Canada’s Purpose-Built Rental Vacancy Rate Increases OTTAWA, November 2, 2015 — Canada’s 35 larger centres saw the average vacancy rate in privately initiated purpose-built rental apartments increase to 3.3 per cent in October 2015, from 2.8 per cent in October 2014, according to preliminary data from the fall Rental Market Survey released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). … Read More

Re-printed from the Residential Tenancies Branch Website: The 2015 rent increase guideline is 2.4 percent, effective January 1, 2015. Tenants must be given proper written notice at least three months before a rent increase takes effect (ex. if a landlord wants to increase the rent on January 1, a tenant must receive the notice on or before September 30).  A notice … Read More

BUYERS SCOOP UP MLS® LISTINGS IN SEPTEMBER –              –              – September MLS® Sales Up 5% WINNIPEG –Buyers took advantage of the over 5,000 MLS® listings available at the beginning of September. As a result, sales were less than 3% off the best September recorded in 2011. The 2,364 new listings entered on MLS® during the month of September kept listings … Read More

Changes to Canada’s Mortgage Market  Fast Facts  • Since 2008, the federal government has made several changes to the rules for government-backed insured mortgages that have reduced amortization periods and increased the minimum down payment required for home buyers.  • In 2012, the banks’ regulator also introduced a new guideline that sets out requirements for prudent mortgage lending and the … Read More

Taken from a letter from the RTB to the PPMA: Here are some highlights of the changes that will take effect on November 1, 2011: · New work and expenditure requirements for whole complex rehabilitation schemes. Condominium conversions of rehabilitated complexes will not be allowed for 4 years after an exemption is granted.· Increases in late payment fees and NSF … Read More

PRESS RELEASEOctober 6, 2011For Immediate Release SEPTEMBER MLS® MARKET AS HOT AS THE WEATHER– – –September MLS® Sales Surpass 1,200 for First Time WINNIPEG – Balmy summer weather in September created summer-like market activity which led to a third consecutive month of over 1200 MLS® sales. As a result, it makes September 2011 WinnipegREALTORS® best September in 108 years. September … Read More

A moribund housing market is dragging on an already weak U.S. economy, and causing ripples across the border here in Canada. This week, two key numbers will likely show that U.S. housing is still an incredibly weak spot, with no significant improvements in sight. On Monday new home sales figures are expected to show a fourth consecutive fall in transactions … Read More

TORONTO – Some Canadian mortgage rates are going down as of Thursday. TD Canada Trust (TSX:TD) was the first major bank to announce a change, with its five-year closed mortgage rate falling 15 one-hundredths to 5.24 per cent. Royal Bank (TSX:RBC) and Bank of Montreal ()TSX:BMO) will drop their five-year closed mortgage rate by 20 one-hundreds to 5.19 per cent. … Read More