On May 27, 2025, Canada’s federal government introduced a new rebate targeting first-time homebuyers: a full Goods and Services Tax (GST) relief on new homes under $1 million and a partial rebate on homes up to $1.5 million. The goal is to reduce upfront costs and save eligible buyers as much as $50,000, easing the path into the housing market. This benefit applies whether the home is built by a developer, owner-built, or part of a co-operative housing share purchase.

Investors have applied to place Coromandel Properties under receivership, marking the start of the third year in a drawn-out financial saga. Back in February 2023, the Vancouver-based developer filed for creditor protection under Canada’s Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), carrying roughly $700 million in debt across 16 active projects. It was among the first of a wave of real-estate insolvencies in Metro Vancouver, and it remains unmatched in scale.

Toronto-area new home sales are sliding deeper than during the early 1990s housing crash, marking an unwelcome milestone in Canadian real estate history. In April 2025, only 310 new homes were sold across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). That number is 72% lower than April 2024 and a staggering 89% below the 10-year average, which would typically be about 2,750 sales in April. Even at the weakest point during the 1989–1996 downturn, monthly new home sales were roughly double today’s levels.

Inside the unlikely reinvention of the Canadian department store, Canada’s beloved Hudson’s Bay has been undergoing a massive transformation driven by necessity. The historic retailer, which traces its origins back to the 17th century, closed all of its stores across the country earlier this year. Flagship locations in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver shut their doors after years of financial losses, rising debt, and shifting shopping habits. It marked the end of an era for one of Canada’s oldest and most recognized retail names.

Ottawa-based InterRent Real Estate Investment Trust has agreed to be bought in a deal worth about $4 billion. The buyer is Carriage Hill Properties Acquisition Corp, a newly formed company backed by CLV Group and GIC, the sovereign wealth fund of Singapore. CLV Group’s president, Mike McGahan, currently serves as Executive Chair of InterRent. McGahan’s close ties to both firms make this move especially notable.

The Canadian housing market is edging toward what experts call buyers’ territory, but nationwide indicators hide big differences from one city to the next. A key measure, the sales-to-new-listings ratio (SNLR), has declined since late 2024 and hovered around 45–50 percent in early 2025, closing in on the 45 percent threshold that signals a buyer-friendly market. Inventory, measured in months of supply, sits at about 5.1 months—still below the 6.4 months typically considered a clear buyer’s market.

Outdoor string lights have become more than a decoration trend. They're now a key part of creating a relaxing and inviting outdoor space. Whether you're lighting up a patio, backyard, garden, or balcony, outdoor string lights can change the whole feel of an area. They provide soft, warm lighting that’s perfect for everything from quiet evenings to social gatherings.

Ontario is seeing a sharp rise in overdue mortgage payments, reaching new record levels. In the first quarter of 2025, the share of mortgages in Ontario that are more than 90 days past due climbed to 0.24 per cent—a jump of 71.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2024. That makes it the highest rate ever recorded since this data started being tracked.

Nearly half of Canadians renting on low or moderate incomes report they do not have access to air conditioning in their homes. A national survey by a tenant advocacy group found that 44 per cent of these renters said they lacked any air-conditioning. Across Canada, many live in older buildings without cooling systems or with high utility costs that make running an air conditioner unaffordable.

Summer brings sunshine, longer days, and lots of outdoor activities—but it also brings higher water bills, garden maintenance, and sometimes heavy rainfall. For homeowners looking to save water at home and protect their property, installing a rain barrel is a smart and simple solution. Whether you're trying to cut costs or take a step toward greener living, a DIY rain barrel helps you make the most of every summer rain.

Choice Properties REIT has submitted a Site Plan Approval application for a 17-storey rental building near Toronto’s Warden subway station. Known as Block Three, this building is part of a larger plan that will eventually include up to five towers, ranging from 17 to 49 storeys, a new public park, and over 2,000 residential units. The latest application, filed in April 2025, moves the project forward after years of planning and community discussion.

The government of British Columbia says West Vancouver and Oak Bay missed their housing targets by a large margin and will now face mandatory changes. These two communities were among the first in the province to receive five-year housing goals under the Housing Supply Act, and their first-year results fell far short. West Vancouver built just 58 of its targeted 220 new homes, while Oak Bay completed only 16 of its 56-unit goal.

When summer arrives, the warm weather often brings high humidity along with it. While we enjoy the sunshine, the extra moisture in the air can make homes feel sticky, uncomfortable, and sometimes even unhealthy. Humidity doesn’t just affect how you feel—it can also damage your home. From mold growth to rising energy bills, excess moisture can cause several problems. That’s why taking steps to reduce humidity inside and around your home is so important during the warmer months.

Matchpoint Development’s Chloé project at 2096 West 47th Avenue in Vancouver’s Kerrisdale neighbourhood was completed in 2024, but in a surprising turn, the building was placed under receivership in February 2025. It is rare for a fully built project to face insolvency at such a late stage, making Chloé an unusual case in local real estate.

Toronto-based First Capital REIT has achieved two major milestones for its Avenue Lawrence project in North York. In its first-quarter 2025 report, the company announced that it has completed its land assembly and reached a settlement in its appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).

Canadian first-time home buyers are increasingly turning to sources beyond traditional mortgages to finance their home purchases. More buyers are borrowing through credit cards or personal lines of credit to pay for unexpected fees like inspections, legal costs, or small repairs. Only half of recent first-time buyers could cover these surprise costs on their own, down sharply from 78% just a year earlier.

Inside Toronto’s upscale Yorkville neighbourhood, a rare property at 112 Hazelton Avenue is on the market for $8.9 million, positioned as more of a house than a high-rise condo. The listing describes it as a “condo alternative” offering privacy and a terrace that feels detached from the city bustle.

Canadian homeowners and buyers are facing tougher times after recent inflation figures came in stronger than expected. Government of Canada bond yields, particularly the five-year yield, shot up quickly following the inflation report. That shift wiped out nearly all the progress mortgage rates had made earlier this year.

A recent decision rolling back some of Trump’s proposed tariffs is drawing attention from real estate experts. That shift may ease economic strain—and that could be a welcome signal for housing markets. Homebuyers and sellers are watching mortgage rates and affordability closely.

A new report by the Task Force for Housing and Climate warns that Canada’s provinces are the main hurdle blocking faster homebuilding. The group studied policies across the country and concluded that while the federal government and cities have made some progress, provincial governments hold the most power and have mostly done too little to speed up housing development.

Uninsured mortgage rates have recently edged down, while insured rates—those for borrowers who put less than 20 per cent down and must pay mortgage insurance—have climbed. That sounds backwards at first: you'd assume insured borrowers, viewed as safer by lenders, would always pay less. Yet the reality is twisty and leaving many readers scratching their heads.

Canadian household debt grew much faster in early 2025 than it did before the pandemic. In February, total borrowing rose by 0.2 percent, adding about $6.2 billion and pushing the total past $3.04 trillion. That monthly gain was twice as large as similar months in 2019, showing Canadians are borrowing at much higher speed. Even though interest rates are higher now, debt is climbing faster than in normal times.

Vancouver home sales continued to fall in April as the city’s real estate board says the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade war has shaken buyers’ confidence. Greater Vancouver Realtors reported just 2,163 residential transactions last month. That figure is down 23.6 percent from April 2024, when there were 2,831 sales, and sits 28.2 percent below the ten-year seasonal average for April.

Coquitlam City Council recently approved a temporary 15 percent discount on density bonus payments to help developers push rental projects forward amid a sluggish market. Essentially, developers can access the bonus—extra floor area allowed beyond base zoning—at 85 percent of the usual cost, as long as they apply for their building permits by July 31, 2025. This tweak doesn’t lower the bonus rate itself; it simply offers a saving at the permit stage during a slow property market.

Ontario’s 2025 budget, presented by Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, includes bold plans to boost the housing sector and revitalize key infrastructure across the province. Facing pressures from slowing housing starts—projected at just 71,800 in 2025 and 74,800 in 2026—the government recognized it will fall short of its goal to build 1.5 million new homes by 2031. To counter the slowdown, the budget carves out billions of dollars aimed at jump‑starting home construction and upgrading critical services.