Time Your Life, Not The Market

It's one of the most common questions in real estate:

"Is now the right time to buy a home?"

Most people asking this question are really asking whether prices will go up or down, whether interest rates will change, or whether they should wait for a "better" market.

The honest answer is that nobody knows for certain.

Economists, banks, governments, and real estate professionals all make predictions, and sometimes they're right. Just as often, they're wrong. Trying to perfectly time the market is a bit like trying to predict the weather six months from now—you might get lucky, but it's not a strategy you should build your future around. 

More often than not, by the time you know the bottom of the market, it's because you're reading about it in the news and it's already passed. And you're reading about it with everyone else, who will now be entering the market as your competition.

Instead of focusing on timing the market, I encourage buyers to focus on timing their lives.

Are you financially stable? Do you have a suitable down payment? Is your current home no longer meeting your needs? Are you tired of renting? Has your family grown, or have your circumstances changed?

These are the questions that matter most.

The best time to buy a home is often when you are personally ready and when the purchase makes sense for your long-term plans. If you find a home that fits your needs, budget, and lifestyle, waiting for the "perfect" market conditions may end up costing you opportunities you can never get back.

That's not to say market conditions don't matter. Interest rates, inventory levels, and local market trends should absolutely be considered as part of your decision. But they should be factors in the decision—not the entire decision.

Remember that a home is first and foremost a place to live, not a stock market investment. Over the long term, homeowners who buy responsibly and stay in their homes for several years tend to benefit from both the enjoyment of homeownership and the gradual growth of equity.

So, is now the right time to buy a home?

If you're trying to predict the market, nobody can give you a guaranteed answer. But if you're financially prepared and the move makes sense for your life, the answer may very well be yes. 

Market Media Monday - June 15, 2026

A curated list of recent headlines relevant to real estate in Canada or locally, with short excerpts. Click each headline link to read the full article on the source site.

[ CMHC reports annual pace of housing starts down in May compared with April ]
"The results came as CMHC says the number of units under construction in centres with a population of 50,000 or more rose 0.9 per cent month-over-month to 374,662 in May, while completions rose 10.6 per cent compared with April to 16,880 units."

[ Student housing still falling short of demand in Canada ]
"While Canada remains a major global hub for higher education despite student visa caps negatively impacting international enrolment, it doesn’t have enough purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) to meet demand."

[ Mortgage borrowing slows as household debt burden keeps rising ]
"Canadian mortgage borrowing slowed to its weakest pace in two years in the first quarter, even as households continued to take on more debt overall. Total household credit market borrowing rose to a seasonally adjusted $35.5 billion in Q1 2026, up $1.0 billion from the previous quarter, according to Statistics Canada’s latest national balance sheet and financial flow accounts. The increase, however, was driven by non-mortgage borrowing, including consumer credit, while mortgage demand softened."

[ Bank of Canada Interest Rate Explained and How It Shapes Your Mortgage ]
"The Bank of Canada’s policy rate, also known as the overnight rate, plays a critical role in shaping the financial landscape of the country. It directly influences borrowing costs, including mortgage rates, and can have a significant impact on homeowners and prospective buyers. Understanding how changes in the policy rate affect your mortgage is essential for managing your finances effectively."

[ Canadian household net worth just jumped. This may be the reason why ]
"Canadian households are worth much more this year, data from Statistics Canada shows, with real estate among the factors driving up that increase. The net worth of Canadian households, which is calculated as the value of all assets minus all liabilities, rose 1.3 per cent in the first three months of 2026 to reach just over $18.6 trillion, Statistics Canada said on Friday."

Terminology Tuesday: Power of Sale

If you've spent time browsing real estate listings, you may have come across the phrase "Power of Sale." For some buyers, it sounds like an opportunity. For others, it sounds a little intimidating. So what exactly is a power-of-sale property, and should you consider buying one?

In Ontario, a power of sale is a legal process that allows a mortgage lender to sell a property when the borrower has defaulted on their mortgage payments. Unlike some jurisdictions where a lender must go through a lengthy court foreclosure process, Ontario lenders can often sell a property more quickly through the power-of-sale provisions contained in the mortgage agreement.

When a homeowner falls behind on payments, the lender must first provide notices and allow time for the borrower to bring the mortgage back into good standing. If the default is not resolved, the lender may list the property for sale, typically through a REALTOR®, just like any other home on the market.

One common misconception is that power-of-sale properties are always available at huge discounts. While that can occasionally happen, lenders have a legal obligation to make reasonable efforts to obtain fair market value for the property. As a result, many power-of-sale homes are priced similarly to comparable properties in the area.

That said, there are some important differences buyers should understand. Power-of-sale properties are usually sold "as is," meaning the lender generally will not make repairs or provide warranties about the property's condition. In some cases, the lender may have little knowledge of the home's maintenance history. Buyers should therefore be particularly diligent with inspections, financing conditions, and due diligence whenever possible.

For investors, renovators, and even some owner-occupants, power-of-sale properties can present opportunities. However, they also carry risks that may not exist with a traditional resale transaction.

If you're considering purchasing a power-of-sale property, it is important to work with an experienced REALTOR® and real estate lawyer who can help you understand the process, evaluate the risks, and determine whether a particular property is the right fit for your goals.

Like any real estate purchase, success comes from careful research, sound advice, and understanding exactly what you're buying before you sign on the dotted line.

Market Media Monday - June 8, 2026

A curated list of recent headlines relevant to real estate in Canada or locally, with short excerpts. Click each headline link to read the full article on the source site.

[ Toronto-area home sales up 6% in May as prices fall: real estate board ]
"The Greater Toronto Area marked its third straight month of higher home sales compared with a year earlier, as the city’s real estate board says the market tightened in May."

[ Nearly one in 10 Toronto mortgage holders won’t qualify to refinance next year ]
"Toronto homeowners remain some of the country’s most vulnerable borrowers, according to a recent Bank of Canada report. The new study estimates that roughly nine per cent of Torontonians with mortgages won’t qualify for refinancing next year—more than double the percentage of Canadians as a whole."

[ Landlord hasn’t paid the mortgage? Know your tenant rights in event of power of sale ]
"Panic sets in, as you don’t know if you can continue to call this place your home. Experts say there are a number of ways this scenario can play out, but knowing your rights as a tenant when the bank takes over is a critical first step. Kelly Ho, a certified financial planner at DLD Financial Group, said renters need to consult their provincial tenants act. In many provinces the new owner or the bank is required to continue the tenant agreement if the lease term hasn’t ended, but that may not be true for all jurisdictions, she said."

Terminology Tuesday: Latent Defect

When buying or selling a home, you may hear the term "latent defect." A latent defect is a problem with a property that is not readily visible or discoverable during a normal inspection. In other words, it's a hidden issue that a buyer would not reasonably notice when viewing the home or even during a standard home inspection.

Examples of latent defects can include hidden structural damage, concealed water infiltration, faulty wiring hidden behind finished walls, or a foundation issue that has been covered up. Because these defects are not obvious, they can sometimes come as an unpleasant and expensive surprise after a purchase has closed.

In Ontario, sellers are generally required to disclose known latent defects that make a property dangerous or unfit for habitation. However, sellers are not expected to guarantee that a home is free from every hidden problem. This is one reason why home inspections, careful due diligence, and working with experienced professionals are so important.

For buyers, understanding the difference between visible (patent) defects and latent defects can help set realistic expectations. For sellers, being honest and transparent about known issues can help avoid disputes later on.

If you have questions about property disclosures, home inspections, or buying and selling real estate in Hamilton, feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to help.

Market Media Monday - June 1, 2026

A curated list of recent headlines relevant to real estate in Canada or locally, with short excerpts. Click each headline link to read the full article on the source site.

[ 20% housing drop still leaves Canadians locked out ]
"Canada’s housing market has plunged into one of its sharpest-ever corrections. Canadians say it hasn’t gone far enough. After a record surge in home prices following the COVID-19 pandemic, slower population growth and increased supply in some communities have triggered a steep reversal. Benchmark prices have fallen by about 20 per cent nationally since 2022, and more than 30 per cent in some cities."

[ Canada’s largest markets could be at inflection point for recovery ]
"Resale real estate saw flat month-over-month activity in April, though some of Canada’s largest markets may be reversing their downward trajectories. An RBC Economics report pointed to Toronto experiencing a six per cent increase in resales in April from March. Year over year, sales grew seven per cent. That led RBC to suggest that Toronto and other large Ontario markets like Hamilton “could be finally turning around.”"

[ Ontario’s mortgage delinquency rate has spiked by 52 per cent ]
"Delinquencies on mortgages jumped 52 per cent in Ontario in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the year before, according to a new report from Equifax Canada. Missed payments in the province are now at 0.36 per cent, up from 0.24 per cent. Over the same period, Brampton’s rate rose 64 per cent, to 0.64 per cent, while Toronto’s increased 58 per cent to 0.38 per cent."

Don't Get Scammed

“Don’t get scammed.”

I know you might be tempted to file that advice under “OBVIOUS” or “No kidding,” but I’ve been in the real estate business long enough to tell you: the scammers are out there. And they wouldn’t be if they didn’t think they could get away with it.

Not all “scams” are illegal, either. There are plenty of things I’ve seen over the years that I would consider morally questionable, even if they’d never result in criminal charges.

Now, just to be clear, I’m not talking about real estate agents here.

I know the public perception of our profession isn’t always glowing, and yes, there are bad apples — just like in any business. But licensed real estate professionals are often your safest option.

For one thing, licensed professionals are held to higher legal and ethical standards. We’re expected to know more than the average person, and we’re expected to provide proper disclosure and competent advice to our clients.

Professionals also invest significant time and money into their businesses and education on an ongoing basis. Generally, the long-term rewards of maintaining a good reputation far outweigh the temptation to cut corners for short-term profit and risk losing a license.

Can I promise you that having a REALTOR® involved means you absolutely won’t get scammed? No. Even the best of us don’t have crystal balls or magical lie detectors, and sometimes sellers, buyers, or third parties can fool professionals too. But the odds are generally much better.

On the other hand, once you start dealing with private sellers and unlicensed or uncertified service providers — whether it’s a renovating-and-flipping company, a rent-to-own seller, an untrained home inspector, or direct lenders offering private mortgages — there are far fewer safeguards.

Some of these people may be excellent, both ethically and technically. But where there's no standardized qualification or oversight, it can be difficult to know who you’re dealing with.

If you’re considering any real estate opportunity — whether buying, selling, or investing (or “investing” in quotation marks) — and licensed professionals aren’t involved, my advice is simple: do your homework.

The gold standard is always a referral from someone you trust who has actually done business with them.

Failing that, at minimum, do your research online. Search both the individual’s name and the company name. Look for reviews, complaints, warning signs, and independent information. There are still no guarantees, but doing something is better than doing nothing.

And finally: if your gut tells you something isn’t right, consider listening to it. Sometimes your instincts notice the red flags before your brain catches up.