It’s the season of the long hike, the slow beach stroll, the idle time when you can finally just talk and think for at least a little while. Even though vacations look a lot different this summer, there are ways to escape our new daily routines. No time like the present, then, to put a…
Square footage determines how big a home is, but painting, furnishings and decorating can affect how big a home feels. Looking to make a small space feel bigger? A few simple cosmetic changes can help. Consider these four ways to make any small space in your home appear more, well, spacious. 1. Incorporate mirrors Create the…
Home buyer and seller activity in Metro Vancouver exceeded historical levels in July. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 3,128 in July 2020, a 22.3 per cent increase from the 2,557 sales recorded in July 2019, and a 28 per cent increase from the…
Canadian Real Estate Market Sentiment 56 per cent of Canadians who are planning to engage in the real estate market say they expect to do so within less than a year Almost half (44 per cent) of Canadians believe that the real estate market will bounce back to the strength it was before COVID-19 by…
Home buyers and sellers have gradually become more active in each month of the COVID-19 pandemic. In June, home sale and listing activity in Metro Vancouver* returned to more historically typical levels. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,443 in June 2020, a 17.6…
Canadian real estate has been a tough nut to crack for some homebuyers, and those with less than 20 per cent as a down payment now face another challenge, with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.’s (CMHC) tighter qualification rules for borrowers of high-ratio mortgages. This move is in response to the global pandemic that has left many…
RE/MAX Canada releases insights in key global markets amidst the COVID-19 crisis Canadian Real Estate Market Sentiment 56 per cent of Canadians who are planning to engage in the real estate market say they expect to do so within less than a year Almost half (44 per cent) of Canadians believe that the real estate…
As Canada starts to experience a flattening of the COVID-19 curve, we’ve already seen businesses start to reopen their doors and life resume to some semblance of normalcy. Here in Ontario, retail outlets offering curb-side pick-up, hardware stores, garden centres and provincial parks are among the newest places given the green light to open alongside…
During pandemic times, as we all tighten our belts even further, it’s important to ensure your financial house is in order. That includes everything from money-saving tips — whether you’re shopping for food or fashion — to choosing the right stocks for your portfolio. Of course, when it comes to your literal house, three older…
Metro Vancouver home prices have remained steady since provincial health officials implemented physical distancing requirements in March. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that the MLS® Home Price Index1 composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver today is $1,028,400. This is virtually unchanged from April 2020, a 1.4 per…
With social distancing advisories and non-essential business closures in place, many people – some realtors included – are scrutinizing whether real estate is an essential service as it has been classified in many regions across Canada and the US. Those who argue against the essential classification are coming from a good place, with hopes that more-stringent lockdowns…
Since early March, the Vancouver Park Board has been working hard to respond to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic to communities across the city. Via this message we would like to share with you a message from your Commissioners and highlights of our response across both our recreation and parks system. Our Commissioners and…
While Metro Vancouver home sale and listing activity remains limited by the COVID-19 situation, REALTORS® across the region are fast adopting new tools and practices to help advise and serve their clients in a responsible way. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 1,109 in…
As Covid-19 sweeps its way through our cities and neighbourhoods, we’ve also seen acts of kindness emerge in its wake. From cities and countries pulling together to weather the economic storms ahead, to online communities offering support for individuals, families, students, homeowners, renters, business owners, employees, those looking for work, and those trying to manage…
Keeping Mental & Physical Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic Going the social distance March 19, 2020Diane McIntosh, member of the TELUS team Hi team, Foolishly, I ventured to Costco today. My house-bound mother needed her favorite Kirkland groceries. She’s a healthy 78-year old, but being in a high-risk group, if she were to get ill,…
Metro Vancouver’s* housing market saw steady home buyer demand to begin March and a levelling off of activity as the month went on and concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak intensified. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,524 in March 2020, a 46.1 per cent…
The view at the moment about 22,000 miles into space, would be similar to what you see here — two nearly equal slices cut straight down the middle, one light, one dark.Credit…NASA Bees buzzing, flowers blooming and birds singing are some telltale signs that spring is upon us. But do you ever wonder what the…
Steady demand and low supply benefits home sellers. February saw steady home buyer demand and reduced home seller supply across Metro Vancouver. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,150 in February 2020, a 44.9 per cent increase from the 1,484 sales recorded in February…
It took about six years of annual asset reviews with my financial planner, Joe Mackey, to confront a big question. After I spent my entire adult life trying to save enough to quit working by 65, Mr. Mackey wanted to know what my rush was. “Do you even think you’ll want to retire?” I’m a…
Investing in a scalding condo market like Toronto’s, Montreal’s or Victoria’s seems like an easy play: the properties are affordable and the rental demand for them is unceasing. But with new condo projects popping up like mushrooms, owners of older properties may feel the need to update their units in order for them to remain…