Not all “first-time buyers” are created equal. Here’s how the rules differ across Canada’s most-used programs. If you’ve been poking around the idea of buying your first home in Canada, you’ve probably noticed that “first-time homebuyer” doesn’t always mean what you think it does. Different programs, federal and provincial, define it in different ways, and that […]

Governor Tiff Macklem says the central bank will examine how its policies affect housing demand and affordability as part of its 2026 framework renewal. The Bank of Canada will consider how its policies affect housing affordability as part of its next five-year monetary policy framework review. In a speech delivered Tuesday in Mexico City, Governor Tiff […]

Canadians are increasingly counting on their homes to carry them through retirement, with many expecting to draw on property wealth through sales, downsizing or refinancing.   While homes have long been a source of wealth for Canadians, they’re now taking on an even bigger role in retirement planning. New data shows 62% of adults view […]

From tax implications to AML compliance, here’s what borrowers need to know before turning digital wealth into a mortgage. Crypto mortgages are becoming a hot topic in Canada, but there’s still a lot of confusion around how they work. For Canadians with significant holdings in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other digital assets, the idea of using […]

The rent-versus-buy debate has long divided financial experts and aspiring homeowners, with no clear winner in sight. The traditional argument holds: While buying a home can build long-term equity and stability, renting can provide flexibility and fewer upfront costs. But as home ownership becomes a far-fetched dream for many young Canadians, can renting for life […]

Borrowers are caught in a mortgage rate market that changes by the week, with little sign of stability ahead. With every passing week, the Bank of Canada faces conflicting economic signals, leaving Canadians guessing about its next move and triggering rapid changes in mortgage rates. After several weeks with the lowest 5-year fixed rates holding above […]

The Canadian Real Estate Association says home sales in July rose 6.6% compared with a year ago, continuing an upward trend after the market had slowed in previous months. A total of 45,973 homes changed hands last month, up from 43,122 in July 2024. Home sales rose 3.8% on a month-over-month basis from June, with […]

The Bank of Canada today maintained its target for the overnight rate at 2.75%, with the Bank Rate at 3% and the deposit rate at 2.70%. While some elements of US trade policy have started to become more concrete in recent weeks, trade negotiations are fluid, threats of new sectoral tariffs continue, and US trade […]

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is forecasting a recession in Canada this year. A new report from CFIB shows it’s forecasting that growth declined 0.8% in the second quarter and will contract by a further 0.8% in the third quarter. The group says an analysis of the impact of tariffs on supply chains highlights […]

Canada’s pace of new home construction edged up in June, rising 0.4% from May to a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 283,734 units, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.   The seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of total housing starts reached 283,734 units, up slightly from 282,705 the month before. Urban centres accounted […]