If you’re looking for a new and thriving neighbourhood that’s close to nature and all the amenities you’ll need to thrive, The Glade by Fusion Homes might just be the spot for you. Located in East Guelph, The Glade is a new semi-detached and single-family home development that offers the perfect environment for young families. The Glade is situated near Starwood Dr and Watson Parkway N. This growing area is home to wonderful amenities like the East Side Branch of the Guelph Public Library, the Victoria Road Recreation Center, and Pollinator Park. As well as new and developing commercial areas ..read more

Ottawa’s new purpose-built apartment market has grown considerably over the past year, leading to higher vacancy rates, lower rents and more incentives. According to Zonda Urban, forty-eight purpose-built rentals were built in Ottawa in 2022, eight of which were launched in the fourth quarter of the year. During Q4-2022, twenty new projects were actively leasing. Zonda Urban recorded an overall vacancy rate of 17.4 per cent but warned that the high number of actively leasing rental projects is what led to a high vacancy rate. Per the firm, vacancy among new purpose-built rentals will regress t ..read more

Existing home sales continued their downward trend for the 12th month in a row, reports the National Association of Realtors. The seasonally-adjusted rate for all existing-home sales totalled 4.00 million in January – down 36 percent year-over-year and 0.7 percent less than December. Though all four regions in the United States reported sales declines on an annual basis, the South and West registered monthly increases of 1.1 and 2.9 percent respectively. “Home sales are bottoming out,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Prices vary depending on a market’s affordability, with lower-priced ..read more

How much do windows matter in a new construction home? A lot.    In a home’s physical design, windows are potentially the most significant source of heat loss and a threat to energy efficiency, so choosing the window type, material, and construction is essential.    Introducing ambient light is vital to a good décor strategy, and windows offer the entry point and create the pathways by establishing sightlines. The presence of natural light (or absence) affects the experience of the chosen color palette in the décor scheme.   Access to natural light in a ..read more

Housing starts in Canada declined to 215,365 units in January 2023 – down 13 per cent compared to just a month earlier. According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), both the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) and the 6-month trend of housing starts declined nationally at the start of the year. This marks the lowest levels of housing starts since September 2020. The CMHC cites significant declines in Toronto and Vancouver as the driving force for the overall monthly slowdown. Housing starts in Toronto decreased by 52 percent, while Vancouver saw a 14 percent decrease ..read more

Homebuilding activity in the United States fell by 4.5 percent month-over-month in January 2023, reports the US Department of Commerce. Housing starts for January totalled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 1.309 million – the lowest since June 2020. Nationally, single-family home starts fell by 4.3 percent to an annualized rate of 841,000 units. Construction permits for single-family homes also declined by 1.8 percent. Multi-family housing starts saw the sharpest decline on a national basis – falling by 5.4 percent to 457,000 units. Homebuilding activity varied by region at the start of ..read more

Now that mortgage rates are down from their peak, buyers are flocking back to the U.S. housing market – but whether the upward trend in activity will continue is still up in the air. According to realtor.com, real estate agents are reporting an influx of mortgage applications and open house attendees across the country. The most desirable homes on the market are even starting to get multiple offers, spurring the return of bidding wars. But even with rates down from their peaks and a recent increase in activity, it’s not all smooth sailing. Despite a boost in consumer confidence, buyers are fac ..read more

Photo: Provoke Studios For more than 20 years, Solterra Development has been celebrating excellence in homebuilding. From townhomes to concrete high-rise towers, Solterra’s background is extensive and varied. With more than 70 prestigious awards, both provincially and nationally, the developer is recognized as a leader in the real estate industry. Solterra understands the importance of home and prides themselves on creating residences that feature exceptional design, solid construction, and quality finishes. Italia is no exception. Coming this spring, Solterra is pleased to ..read more

Despite hitting a record-low in Q3-2022, Vancouver’s new home sales rate for the year was only seven percent below the 10-year average. A total of 14,447 new home sales were recorded in the Metro Vancouver area in 2022 – many of which took place in the fourth quarter, when sales activity started inching back up. Much of the sales activity in Q4-2022 came from concrete condominium launches that offered longer completion times and more incentives for buyers. Several project launches were able to attract investors that were previously on the sidelines. By the end of 2022, the average price for a ..read more

Moving to a new home is exciting, especially if a homeowner has had to wait weeks or months for their brand-new build to be completed. When closing day and moving day are in sight, it is wise for homeowners to proactively plan ahead to make sure everything goes smoothly.  A smooth move into a new home starts with planning ahead. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock). Beyond the typical moving checklist, what should homeowners remember when moving to a new build? Are there items specific to a new construction home?  The final walkthrough  With a new build, a homeowner has the opportunity ..read more