Tom Flatt

Working hard to get you home!

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You may still qualify as a first-time homebuyer, even if you’ve owned before

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Canada's first-time homebuyer programs have varying eligibility rules based on ownership, occupancy, and timing, causing confusion. Federal programs often allow buyers to regain first-time status after several years of not owning or living in a home, while some provincial programs use lifetime ownership tests that permanently disqualify previous owners. Definitions differ for tax credits, mortgage insurance, and provincial rebates, so eligibility depends on which program's rules apply.

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Ontario New-Home Sales Ticked Up In Q2, HST Rebate Program Credited

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Ontario new-home sales rose 130% year-over-year in Q2 2026, reaching 8,410 units, driven by the enhanced provincial-federal HST rebate program. The rebate accounted for 4,765 incremental sales, supporting an estimated 17,300 construction jobs, $2.8 billion in GDP, and $1.4 billion in government revenues. Additional economic gains are expected as the Development Charge Reduction Program is implemented across municipalities.

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New home sales in Ontario surge in second quarter, industry says

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Ontario's new home sales surged by 130% in the second quarter, rising from about 3,600 to over 8,400, largely due to a federal HST rebate reducing prices by up to $130,000. This boost helped save an estimated 17,000 construction jobs at risk. The increase mainly affected single-family and detached homes, while condominiums saw smaller gains. The HST rebate is set to expire in March 2027, with future measures under discussion.

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Expert Tips for Selling Your Home This Fall and Winter

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Prep Early: Complete exterior maintenance—fix gutters, repaint, rake leaves, and brighten windows before cold weather limits improvements.

Warm and Welcoming: Keep interiors cozy and decorated; personal touches help buyers imagine themselves living there.

Avoid Neglect: Maintain curb appeal, keep utilities on in vacant homes, and price realistically to attract serious buyers.

Smart Offer Choices: Don’t just chase the highest price—consider buyer reliability, timing, and financing for the best outcome.

Canada Rents Show Early Stability

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Canada’s avg. asking rent reached ~$2K in Early-Q3, down ~4% yearly but up <1% MoM, marking the smallest annual pullback since Early-Q1 2026.
Rents logged 22 straight months of yearly declines, yet four consecutive monthly gains followed a nearly 3-yr low, signaling seasonal momentum and early market stabilization.
Purpose-built rentals proved most resilient, with yearly rents down ~3% to ~$2K and three-bedroom units steady. Condo apartments fell ~6%, houses and townhomes down ~8%.
National apartment and condo rents averaged ~$2K in Early-Q3, up <1% from Late-Q2. Toronto stood out, with yearly listings ↓~6% and rents nearing positive territory.
The current signal: stabilizing, not recovering. Seasonal back-to-school demand may keep momentum building, while Toronto remains the market to watch for an earlier shift.

Ontario’s Missing Middle Code Gap

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Ontario's building code still makes this housing scale difficult to design efficiently.
In Ontario, houses need only smoke alarms and no barrier-free access, while four-storey apartment buildings require elevators, fire alarms, and sprinklers, even with few units.

Pros and Cons of Home Security Systems

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Home security systems deter 60% of criminals and reduce neighborhood crime rates. Benefits include crime prevention, insurance discounts, environmental hazard monitoring, and remote access convenience. Downsides involve upfront costs, monthly fees, contracts, false alarm fines, privacy risks, and maintenance challenges. Effective security combines physical locks, visible cameras, yard signs, digital protections, sensors, and lighting. Overall, systems offer valuable protection and peace of mind despite costs.

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Why summer is the right time to replace your windows and doors before winter arrives

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Homeowners in Ontario are encouraged to replace old windows and doors during summer to improve indoor comfort, energy efficiency, and curb appeal. Upgrading can reduce heat loss, lower energy bills, decrease noise, and enhance security. Summer offers stable weather for faster installation and avoids the busy fall rush. Proper installation is crucial for long-term durability and efficiency. This upgrade is a smart investment for comfort and home value.

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Canada: Young Canadians Rethink Homeownership

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Canada’s affordability strain barely improved into the current second half of 2026, leaving many younger buyers feeling homeownership is slipping further out of reach.
Some younger Canadians have shifted toward 'doom spending,' prioritizing travel and experiences over downpayment savings because they doubt they will ever afford a home.
Family help remains a common path to a downpayment, and brokers say normalizing those conversations can reassure buyers who feel embarrassed asking relatives.
While activity stayed sluggish across many Canadian housing markets in 2026, debt servicing often remained the bigger barrier than the downpayment itself.
Entry-level homes moved quickly in one Canadian market, fueling competition, yet brokers still framed ownership as a meaningful long-term goal despite the stretch.