Alasdair Douglas’ Real Estate Blog, Cornerstone Association of Realtors November Press Release

November Home Sales in Waterloo Region Up Over Last Year By WRARDecember 4, 2024Market Stats WATERLOO REGION, ON (December 4, 2024) —In November, a total of 539 homes were sold in the Waterloo Region via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System of the Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® (Cornerstone). This represents a 21.1 per cent increase compared to […]

Alasdair Douglas’ Real Estate Blog, Cornerstone Association of Realtors October Press Release

Home Sales in the Waterloo Region Increased in October By WRARNovember 4, 2024Market Stats WATERLOO REGION, ON (November 4, 2024) —In October, a total of 604 homes were sold in the Waterloo Region via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System of the Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® (Cornerstone). This represents a 7.1 per cent increase compared to the […]

Alasdair Douglas’ Real Estate Blog, Cornerstone Association of Realtors Waterloo Region September Market Report.

Waterloo Region Sees Decrease in Home Sales for September By WRAROctober 3, 2024Market Stats WATERLOO REGION, ON (October 3, 2024) —In September, a total of 521 homes were sold in the Waterloo Region via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System of the Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® (Cornerstone). This represents a decrease of 2.1 per cent compared to […]

Alasdair Douglas’ Real Estate Blog, Bank of Canada Cuts Lending Rate Again

Overnight lending rate falls to 4.25% as Bank of Canada makes third consecutive cut September 4, 2024 Canada’s central bank has made a third cut to its overnight lending rate this year, lowering borrowing costs for existing and aspiring homebuyers yet again. In its scheduled September 2024 announcement, the Bank of Canada dropped the target […]

Alasdair Douglas’ Real Estate Blog, Cornerstone Association of Realtors August Press Release

Waterloo Region Sees Strong Demand for Detached Homes Amid Cooler Residential Sales in August By WRARSeptember 5, 2024Market Stats WATERLOO REGION, ON (September 5, 2024) —In August, a total of 539 homes were sold in the Waterloo Region via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System of the Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® (Cornerstone). This represents a decrease of […]

Alasdair Douglas’ Real Estate Blog, Gen Zs and young millennials still believe in home ownership, and they’re willing to make sacrifices to achieve it

More than 4 out of 5 Canadians aged 18-38 believe that home ownership is a worthwhile investment Despite affordability challenges, majority of young Canadians see home ownership as a worthwhile investment Gen Z and young millennials are prioritizing saving, building good credit and reducing discretionary spending to achieve goal of home ownership Highlights: TORONTO, August […]

Alasdair Douglas’ Real Estate Blog, Bank of Canada Lowers Key Rate

Bank of Canada makes second consecutive rate cut, lowers overnight lending rate to 4.50% For the second time in a row, Canada’s central bank has cut its overnight lending rate.  In its pre-scheduled July 2024 announcement, the Bank of Canada dropped the target for the overnight lending rate by 25 basis points to 4.50%.  While […]

Alasdair Douglas’ Real Estate Blog, 30 Year Mortgages Available to First Time Buyers

30-year amortizations on insured mortgages for new build homes now available for first-time buyers First-time buyers of new construction homes in Canada will now be able to access longer mortgage amortization periods.  As of August 1st, 2024, lenders will be allowed to offer 30-year amortizations for insured mortgages to first-time homebuyers of new construction homes, […]

Alasdair Douglas, Real Estate Blog, Where was the spring market? Homebuyers continue to wait in the wings despite highly-anticipated first rate cut by the Bank of Canada

Nationally, home prices increased 1.5% on a quarterly basis in Q2 despite activity slowdown in major markets The spring market that never was: Canadian real estate remains in prolonged catch-up period as buyers idle on the sidelines Further interest rate cuts required to increase purchasing power and improve consumer confidence Second-quarter highlights:  TORONTO, July 11, […]

Alasdair Douglas’ Real Estate Blog, Important Changes to Capital Gains Tax, What You Need to Know

The 2024 federal budget introduced important changes to capital gains rates, and you should be aware of how this could impact you or your clients. A capital gain occurs when you sell, or are deemed to have sold, a capital asset for an amount greater than its adjusted cost base plus the outlays and expenses […]