your home warm and comfortable.

The City of Vancouver has introduced a new Hotel Development Policy aimed at addressing a significant shortage of hotel rooms. According to Destination Vancouver, the city needs an additional 10,000 hotel rooms by 2050 to meet growing demand. The new policy focuses on zoning changes to encourage hotel construction, especially in the Central Business District (CBD), which currently holds 43% of the city's hotel rooms.

Vancouver-based real estate firm Dayhu Group is planning a 25-storey rental tower at 2245–2283 West Broadway in Kitsilano. The proposed development, submitted by Frame Properties on behalf of Dayhu, aims to replace existing low-rise commercial buildings, including the long-standing Regal Beagle Bar and Grill, with a high-rise residential structure.

As winter starts to fade and spring begins to warm up Canadian neighbourhoods, homeowners should start checking their homes for signs of winter damage. One of the most common problems during the colder months is ice dam damage. Ice dams can form on roofs when snow melts, runs down, and refreezes at the roof’s edge, causing water to back up under the shingles. This can lead to serious damage to your roof, attic, walls, and ceilings—especially if it goes unnoticed.

A major new condo project has been proposed for North York, aiming to bring more housing and green space to the area. Steamliner Properties has submitted plans for two high-rise towers—49 and 53 storeys—at 110 Sheppard Avenue East, near Sheppard-Yonge Station. The development would replace an existing 10-storey office building and add 1,313 residential units to the neighborhood.

Toronto's suburbs are undergoing a transformation as residents seek innovative solutions to the city's escalating housing crisis. With traditional single-family homes becoming increasingly unaffordable, alternative housing models are gaining traction, offering hope to those priced out of the conventional market.

Gardening in Canada comes with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest is the short growing season. In many parts of the country, frost can stick around well into spring and return early in the fall. This means gardeners have a limited window to plant, grow, and harvest. To make the most of this limited time, it’s important to plan carefully and start your garden prep early. With the right steps, even a short season can bring strong results and a healthy garden.

As Canada approaches its federal election, housing developers are voicing a clear message: without significant policy changes, the country's housing crisis will persist. Despite campaign promises from both major parties, developers emphasize that real progress requires more than rhetoric. They are calling for concrete actions to address regulatory barriers and expedite the construction process.

Fiera Real Estate has unveiled plans for a significant redevelopment at 125 The Queensway in Toronto's Humber Bay area. The proposal includes seven buildings ranging from 12 to 50 storeys, aiming to replace an existing low-rise retail plaza with a mixed-use community. This development would introduce 3,968 residential units, 46,295 square feet of retail space, and a new public park to the neighborhood.

The spaces we live and work in have a strong effect on how we feel. From the colour of our walls to the furniture we use and the amount of sunlight that enters the room, interior design can play a big role in shaping our emotions, energy levels, and overall well-being. Many people don't realize that making small changes to a space—like choosing the right lighting or reducing clutter—can improve mood, reduce stress, and even help with sleep and focus.

The Bank of Canada has decided to keep its key interest rate at 5%, leaving many borrowers hoping for relief disappointed. This marks the fourth consecutive time the central bank has held the rate steady, despite signs of a slowing economy and rising unemployment. While inflation has decreased from its peak, the bank remains cautious, indicating that it's too early to consider rate cuts.