Newsworthy
Are You Ready for Tax Time? These Changes Could Affect You...
(NC) Every year, changes are made that could impact your income tax and benefit return, including new deductions and rebates for eligible Canadians. Ahead of the April 30, 2025, deadline to file your 2024 tax return, here are five changes that you should be aware of this tax season.
Updates to online tax management
Managing your tax information online is easier than ever, thanks to new features available with a Canada Revenue Agency online account. For example, you’ll be able to use the ...
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Regain Control of Your Finances This Year
(NC) When people struggle to pay off their debt, it can add a lot of stress to their lives. Financial stress can even lead to health problems, including everything from insomnia to more serious issues like high blood pressure and depression. If paying down your debt is becoming a challenge, small actions can make a difference.
Assess your debt load and set a timeframe for all your debts
Start by making a list of all your debts. Then, set goals for paying down your debts and track your debt-repayment ...
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4 Important Things to Consider When Selling Your House in Winter
As the days continue to get shorter and the holidays get closer, you may feel as if your time is running out when it comes to getting an acceptable offer on your home, and finally closing the deal.
It can be easy to check out of the selling process during the winter months, because there are fewer buyers and showings. But, winter can still offer the right seller a great opportunity, as buyers are everywhere and yours might be right around the corner!
Here, we’ll discuss four ways to ...
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New Mortgage Rules Set to Spur Market Recovery, But Impact May Be Short-lived
Cindy Freiman | Nov 25, 2024
Housing industry experts agree that new mortgage rules taking effect on Dec. 15, 2024, will have a positive impact on the road to recovery for the Canadian housing market. However, their effectiveness will likely be short-lived, hindered by several factors.
The two key changes introduced by the federal government are:
Expanding access to 30-year amortizations for all first-time homebuyers and buyers of new builds, aimed at reducing monthly ...
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Tips for Renewing Your Mortgage
(NC) Is your current mortgage term coming to an end? If you still owe money on the mortgage, you will need to renew it. The process is easier when you know the steps to follow.
1. Review your mortgage renewal statement
A federally regulated lender like a bank must provide you with a mortgage renewal statement at least 21 days before the term ends. The statement must contain the following information:
the balance or remaining principal at the renewal date
the interest rate
the payment ...
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Get your home winter-ready with a few handy tips
(NC) As Canadians, the routine of preparing ourselves for the winter months is one that is all too familiar. Well before the first snow fall, we make sure our fleeced jackets, gloves, and boots are ready to go. But when it comes to prepping the house for those cold and snowy months ahead – well that’s a different story. To help get your home winter-ready, we’ve rounded up some useful tips.
Cut the draft
Keeping the heat in and the cold out should be at the top of your ...
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Downsizing tips for happiness in a smaller space
(NC) Downsizing for retirement can relieve stress and help you focus on what is truly important. Whether you feel ready for the change or you’re a little nervous to plant roots somewhere new, here are some tips for a smooth and easy transition.
Start decluttering now
Even if you don’t plan to move for some time, it’s worth cutting down on your clutter. Begin thinking about items you really want to keep forever, such as your mother’s china. If those antique dishes mean ...
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Spring flooding and your health: What you need to know
One day you go downstairs, unaware of what is quietly waiting for you in the dark. Your turn on a light and there it is — water everywhere.
After a flood, it's important to quickly restore your home to good order to protect your health and prevent further damage. Standing water and wet materials may carry viruses and will allow bacteria and mould to grow, which can present serious health risks.
Here's what you need to do after a flood:
Remove water, mud and other debris
• ...
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5 simple ideas to breathe new life into your home
The new year is a great time to revamp your home with fresh new décor and design. Get inspired by checking out these easy and affordable ideas.
1. Grow your greenery
Outside, winter can be dull and lifeless. But at home, you can make your home lively and cheerful by bringing nature indoors. Choose beautifully patterned and trending plant varieties, like satin vine, silver leaf monstera and banana plant.
2. Wow your walls
Statement walls are having a moment, with creative ways to decorate ...
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2022 Canadian Housing Market Outlook Report
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Brace for snow by winterizing your home
(NC) It’s no surprise that Canadian winter weather can be unpredictable. That’s why it’s good practice to ensure that you — and your home — are ready for whatever rolls in with the cold temperatures.
With the Farmer’s Almanac calling for above-normal levels of rain and snow this year, make sure your home is ready by following these three tips:
1. Check your furnace.
Make sure your furnace is in good working order by booking a furnace inspection before ...
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Renting vs. buying in the current housing market
(NC) One of the outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic has been soaring home prices. Many first-time buyers across Canada are wondering whether now is the right time to invest in a home, or if they should wait.
But it’s important to carefully think through the choice between renting and owning, and to fully understand the costs of taking on a mortgage.
Renting and owning can both have benefits. The right choice depends on your financial situation, priorities and long-term goals.
Owning ...
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Managing back-to-school jitters
(NC) After a summer off, going back to school, homework, exams, and the unknowns of teachers and classmates can all be sources of anxiety. Add to that the uncertainty of hybrid learning models, pandemic protocols and the fact that many kids have been learning remotely for so long, the thought of going back to school can quickly become overwhelming.
Help your kids manage back-to-school jitters and set them up for success with these three simple tips:
Rest their minds and bodies
Sleep is ...
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Stylish outdoor living ideas
(NC) The pandemic really showed what a difference outdoor space can make for your own well-being, whether it’s a backyard, balcony, patio or porch. Now that we’re able to entertain a little more, here are a few tips to transform outside space into your favourite spot in the home.
Think comfort
Make sure to consider your outdoor furniture carefully. So much has improved in recent years that you can easily find pieces as stylish and comfy as what you use in your living room that are ...
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Seven spring repairs
Winter finally feels like it’s over! Longer and warmer days mean spring is indeed on its way. Make sure your home is ready for the busy housing market ahead with these seven spring repairs.
Roof Repairs
Ice dams and falling snow sheets can cause damage to a roof over a long, cold winter; gutters warp, soffits crack, and roof tiles shift. These can spell disaster once the snow begins to melt, especially if there is water backing up inside the house.
The goal is to do everything you ...
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Government intervention via taxes are not the answer to fixing Canada’s heated housing market
RE/MAX Canada Media Statement: Government intervention via taxes are not the answer to fixing
Canada’s heated housing market
Toronto, ON and Kelowna, BC, April 6, 2021 – Long-term industry-wide changes to improving housing
affordability and making the market more transparent, such as increasing our national housing supply,
making all purchases conditional on financing to reduce financial overextension of buyers, and
regulations concerning listing price thresholds, might be the ...
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Spring cleaning: Tips for safe use of household chemical products
(NC) As the days get noticeably longer and milder, we emerge from winter hibernation and giving our home a good spring cleaning suddenly appears on the to-do list.
Household cleaning chemicals can have an important role in keeping kitchens and bathrooms clean. However, if they’re not used safely, they can find their way beyond the kitchen or bathroom walls, posing a risk to your health and those around you.
By following these tips, you can keep you and your family safe when you tackle ...
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Pandemic making us more comfortable talking about mental health
(NC) At a time when COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on so many lives, its impact on mental health is well documented, and many of us are starting to talk about it more.
In fact, Canadians are now increasingly likely to disclose a mental illness, with three quarters indicating they would either comfortably or reluctantly disclose it, according to a recent survey from RBC Insurance. The survey also shows that half of us view depression and anxiety as a disability.
However, the findings reveal that ...
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Why keeping kids active during winter covid lockdowns is essential
(NC) With cabin fever setting in and kids struggling with changing safety rules, spending time outdoors is a great way to help them stay happy and active. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do when you bundle up – from skating and tobogganing to neighbourhood walks.
Wondering if it’s worth the effort? Science shows that time outdoors is important for a healthy lifestyle for children and contributes ...
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A sweet and spicy mocktail to enjoy this season
(NC) Tired of too-sweet mocktails? This booze-less option is made with sugar-free ginger ale flavoured sparkling water and naturally sweetened with honey syrup and pomegranate juice.
The result is a subtle, sweet and spiced sipper you’ll want to make all season long. If you want to add alcohol, try a splash of white rum or vodka.
“You’ll make more spiced honey syrup than you need for four mocktails, but the leftovers will keep in the fridge,” shares Michelle Pennock, ...
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Top 5 items to donate this holiday season
(NC) The season of giving is upon us and there is no better way to end 2020 than giving back to your local community.
Before the start of the pandemic, 1.1 million visits were made to food banks across Canada in a typical month. Regularly, low-income households must choose between rent, utilities, childcare, medicine, and food in order to make ends meet. Unfortunately, this has become a reality for many more Canadians in recent months and food banks have been significantly impacted across the ...
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Keep your kids safe during Halloween
(NC) While some of this spooky holiday’s traditions may look a little different this year, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate with your family. Costumes, scary movies and candy are all things we can do at home to make the most of Halloween. And socially distanced trick-or-treating may be an option in some communities – even if you just visit families in your bubble.
However, with all the excitement and new precautions to think about, it’s easy for families to lose ...
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Returning to classrooms safely and with confidence
(NC) No one is certain what this school year will look like. But one thing parents, students and teachers can do is make sure they’re prepared to face any obstacle. Health and Safety will play a large and important role when returning to school this year. Here are a few tips to keep in mind for students for as they return to school:
Remember to practice good hygiene: Now is a perfect time to stress good hand-washing skills. At home, remind little ones to practice handwashing for at ...
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Teaching children about money in challenging times
(NC) Many Canadian families are dealing with financial difficulties of various kinds because of COVID-19. For parents, it is more important than ever to teach our children about money.
All habits, including financial ones, are difficult to change. That is why it is important to help young people develop good financial habits starting at an early age.
A recent study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development indicates that teenagers who talk about money and finances ...
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RE/MAX Agents Discuss Buying During Uncertain Times
Buying a home can be stressful under normal circumstances, let alone trying to navigate the process in the middle of a global pandemic. As provinces across the country discuss gradual re-openings, understanding the appropriate steps in the buying process requires the help of a professional real estate agent more than ever. However, given that buying and selling is a consistent need for a host of time sensitive reasons, the world of real estate continues.
In the spirit of lending a helping hand, ...
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No Nosedive Ahead for Canadian Real Estate Prices: RE/MAX
Canadian real estate kicked off 2020 with a bang, but there are conflicting opinions as to how we’ll finish out the year. Canada’s federal housing agency has warned that average house prices could fall by up to 18 per cent over the next 12 months – a dismal prediction that’s being challenged by RE/MAX based on market activity from coast to coast.
Basic economics has taught us that supply and demand dictates housing prices, and according to what RE/MAX brokers ...
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Open For Business: Canadian Real Estate and the New Normal
As Canada starts to experience a flattening of the COVID-19 curve, we’ve already seen businesses start to reopen their doors and life resume to some semblance of normalcy. Here in Ontario, retail outlets offering curb-side pick-up, hardware stores, garden centres and provincial parks are among the newest places given the green light to open alongside those that have already been classified as essential businesses, such as real estate services, which have continued to operate under strict ...
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5 essential tips for working from home
(NC) With remote work on the rise, it comes with unexpected challenges. Stop them from standing between you and your best work-self by following these simple tips:
1. Keep to a schedule. Try to keep your workday routine to the schedule it’s used to — wake up at your regular time and keep to your morning rituals, starting work when you’d normally head out the door. But don’t forget to also give yourself breaks you’d give yourself at the office, when you’d ...
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Canada’s Housing Market: What Is Coming
In the matter of a month, Canada, and every corner of the world, has been brought to an abrupt standstill as the COVID-19 outbreak has swept its way across borders. As social isolation, and in some cases, lock-down measures are put into place to help contain the spread of the virus, there has been a profound impact on the global economy. Due to the dramatic decline in demand, global stock markets have experienced sharp falls; on March 16th the Dow Jones plunged a record breaking 3000 points, ...
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Is the Real Estate Market in Canada Going to Crash?
It is almost eerie to think about how much has changed within the past month as our lives, economy, and the way in which we interact has been so profoundly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic as it creeps its way across international borders. There is a great deal of uncertainty as we continue to learn more about how the virus spreads, and how long precautionary measure, like social distancing, will need to be maintained to ensure the safety of the population.
Many within the real estate industry ...
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TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS!
April 2020 - If I had a dime for every time I said “gee, I wish I had one week at home to catch up on things.” This is not exactly what I meant with that wishful thinking. However, we make the best with the hand we are dealt.
Thank you to everyone who submitted their ideas on keeping ourselves and young ones busy during these real life “motion picture times.” There were so many great ideas that it was difficult to choose the top three. Therefore, anyone who submitted, ...
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Minister Morneau announces new benchmark rate for qualifying insured mortgages
News release
February 18, 2020 - Ottawa, Ontario - Department of Finance Canada
For many Canadians, their home is the most important investment they will make in their lifetime. That is why the Government of Canada has introduced measures to help more Canadians achieve their housing needs while also taking measured actions to contain risks in the housing market. A stable and healthy housing market is part of a strong economy, which is vital to building and supporting a strong middle class.
Today, ...
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3 things you need to know for RRSP season
(NC) A Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) is one of today's most commonly used savings vehicles, in large part because contributions are tax-deductible and the product is designed specifically for retirement.
You'll have until March 2, 2020 to contribute to your RRSP and claim the amount on your 2019 tax return. Any contributions made after this deadline will count towards the 2020 tax year.
RRSP season is a great opportunity to review your finances and decide if you want to ...
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Top Reasons to List Your House at the Beginning of the Year
When it comes to selling your home there are a lot of factors to consider, one of the biggest being the timing. While sometimes timing cannot be controlled, there are certain times of the year that are better than others when it comes to listing and selling your home, if you are not in a huge time crunch. We reached out to our RE/MAX Influencers – a panel consisting of RE/MAX Sales Associates throughout Canada – to compile some of the top reasons to list your home at the beginning ...
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Buying or selling? Here’s what you need to know about new real estate rules
The Ontario government recently announced plans to change the rules in the real estate industry in Ontario. The proposed changes are fairly broad, and will impact several areas, some in particular will impact you directly as the consumer.
The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), is mandated by the Government of Ontario to protect consumers who buy and sell their properties through brokerages registered to trade in Ontario. RECO is here to assist you with what these proposed changes mean ...
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5 tips for nutritious and delicious festivities
(NC) Prepping your holiday menu can be just as stressful as picking out the perfect gift for that special someone. You know that you’re going to serve a classic turkey, festive ham or tender roast, but what is going to accompany it? And let’s not forget the appetizers – hungry guests waiting for dinner always want something to nibble on before the main feast.
Registered dietitian, Ingrid Fan, shares her tips to lighten up our menus by adding more fresh ingredients to our meals.
Don’t ...
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