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.

What does "as is" mean in a listing?

If you're looking at properties long enough, there's a chance you're eventually going to come across one that says "property sold as is" or something along those lines.

Basically, this is a way of emphasizing "buyer beware" and the seller saying they are not taking responsibility for the condition of the property or making any promises about it.  

Often it can be an indication that the property will be in rough condition, with deferred maintenance or other issues.  As such, some lenders treat this as a potential 'red flag' when looking at the property for a mortgage.

However, it is also quite common on estates and power-of-sale/foreclosures because the seller is not the person who was actively living in the property (although with an estate the executors might be a bit more familiar with the property than a bank selling a property they've taken from the owner).  When looking with buyer clients, I'm less concerned to see this statement in one of these situations.

And it's important to understand as a seller, that it doesn't really excuse you from disclosing known latent defects.  A latent defect is any problem that may not be visible on inspection.  This can include things like knob & tube hidden in the walls (if you know), occasional problems with flooding in the basement (sometimes hard to see unless it's presently wet), foundation problems hidden behind a finished basement, and so on.  It does emphasize that the buyer should be doing their own due diligence, but does not entirely remove the sellers' legal obligations.

Clauses can be included in an Agreement of Purchase and Sale that help to emphasize that the buyer is making an informed decision and accepts the property "as is". Even this probably would not really excuse the seller from disclosing known latent defects if it came to a court battle, but it can be quite difficult for a buyer to prove a seller knew something. As such, buyers should always use reasonable caution when buying a property that includes this statement.

Terminology Tuesday: Mutual Drive

If you are looking at homes in an older neighbourhood, you may come across the term mutual drive. A mutual drive (sometimes called a shared driveway) is a driveway that is shared by two neighbouring properties and provides access to one or both homes, often with garages in the rear yards.

In many cases, mutual drives are narrow lanes running between houses where both homeowners have legal rights to use part or all of the driveway. These arrangements are especially common in older urban areas where homes were built closer together and parking space was limited. Sometimes the rights to use the driveway are formally registered on title through an easement or right-of-way agreement, while in other cases the arrangement may be based on longstanding use. The former has defined enforceable rights, while the latter may be more nebulous.

If you're buying a home with a mutual drive, it’s important to understand exactly what rights and responsibilities come with it. Questions to consider include: Who is responsible for maintenance? Are there restrictions on parking? Does one owner have a legal right-of-way over the other’s property? A real estate lawyer can review the title, and your REALTOR® can help you understand how the arrangement may affect everyday living and resale value.

Market Media Monday - May 25, 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.

[ Investment in housing construction is declining across Canada, data shows ]
"Investment in Canada’s housing construction sector is declining, data from Statistics Canada shows. Canada’s real estate sector saw $22.6 billion invested in building construction in March, a drop of $304.6 million, or 1.3 per cent, compared with February. However, the drop was sharper when compared with March 2025, with investment in residential real estate construction dropping 2.2 per cent, while the non-residential sector saw a modest 0.6 per cent increase, Statistics Canada said."

[ Dream wedding vs. dream home: Poll reveals Canadians increasingly reducing wedding plans to pursue home ownership ]
"A new survey from Canadian real-estate page Royal LePage found that many Canadians are skipping expensive wedding celebrations to increase their chances of purchasing a home. According to the study, 46 per cent of respondents say they would significantly scale back or abandon their wedding celebrations altogether in order to put that investment into a down payment for a home. Meanwhile, 40 per cent said they might do so."

[ Fallen into negative home equity? Here are your options ]
"The Canadian property market has experienced a major contraction since the end of the pandemic, reversing rapid house price gains between 2020 and 2022. According to the MLS House Price Index, the cost of property fell by 20% from its peak in early 2022, as well as by 4.7% year-on-year. "

Terminology Tuesday: Encroachment

An encroachment happens when something on one property crosses over onto a neighboring property without permission. That “something” is physical and visible, like a fence, a shed, a driveway, or even part of a house. Sometimes it’s obvious (like a fence clearly in the wrong spot), but other times it’s subtle—like a retaining wall that’s just a few inches over the lot line.

Encroachments are usually discovered during a survey or when reviewing title documents. And while they might sound like a big deal, not all encroachments are deal-breakers. In fact, many exist for years without causing any issues at all.

That said, they can become a problem—especially when a property changes hands. A buyer might not be thrilled to learn that part of what they thought they were buying actually belongs (legally) to the neighbour. Or vice versa.

So what happens next?

Title insurance often covers minor encroachments, which is one reason it’s so common in Canadian real estate transactions. The parties may agree to a written permission, allowing the encroachment to remain.
In some cases, the issue may be have to be resolved by moving or removing the structure—though that’s obviously the least popular option for at least one party.

The key takeaway? Encroachments are not something you see every day, but they are more common than people realize, and they’re usually manageable with the right guidance. Like many things in real estate, it’s not about avoiding every possible issue—it’s about understanding what you’re dealing with and making informed decisions.

Market Media Monday - May 11, 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.

[ A Look into Canada’s Housing Market: Spring 2026 ]
"The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) statistics team releases a monthly data about home sales in Canada, as well as quarterly forecast. This month, both reports were produced. Here’s a summary of what you need to know about the state of the housing market activity in Canada right now. "

[ Has Toronto's condo market hit its bottom? ]
"After a year of sluggish sales and cancelled projects, the condo market in Canada’s largest city is showing signs of recovery."

[ More sellers spring into Canada’s housing markets ]
"Local real estate boards’ early results for April continue to show to mixed picture across Canada’s housing markets, but it’s clear more sellers are entering the market."

[ Renewing your mortgage but planning to sell soon? Read this first ]
"For many Canadian homeowners, renewing into a fixed-rate mortgage feels like the “safe” move right now. It eliminates uncertainty with predictable monthly payments. But if you are planning to sell your home within the next year, that decision could quietly cost you thousands of dollars in mortgage penalties. And here’s the surprising part: the biggest financial risk may have nothing to do with the mortgage rate itself."

Market Media Monday - May 4, 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.

[ The Bank of Canada is holding the interest rate at 2.25%, here’s what that means for the housing market ]
"The maintenance of the interest rate was announced on Wednesday, prompted by economic uncertainty caused by changing trade relationships and the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. The bank says it is watching out for the impacts of the war, including the effects on oil price increase on inflation. If these keep going up, the rate could also be hiked moving forward."

[ Bank of Canada Downgrades Housing, Warns of Small Condo Glut ]
"The Bank of Canada (BoC) left its key overnight rate unchanged at 2.25% at this morning’s rate announcement. The move was expected, but the housing downgrade in the BoC’s April Monetary Policy Report (MPR) is the real story. Housing received the largest negative revision in the 2026 GDP breakdown, and is expected to weigh on real GDP growth. The central bank suggests it’s not just an issue of rates, with weak investor interest and an epic glut of small condos also weighing on activity."

[ Will Canada's real estate market heat up with the Bank of Canada holding its key interest rate? ]
"Realtor Tom Storey talks about how the Bank of Canada holding its key policy interest rate at 2.25 per cent impacts the housing market."

[ Why timing the bottom of Canada's roller-coaster real estate market may be harder than you think ]
"Everyone connected to Canada’s housing market is asking the same question as the spring market, historically the busiest time of year, gets underway: Have we hit the bottom? From realtors to economists to lenders to developers — not to mention would-be home buyers and sellers — all are looking for signs of whether the real estate market will finally see a turnaround from declining prices."

"I get my deposit back, right?"

When making an offer on a property with some conditions - maybe mortgage or home inspection - one of the common questions a buyer may ask is to confirm that they will get the deposit back if the conditions don't work out and the purchase falls apart.

Most standard offer conditions* include wording that if conditions are not fulfilled by a certain time frame then "this Offer shall be null and void and the deposit shall be returned to the Buyer in full without deduction."

So in short, the answer is that you will get the deposit back.  

However, there are some qualifications to the answer a buyer should be aware of.

First, you have to be acting in good faith.  Having a condition on a home inspection does allow a way out.  And with the usual wording* indicating that the inspection report must be acceptable in the buyer's sole and absolute discretion, there is a LOT of wiggle room on why the buyer might back out after the inspection.  [Courts have agreed that buyers can cancel on what sellers would feel are insufficient reasons] because it is in the buyer's sole and absolute discretion..  BUT the buyers do have to be seen as acting in good faith, too.  One can not cancel the contract based on an inspection condition if one has not even attempted to do a home inspection. The courts can take a dim view of someone trying to use a condition to back out of a deal outside of the parameters of the condition.

Second, buyers should be aware of the trust nature of the deposit.  When money is put into a brokerage's trust account, it is being held 'in trust'.  Essentially the money belongs to no one and can not be released by the brokerage without the express written consent of both parties (or court order and a couple other exceptional situations) or according to the contract, such as when a sale closes and it is applied toward purchase price.  So when a buyer wants to cancel a purchase after a condition has legitimately failed, the seller still has to sign off on returning the deposit. You may have a legal right to it according to the contract, but the brokerage is not allowed to release it without that written consent from both sides. If the seller decides to be unreasonable, then it may come to litigation. Their agent and lawyer should be cautioning them about this, so it's unlikely they will remain too obstinate about it. 

Having said all that, I have never personally had an issue with a deposit being returned to a buyer client, but we know strange things happen out there. But for all practical purposes and in most times and places, the answer should be, "Yes, you will get the deposit back." 

* the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) has a library of standard clauses and conditions which real estate professionals use in drafting contracts. One must be careful to check the wording of every offer, especially if professional REALTORS®  are not involved, because it is easy to alter wording and drastically alter meaning and end results.

Terminology Tuesday: Easement

An easement is a common but often misunderstood concept in Ontario real estate. In simple terms, an easement is a legal right that allows someone else to use a portion of a property for a specific purpose—even though they don’t own it.

In Ontario, easements are most often seen with utility companies. For example, a hydro or gas provider may have the right to access part of your land to install, maintain, or repair infrastructure like power lines or pipelines. Municipalities may also have easements for things like stormwater drainage or sewer systems. In some cases, neighbouring properties may benefit from an easement—such as a shared driveway or a right-of-way to access a landlocked parcel.

It’s important to understand that while you still own the land, your use of the easement area can be restricted. You typically can’t build permanent structures over it or do anything that would interfere with the purpose of the easement. For instance, building a shed or planting large trees over underground utilities could cause issues down the line.

Easements are registered on title and will appear during a title search, which is why reviewing these details is a key part of any real estate transaction. Buyers should take the time to understand how an easement might affect their use and enjoyment of the property. Sellers, on the other hand, should be aware of any easements on their property and be prepared to disclose them.

If you’re unsure how an easement impacts a property you’re buying or selling, working with a knowledgeable REALTOR® can help you navigate the details and avoid surprises.

Market Media Monday - April 27, 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.

[ From where the deals are to where prices dropped most, 5 key things to know about the spring real estate market ]
"Spring is traditionally when Canada’s housing market shifts into high gear. But this year it’s idling, despite four consecutive years of price reductions nationally. Home sales held essentially flat in March and listings remain subdued according to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). At the same time, new data from real estate company Royal LePage show conditions diverging sharply across regions with certain markets still seeing price growth while others remain under pressure."

[ Where Canada's condo market is headed: FP Video ]
"FP Video puts real estate in focus this week with an investment manager’s take on the best buys in REITs and an update from Urbanation on Canada’s crumbling condo market. Trade lawyer Mark Warner fills us in on the latest in Canada, U.S. trade negotiations."

[ Rate cuts seen as more likely next move for Bank of Canada: TD ]
"Just as inflation and interest rates began to settle, trade tensions with Canada’s largest trading partner resurfaced. Now, higher fuel prices driven by conflict in the Middle East are fuelling renewed inflation concerns, while the growing impact of AI is casting a shadow over the labour market."

[ Mortgage debt rising fastest among Canadians nearing retirement, data show ]
"Canadians nearing retirement are taking on more mortgage debt, with those aged 55 to 64 posting the fastest growth in 2025. Statistics Canada data show mortgage balances for that group rose about 6% year-over-year, as many tap home equity to fund investment purchases or help younger family members enter the housing market."

Market Media Monday - April 20, 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.

[ Canadian Real Estate Association downgrades housing market forecast due to 'oil shock' ]
"The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has downgraded its housing market forecast following a jump in fixed mortgage rates and weaker than expected housing sales in the first three months of 2026. CREA had been forecasting higher sales based on the idea that pent-up demand would emerge, especially from first-time buyers. But in the second half of March, inflation caused by a spike in oil prices raised the odds of a Bank of Canada rate hike, which raised bond yields and caused a jump in fixed mortgage rates."

[ Commercial real estate market at turning point as vacancies drop: report ]
"Canada’s commercial real estate sector could be at a turning point after the national vacancy rates for both office and industrial properties simultaneously declined for the first time since 2020, a new analysis has found."

[ First-time homebuyers have returned to the market—with a little help from their parents ]
"First-time homebuyers living in this city depend more on their parents to cover their mortgages and interest payments than ever before, according to a new Bank of Canada report. It found that the percentage of Torontonians who co-signed with a parent is 13.8 per cent, up from 4.1 per cent in 2004."

[ Fixed or variable? Four experts weigh in as volatility clouds the decision ]
"With two-thirds of homeowners feeling uneasy about their upcoming renewal, and about a third of prospective buyers planning to make a purchase in 2026, according to the TD survey, we reached out to several mortgage experts to ask for their product recommendations. "

Market Media Monday - April 13, 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.

[ Why timing the bottom of Canada's roller-coaster real estate market may be harder than you think ]
"Everyone connected to Canada’s housing market is asking the same question as the spring market, historically the busiest time of year, gets underway: Have we hit the bottom? From realtors to economists to lenders to developers — not to mention would-be home buyers and sellers — all are looking for signs of whether the real estate market will finally see a turnaround from declining prices. "

[ Canada’s housing market outlook gets a downgrade from TD ]
"The past six months of weakness in Canada’s housing market have led to one of the nation’s big banks downgrading its forecast for the rest of the year. TD Economics released a revised housing market outlook at the end of March, updating its original predictions for 2026, which were released in December."

[ These forces could push up Canada's home prices later this year: FP Video ]
"This week FP video looks at the chance of real estate prices escalating in the second half of the year, the impact of oil market volatility on the agriculture sector, why the geopolitical tension has been good news for Canadian bonds, and why investment managers are optimistic about this earnings season."

[ Toronto real estate market finally showing signs of life but prices are still sliding ]
"Toronto's real estate market showed a split picture last month as sales increased for the first time in several months while prices continued to fall, according to the latest report from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB)."

[ Mortgage rates are rising: why breaking your mortgage could cost more ]
"Government of Canada 5-year bond yields have been rising since the start of the war in Iran, pushing fixed mortgage rates higher — but posted rates have not always moved in step."

Terminology Tuesday: Chattels

In real estate, the term “chattels” refers to items that are not permanently attached to a property and can be removed without damaging the home. In simple terms, they’re the things you can pick up and take with you when you move.

Common examples of chattels include appliances like refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers (unless built-in), as well as furniture, area rugs, and even things like window coverings if they’re not permanently installed. Because chattels are considered personal property—not part of the real estate itself—they are not automatically included in a sale unless specifically written into the agreement.

This is where things can get important for both buyers and sellers. If a buyer falls in love with a particular item—say, a sleek stainless steel fridge or custom bar stools—they need to make sure it’s listed as an included chattel in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. On the flip side, sellers should clearly identify anything they intend to take with them to avoid misunderstandings.

The key takeaway? Don’t assume anything. In real estate, what stays and what goes should always be clearly spelled out in writing—because when it comes to chattels, if it’s not included, it’s not coming with the house.