The Bank of Canada released its review of the financial system Thursday and warned that it was important to remain vigilant to the risk of household indebtedness. The bank said that while the mortgage stress test and interest rate hikes have slowed household borrowing and improved credit quality, there are still high levels of indebtedness […]

A new program the federal government has announced to subsidize first-time homebuyers isn’t likely to help the market but more likely to harm it. And not only is it not going to help out the market, but it’s not going to help out new homeowners. In its recently announced budget, the government is essentially putting […]

Busy lives and the changing trends in how we get around is driving greater demand for homes close to good transit links. In a new survey released Tuesday, 28% of ‘modern family’ homeowners in major Canadian metros said that transit-friendliness is one of their top 3 homebuying criteria. Sotheby’s International Realty Canada and Mustel Group’s […]

The Fraser Valley continues to be a slower-than-usual housing market but there are some positives. Sales in April were down 19% year-over-year to 1,383, although that was an increase of 13.3% from March according to MLS data from the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. While it was the second-slowest April in 10 years, consumers’ demand […]

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The latest reading of Canada’s economy brings both good and bad news for the housing market. While growth slowed in February – to just 0.1% following a 0.3% rise in January – the weakness will almost certainly rule out any interest rate increases this year. Statistics Canada’s GDP figures released Tuesday show a near-even split […]

17th Annual Neighborhood Garage Sale Sponsored By The Walker Real Estate Team Saturday, April 27 @ 9:00am Bell Park: 13896 19A Ave. – fishing poles and tools 13836 19A Ave.- Stoke baby crib and attachments, Boon high chair, play pen, Thule toddler bike seat, toddler bikes/helmets/toys and much more 1983 138 Str. – household items […]

The likelihood of a Bank of Canada interest rate increase appears to be getting pushed further and further beyond the horizon. The Bank is expected to remain on the sidelines again this week when it makes its scheduled rate announcement on Wednesday. A recent survey by Reuters suggests economists have had a significant change of […]

Canadian home buyers continue to accept and adjust to the new realities of the market, but that doesn’t mean they are happy about it. A home ownership survey conducted earlier this year suggests nearly 40% of homeowners see themselves as being (or having been) “house poor”. That means they are spending more than 30% of […]

The spring season is a mixed one for Canada’s housing markets with some showing gains while others remain under pressure. More than a year on from the introduction of mortgage stress tests, the impacts are still being felt and new measures to help buyers have not yet taken effect. Despite some positive economic conditions, the […]