By Alisa Aragon-Lloyd, as seen in "New Home + Condo Guide" magazine, June 23, 2026 Retirement is supposed to be about enjoying the life you’ve spent decades building. For some, that means travelling more. For others, it’s spending time with grandchildren, pursuing hobbies, renovating the home they love, or simply having peace of mind that comes from knowing they have financial flexibility. Yet many Canadians entering retirement face an unexpected challenge: They have wealth,

As we approach the halfway mark of 2026, one word continues to define both the mortgage and real estate markets: hesitation. Many buyers, sellers, and investors are waiting for greater clarity before making their next move. And honestly, it's understandable. There are several significant issues still working their way through the economy: Ongoing tariff uncertainty Elevated oil prices Interest rates that appear to be near their low point CUSMA negotiations between Canada, the

Canada's housing market gained meaningful momentum in May, with sales posting their strongest monthly increase of the year and leading indicators pointing to further improvement in June. After months of uncertainty, the market appears to be transitioning from stabilization to recovery as lower borrowing costs, easing energy prices, and improved affordability begin to draw buyers back into the market. As CREA Senior Economist Shaun Cathcart noted, while May marked the first si

Canadian employment surged 87,800 in May, the strongest reading since 2024. Today's Labour Market Survey dispels recession concerns, but leaves the Bank of Canada open to a possible rate hike later this year or next if inflation remains troubling. The Canadian economy continues to show resilience in the face of tariffs and oil price increases. The headline job gain, combined with a 3,800 rise in the size of the labour force, drove the unemployment rate down three basis point

By Alisa Aragon-Lloyd, as seen in "New Home + Condo Guide" magazine, May 27, 2026 How to buy before you sell In real estate, timing has a way of controlling emotion. You find the right home — the one that fits your family, your future, your lifestyle and suddenly everything revolves around dates. Offer dates. Completion dates. Possession dates. Meanwhile, your current home is being cleaned, staged, shown to buyers and negotiated at the very same time. Sometimes, those timelin

Canadian existing home sales were unchanged last month as tariff concerns again mothballed home-buying intentions, mainly in the GTA and GVA where sales have declined for months. Consumer confidence has fallen to rock-bottom levels as many fear the prospect of job losses and higher prices. The number of sales recorded over Canadian MLS® Systems was unchanged (-0.1%) between March and April 2025, marking a pause in the trend of declining activity since the beginning of the ye

Canadian consumer prices rose 0.3% in March (or remained flat when seasonally adjusted), which was lower than expected, reducing the annual inflation rate by 0.3 percentage points to 2.3%. This decrease in headline inflation followed the complete removal of the GST holiday in March. There was a significant drop in travel tour prices and airfares compared to the previous year, as Canadians reduced their travel to the U.S. during peak times. Additionally, gasoline prices fell b

The headline inflation rate in Canada surged as expected with the War in Iran and the resulting oil price shock. The inflation rate hit 2.4%, up from 1.8% in February, tying for the highest in a year but a bit below market expectations of 2.5%. The surge reflected the initial impact of the war in the Middle East on Canadian consumer prices, as disruptions to tankers from the Persian Gulf triggered energy shortages worldwide. The consumer energy inflation swung to 3.9% from th

Confusion over a fragile ceasefire continued yesterday as Israel ramped up attacks on Lebanon. The Strait of Hormuz--a key oil shipping route whose closure has sent oil prices skyrocketing in recent weeks--reportedly remained closed. Normally, the Strait accommodates roughly 130 ships a day.

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Global markets have been shaken by renewed conflict in the Middle East.

The Bank of Canada (BoC) reduced the overnight rate by 25 basis points this morning, bringing the policy rate down to 2.75%, within the neutral range of 2.25%—2.75%. Tariff tremors have already led to a decline in consumer confidence and spending, a weakening labour market, and a decline in business investment. Compound that with falling population growth, and you see why the Governing Council took the overnight rate down again even though they state that monetary policy cann

Today's Labour Force Survey for February was weaker than expected, showing de minimis job growth last month. Employment held steady in February (+1,100; +0.0%), following three consecutive monthly increases totalling 211,000 (+1.0%) in November, December and January. On a year-over-year basis, employment was up by 387,000 (+1.9%) in February. The employment rate—the proportion of the population aged 15 and older who are employed—was unchanged at 61.1% in February. This follow

As we move into 2026, the most successful borrowers aren’t the ones who predict rates perfectly; they are people who stop reacting emotionally and start thinking strategically.

the outcome of CUSMA negotiations will influence inflation, economic growth, and ultimately the direction of inter

The snowball momentum strategy is a practical, step-by-step approach that helps you regain control, reduce interest costs and free up cash flow without giving up the life you enjoy.

As the calendar edges toward the festive season, something familiar begins to stir. We feel it in the soft glow of lights on early evenings, in the hum of anticipation as family plans take shape, and if we are being honest, in the quiet pressure building behind the scenes. Joy and harmony might headline the holidays, but the supporting cast often includes stress, overspending and the uneasy promise of January credit-card statements. But this doesn’t have to be another year wh

Canada’s latest economic releases sparked quite a reaction first from analysts, then from bond markets, and now from lenders.

British Columbia’s housing market in 2025 is unlike any in recent memory. Buyers and homeowners alike are navigating a landscape of slower sales, easing interest rates and more inventory, and the opportunities hidden in these conditions are significant. After decades working with developers, property management and mortgage financing, I have learned that understanding the market cycle and acting strategically is what separates stress from success. A balanced market for all bu

The Bank of Canada has cut rates again 0.25%, bringing the prime rate to 4.45%. Sounds good, but markets are still unpredictable: inflation is stubborn at 3%, housing markets keep starting and stopping, and interest rates are undecided. Many Canadians feel stuck: working harder, earning less, and trying to stretch every dollar. Some of this is adjusting from the “free money” era of COVID, and some comes from deeper economic challenges. Even so, Canadians keep going. Market sn