Blogs

GTA Real Estate: 2024 Recap and 2025 Market Outlook A Look Back at 2024: Shifts in the Market The real estate landscape in 2024 saw some notable shifts compared to the previous two years. Despite economic uncertainties, the market remained relatively strong, particularly in the fourth quarter. While home prices dipped slightly year-over-year from 2023, sales volume actually saw a modest inc ...

Take Advantage of Ontario's New Energy Efficiency Programs to Help Save You Money The Ontario government is introducing the Home Renovation Savings Program, set to launch on January 28, 2025. This program aims to lower energy bills and promote energy efficiency, marking a significant step forward for homeowners in the province. The program offers rebates of up to 30% on eligible home renova ...

Economic Insights Ahead of the Bank of Canada’s December 11th Announcement With the next Bank of Canada (BoC) interest rate announcement just around the corner on December 11th, anticipation is growing among economists, real estate professionals, and homeowners. Recent economic data suggests that the BoC may not cut interest rates as aggressively as initially anticipated. Let's dive into why ...

Navigating Your Inheritance: Making Wise Decisions for the Future Inheriting wealth, whether in cash, real estate, or other assets, is a unique experience that can bring both opportunities and challenges. While it provides a financial cushion, it often comes with emotional complexities, as inheritances are typically tied to the loss of a loved one. Understanding how to manage this new finan ...

Navigating Canada’s Housing Market Amid Inflation and Interest Rate Changes As of September, Canada’s inflation rate has dropped to 1.6%. When excluding mortgage interest and rent, Canada is teetering on deflation. Key factors like auto insurance premiums and energy costs have helped drive inflation lower, creating a unique economic landscape. This is an important development for homebuyers ...

How Early Should You Prep Your Home for Sale? A Seller’s Guide to Maximizing Property Appeal Whether you're curious about the best ways to enhance your home’s appeal or need expert guidance to walk you through the entire selling process, we’ve got the answers. It’s all about boosting your home’s marketability, and we’re here to assist! Feel free to email your questions to info@theshardagroup ...

30-Year Amortizations for All First-Time Homebuyers & ALL Buyers for New Builds The Liberal government has unveiled significant changes to Canada’s mortgage market, aimed at making homeownership more accessible, especially for first-time buyers and all pre-construction buyers. On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced two major proposals: extending mor ...

Accelerated Rate Cuts by December 2024? As concerns about a looming recession grow, one of Canada’s largest lenders, CIBC, predicts that the Bank of Canada will accelerate its monetary easing strategy to protect the economy. According to CIBC's latest forecast, policymakers may potentially cut the policy rate by 50 basis points at both the December and January meetings. By next June, the ce ...

What To Do If Your Home Floods Flooding can strike when you least expect it, and even Toronto’s most expensive homes aren’t immune. Whether you're living in a cozy bungalow or a multi-million-dollar mansion in Bridle Path, you could find yourself dealing with flood damage. Just ask Drake, who recently shared footage of a large flood wreaking havoc on his luxurious home. While images of the ...

Even if you're not an avid cyclist, knowing the local trails is a great advantage if you live in Heart Lake. As a conservation area, Heart Lake offers access to natural amenities that are unmatched by any other community in Brampton. Whether you prefer biking or simply enjoying a peaceful walk, we highly recommend these top trails in Heart Lake. Just remember to pack some mosquito repellent, ...

On July 24, the Bank of Canada (BoC) cut its benchmark interest rate for the second time in two months. Combined with declining government bond yields, this move has pushed mortgage rates to their lowest levels in 17 months. While some experts are predicting a boost to the real estate market, a look back at history tells a different story. WOWA Leads conducted a 50-year analysis of the relat ...

Canada's Inflation Rate Declines: What Lies Ahead? Canada’s annual inflation rate cooled more than expected to 2.7% in June, driven primarily by slower growth in gas prices. According to Statistics Canada, core inflation measures also saw a slight decline. Financial analysts had predicted a rate of 2.8%, but the lower-than-expected figure has shifted the focus to the Bank of Canada, which i ...

The Best White Paints for Your Home Choosing the perfect white paint for your home, investment property, or client project can be daunting due to the overwhelming number of options from various brands. But don't worry, we've got you covered! Here are the top white paint colors, frequently mentioned by bloggers and designers. When selecting a white paint color, consider the amount and direct ...

  The Ultimate Guide to Strawberry Picking Farms Near Brampton Strawberry season is a delightful time of year, offering the perfect opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and gather juicy berries right from the vine. Whether you're a local resident or visiting the area, Brampton and its surroundings boast some of the best strawberry-picking farms in Ontario. Here’s our curated list of the t ...

Mortgage Consumer Trends   Recently, we reviewed the report put out by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the 2024 CMHC Mortgage Consumer Survey. There were a few key takeaways we thought we'd share. Full report can be found here. Amidst the volatile real estate market of the past few years, it is no surprise that the primary reason for purchasing propert ...