Featured

Mortgage Trends to Watch for in 2023

It’s looking like we’re going to be seeing similar real estate trends in 2023 compared to last year.

Following a year defined by market highs and lows, experts are forecasting a gradual return to a more balanced market towards the end of 2023. However, with inflation remaining more or less unchanged at the tail-end of 2022, last year’s trend of diminished purchasing power seems likely to persist.

As for what that means for mortgage lending, Shaun Cathcart, Senior Economist at the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), predicts primary-based mortgage payments will continue to rise dramatically until the Bank of Canada (BoC) reaches its terminal rate. 

Trigger Rate: How does it affect your variable rate mortgage

Variable rate mortgages will hit their ‘trigger rate’

“The ‘terminal rate’ as it’s called, meaning where they’re expected to stop, has gone from 3.5% (they’re at 3.25% now) on the overnight rate back in the spring to closer to 4.5% now,” writes Cathcart. As such, those carrying variable rate mortgages are now facing their “trigger rates,” meaning those borrowers will face higher monthly payments if interest rates remain high.

In December 2022, Canada’s inflation rate fell 0.6% from the previous month to 6.3% which will certainly inform the BoC’s next interest rate decision scheduled for January 25, 2023. If more hikes happen this year, variable rate mortgage carriers will not only find themselves with high monthly payments to cope with, but those payments are likely to cover more interest and less of the loan’s principal amount, translating to a longer payback period overall.

Meanwhile, data from the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) forecasts the average Canadian variable mortgage rate will rise to 6.35% in the first half of 2023, decreasing “only slightly” to 6.1% in Q3 2023 and 5.85% in Q4 2023.

Fixed rate mortgage forecast for 2023

Fixed rate mortgages ‘not safe for the next five years’

At present, variable rate mortgages have higher monthly payments than fixed rate mortgage payments. However, Cathcart cautions “those with fixed rate mortgages are not safe for the next five years.”

He continues, “[fixed rate mortgages] come up for renewal every day. People paying attention are rightfully worried. People who have not been paying attention could be in for some serious sticker shock.”

According to data from Ratehub, the five-year fixed rate in 2018 was 2.94%. At the end of 2022, it had increased to 4.54%. For a $400,000 mortgage on a 25-year term, this would mean monthly payments increased from $1,881 to $2,223.

Predicting where rates are heading in 2023 will continue to be a challenge given the uncertainty of the economy and real estate market, which will leave fixed-rate carriers to speculate where the market might be headed and whether it’s more prudent to lock in a short- or long-term fixed rate.

Mortgage Trends: The Guide for 2023

New borrowers may bite the bullet… or find themselves priced out

Substantial rate hikes are most likely behind Canadians, and consumers have had some time to adjust their spending and home buying budgets accordingly. If prospective buyers return to the market, things could heat up once again as low inventory continues to be an issue across Canada. 

Of course, depending on the Bank of Canada’s next moves, things could go another way. The high cost of borrowing could also keep prospective buyers on the sidelines, which could serve to lower demand, curb competition, and soften Canadian housing markets. It’s truly too soon to tell.

In any case, Canada’s population is rapidly growing and housing demand isn’t going anywhere. Instead, demand will likely be absorbed in the rental market, according to Cathcart.

“In that sense, this is a continuation of the same story—those who got into the market early are unlikely to be affected by rapidly rising rates and are also unlikely to see the value of their properties decline all that much from the peak. Meanwhile, those who bought recently at elevated prices, and those in the rental market, may be in for a tougher ride over the next few years.”

If you’re thinking of buying or selling this year, be sure to work with a local REALTOR® to get their professional expertise on what’s going on in the market where you live (or might like to), and what your best options are. 

You may also be interested in reading…

Featured

REALTORS® Answer the Most Googled Real Estate Questions

Everyone has questions about real estate, as it’s likely the largest financial investment we’ll ever make in our lifetime. While the experience of buying or selling a home is no doubt exciting, it can, at times, become overwhelming. This is why we’ve turned to the experts. We collated some of the most frequently Googled real estate questions and asked REALTORS® for their answers. Think of this article as your go-to guide for a more in-depth understanding of the most popular questions related to buying or selling a home.

The most common questions asked when selling a house

Common questions asked when selling a home

Why do I need a home inspection?

“A pre-purchase home inspection is always a good idea whether it is required by your lender or not,” says Elisha Roberts, a salesperson and REALTOR® in Red Deer, Alberta. “It allows you as a buyer to ensure the house you have written an offer on doesn’t come with any unforeseen issues—often of great expense.”

“Home inspectors look for structural issues, the condition of mechanical systems and much more. If something is discovered, it provides you with an opportunity to address the issue to your satisfaction before proceeding with the purchase, such as amending the purchase price or asking for the seller to repair the issue and provide proof. Once an issue is uncovered, the seller will have to disclose to any other interested parties if your offer does not go firm. In my experience, most sellers are willing to work together to ensure a fair outcome for everyone involved in the transaction.”

Why can a seller reject my offer?

“Sellers are not obligated to accept an offer,” says Jessica Kee, a salesperson and REALTOR® from Toronto, Ontario. “There are a number of reasons why a seller may not find an offer acceptable to them—price, closing date, conditions in the offer. They may, however, counter back or politely decline if the gap is too far apart.”

Assessing the value of your home

How do REALTORS® assess a home’s value?

Nick J. Kyte, a salesperson and REALTOR® from Ottawa, Ontario, lists the top five ways a home’s value is assessed.

  1. Location, location, location: neighbourhoods and streets vary in value, so understanding these pros and cons is vital to accurately assessing value.
  2. Size of home: homes with more livable square footage are generally worth more.
  3. Age and condition of the home: a well-kept and maintained home is typically more desirable for buyers.
  4. Recent updates or upgrades to the home: do buyers have to worry about an old roof, windows and heating, ventilation and air conditioning? If not, and in general, the fewer major items that require replacement or repair, the greater value held in the buyers’ mind.
  5. Supply and demand for homes and neighbourhood: what are the recent comparable sales in the neighbourhood, specific street, etc.? Are there trends that suggest the area is in more demand? If so, this can be a factor that assists in a higher assessed value.

Curious how your REALTOR® prices your home to sell? We’ve covered that! 

What is a conditional sale?

“Simply put, a conditional offer is certain conditions that must be met by the buyer during the conditional period and, if not met, the deal becomes null and void and the deposit is returned to the buyer,” clarifies Kyte. “Common conditions placed in offers to protect buyers and allow time for proper due diligence are; financing, inspection, insurance, solicitor review and, for condominium properties, the solicitor’s review of the status certificate. As a general note, anything can be added as a condition or clause, to an agreement of purchase and sale, as long as parties to the agreement agree.”

Find out how long it will take to sell my house

How long will it take to sell my home?

“Selling timeframes vary from province, city and local market,” Kyte points out. “Knowing the average days on the market it takes to sell similar properties is information that needs to be provided to sellers and buyers, to ensure their expectations are in line with their current market.” 

As an example, Kyte details that, “in the Ottawa real estate market, the average days on market for residential properties in December 2022 was 38 days. This can vary based on the property’s list price, location, condition of home, and marketing. The number of days it takes to sell a home has dramatically increased from 12 days in 2021, the peak of the market, and is now climbing to a more “normal” range that is consistent with pre-pandemic ranges.”

When is the best time to sell my home?

Rashedy Lewis, a salesperson and REALTOR® from Toronto, says, “Most sellers believe the best time to sell their home is between May to July. However, in my opinion, there’s no ‘best time’ to sell your home. Each homeowner has a different reason why they want to sell.” 

Lewis continues, “Once you’ve decided to place your home on the market, you should check to see what improvements can be made prior to selling, as this can help you get more money for the resale value.” 

Need some inspiration? Here are some renovations that could be worth doing before selling. 

Lewis suggests beginning the process by “decluttering and cleaning the home and once these are done, inspect your floors, walls, bathroom(s), and kitchen as these are the main selling features of the house. Homeowners should also check windows, doors, furnace, and their roof to ensure that they are in good working condition.” 

Lewis concludes that “in my view, once these are accomplished, it helps to attract buyers and sell at a good price.”

If you’re thinking of selling your home in the winter, we’ve gathered some tips on how to make the most of selling your home in the winter months.

Required Mortgage Documents

What do I need to qualify for a mortgage?

“In order to qualify for a mortgage, you’ll need to have the necessary down payment, show proof of employment, and proof of income along with your credit score,” says Lewis. Above all, you’ll need to be able to prove to the lender you can afford the amount you’re asking to borrow and all future monthly payments. Your income stability, as well as your debt service ratio, will be assessed. 

In fact, there are four Cs when it comes to navigating the road to obtaining a mortgage and these include capacity, capital, collateral, and credit. What’s your capacity to pay back the loan on time every month? What money, savings, or investments do you have readily accessible? What is the value of the property you’re wanting to purchase and will it be enough to cover mortgage debts if payments are missed? Do you have a good credit score and a history of paying bills on time? Again, lenders want proof of stability.

The most common questions asked when buying a house

Common questions asked when buying a home

How much of a down payment do I need to buy a home?

Kee explains, “The minimum down payment requirement for anyone buying a home to live in is 5% on a home up to $500,000. Anything after that is 10% on the portion above $500,000. So, if it’s a $600,000 home, the minimum down payment is $35,000. For someone looking to buy an investment property, it’s 20%.”

There are different savings plans and incentive programs available to those looking to buy a home, especially if you’re a first-time home buyer. Get in touch with a financial planner to understand your options and see what you’ll need to do to save for a down payment. 

How long does it take to buy a home?

“The time required to purchase a home varies,” says Roberts. “I always recommend that my clients obtain a pre-approval prior to initiating their home search. Once the perfect property is found it can take anywhere from about one week to several months for the closing process and for you to take possession. The variance is based on the seller’s limitations around possession date or acceptance of a proposed possession date in the offer to purchase.” 

“Any conditions that need to be satisfied prior to a firm sale like a home inspection or financing condition will add to the transaction time,” Roberts adds. “It’s important to note the lawyers required to complete the transaction may require some time to complete this on your behalf, so it’s a good idea to check in with them to determine their required lead time based on their current workload.”

Do I need a REALTOR® to buy a new-build?

Kee explains using a REALTOR® when buying pre-construction “isn’t mandatory, but it’s highly encouraged”—especially since, as a buyer, you don’t pay commission, meaning having a REALTOR® on your side is a free benefit. 

“Builders may have their own sales people, but don’t forget their number one goal is to sell the project for the builder and often with the terms favourable to the builder,” he says. “Your REALTOR® will guide you through the process, may show you other options, and negotiate the contract most favourable for you.”

Get to know the benefits of working with a REALTOR®

Why should I work with a REALTOR®?

Asking the right real estate questions, and seeking answers from a trusted team of professionals will put your mind at ease.

“Experienced REALTORS® provide a lot of value to their clients whether buying or selling a home,” Roberts explains. “We know the market area and can help you avoid costly mistakes in regards to contract errors/omissions and provide relevant market data. We also have networks of trusted professionals who are used time and time again that we know will do an exceptional job. I’ve narrowed down my lists of professionals I recommend to my clients and I provide that information to them depending on their area.”

An online search can be a great starting point to get information, but you can trust the expertise of REALTOR® when it comes to the entire home buying or selling experience! Find a REALTOR® in your area, or get a referral from someone you trust, and they’ll be happy to answer all your real estate questions. 

You may also be interested in reading…

Featured

How a REALTOR® Prices Your Home

You’ve loved your home but are ready to move on. How much should you list it for? Although a casual observer might believe a listing price is an arbitrary number, many factors are taken into consideration when pricing, including market conditions, historical data, location and amenities. Overprice a property and it could linger, unsold, for months. Undervalue it, and you’re leaving money on the table. While getting a home appraisal can give you an idea of your property’s worth, pricing a home is part science and part art, so we asked a REALTOR® to break down that process.

“When I’m asked to price a property, there are many aspects involved and lots of fine-tuning,” says David Stevens, a REALTOR® with Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty in Victoria, British Columbia. Some considerations include:

Current real estate market Trends

Current local market conditions 

Pricing a home should include looking at the current market conditions and trends in your area. Knowing how many properties with similar features are up for sale and how fast they’re being snapped up can help determine how a property should be priced. 

“This takes into account the ability of active buyers and their buying power or capability,” adds Stevens. “Comparable current and sold listings are an invaluable source of information to look at when pricing, because sold property prices can always be relayed to any buyer or seller by their REALTOR®.”

When there’s low inventory in a neighbourhood, this can create a seller’s market with more competitive listing prices, while a bunch of homes for sale may require lower asking prices and indicate it’s more of a buyer’s market.

House Location

Location 

“Sought after neighbourhoods near well-respected schools will typically demand a higher price tag,” explains Stevens. 

Remember: even homes on the same street can differ in price—if one side of the street backs onto a body of water, for example, those homes could be priced higher.

House layout

Size and layout

 A home’s layout can also factor into its pricing; most families in his market look for three or more bedrooms on one level, notes Stevens. 

“The square footage of a home and land size also influences the value of a property,” he says. “Depending on the area and the buyer trend in an area, aspects like privacy or usable land play a role.”

The house's age and condition are factors to consider

Age and condition of the house

How old a property is, and whether it has or needs major updates, including windows, roof, kitchen, bathrooms, and mechanical systems all factor into pricing. 

“When the major components of a home have been updated or replaced, many buyers see that as a long-term investment they will not need to spend money on,” explains Stevens.

DIY projects gone wrong can be detrimental in obtaining top dollar because substandard work will decrease your home’s appeal and, therefore, the price, he adds. 

When pricing your home, bonus spaces can be taken into consideration

Bonus spaces

A home with an in-law suite or additional income potential can be important as it gives the buyer flexibility with their financing and buying capability, he adds. 

“Within urban communities, it may be hard for a buyer who wants a detached workshop or a studio. This is considered special and not easy to find, so it must be taken into consideration when pricing.”

Property prices are also determined by a seller's motivation

Seller’s motivation

REALTORS® also take a seller’s motivation into account when pricing a property. For example, if a seller has an accepted offer on another property, or they’re being transferred out of town, they may ask for a compelling listing price to attract more buyers, says Stevens.

MLS home price index

What is the MLS® Home Price Index and how does it work? 

REALTORS® have a powerful tool at their disposal—the MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI). It provides a more precise picture of home price trends by gauging prices for the market as a whole, and prices for specific housing categories. This information allows them to do a comparable market analysis, where they learn what other similar homes have recently sold for, which gives them solid indicators on how to price your property.

Because this data can change from month to month, it’s important to use an accurate tool that tracks prices to get the latest information. 

“Ultimately, the pricing of a home is the seller’s decision with the help of their REALTOR®,” says Stevens. “The goal is to price the property to attract serious buyers and to prevent an extended period of time on the market that may ultimately come at a cost.”

Working with a REALTOR® to price your home gives you peace of mind that you’re setting yourself up for success with the advice and expertise of a professional. 

You may also be interested in reading…

Featured

10 conseils pour fermer son chalet pour l’hiver

Vous partez dans le Sud pour l’hiver? Avant de fermer votre chalet trois saisons, voici un aide-mémoire pour partir l’esprit léger. Si votre chalet n’est pas isolé pour l’hiver, plusieurs choses sont à mettre en place pour que tout soit impeccable au moment de votre retour. Tout ça, sans trop d’efforts, mais en ne laissant rien au hasard.

Homme et son chien sur la terrasse du chalet.

Aviser ses assurances

Avant de partir, pensez à signaler à votre assureur toute absence prolongée. Rangez aussi à l’abri des regards les objets les plus tentants. Enfin, prenez des photos du contenu du chalet, notamment des biens les plus précieux. En cas de dommages et de réclamation, la procédure en sera grandement simplifiée.

Déneigement du toit d’un chalet.

Vérifier l’étanchéité du toit

Avant de fermer le chalet pour l’hiver, faites une inspection du toit et effectuez, si nécessaire, les réparations afin d’éviter les infiltrations d’eau en votre absence. Vous pouvez aussi souscrire à un contrat de déneigement du toit au moins une fois durant l’hiver afin d’éviter toute mauvaise surprise.

Tuyaux gelés qui éclatent.

Couper l’eau et vider les tuyaux

Pour éviter que les tuyaux ne gèlent, il est conseillé de fermer l’arrivée d’eau du chalet pour l’hiver. Prenez toutefois bien soin de drainer tous les tuyaux jusqu’à ce qu’il n’en sorte plus rien lorsque vous ouvrez les robinets. Vous pouvez aussi verser de l’antigel à plomberie dans les tuyaux de vidange des lavabos, de la baignoire, et de la douche et dans la cuvette de toilette.

Régler le chauffage à une température minimum de 7 à 10 degrés.

Chauffer le chalet au minimum

Régler les thermostats à une température comprise entre 7 et 10 degrés aidera à prévenir le gel et l’éclatement des tuyaux. Tout chauffage au gaz devrait aussi être éteint avant de partir. Et n’oubliez pas de débrancher la bonbonne de propane du BBQ et de la ranger au cabanon en attendant le retour des beaux jours.

Gros plan sur une main en train de fermer la fenêtre.

Verrouiller aussi les fenêtres

On verrouille les portes, mais on oublie souvent les fenêtres et cela, les voleurs le savent! Sceller certaines fenêtres — surtout celles de la véranda — où passent les courants d’air est aussi une bonne idée pour prévenir l’entrée de neige à l’intérieur. Assurez-vous également que tous les stores ou rideaux sont fermés.

Garde-manger vide.

Vider le garde-manger

Pour éloigner la vermine, évitez les tentations que représente un garde-manger trop plein. Pourquoi ne pas organiser un dernier souper de «  restants  » avec les copains avant le départ? On peut aussi disposer des feuilles assouplissantes parfumées dans les placards, car la forte odeur dissuade les bestioles indésirables.

Débrancher les appareils énergivores comme le frigo.

Débrancher les équipements énergivores

Couper tous les éléments du panneau électrique n’est peut-être pas la meilleure idée, car vous voudrez certainement que la pompe du puisard continue son travail en cas de refoulement. Débranchez toutefois le frigo et le congélateur — vidés au préalable — le four à micro-ondes, le lave-vaisselle de même que la laveuse-sécheuse.

Clapet de la cheminée ou du foyer.

Fermer le clapet de la cheminée

Fermer le clapet de ventilation du foyer est un oubli fréquent. De plus, beaucoup de cheminées ne sont pas protégées par un faîte sur le toit. Saviez-vous que les ratons laveurs femelles aiment bien s’installer au niveau du clapet de la cheminée pour donner naissance à leurs bébés? Assurez-vous que votre cheminée soit inaccessible. Il est aussi recommandé de faire ramoner sa cheminée par un professionnel.

Soupiraux.

Fermer les soupiraux

Certaines bestioles peuvent aussi accéder à votre sous-sol par des trous dans la fondation ou par les soupiraux. Bloquer les soupiraux en hiver est aussi une bonne façon d’isoler le sous-sol et d’éviter que les tuyaux gèlent si vous avez choisi de garder le chauffage au minimum durant votre absence, ou si les tuyaux ont été mal drainés.

Détecteur de mouvement.

Simuler une présence

Un détecteur de mouvement surprendra toute personne dont la présence n’est pas désirée. Vous pouvez aussi choisir de garder quelques veilleuses allumées à l’intérieur en permanence. Autre possibilité : programmer l’éclairage nocturne automatique de la porte d’entrée principale ou celui du lampadaire de rue. Si vous avez le budget, octroyez un contrat sporadique de déneigement pour l’hiver. Les voleurs seront assurément confus. 

Dernier conseil? Avant de partir, assurez-vous d’avoir tout fermé à clé.

Featured

L’ABC de l’inspection d’une propriété

Que ce soit pour évaluer l’état d’une propriété avant de déposer une offre d’achat, ou avant de vendre la vôtre, un courtier ou un agent immobilier détenteur du titre REALTOR® vous recommandera toujours une inspection rigoureuse et professionnelle.

Cet examen, qui doit être réalisé par un professionnel certifié, est une étape essentielle, tant pour obtenir des informations pertinentes à la prise de décision que pour vous assurer une paix d’esprit, et pour vous éviter des conséquences économiques désastreuses.

Inspecteur en bâtiment au travail

Quand dois-je faire appel aux services d’un inspecteur en bâtiment pour l’évaluation d’une propriété?

Une évaluation de votre propriété peut être réalisée en tout temps si vous le souhaitez, par exemple pour planifier des travaux et prévoir le budget approprié. Il existe aussi des situations où il est absolument essentiel de prévoir l’inspection d’une propriété : 

  1. Avant de vendre : afin d’obtenir une évaluation de l’état des lieux complète et objective, de mieux évaluer le prix, de bien cibler les acheteurs potentiels, et de prévenir les litiges onéreux.
  2. Avant de déposer une offre d’achat sur une propriété :; afin de réviser votre offre si besoin, et d’être informé en toute transparence de l’état réel des lieux, et des travaux à prévoir.
  3. Avant la livraison d’une maison que vous avez fait construire :; afin de vous assurer que le constructeur a respecté le contrat et que les normes de construction ont été respectées.
  4. Avant d’accepter une maison en héritage :; afin d’évaluer le leg immobilier. En effet, si le rapport d’inspection indique que les travaux sont plus onéreux que la valeur de la propriété, vous pouvez renoncer à la succession.

Inspecteur en bâtiment avec une cliente

Sur quels critères doit-on se baser avant de retenir les services d’une entreprise d’inspection en bâtiment? 

  1. Le délai de réponse.
  2. La formation et la certification de l’inspecteur par un ordre professionnel.
  3. La garantie d’une assurance contre les erreurs, fautes et omissions.
  4. La rapidité de livraison du rapport complet (certaines entreprises livrent le rapport dans les 24 heures qui suivent l’inspection).

Fissure dans un mur de béton

Quels sont les éléments qui doivent être examinés lors d’une inspection?

  1. La structure du bâtiment, sa solidité, sa consolidation éventuelle.
  2. Les composantes du bâtiment : matériaux, revêtements extérieurs et intérieurs.
  3. Le niveau d’humidité général, les infiltrations dans les murs, la condensation dans les fenêtres.
  4. L’état de la plomberie, des drains, et de la fosse septique, le cas échéant.
  5. L’état du système électrique.
  6. La composition du sol du terrain, l’analyse de la nappe phréatique, la contamination possible.

Vous pouvez également consulter votre inspecteur pour établir les priorités des travaux à effectuer.

Inspecteur en bâtiment avec un client

Dois-je être présent lors de l’inspection? 

Ce n’est pas obligatoire, mais il est fortement recommandé d’être sur les lieux, ne serait-ce que pour profiter de la présence d’un expert afin de poser des questions spécifiques à vos besoins.

Inspecteur en bâtiment qui analyse un mur extérieur en pierres

Combien de temps dure une inspection ?

Selon la localisation de la propriété, ses dimensions, et son âge, l’inspection peut prendre entre quelques heures et deux jours. 

Certains éléments comme une piscine intérieure, ou une inspection de la tuyauterie avec une caméra, peuvent ajouter du temps à l’inspection.  

Une chose est certaine, prendre le temps de faire faire toutes les analyses recommandées par votre inspecteur, ou par votre courtier ou agent immobilier membre de l’ACI, peut vous éviter bien des déboires… et des dépenses !

Inspection en compagnie d’un courtier ou agent immobilier

En quoi mon courtier ou agent immobilier peut-il m’être utile lors d’une inspection?

L’expérience de votre courtier ou agent immobilier peut toujours vous être utile, que ce soit lors de la préparation à l’inspection et de la planification des informations que vous désirez obtenir, lors de l’inspection elle-même si vous souhaitez une seconde paire d’yeux, et d’oreilles, et lors de l’analyse du rapport final pour vous aider à prendre les meilleures décisions. 

Afin de prendre une décision éclairée, il vaut toujours mieux avoir toutes les informations en main. À ce titre, une inspection minutieuse par des professionnels est plus rentable que payer le prix de ne pas l’avoir fait !

Featured

Speed dating immobilier : dix questions importantes à se poser

La plupart d’entre nous sont portés naturellement à acheter une propriété en se basant sur une réaction purement intuitive et émotionnelle. « Je me sens chez moi. » N’est-ce pas? Cependant, trouver cette perle rare, ça peut être frustrant, tout comme rencontrer la bonne personne. Le speed dating (ou rencontres éclairs), a été conçu à l’origine pour rencontrer de manière condensée différentes personnes dans un temps limité. Cette façon de faire connaissance s’est améliorée avec les années et des questions précises permettent de trouver LA personne. Pourquoi alors ne pas utiliser cette même stratégie pour trouver sa maison?

Voici dix questions à poser aux maisons qui veulent vous séduire.

Speed dating immobilier, Nécessites-tu beaucoup d’entretien?

1. Nécessites-tu beaucoup d’entretien?

Évaluez globalement le bâtiment et le terrain. Les platebandes sont-elles remplies de plantes vivaces? Quelle est la superficie de pelouse? Quelle est la garantie du toit? Un toit métallique peut durer jusqu’à 50 ans, tandis que les bardeaux d’asphalte devront être remplacés tous les 10 à 20 ans dans les régions où les chutes de neige et les précipitations sont importantes. La maison est-elle construite avec un matériau résistant comme des planches Hardie? Les insectes, les intempéries et les pics-bois curieux peuvent endommager rapidement une maison en rondin ou en bois, et ainsi nécessiter un entretien continu.

Speed dating immobilier, Es-tu tranquille?

2. Es-tu tranquille?

Prenez le temps d’observer la circulation à différents moments de la journée. Les voisins ont-ils un chien qui aboie ou de jeunes enfants qui aiment sauter sur leur trampoline? Est-ce qu’il y a une caserne de pompiers où les sirènes retentissent constamment à proximité? Est-ce qu’il y a une voie ferrée à proximité? La maison se trouve-t-elle sur une ligne d’autobus importante? À une intersection? À côté d’un restaurant doté d’une terrasse? Y a-t-il une carrière à proximité? Familiarisez-vous avec le quartier et tout ce qui se trouve à proximité.

Speed dating immobilier, Es-tu bien chauffee?

3. Es-tu bien chauffée?

Bien qu’instantanés et efficaces, les foyers au gaz peuvent aussi s’avérer inefficaces selon leur âge et leur puissance nominale. Les foyers au bois nécessitent l’entretien d’une cheminée et un peu de travail de bûcheron, mais ils sont indéniablement romantiques. Les poêles à granules de bois ont une combustion élevée et constituent l’une des options de combustible les plus propres, mais ils peuvent poser un problème en cas de panne de courant (à moins que vous ne disposiez d’une batterie de secours), car ils dépendent toujours de l’électricité.

Les chauffages au propane et à l’électricité (plinthes, fournaises à air chaud pulsé) ont leurs avantages et leurs inconvénients, dont des frais de livraison et des tarifs de temps d’utilisation. Les systèmes de chaudière sont communs dans les vieilles maisons, et les nouvelles technologies ont modernisé l’apparence et l’efficacité des radiateurs traditionnels.

Et il ne faut pas oublier les pertes de chaleur : les fenêtres sont-elles neuves? Doivent-elles être remplacées? La résistance thermique des fenêtres et de l’isolation d’une maison peut rendre les nuits confortables ou vous laissez frissonner.

4. Es-tu flexible? Es-tu prête à grandir?

Si la famille s’agrandit (un chien, un enfant ou les beaux-parents?), est-il possible d’agrandir la maison aussi? Le sous-sol est-il fini? Est-il possible d’ajouter une autre salle de bain? Un garage détaché? Une buanderie au rez-de-chaussée? Y aura-t-il de l’espace pour aménager le studio d’art ou l’îlot de cuisine dont vous rêvez depuis?

5. Aimes-tu le plein air?

La maison est-elle située près de sentiers? D’un parc à chiens? Quelle est l’orientation de la maison? Les fenêtres orientées vers le nord ne sont pas idéales, mais avec un peu de recherche, vous pourrez trouver des plantes qui s’en réjouiront. Aurez-vous une vue sur les levers ou les couchers de soleil? Y a-t-il assez de rangement ou d’espace pour une remise, une terrasse ou un spa? Les arbres qui entourent la maison sont-ils en bonne santé? Dans les régions où l’on trouve l’agrile du frêne, votre cour boisée peut soudainement devenir coûteuse (et clairsemée) s’il faut abattre les arbres infestés.

6. Es-tu un bon investissement?

La propriété est-elle bien située? Les maisons situées dans un quartier en plein embourgeoisement ou dans une banlieue-dortoir prennent généralement de la valeur, mais celles accessibles seulement par bateau et les chalets trois saisons sont plus difficiles à revendre. Il faut prévoir un budget pour certains coûts comme les frais mensuels de copropriété, le stationnement, les déplacements, la tonte du gazon, le déneigement, les vidanges de fosses septiques et le remplacement des électroménagers vieillissants. La majorité de ces renseignements s’obtiennent facilement sur le site REALTOR.ca ou auprès de votre courtier ou agent immobilier.

Speed dating immobilier, As-tu du charme?

7. As-tu du charme?

Quelle est l’histoire derrière la maison? S’il s’agit d’une maison patrimoniale, consultez les archives à l’hôtel de ville. Peut-être que la ferme de vos rêves fait partie du Barn Quilt Trail – vous pourriez être le prochain arrêt! L’intérêt croissant pour les écoles et les églises reconverties a permis de préserver une partie de l’histoire tout en offrant un revenu locatif fiable à l’entrepreneur avisé.

8. Es-tu du type sociable?

La propriété répond-elle à vos besoins en matière d’agrément? Y a-t-il une pièce insonorisée pour les enfants et leur PlayStation? La salle à manger pourra-t-elle accueillir toute la famille? Y a-t-il de la place pour une piscine? Une table de billard? Combien de chambres d’amis?

9. Es-tu bien stabilisée?

Tout commence par les fondations. Si vous pensez à acheter une vieille maison, faites appel à un ingénieur en structure pour l’inspection. Si la propriété est située au bord de l’eau, pensez à l’érosion et aux crues. Vérifiez que les sous-sols et les plafonds ne présentent pas de signes de fuites d’eau ou de moisissures et assurez-vous que les cheminées sont en bon état (et exemptes de chauve-souris!).

Speed dating immobilier, Es-tu ouverte au changement?

10. Es-tu ouverte au changement?

Même si une maison peut sembler parfaite à 100 % après la première visite, inévitablement, vous voudrez la modifier. Est-ce que ce sera possible? Que pouvez-vous sacrifier? Qu’est-ce qui est non négociable? S’agit-il de changements cosmétiques (peinture, éclairage) ou de rénovations au-delà de votre budget?

Si vous êtes intrigué et souhaitez prendre un deuxième rendez–vous, soyez assuré que vous pouvez compter sur votre courtier ou agent immobilier. Celui–ci vous aidera à repérer les signaux d’alarme ou, mieux encore, à trouver d’autres raisons pour lesquelles vous devriez aimer la propriété et en faire votre foyer. L’inscription sur REALTOR.ca comporte des données sur le quartier, le coût de la vie, des données démographiques et des calculateurs qui vous aideront à trouver «la bonne».

10 Awesome Lake Ontario Communities to Call Home (Aside from Toronto)

Toronto tends to get allllllll the attention when talk turns to living on Lake Ontario.

Fair enough.

It’s rather difficult to miss, after all, what, with its three million residents and 100-plus skyscrapers.

However, if you follow the shoreline in either direction the scenes and backdrops change quickly. There are communities with GO connections, historic towns where downtowns end near the water, beaches, marinas, trails, and quieter places making lakeside living feel less busy.

So, if you’re thinking about moving or simply wondering what else is out there beyond Toronto, we wanted to provide a closer look at communities along the shoreline of Lake Ontario that offer very different versions of life by the 14th largest lake in the world.

Of course, these aren’t the only communities to know along Lake Ontario, nor is this meant to be a definitive ranking.

And there are bound to be some opinions on this list. We’d love to hear more about your favourite places along the lake on our Facebook or Instagram!

Niagara on the Lake

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

At the western end of Lake Ontario, Niagara-on-the-Lake offers a much different pace than the larger communities around the Golden Horseshoe. The municipality stretches well beyond the shoreline, but Old Town’s historic streets, parks and location where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario give it a particularly strong connection to the water.

There’s change happening, too. Council adopted a new Official Plan in May 2026 to guide housing, infrastructure and growth while protecting agricultural and environmentally sensitive land. It’s currently subject to provincial approval.

Housing Snapshot (July 2026)
  • MLS® Home Price Index benchmark price: $870,900 (down from $909,500 in 2025)
  • Sales: 35
  • New listings: 79
  • Average days on market: 49

Source: Niagara Association of REALTORS®

Grimsby

Grimsby, Ontario

Grimsby fits neatly between two pretty significant natural features: Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment. That gives residents waterfront access in one direction and hiking opportunities in the other, all within a community considerably smaller than Hamilton or Toronto.

High-rise and mid-rise condominiums cluster heavily near Lake Ontario along Concord Place and North Service Road, making for a walkable lakefront layout.

Grimsby is perfect if you like a relaxed lakeside backdrop with historic small-town warmth… and don’t forget to check out the colourful, fairy-tale cottages of Grimsby Beach.

Housing Snapshot For GRIMSBY (July 2026)
  • MLS® Home Price Index benchmark price: $671,000 (down from $728,700 in 2025)
  • Sales: 39
  • New listings: 94
  • Average days on market: 34

Source: Niagara Association of REALTORS®

Burlington

Burlington, Ontario

If your idea of lakeside living still involves having a full-sized city around you, Burlington makes a strong case. Downtown puts Spencer Smith Park, Brant Street Pier, restaurants and residential neighbourhoods within easy reach of Lake Ontario, while the city also has three GO stations.

There could be substantially more housing around transit in the years ahead. A proposal currently under review around Aldershot GO includes six buildings and about 2,713 homes. It still remains a proposal, not an approved development, but those in Burlington are no strangers to new housing developments. Just have a look at this 8,800-unit plan along Highway 403 dubbed as “Burlington’s first urban village.”

Burlington is experiencing relatively more favourable buyer conditions than the same time last year. Home sales, average price, and days on market are all moving in the right direction for buyers.

Housing Snapshot for Burlington (July 2026)
  • MLS® Home Price Index benchmark price: $874,200 (down from $899,500 in 2025)
  • Sales: 798 (Coverage area includes Hamilton, Burlington, Haldimand and Niagara North)
  • New listings: 1,597
  • Average days on market: 41

Source: Cornerstone Association of REALTORS®

Oakville

Oakville, Ontario

Oakville gives you more than one waterfront personality. Old Oakville puts heritage streets, shops and restaurants close to the lake and Sixteen Mile Creek, while Bronte Village has its own harbour, parks and village-style commercial district farther west.

Bronte’s waterfront is also evolving. Town council endorsed a new waterfront strategy in May 2026 aimed at improving public access, pedestrian connections, parks and year-round use while maintaining the harbour’s boating functions. Individual projects will still require future approval and funding.

Housing Snapshot for Oakville (July 2026)
  • MLS® Home Price Index benchmark price: $1,057,100 (down from $1,108,000 in 2025)
  • Sales: 467
  • New listings: 1,083

Source: Canadian Real Estate Association and the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board

Port Credit

Port Credit, Ontario

Spend some time around the Credit River, marina and Lakeshore Road and it becomes pretty clear why this waterfront neighbourhood has an identity of its own outside of the rest of Mississauga.

There’s also plenty changing around it. Brightwater, on former industrial lands, is a 72-acre mixed-use development with about 18 acres of planned parkland, including a 13-acre waterfront park.

For housing, however, the official monthly figures are available for Mississauga overall, rather than Port Credit specifically.

Housing snapshot for Mississauga (July 2026)
  • MLS® Home Price Index benchmark price: $874,200 (down from $899,500 in 2025)
  • Sales: 500
  • New listings: 1,597
  • Average days on market: 41

Source: Cornerstone Association of REALTORS®

Pickering

Pickering, Ontario

Pickering offers Lake Ontario access without giving up a GTA address. Frenchman’s Bay is surrounded by waterfront trails, parks, marinas and residential neighbourhoods, while Pickering GO and Highway 401 are only a short distance inland.

The bay is also an environmentally significant coastal wetland, and Pickering’s portion of the Waterfront Trail runs for more than 12 kilometres across three sections along and around the shoreline.

Housing snapshot for Pickering (July 2026)
  • MLS® Home Price Index benchmark price: $875,700 (down from $922,200) in 2025)
  • Sales: 98
  • New listings: 259
  • Average days on market: 29

Source: Toronto Regional Real Estate Board

Cobourg

Cobourg, Ontario

Cobourg manages to put a traditional downtown, established residential streets, marina and a sizeable beach within a relatively compact area. Victoria Beach stretches for more than a kilometre right beside Victoria Park, making the waterfront part of the town, rather than somewhere you have to drive to reach.

The housing numbers also sit on a noticeably different scale from communities closer to Toronto.

Housing snapshot for Cobourg (July 2026)
  • Average sale price: $740,844
  • Sales: 41
  • New listings: 78
  • Average days on market: 40

Source: Central Lakes Association of REALTORS®

Prince Edward County

Prince Edward County, Ontario

Prince Edward County offers one of the least urban versions of Lake Ontario living on this list. Instead of one continuous waterfront community, the municipality includes towns, villages, farmland and hundreds of kilometres of shoreline.

That means not every address is on or even particularly close to Lake Ontario, but beaches, boating and outdoor recreation are a big part of the local lifestyle. The county has more than 700 kilometres of shoreline, while the Millennium Trail stretches through the municipality from Carrying Place towards Picton.

Housing snapshot for Prince Edward County (July 2026)
  • Average sale price: $764,362
  • Sales: 57
  • New listings: 115
  • Average days on market: 60

Source: Central Lakes Association of REALTORS® / CREA

Quinte West

Quinte West, Ontario

Quinte West brings another type of waterfront into the mix. Trenton sits where the Trent River enters the Bay of Quinte, with downtown, residential neighbourhoods, Centennial Park and Trent Port Marina all close to the water.

It can make sense for people looking for a smaller urban centre and easier access to boating, trails and Eastern Ontario, rather than a commute into Toronto. Housing is also considerably less expensive on average than in most western Lake Ontario markets.

Housing snapshot for Quinte West (July 2026)
  • Average sale price: $554,610
  • Sales: 51
  • New listings: 147
  • Average days on market: 47

Source: Central Lakes Association of REALTORS® / CREA

Kingston

Kingston, Ontario

At the eastern end of this list, Kingston feels less like a waterfront town and more like a full city that has its identity engrained with the waterfront.

The downtown, universities, established neighbourhoods and employment base give it an urban feel, while parks and shoreline paths keep Lake Ontario close by. The city is also advancing plans for the Confederation Basin Promenade, a new accessible public walkway and waterfront space on the existing breakwall; construction is currently anticipated to begin in 2027.

Housing snapshot for Kingston (July 2026)
  • MLS® Home Price Index benchmark price: $577,000
  • Sales: 1,719
  • New listings: 682

Source: Kingston and Area Real Estate Association / CREA

A few smaller Lake Ontario communities to keep on your radar

Port Dalhousie: This St. Catharines waterfront neighbourhood sits around the harbour at the mouth of Twelve Mile Creek. Lakeside Park, the beach, marina and nearby restaurants make it one to know if you like the idea of a recognizable waterfront neighbourhood within a larger city.

Newcastle: Part of Clarington, Newcastle offers a smaller-community setting while keeping Highway 401 and Durham Region close by. Its Lake Ontario side includes Port of Newcastle Park and nearby natural areas, making it an option for people who want quieter residential surroundings without heading too far east.

Port Hope: Heritage architecture gets plenty of attention here, but Lake Ontario is never far away. Beaches, trails and the Ganaraska River meet a compact downtown, creating a small-town setting that still has Highway 401 and VIA Rail connections.

Brighton: The town sits slightly inland in places, but the municipality reaches Lake Ontario through the Presqu’ile peninsula. Presqu’ile Provincial Park adds beaches, wetlands and trails, making this one particularly appealing if access to nature matters more than big-city amenities.

Bath: About 30 kilometres west of downtown Kingston, Bath is a genuinely small waterfront village. Parks, a marina and a historic village centre line the shoreline, making it a quieter option for anyone whose ideal Lake Ontario setting involves fewer towers and considerably fewer traffic lights.

The information is intended to provide a broad, high-level comparison of housing markets and should not be interpreted as a valuation of any specific property. 

This ‘Justin Bieber House’ Is for Sale… And the Seller Wants Him to Stay on Display

Imagine buying a home, but the catch is Justin Bieber HAD to stay on display in the living room window?

Would you buy it? Would you be nodding your head yes when you wanna say no? Your mama probably won’t like it, and she likes everyone.

Well, one home for sale in Kingston, Ontario, comes with a famous neighbourhood feature… and its next owner may be asked to keep the popstar poster tradition going.

For roughly a decade (seriously, we went to Google Street View and confirmed this), a life-sized cutout of the iconic Canadian musician has watched over the neighbourhood from the front window of the corner lot home.

According to the listing now on REALTOR.ca, the home hit the market over the weekend and is already catching the attention of the community and local media.

Adam Candon, the listing agent and REALTOR®, went on Kingston’s 98.3 FLY FM recently to explain the cultural significance of this property, known to locals as “the Bieber House.”

“A few years ago when we first sold the property, the purcahser had called me and said, ‘I think I made a huge mistake. I took down the Justin Bieber poster and it seems like the community was a bit angry at us,” Candon says.

“Now that it’s going back up on the market, we’re putting a clause in to make sure the new purchaser does not take down or doesn’t even think about taking down the famous Justin Bieber (cutout poster).”

While he says the “clause” is more of a gesture than a legally binding agreement, the point remains: the community wants to Beliebe the poster will stay.

“The agreement basically states that the first purchaser shall not remove, relocate or obscure the poster whereby preserving the property’s distinctive character, humour and community recognition as the Justin Bieber house,” Candon says.

The listing itself calls the property one of the area’s most recognizable homes and a “true Kingston landmark.”

That might sound like a little Bieber Fever, but there’s history here.

The poster was taken down for a brief stint in 2024, and the reaction online, especially in the Kingston subreddit, was fierce. The post announcing that “The Biebs has left the building” attracted hundreds of upvotes, with commenters mourning the loss of their familiar neighbourhood landmark.

It’s an end of an era. The Biebs has left the building.
by
u/kalebdraws in
KingstonOntario

You could say residents were asking: What Do You Mean? Fortunately, it wasn’t too late to say Sorry.

The Justin Bieber poster eventually returned to his familiar place in the window, where he remains today.

And now that the home is for sale again, its owner apparently wants to make sure the next buyer doesn’t give Bieber another reason to sing Where Are Ü Now.

Would you buy a home with a beloved tradition attached?

Forget the Biebs for a second. Imagine finding a home you love, at a price that works, in the neighbourhood you want, but there’s a big catch.

Maybe the previous owners ask you to keep a beloved lawn ornament. Maybe there’s a mural neighbours adore. Maybe a decades-old holiday display has become a local tradition.

It’s a fun hypothetical, but there are also situations where buyers really can face limitations on what they can change. Heritage designations, condominium rules, easements and restrictive covenants can all potentially affect what you can do with a property.

That’s why buyers should understand whether something is simply a seller’s request, a beloved neighbourhood tradition or an actual restriction affecting the property. A REALTOR® and real estate lawyer can help clarify what you’re agreeing to before the keys change hands.

As for Kingston’s most famous window resident?

Baby, baby, baby, oh… he might actually just be part of the curb appeal.

What to know about Kingston, Ontario

Once Canada’s first capital and famously home to The Tragically Hip, Kingston carries many names: the Limestone City, #YGK, Ktown, and to locals, home.

With Queen’s University, Royal Military College, and St. Lawrence College, Kingston proudly stands as a hub of education and innovation. Its population is made up of students, public sector and military members, retirees, young professionals, families, new Canadians, artists, creatives, and so much more.

Whether you’re drawn to the historic heart of downtown with its amazing waterfront views and endless restaurant options, the family-friendly streets of the west end, the quiet green spaces of the north end, or the up-and-coming energy of the east end, there’s a corner of Kingston that feels just right for everyone. But me? I’ve got a soft spot for the West End and Sunnyside. They’re perfectly centrally into the middle of it all—close enough to the action, but with a laid-back feel that makes everyday living just right.

Learn more about Kingston, Ontario, in our Neighbourhood Guide written by resident and influencer, Rosalyn Gambhir.

This property was selected for coverage because of its connection to Justin Bieber and its cultural significance. REALTOR.ca did not receive compensation in connection with this article, and no preferential placement was provided. This article is intended for editorial and informational purposes only. Any references to the property or its listing are intended solely to provide context to the story. Listing information was current at the time of publication and may change without notice.

5 bonnes raisons de vivre à Joliette

Située à 45 minutes de Montréal, la ville de Joliette, capitale administrative de la région de Lanaudière, partage son pôle urbain avec les villes de Notre-Dame-des-Prairies et de Saint-Charles-Borromée. Bien connue pour son festival de musique classique, dont la notoriété dépasse les frontières, c’est une ville dynamique où nature et culture se côtoient à merveille. Entre une balade sur les berges de la rivière L’Assomption, une visite au musée ou une bouffe gastronomique au centre-ville, les plus de 20 000 Joliettains et Joliettaines jouissent d’une belle qualité de vie. La ville de Joliette s’est d’ailleurs classée, selon un sondage de la firme Léger de mai 2021, au 19e rang des villes québécoises où il fait bon vivre, et au premier rang pour la région de Lanaudière.

Cet article a été initialement publié le 18 avril 2022 et a été mis à jour pour garantir que les informations restent exactes et pertinentes.

Voici cinq bonnes raisons de s’y installer

Photo : Tourisme Lanaudière – Simon Laroche

Un centre-ville animé

Le centre-ville de Joliette s’articule autour de l’esplanade de la place Bourget, qui, l’été venu, accueille divers concerts en plein air comme les Vendredis acoustiques. Cet épicentre offre aussi une ambiance urbaine et branchée, car ses rues avoisinantes regroupent de nombreuses boutiques et bonnes adresses où se sustenter. On passe de belles soirées sur la terrasse de la Brasserie artisanale Albion, située sur le boulevard Manceau, sur lequel s’est développée une pléiade de petits bistrots et restaurants, dont plusieurs de fine gastronomie.  

Photo : Tourisme Lanaudière – Jimmy Vigneux

Le Marché public de Joliette y prend place aussi tous les samedis, de juin à septembre. Une tradition de longue date puisque le premier y a été érigé en 1851. C’est l’occasion de faire le plein de produits frais de la région! D’ailleurs, à moins de 30 minutes du centre-ville, on peut s’approvisionner à même un verger, une ferme, ou une fromagerie. La région de Lanaudière ne manque pas de circuits gourmands! Les Fêtes gourmandes de Lanaudière, se déroulant au mois d’août, sont une autre occasion, à une dizaine de minutes en voiture de Joliette, de découvrir les spécialités lanaudoises. 

Photo : Festival de Lanaudière et Christina Alonso

Une ville qui vibre à la musique

La musique a une place importante à Joliette, comme en témoigne sa devise ornée d’une clef de sol : « Joliette, Sol de musique ». Chaque été depuis 1978, la ville est l’hôte du Festival de Lanaudière, le plus important festival de musique classique au Canada accueillant des artistes de la scène nationale et internationale. L’Amphithéâtre Fernand-Lindsay, situé dans un parc, en est la salle de concert principale. La Maison de la musique René-Charette, dont l’inauguration est prévue en 2023, viendra renforcer le rayonnement de ce pôle musical.

Photo : Festival Mémoires et Racines – Guillaume Morin

Parmi les autres incontournables, on retrouve le Festival Blues de Joliette qui a lieu dans les bars et restaurants du centre-ville, et le Festival Mémoires et Racines, un grand festival de musique traditionnelle qui se déroule en plein air au parc Saint-Jean-Bosco et qui s’adresse à toute la famille avec des ateliers autour de la chanson, du conte, des percussions et de la danse traditionnelle. À cela s’ajoute le Centre Culturel de Joliette, qui vient tout juste d’être rénové et sa grande salle de spectacle dédiée aux comédies musicales. Y sera présenté, à l’été 2022, « La Corriveau – La soif des corbeaux », une pièce iconique québécoise.

Photo : Tourisme Lanaudière

Une offre culturelle variée

Il n’y a pas que la musique qui fait rayonner l’art à Joliette. Le magnifique bâtiment moderne du Musée d’art de Joliette abrite l’une des plus importantes collections d’œuvres d’art du Québec, soit 8 900 œuvres d’artistes canadiens et québécois, en plus de présenter des expositions et des activités culturelles variées de saisons en saisons. Il est le plus important musée d’art contemporain en dehors des grands centres urbains.

Photo : Tourisme Lanaudière

Le Festi-Glace, qui a lieu sur la rivière L’Assomption et qui propose une grande variété de spectacles avec des feux d’artifice et de la sculpture sur neige, anime la saison d’hiver. Mais c’est le très couru Marché de Noël de Joliette qui mène le bal tout le mois de décembre.

Photo : Tourisme Lanaudière – Christian Rouleau

Fondé en 1823 par Barthélemy Joliette, le village d’Industrie devient officiellement la ville de Joliette en 1864. Pour découvrir les événements marquants qui ont façonné son histoire, on se lance sur le Circuit historique de la ville de Joliette, formé de 27 panneaux d’interprétation répartis un peu partout à travers la ville.

Photo : Tourisme Lanaudière

Coins verdure à profusion

En été, on peut profiter pleinement de l’extérieur car plusieurs espaces verts, constitués d’arbres matures, se côtoient sur le territoire. La ville compte plus d’une vingtaine de parcs municipaux. Plusieurs sentiers se prêtent à d’agréables balades comme ceux de l’île Vessot, à 5 minutes du centre-ville, ou de la petite réserve naturelle Marie-France-Pelletier où l’on peut admirer la flore régionale. Une partie de la réserve est d’ailleurs en cours de revitalisation. La rivière qui serpente la ville en jolis méandres offre un parc riverain agréable et frais.

Photo : Tourisme Lanaudière

La Maison Antoine-Lacombe, du nom de l’agriculteur qui l’a construite en 1847, est un joyau du patrimoine de la ville. Entouré d’un côté par les figures géométriques des jardins français et de l’autre par des parterres de type jardin anglais, l’endroit est aussi un centre culturel où se déroulent des expositions temporaires.

Photo : Tourisme Lanaudière – Louis Coutu

Opportunités de plein air

Pour les plus sportifs, les activités de plein air ne manquent pas, en toutes saisons. En été, on peut faire du kayak ou de la planche à pagaie sur la rivière. Il y d’ailleurs 3 accès très abordables : les parcs des Champs-Élysées, Louis-Querbes et Saint-Jean-Bosco. En hiver, le cours d’eau devient une longue patinoire de neuf kilomètres. Le grand Joliette dispose d’un magnifique réseau cyclable d’une longueur totale de 175 km. Cette courtepointe de pistes alterne différents types de chaussées et de paysages à travers la ville, un champ ou un tronçon le long de la rivière parsemée de jolis ponts pour passer d’une berge à l’autre. Une occasion idéale pour découvrir la municipalité, faire de l’activité physique et profiter de la nature environnante.

Photo : Tourisme Lanaudière – Fabien-Proulx-Tremblay

Les amateurs de golf ont le choix de plusieurs terrains dans la grande région de Joliette, dont le Club de Golf de Joliette, le Club de Golf Base de Roc et le Club de Golf de Crabtree. Enfin, Joliette est à 20 minutes du parc régional des Chutes Monte-à-Peine-et-des-Dalles, offrant un réseau de sentiers pédestres bordé de chutes et de ruisseaux sur 21 km.

Photo : Tourisme Lanaudière

Vous pensez acheter une maison à Joliette?

Les maisons unifamiliales sont moins présentes sur le territoire que les immeubles de moins de 5 étages (duplex, triplex, quadruplex), soit 31%, versus 61 %. Selon les plus récentes statistiques, l’Association professionnelle des courtiers immobiliers du Québec (APCIQ) situe le prix médian de ce type de propriété à 400 000 $ pour février 2022, soit une croissance de 30 % comparativement à février 2021 (alors que le prix médian était à 307 100 $). On parle donc d’un marché en pleine croissance dans lequel on peut encore investir à un prix raisonnable. Pour ce qui est des plex et des copropriétés, on trouve sur le site de REALTOR.ca des duplex à Joliette à partir de 320 000 $ et des triplex pour seulement 249 000 $. 

Energy Audits: Making Your Home More Efficient

So, you’re thinking about making your house comfier or more energy efficient? Great! Did you know you can get rebates for a lot of home improvements? Depending on where you live, there are cost-saving government initiatives to help you pay for things like new energy-efficient windows, insulation top-ups, and heat pumps (among other things).

Depending on the program, you may need to do an EnerGuide energy efficiency home evaluation (also known as an energy audit) to qualify. And we’re going to tell you how to get one.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:

This article was originally published October 25, 2023, and has been updated to ensure the information remains accurate and relevant.

The importance of energy audits: what and why are they important?

What is an EnerGuide energy efficiency home evaluation and why should I get one?

The EnerGuide energy efficiency home evaluation gives you a clear picture of how your home uses energy, identifies improvements that could make it more efficient, and may help you qualify for certain rebates.

You can have an audit done after you’ve bought a new place, when you’re planning a renovation, when your windows or furnace are nearing the end of their life, or if you simply want to make your home more comfortable.

“Audits are especially useful for older homes constructed when building codes weren’t as strict,” says Chris Barker, owner of Ontario-based ecostep Energy Services, specializing in home energy assessments. “My house is from 1929, and when I bought it 17 years ago, the attic insulation was R9. Today it’s R60, so upgrades can make a huge difference. Even homes that are 20 or 30 years old can benefit.”

To get an EnerGuide energy efficiency home evaluation, you’ll need to contact a service organization registered with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to schedule an evaluation with a registered energy advisor. You can find approved providers through the official Natural Resources Canada Service Organization Directory. If you need both a pre- and post-retrofit evaluation, NRCan says the combined cost averages between $600 and $1,000, though costs vary depending on the service provider and where you live.

A step-by-step guide to energy audits

What happens during an energy audit?

1️⃣ The pre-project assessment

A registered energy advisor does a top-down inspection of everything from the attic to the basement, and tests for airtightness. A calibrated fan is installed in a normally sealed opening, like an exterior door, and pulls air out of the house. That, in turn, causes outside air to enter the home through gaps and cracks, which highlights any leakages. The evaluation is based on the EnerGuide Rating System established by Natural Resources Canada.

Once the inspection is complete you’ll get three things:

  • a Homeowner Information Sheet, which outlines how the home is using energy;
  • a Renovation Upgrade Report, which lists suggested improvements specific to your home; and
  • an EnerGuide label with your home’s energy-use rating in gigajoules per year (GJ/year).

 

“The energy assessment was much more scientific than we expected,” says Kent Boniface, an Ontario homeowner  who had an audit done on a home built in the late 1800s. “For the blower door test, they sealed our main doorway and placed a large fan there to force the inside air out. Their laptop recorded how hard the fan had to work and measured ‘air changes per hour’ to see how leaky our home was. The test depressurized the house so they could see where air was coming in through windows and gaps in the floorboards. We were shocked to learn just how inefficient [our home] was.”

Boniface said he used his report to identify upgrades that would have the biggest impact: insulation and a more efficient furnace. The difference was immediate—he said he saw his energy bills drop, and noticed a big change in how comfortable the house felt.

EnerGuide Home Evaluation Sheet
Image via Natural Resources Canada

2️⃣ The post-retrofit evaluation

If you make upgrades, you may want—or be required by a rebate program—to have the energy advisor come back for a post-retrofit evaluation. They’ll verify the work, do another blower door test, and provide updated EnerGuide information showing how your home’s energy performance has changed.

If the follow-up evaluation is part of a rebate program, it can also be used to verify that eligible upgrades were completed.

Here’s how to interpret your efficiency report.

The rebate process varies by program, so make sure you check the eligibility requirements before starting any work.

Audits and rebates available for homes

What rebates are available for getting an energy audit done?

The rebate landscape has changed in recent years. The federal Canada Greener Homes Grant and Canada Greener Homes Loan are now closed. However, the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program provides no-cost energy-efficiency retrofits for eligible low-to-median-income homeowners and tenants through participating provinces and territories.

There are also a wide variety of provincial, territorial, municipal and utility-based rebates, and whether you need an EnerGuide evaluation depends on the program and the upgrades you’re making.

In Ontario, for example, the Home Renovation Savings program offers rebates for upgrades including insulation, windows and doors, air sealing, heat pump water heaters, heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage. Some rebates require an initial and follow-up home energy assessment, while others don’t.

In British Columbia, the Better Homes programs offer rebates for a variety of energy-efficient upgrades. Some incentives, including the Home Energy Improvement Bonus, require pre- and post-upgrade EnerGuide evaluations.

Because programs, eligibility requirements and rebate amounts can change, it’s a good idea to check what’s currently available in your province or territory—and through your local utilities—before starting a project.

Here are four key benefits of doing an energy assessment

Four key benefits of doing an energy assessment

  • Comfort—your home can feel warmer in winter, cooler in summer. “Most people make upgrades because they’re tired of living in a freezing cold house,” says Barker. “Even just upgrading insulation can make such a difference.”
  • Cost savings—making your house work more efficiently means your furnace and air conditioning don’t have to work as hard. And that means more money in your pocket.
  • Greener operation—using less energy can help reduce your home’s environmental impact. Improving your home’s efficiency can also mean less energy is needed to keep it comfortable year-round.
  • Resale appeal—energy efficient features can be enticing to buyers and could potentially fetch you a higher price. “It’s simply going to be a better home to live in,” says Barker. “Just like a new kitchen or a great backyard, energy efficiency is a feature that amps up the appeal.”
Did you know? A REALTOR® can help you understand how energy-efficient features may factor into your buying or selling plans. If you’re curious about how a home energy audit could work for you, reach out to a REALTOR®.

Want to make your home—and your life—more sustainable? Read these articles:

Canadian Home Sales Rise for Fourth Consecutive Month in July

You see a headline boasting how Canadian home sales rose once again last month, and you may think that’s the same story across the entire country.

Not necessarily. As always, all real estate markets are local, so just because the number of home sales recorded in July was up another 0.5%—following a 0.5% increase in June—doesn’t mean that’s the case in, say, Regina or Halifax.

But there is an interesting national narrative being built here with the latest data from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), released Wednesday.

Before we get into what the latest Canadian housing data means, here’s the latest on what you need to know:

  • National home sales edged up 0.5% month-over-month.
  • Actual (not seasonally adjusted) monthly activity came in 5.3% below July 2025.
  • The number of newly listed properties declined 1.6% on a month-over-month basis.
  • The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI)—a tool that tracks home price levels and trends in local neighborhoods—edged up 0.1% month-over-month, the first increase since November 2024.
  • The actual (not seasonally adjusted) national average sale price was up 0.2% on a year-over-year basis, reaching $674,819

 

Home sales increased in most provinces, helping create a national balance

It’s a similar story to June: national home sales increased, new listings decreased and prices remained stable.

“The more interesting story over the last few months has been below the surface of the headline national numbers, where markets across the country are generally moving back towards balance,” says CREA Senior Economist Shaun Cathcart.

He said places like the Prairies, Quebec and the East Coast have seen their sellers’ markets steadily cooling off over the past year, where British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe have shifted from buyers’ markets back into balanced territory.

“Sellers’ markets aren’t going to stay sellers’ markets forever, and Ontario is not going to stay at a 30-year low for sales forever,” Cathcart explains in this month’s CREA Housing Market Report (watch below).

“Earlier this year, hot markets did start to cool off before those cooler markets started to firm up, which is why the first bit of this year looked so weak,” Cathcart goes on to say.

Still, this summer hasn’t been as busy for Canadians on the move compared to previous years as July’s home sales are down 5.3% compared to the same time last year.

And CREA recently downgraded its 2026 forecast for home sales.

But while 2026 got off to a slower start than expected, four consecutive months of increasing sales suggest the market has started to regain some footing.

Canada’s housing market is getting closer to balanced

One number that helps tell that story is the sales-to-new listings ratio. In July, it tightened to 51.3%, up as sales edged higher and the number of newly listed properties fell 1.6% from June.

For context, CREA considers a sales-to-new listings ratio between roughly 45% and 65% to generally represent balanced housing market conditions. The long-term national average is 54.7%.

There were 205,388 properties listed for sale across Canadian MLS® Systems at the end of July, just 0.6% more than a year earlier and 1.5% above the long-term average for that time of year.

That worked out to 4.7 months of inventory nationally, which is the lowest level so far in 2026 and slightly below the long-term average of five months.

Again, though, the national number only tells part of the story.

Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador remained borderline sellers’ markets in July, according to CREA, while inventory levels in most other provinces have been moving closer to their respective long-term averages.

Ontario is perhaps one of the better examples of how quickly the picture can change. After sitting in buyers’ market territory through the first four months of 2026, the province’s months-of-inventory measure had moved considerably closer to average by July. In the spring, inventory levels sat at 5.5 months. A normal Ontario market, Cathcart says, is around 3.5 months. As of July, it’s back to about 4.5 months.

Home prices are also showing signs of stability

Then there are prices.

The seasonally adjusted National Composite MLS® HPI edged up 0.1% between June and July.

It’s nothing to write home about, but it was the first monthly increase in the national MLS® HPI since November 2024.

On a year-over-year basis, the HPI was still down 3.3%. However, those annual declines have been getting smaller since the beginning of the year, with July recording the smallest decrease since October 2025.

The actual national average sale price, meanwhile, came in at $674,819 in July, up 0.2% from the same month in 2025.

Average prices were lower year-over-year in British Columbia (-1.3%) and Ontario (-3%), while several other provinces recorded increases. Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island were both up more than 5%, Quebec was up just over 5%, and Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador also posted annual gains.

So, while the Canadian average price was virtually unchanged from last July, what buyers and sellers experienced locally could have looked quite different depending on which side of a provincial border they were on.

What does the Canadian housing data for July suggest?

There’s more evidence that housing markets across the country are gradually moving away from some of the more pronounced buyers’ and sellers’ market conditions we’ve seen over the past year and towards something a little more balanced.

For buyers, that can mean having more time to make decisions without quite as much pressure from competing offers in some markets. For sellers, it can mean adjusting expectations to a market where pricing and presentation matter that much more.

A REALTOR® who knows your local market can help you understand what’s happening where you actually plan to buy or sell and what the latest numbers mean for you.

Contact a REALTOR® today if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home.

You may also be interested in reading:

Acheter une maison ou un condo? Quels aspects faut-il considérer?

Acheter un condo ou une maison? La réponse peut être évidente pour certains, mais pour d’autres, elle l’est moins. Chaque option comporte des avantages et des inconvénients, comme l’emplacement, des commodités, la valeur de revente et l’espace.

Pour répondre à la question, il est important de commencer en déterminant vos objectifs, votre style de vie et votre budget. Un courtier ou agent membre de l’ACI vous aidera à examiner les différentes options qui s’offrent à vous sur le marché que vous préférez, notamment les facteurs dont vous devrez tenir compte pour choisir entre un condo ou une maison. Entamez vos recherches sur REALTOR.ca au moyen du filtre Type de propriétés et comparez toutes les options que vous offre votre quartier

Cet article a été initialement publié le 25 avril 2019 et a été mis à jour pour garantir que les informations restent exactes et pertinentes.

Types de condos

Il y a deux principaux types de condos sur le marché : les condominiums en propriété franche et les condominiums à bail. Les condominiums en propriété franche peuvent être des immeubles divisés en un certain nombre d’unités, de maisons en rangée ou même de maisons en rangée ou unifamiliales individuelles. Dans cette catégorie se trouvent les condominiums normaux – vous achetez votre unité et vous avez un intérêt dans les parties communes, mais vous n’êtes pas propriétaire du terrain – et les condominiums de parties communes – vous n’achetez pas une unité, mais une propriété et le terrain sur lequel elle se trouve. Les propriétaires de la communauté partagent la propriété des parties communes et financent conjointement leur entretien et réparation. Dans le cas des condominiums à bail, le terrain n’appartient pas à l’association condominiale, mais les acheteurs d’un bail achètent un intérêt commun dans une partie privative et dans les parties communes.

Prix

skyline of a city
Photo : Liao Je Wei sur Unsplash

Il y a une différence entre acheter un condo normal et acheter une maison, car vous achetez seulement une unité dans un immeuble, et non pas un terrain. (Ce n’est pas nécessairement le cas des autres types de condos.) Habituellement, un condo est plus abordable qu’une maison située dans le même quartier; toutefois, l’écart est plus important dans certains marchés plutôt que d’autres et dans le cas d’un condominium de parties communes, il n’y aura peut-être pas de différence. Dans des villes comme Vancouver et Toronto, si vous êtes prêt à vous éloigner du centre-ville afin d’obtenir un prix moins élevé, cela influencera grandement votre choix entre une maison et un condo.

Frais

A bell boy at a hotel ringing the bell using white gloves

Si vous choisissez le condo, vous devrez assumer des frais mensuels couvrant des services comme la sécurité, l’entretien et les commodités. Le montant de ces frais est habituellement déterminé par la taille de votre unité et le nombre d’unités dans l’immeuble. Certains condos offrent des commodités luxueuses, comme un service de concierge en tout temps, une piscine, un gym, un sauna, une salle de cinéma avec grand écran et même une allée de bowling. Il est important de noter que plus il y aura de commodités, plus les frais de condos seront élevés.

an outdoor condo pool
Photo : Casey Schackow sur Unsplash

De plus, les frais de condo couvrent généralement les coûts associés aux réparations à effectuer à l’intérieur de l’immeuble (mais pas à l’intérieur de votre unité). Les propriétaires d’une maison n’ont pas cette chance. Un toit qui coule ou des améliorations aux fenêtres ne sont que quelques dépenses importantes qu’ils devront assumer, particulièrement dans une résidence construite depuis un certain temps.

L’assurance habitation est une autre dépense qui varie en fonction du type de résidence choisie. Habituellement, les primes d’assurance sont moins élevées dans le cas d’un condo puisque les murs sont couverts par l’assurance de l’immeuble. Il en va de même pour les factures de chauffage et d’électricité qui sont habituellement plus élevées dans le cas d’une maison.

Entretien

a man shovelling snow off a driveway
Photo : Filip Mroz sur Unsplash

Si vous détestez tondre la pelouse, pelleter la neige ou nettoyer les gouttières, un condo est peut-être la solution idéale. Une maison exige beaucoup plus d’efforts et de travaux d’entretien physiques, ce qui signifie que le propriétaire doit investir plus de temps.

Emplacement et style de vie

a person taking the stairs down into a subway station
Photo : LinedPhoto sur Unsplash

Les condos sont habituellement situés dans des emplacements centraux et offrent aux propriétaires une facilité de déplacement et une accessibilité au transport en commun, en plus d’une proximité des boutiques et des restaurants. Les professionnels peuvent accorder une plus grande priorité à ces commodités urbaines plutôt qu’au fait de posséder une chambre à coucher supplémentaire ou une cour arrière. Bien que les maisons situées loin du centre-ville soient plus abordables, vous devrez sacrifier l’emplacement et d’autres commodités associées à la vie en condo. Pour trouver des quartiers qui correspondent à votre style de vie, débutez votre recherche en consultant les données locales sur REALTOR.ca.

Si vous avez des enfants ou prévoyez en avoir bientôt, vous voudrez examiner attentivement des éléments comme l’espace, le bruit et l’intimité. Bien que deux personnes puissent être heureuses dans un condo, une maison pourrait leur offrir davantage si leur famille s’agrandit. Un condo de deux ou trois chambres offrira généralement moins d’espace qu’une maison pour une progéniture en pleine croissance.

Liberté

a woman reading a book on the front porch of a house
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

Les syndicats de la copropriété fixent des règles que tous les propriétaires ou locataires doivent suivre. Ces règles peuvent limiter le nombre d’animaux domestiques permis, ou la taille de ceux-ci, interdire la consommation de tabac dans les espaces communs ou sur les balcons privés, restreindre le nombre de visiteurs dans les espaces communs (comme la piscine ou le gym), empêcher les propriétaires de louer leur unité (comme sur Airbnb), interdire l’utilisation de barbecues personnels sur les patios ou imposer des contraintes concernant, entre autres, l’installation de lumières de Noël ou même la couleur de vos rideaux.

 

 

 

Les avantages d’un condo

a low-rise condo building
Photo : Daniel DiNuzzo sur Unsplash
  • Vous ne serez pas responsable de la plupart des travaux de réparation ou d’entretien effectués à l’extérieur de votre unité.
  • Vous pourriez avoir accès à des commodités comme un gym, une piscine ou un service de concierge en tout temps.
  • Un condo offre une sécurité accrue.
  • Il est souvent plus facile de louer un condo à court terme.
  • Un condo sera plus souvent situé dans un endroit central ou stratégique.

Les inconvénients d’un condo

Photo : Joseph Albanese sur Unsplash
  • Vous avez généralement moins d’intimité.
  • L’espace extérieur est limité.
  • Vous devrez payer des frais d’entretien mensuels (en plus des versements hypothécaires et des taxes foncières).
  • Vous devrez peut-être payer pour des commodités dont vous ne profitez pas.
  • Vous devrez peut-être composer avec certaines restrictions en matière d’utilisation des aires communes, de stationnement, d’animaux de compagnie, de rénovations et de décorations.

Les avantages d’une maison

a dog on a backyard deck
Photo : Morgan Thompson sur Unsplash
  • Vous avez habituellement carte blanche en ce qui concerne la décoration et les travaux de rénovation.
  • Vous aurez plus de contrôle sur votre propre espace.
  • Vous aurez probablement plus d’espace à l’extérieur.

Les inconvénients d’une maison

a ladder in a room with a crack in the wall
Photo : Brina Blum sur Unsplash
  • Vous êtes responsable de tous les travaux d’entretien.
  • Vous êtes responsable de toutes les réparations.
  • Les factures des services publics sont généralement plus élevées que dans le cas d’un condo.

Répondez à notre questionnaire pour savoir lequel vous convient le mieux.

Pour vous aider à faire un choix, consultez un courtier ou agent immobilier détenteur du titre REALTOR®. Nos experts sont là pour vous aider à trouver la propriété qui convient le mieux à vos besoins.

Financial Programs Available to Help First-Time Home Buyers


If you’re like most Canadians, buying a home is probably one of the biggest investment you’ll ever make. But for first-time home buyers, just saving up enough money for the down payment can take years or even decades to accomplish.

Thankfully, Canada’s federal and provincial governments offer several different programs designed to support first-time home buyers by offsetting some of the costs associated with buying a home, and helping them purchase their first property.

This article offers an overview of some of the most popular of those programs, including:

Down payment requirements for first-time buyers

For most first-time home buyers, one of the biggest hurdle is usually saving for the down payment.

In Canada, the required down payment amount is determined by the purchase price of the home as follows:

$500,000 or less
Minimum down payment equals 5% of the purchase price.
$500,000 to $1.5 million
Minimum down payment equals 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% for the portion of the purchase price above $500,000.
$1.5 million or more
Minimum down payment equals 20% of the purchase price.

 

Marc Figueiredo, a Mortgage Specialist with RBC, says “first-time home buyers naturally pour their energy into saving for a down payment. But the full cost of buying a home goes beyond that. Closing costs, land transfer taxes, legal fees, and other expenses, it can be a lot to absorb all at once. That’s where the financial programs available to first-time buyers can make a real difference. When you understand what’s out there and combine those programs strategically, you can often get into a home sooner than you think, with less saved up front than you expected.”

If your down payment is less than 20% of the price of your new home, you’ll also have to get an insured mortgage, which can add anywhere from another 0.6% to 4.5% to the purchase price.

The amount of money you put toward your down payment can also affect the type of mortgage you get, and the interest rate you’ll have to pay. In general, the larger your down payment, the less interest you’ll pay on your mortgage.

Once you have a clear picture of your down payment, your next step should be to get pre-approved for a mortgage. RBC’s online pre-approval can be completed in a few easy steps and will provide you with your mortgage amount and interest rate with no impact to your credit score or commitment to proceed.  A pre-approval is helpful to have prior to house hunting as you can act quickly on a property you want to buy when you already know what you can afford.

Below are the various programs that can help first-time buyers establish a down payment.

The RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP)

The Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) is a federal program that lets eligible buyers withdraw up to $60,000 from their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to put towards their down payment when they buy or build a home for themselves, or for a relative with a disability.

Anyone who’s never owned their primary residence before, or who hasn’t lived in a primary residence they (or their spouse or common-law partner) own in the last four calendar years, is eligible to take part in the program. Any amount you withdraw must be repaid within 15 years to remain tax-free.

Couples can also both take part in the HBP at the same time if they buy or build a home together. This allows married or common-law first-time buyers to access up to $120,000 as a down payment on their first property.

First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (HBTC)

The First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (HBTC) is a non-refundable credit that gives first-time buyers a rebate of up to $1,500 on their income taxes when they, or their spouse or common-law partner, buy a home in Canada.

Also known as the Home Buyers’ Amount (HBA), the HBTC can help offset the costs of buying a whole range of eligible property types, from new and existing single-family and semi-detached homes, to condos, apartments, townhouses, housing co-ops and mobile homes.

GST/HST new housing rebate

For new builds, the federal government also offers a rebate on the GST/HST for anyone who buys a newly built or substantially renovated home as their primary place of residence. The rebate also applies when buying shares in a co-op or hiring a contractor to substantially rebuild or renovate your existing home.

“The HST rebate on new homes is a program that can significantly improve a homebuyer’s cash flow, not just at the time of purchase, but for years to come,” adds Figueiredo. “By reducing the overall amount that needs to be financed, it lowers monthly mortgage payments and has a meaningful, lasting impact on a client’s financial well-being.”

Unfortunately, the GST/HST rebate only applies to homes with a fair-market value of $450,000 or less. But if your new home qualifies, you can receive a rebate of 36% of the GST charged on the home, up to a maximum of $6,300.

The GST/HST rebate only applies to the federal part of the HST paid on a new home. But some provinces also offer a similar rebate on the provincial portion of the tax.

As of March 2025, the GST on new builds for first-time home buyers has been eliminated. The full rebate, worth up to $50,000, applies to new builds valued at or under $1 million, with a partial, graduated rebate available on homes between $1 million and $1.5 million.

Buying a pre-construction home from a builder or building your own home comes with different financing options and processes that you can learn about here.

First Home Savings Accounts (FHSA)

The First Home Savings Account (FHSA) is a registered savings plan that lets first-time buyers save up to $8,000 a year, tax free, to buy or build a home. For the purposes of the program, “first-time buyers” include anyone who hasn’t lived in a primary residence they (or their spouse or common-law partner) own in the last four calendar years.

As a savings vehicle, the FHSA combines the benefits of both a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA).

Like an RRSP, contributions to your FHSA can be used as a deduction on your income taxes, to reduce the amount of tax you owe. But like a TFSA, the investments inside your FHSA also grow tax-free, so you won’t have to pay any tax when you withdraw the money to buy a property.

Once you open a FHSA, you can contribute the maximum annual amount for up to five years. This would allow a first-time buyer to save up to a lifetime maximum of $40,000 to put towards their down payment, or up to $80,000 in the case of a married or common-law couple.

You can also carry forward any unused contribution room, up to a maximum of $8,000, but only to the following year,; it doesn’t accumulate beyond that. And if you’re not quite ready to buy, you can keep your FHSA open for up to 15 years.

First-time buyers who take advantage of both an FHSA and the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) could withdraw $100,000 or more (in the event that their FHSA investments increase in value) from their registered savings for a down payment without any tax implications. For a couple, the total amount doubles to $200,000 or more.

Figueiredo adds, “a First Home Savings Account is a great way to grow your savings tax-free while also reducing your taxable income, stretching your savings further and getting you into you first home sooner. As a first-time homebuyer this program is essential to minimize the financial stress of buying your first home.”

Provincial and territorial programs

Several provinces, territories and municipalities also offer their own grants, rebates, tax credits and other programs to support home buyers, including first-time buyers. This includes programs like:

 

To find out which assistance programs and incentives are available in your area, check the housing section of your provincial or territorial government website, and contact your local municipal office or connect with a Mortgage Specialist near you.

How the pros can help

For most first-time buyers, simply navigating your way through all these different programs can be a daunting prospect. So if there’s anything you’re not sure about, why not ask a REALTOR®?

In addition to answering your questions and pointing you towards the programs you may be eligible for, REALTOR® can walk you through each and every step of the home buying process, and help you find a home that perfectly fits your needs, your preferences—and budget.

An RBC Mortgage Specialist can complement that support by making sure you’re in the best possible financial position before you start looking. From walking you through pre-approval, so you know exactly how much you can afford and what rate you may qualify for, to identifying which programs you’re eligible for and how to combine them to maximum effect, they take the guesswork out of the financial side of buying a home.

Whether you’re just starting to save or ready to make an offer, an RBC Mortgage Specialist can build a personalized plan that makes the most of every program available to you and every dollar you’ve saved.

You may also be interested in reading…

This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. The information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.

Homeowners Share Small Home Upgrades That Make a Big Difference

Sometimes it’s not the complete kitchen renovation or the backyard makeover that changes how a home feels. It’s the little things. The ones you barely think about until you have them, and then wonder how you ever lived without them.

That’s exactly what sparked a popular home-related thread on Reddit.

In  the r/Home community, one user posed a simple question: “What’s one small home upgrade that made a bigger difference than you expected?”

The posts poured in.

From motion-sensor lights to soft-close toilet seats, thousands of homeowners began sharing the inexpensive upgrades that made everyday life noticeably better. 

Whether you’ve just picked up the keys to your first home or you’re looking to make your current space a little more comfortable, here are some of Reddit’s favourite upgrades.

Motion-sensor lighting

If there’s one suggestion that kept appearing, it was motion-sensor lighting.

Homeowners swear by lights tucked beneath kitchen cabinets, inside closets, along staircases and in hallways. Instead of fumbling for a switch in the middle of the night, the lights turn on when you walk by.

It’s a small convenience that quickly becomes one of those features you forget isn’t standard, until you’re somewhere without it. 

Comment
by
u/Tight-Switch819 from discussion

in
Home

Shop for motion-sensor lighting for indoor and outdoor use on Amazon.

Smart plugs that think for you

Another maybe-not-so surprisingly popular recommendation? Smart plugs.

They’re inexpensive, easy to install and can automate everything from lamps to coffee makers. Want your living room lights to switch on before you get home? Done. Prefer your holiday lights to turn off automatically? No problem.

For homeowners easing into smart-home technology, Redditors say it’s one of the simplest places to start.

Comment
by
u/Tight-Switch819 from discussion

in
Home

Shop for smart plugs right on Amazon.

A bidet attachment

It may not be the most glamorous home upgrade, but it was easily one of the most passionately defended.

Comment after comment praised affordable bidet attachments for improving comfort while reducing toilet paper use. Several homeowners admitted they were skeptical at first, only to say they’d never willingly go back.

It’s proof that sometimes the upgrades you don’t expect end up being the most appreciated.

Comment
by
u/Tight-Switch819 from discussion

in
Home

Shop for bidet attachments on Amazon.

Soft-close everything

Kitchen cabinets. Toilet seats. Drawers.

Reddit users couldn’t stop talking about soft-close hardware, describing it as one of those little luxuries that quietly improves everyday living.

No more accidental slamming. No more cupboards echoing through the house during a late-night snack run.

It’s a subtle change that makes a home feel just a little more polished.

Comment
by
u/Tight-Switch819 from discussion

in
Home

Shop for soft-close kitchen cabinets hinges on Amazon.
Shop for soft-close toilet seats on Amazon.
Shop for soft-close drawer slides on Amazon.

Robot vacuums

A robot vacuum is like having a tiny cleaning assistant on call.

It can help keep everyday dust, crumbs, pet hair, and dirt under control without adding another chore to your list.

Set a schedule, let it do its thing, and come home to cleaner floors. While it won’t replace a deep clean, it can make regular upkeep a whole lot easier—giving you more time to enjoy your home instead of constantly cleaning it.

Comment
by
u/Tight-Switch819 from discussion

in
Home

Check out our previous comparison guide on robot vacuums. or shop on Amazon for a robot vacuum.

Dimmer switches

Lighting can completely change the atmosphere of a room, and homeowners say dimmer switches are one of the easiest ways to make a space feel more inviting.

Bright lighting works well while cooking or cleaning, but being able to dial it back for movie night or a quiet evening instantly creates a different mood.

For a relatively inexpensive upgrade, the impact can feel surprisingly dramatic.

Comment
by
u/Tight-Switch819 from discussion

in
Home

Shop for dimmer light switches on Amazon.

Better storage in unexpected places

Some of the most practical suggestions focused on organization rather than technology.

Pull-out pantry shelves. Hooks inside closets. Drawer dividers. Under-sink storage.

None of these upgrades are particularly exciting on their own, but together they help reduce clutter and make everyday routines feel just a little easier.

Sometimes improving a home isn’t about adding more space; it’s about making better use of the space you already have.

Comment
by
u/Tight-Switch819 from discussion

in
Home

Shop small storage solutions on Amazon.

Why these home upgrade ideas resonate with homeowners

There’s something refreshingly honest about threads like this.

Unlike perfectly curated home tours on social media, these recommendations come from people sharing the upgrades they actually use every day. They’re practical, affordable and based on lived experience rather than trends.

Between higher renovation costs and ongoing affordability challenges, not every homeowner is looking for a major remodel. Small projects that improve comfort without breaking the budget can go a long way.

Judging by Reddit, some of the best home improvements aren’t the ones guests notice first; they’re the ones that quietly make life easier every single day.

Maybe that’s the real takeaway. A better home doesn’t always start with a huge, expensive renovation. Sometimes it starts with a motion-sensor light, a smart plug or a cabinet door that finally closes without a bang.

 

Une assurance vie hypothécaire en vaut-elle la peine?

Si vous êtes propriétaire, il y a de bonnes chances que la banque ou l’institution prêteuse vous ait offert une assurance vie hypothécaire. Mais que couvre-t-elle, et en quoi est-elle différente d’une police d’assurance vie? Plus important encore, en vaut-elle la peine?

Une assurance vie hypothécaire est liée à l’hypothèque, et offre une protection si vous ne pouvez faire vos paiements. En cas d’invalidité, de perte d’emploi, de maladie grave ou de décès, l’assurance hypothécaire peut aider votre famille à garder la propriété, en faisant les paiements hypothécaires pour vous.

« Nous voulons nous assurer que les gens sont protégés », précise Darrell Majdell, vice-président régional de Specialized Sales, spécialiste des prêts hypothécaires en Alberta, Manitoba et Saskatchewan, pour la Banque de Montréal BMO.

Cet article a été initialement publié le 27 avril 2019 et a été mis à jour pour garantir que les informations restent exactes et pertinentes.

A girl playing in a miniature car in the backyard of a home

Du point de vue du consommateur, l’assurance vie hypothécaire offre aux propriétaires une tranquillité d’esprit supplémentaire et un sentiment de sécurité. Les banques l’offriront toujours comme une option, mais il revient aux consommateurs de décider si elle en vaut le coût.

« Toutes les institutions financières offriront de l’information et des conseils sur leurs produits d’assurance, et la décision revient au consommateur », mentionne-t-il. « Certains d’entre eux peuvent s’en procurer une auprès d’autres fournisseurs, mais ils doivent décider si elle est suffisante. »

Bon nombre de propriétaires ne se rendent pas compte qu’une assurance vie protège techniquement la banque ‒ et non vous ni vos intérêts personnels. Pour une protection supplémentaire, en cas de décès de votre époux ou épouse, par exemple, vous pourriez aussi vouloir considérer une assurance vie personnelle.

Néanmoins, M. Majdell estime qu’entre 20 % et 30 % des gens en Alberta, par exemple, prennent une assurance vie hypothécaire. Cela a du sens pour ceux et celles qui ont l’impression que leur couverture est insuffisante et qui veulent s’assurer d’être protégés, au cas où il arriverait quelque chose.

« L’assurance vie hypothécaire, que vendent les banques et les prêteurs, semble être une excellente idée — mais lisez les petits caractères, car elle pourrait ne pas être la meilleure option », souligne Romana King, chroniqueuse en finances personnelles.

Il y a quelques caractéristiques dont les propriétaires, qui détiennent une telle assurance auprès d’une banque, devraient être au courant. Premièrement, cette assurance n’est pas transférable. « Si vous déménagez, l’assurance est annulée, et les primes payées sont perdues », prévient Mme King.

a woman standing on a back deck of a home, looking out at a body of water

Deuxièmement, les primes mensuelles demeurent les mêmes pendant tout le terme de la police, même si le dédommagement potentiel diminue. En effet, le solde dû de votre hypothèque décroît au fur et à mesure que vous le remboursez, de sorte que le dédommagement couvert par l’assurance diminue aussi avec le temps.

Les consommateurs devraient aussi noter qu’une assurance vie hypothécaire procède habituellement à la souscription médicale après la réclamation, c’est-à-dire qu’elle détermine si vous êtes admissible ou non à l’assurance après la demande de réclamation. Les banques peuvent donc refuser votre couverture des années après le paiement de vos primes. Peu de polices d’assurance offrent une évaluation médicale avec la souscription; les compagnies d’assurances peuvent donc refuser votre réclamation s’ils croient que votre souscription comportait une information trompeuse.

En 2008, l’émission Marketplace de CBC présentait un épisode intitulé Mortgage Insurance: In Denial (La face cachée de l’assurance hypothécaire) soulignant les risques d’une assurance vie hypothécaire. Une famille canadienne, qui payait ses primes depuis 9 ans, s’est vue refuser une réclamation après que les assureurs leur aient affirmé qu’ils n’auraient jamais dû se qualifier au départ, en raison des conditions médicales du mari.

Dans bon nombre de cas, précise Mme King, souscrire une assurance vie temporaire ou ordinaire est plus abordable, plus simple et plus souple. Bien que les primes d’une telle assurance demeurent aussi constantes, le dédommagement ne diminue pas avec le temps, et vous n’êtes pas limité au remboursement partiel ou total de votre hypothèque.

a man writing on a notepad while scrolling on a laptop

Évidemment, il y a toujours des exceptions. « Une assurance vie hypothécaire — et son approbation quasi instantanée — est logique si vous avez un handicap, une maladie ou un mode de vie qui rend difficile, voire impossible, l’obtention d’une autre assurance », déclare-t-elle.

Rappelez-vous que les banques et les prêteurs peuvent émettre une assurance vie hypothécaire, puis refuser la couverture des années plus tard. Alors, au besoin, exigez une assurance avec souscription médicale au moment de la demande.

Le présent article est diffusé à titre d’information seulement; il ne contient pas de conseils financiers ou juridiques et ne remplace pas un conseiller financier ou juridique.

6 Things First-Time Buyers Learned on Their Home Buying Journey

Making the leap into homeownership can be intimidating. There are many considerations that demand your attention as a first-time home buyer, and plenty of learning that happens before, during, and after the first purchase. 

When navigating the market for the first time, you may not know what to expect. This uncertainty is all part of the process, but getting the right advice will help you prepare for these scenarios as best as possible. Of course, your REALTOR® will be there to answer all your questions, but sometimes it’s nice to hear from people who have recently gone through the same process to learn from their experiences. 

Below are some lessons learned from some first-time home buyers that may help you in your own home search.

This article was originally published March 30, 2023, and has been edited to ensure the information remains accurate and relevant.

Here are some tips on choosing a realtor

1. Find a REALTOR® who’s a good fit

Lindsay Shaw purchased her first condo in the heart of downtown Victoria, British Columbia, in September 2021. She says finding a REALTOR® she connected with made the process much easier.

“It pays to find a REALTOR® willing to be hands-on and responsive to all your questions,” Shaw shares. “I was lucky to have someone in my corner willing to field calls at all hours and walk me through the nitty gritty pieces of first-time purchases.” 

Finding a REALTOR® is very personal—just because someone was ideal for your neighbour or best friend doesn’t mean they will be for you. It’s OK to speak with multiple REALTORS® and ask them questions to find someone who aligns with your goals and needs. 

2. Pay attention to the listing description and read all provided property documents

Shaw also shared how her REALTOR® encouraged her to look into specific details on stratified properties. 

“I’m very thankful for how much attention I was encouraged to pay to legacy documents like strata minutes,” she tells us. “It’s tempting to skim them or chat with a friend who also lives in the building instead, but it was vital for me to read and understand what the building was all about and give it my two thumbs up, along with my REALTOR®. They also taught me about limited common property and how those spaces and rules fit into the transaction.” 

Not to be confused with common property, limited common property is a designated space exclusively used by one or more strata lots. This can be something like a balcony or parking space. The document review is different for single-family detached homes, but the shopping process is quite the same.

If you’re looking to purchase a condo, here are 5 Questions to Ask a Condo Board Before Buying.

The Things to Look for When Buying a House
Image via Radost Rychtera

3. Identify your must-haves by going to open houses

Radost Rychtera and her partner Rob Murray shared their tips after purchasing their first home in Esquimalt, British Columbia. 

“There’s no better way to learn your non-negotiables than to view houses,” Murray says. “Looking online, you can pick up some vibes, but seeing the space in person helps you understand it better. Maybe it has a good lot size in a good neighbourhood, and the square footage is right, but the layout just doesn’t work for you when you get there.”

“Yes! We had a house just like that during our search,” Radost echoed. “On paper it was great, and we got excited and thought it might be the one, but then we saw it in person and it didn’t work. We thought we’d like some things more than we did. There’s no such thing as a perfect house. Lots of what we looked at were homes where we had to determine what we were willing to compromise on. It took a few houses to kind of realize what we [were willing to] compromise on until we found the one that ticked all of our most important boxes.” 

Buying a Home? Narrow Down Your Needs and Wants List with tips from REALTORS®.

Melissa Thimot, a REALTOR®  in Langford, British Columbia, reinforces this theme.

“I love to do a window shop day with my first-time home buyers, even before setting them up in the search portal,” she shares. “We don’t pay attention to houses in our day-to-day lives the same way we do when shopping to purchase, so it’s important to see an array of options early on. This way, you can ensure you have a good sense of what you want when you are ready.” 

She reminds home buyers of an important principle: “You’re buying a home, you’re not dating it. Although it’s an emotional process, and we need to be in tune with those emotions, we have to understand that putting our heart on the line before we’ve gotten [it] is setting ourselves up for heartbreak.” 

She encourages buyers to have a balance between emotional investment and realistic long-term planning.

4. Be comfortable with your conditions when you’re a first-time home buyer

Radost says she and Murray wrote three different offers before buying their current home, and with each offer they learned something about their comfort level.

“Knowing what you’re comfortable with for your offer will make you faster at putting pen to paper and your offer stronger,” she says. “You’ll learn how to strengthen your offer at a risk level you can handle. Our risk tolerance changed throughout the offers and our REALTOR® was fantastic at walking us through our options.”

A guide to getting your finances in order before buying a home
Image via Kimberly MacLeod

5. Get the complete financial picture before buying your first home

Matt and Kimberly MacLeod, who purchased their first home in Saanich, British Columbia, sahred some advice when it comes to shopping around for a mortgage.

“Visit a mortgage broker before you start looking for a place,” Kimberly suggests. “They’ll help determine your budget, and if you can’t afford as much as you’d like, they can help you come up with a plan to get there. They also teach you about things like first-time home buying incentives and RRSP usage.”

The Government of Canada offers a program called the Home Buyers’ Plan, which is a program that allows you to withdraw from your registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs) to buy or build a qualifying home for yourself or for a specified disabled person. Currently, the plan’s withdrawal limit is $60,000.

There’s also the First Home Savings Account (FHSA), which allows eligible first-time home buyers to save to buy or build a qualifying first home tax-free (up to certain limits).

Your FHSA participation room in the first year you open your FHSA is $8,000. Contributions to an FHSA are generally deductible and can be used to reduce your tax. Transfers from your RRSPs to your FHSAs are not deductible.

Depending on where you live, your province may offer additional home buying incentives. For instance, in Ontario, enhanced housing rebates were introduced to provide relief of the 8% provincial part of the HST on certain new homes and new residential rental units.

The government’s web page states the Ontario ENHR provides the following:

  • a full rebate (100%) of the 8% provincial part of the HST paid on a new home valued up to $1 million;
  • a flat rebate of $80,000 for the provincial part of the HST paid on a new home valued between $1 million and $1.5 million;
  • a partial rebate for the provincial part of the HST paid on a new home valued between $1.5 million and $1.85 million.

For a new home valued at $1.85 million and above, the existing Ontario new housing rebate is available at a flat rate of $24,000.

First-time buyer budgeting is about more than just the down payment. Get a better idea of the costs associated with buying a home in this REALTOR.ca Living Room article. 

Shaw also shared her experience with finances when buying her first home.

“Finding out what I was approved to borrow and budgeting to keep up my current lifestyle were two different conversations,” she says. “After crunching the numbers, my budget changed, and I had to shrink it up a bit to ensure I could maintain my lifestyle. This meant some give and take. I knew it was important to me to be downtown in a newer building, so that meant sacrificing square footage.”

Buying a home for the first time? Don't forget your closing costs!

6. Don’t forget the spending that comes after you close the purchase of the home

Matt and Kimberly both agreed buyers should have money set aside for initial updates and repairs; they’ll want to make their new place feel a bit more like their own home.

“You’ll likely need to make a few repairs to the home that you may not have anticipated when you purchased, or if you’re anything like us, you’ll want to do a couple of DIY renovations,” she points out. “These updates and repairs are a normal part of homeownership, but you can avoid the extra money stress by giving yourself a padded budget.”

No matter when you’re doing your home renovations, make sure you’re Managing ‘While We’re At It’ Syndrome to Stay On Time and On Budget.

Are you interested in starting your real estate journey? Find a REALTOR® near you to get the process started! 

You may also be interested in reading…