Canadian winters can be brutal, and your home’s plumbing system is one of the first things to suffer when the temperature drops. Frozen pipes, burst lines, and water damage are all too common during the colder months. These problems aren’t just annoying—they can cost thousands of dollars to fix. That’s why professional plumbers across Canada stress the importance of winter plumbing preparation before the first deep freeze hits.

Canada’s real estate market is facing a major change as immigration, once a strong support for housing demand, is now becoming a challenge. Immigration, which had been boosting the market by increasing the need for homes, is starting to have the opposite effect. This shift is largely due to new government policies aimed at easing pressure on housing, infrastructure, and services.

Canada’s housing market is showing new signs of strain as prices drop more sharply, even while more homes are being sold. According to recent data, the national benchmark price for a typical home fell by 0.7 percent in July, a drop of about $4,700, bringing the average to $693,300. This was the steepest monthly decline since October 2024.

As cold weather moves in, your home needs to be ready. Winter brings freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and strong winds that can cause serious damage if you're not prepared. Many homeowners wait too long and end up dealing with frozen pipes, heat loss, or costly repairs. The good news is that a few last-minute home fixes can make a big difference.

A corner condo unit in Toronto’s upscale Forest Hill neighbourhood has just sold at full asking price after only nine days on the market, defying current market trends. The spacious two-bedroom unit, located in a low-rise boutique building near Eglinton Avenue West, attracted strong interest thanks to its prime location, updated interior, and rare corner layout offering extra light and privacy. The condo was listed for $1.295 million and closed without any price cuts, a scenario that has become less common in a cooler real estate market.

Ontario’s cottage country has long been seen as a place where people escape the city. Lakes, woods and quiet roads attract buyers wanting peace. For years prices there have risen fast because demand grew strongly. But now there are signs that the cottage market in Ontario may be cooling off and not growing the way it used to.

When winter arrives, so do icy roads, snowstorms, and freezing temperatures. Cities and towns often spread road salt to melt the ice and keep roads safer for drivers. While this helps prevent accidents, it can take a serious toll on your car. Salt is corrosive and can cause rust, especially on your vehicle’s undercarriage, wheel wells, and body panels. If left unchecked, this damage can shorten the life of your vehicle and lead to expensive repairs.

Finding the best reverse mortgage rate across Canada right now means comparing offers from the top lenders. HomeEquity Bank, known for its CHIP mortgage, is offering a one-year fixed rate as low as 5.49 percent. Equitable Bank’s fixed-rate deals are higher but still competitive, with a five-year fixed option around 6.59 percent and adjustable options near prime plus 2.65 percent, which comes to about 7.72 percent including fees.

Peterson has successfully completed the purchase of Create Properties’ stake in the Burnaby Lake Village project, bringing the 19-acre development fully under its control. The project, located next to the Sperling Burnaby Lake SkyTrain station in Burnaby, had nearly 6,000 planned homes across 14 mixed-use buildings. This change ends a lengthy and costly conflict between the two local developers.

Fall is the perfect time to take care of important home safety checks, and at the top of the list should be your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. As the weather cools down, we turn on our heating systems, light fireplaces, and spend more time indoors, all of which increase the risk of fire and carbon monoxide buildup. That’s why checking your alarms before winter hits is so important.

Canadian rents dropped for the ninth month in a row this June, as two main forces joined to soften the rental market: slower immigration and a rising number of available homes. At the national level, average asking rent slid by 2.7 per cent compared to the same time last year, settling at about $2,125 per month. Big cities and costly markets saw the most notable declines so far.

A bold new plan proposes transforming the site at 1255 The Queensway in Etobicoke, where the low-rise Kipling-Queensway Mall and its large parking lot now stand, into a high-rise, mixed-use neighbourhood. The developer, Fig Tree Construction Ltd., has filed an application to ask the city for special permission to build 15 towers across the nearly 18-acre site. These towers would range in height from 12 storeys to as tall as 65 storeys and would stand above new streets, parks, and public spaces.

As the cold weather moves in and the holidays get closer, more people plug in electric heaters, string lights, and other seasonal decorations. These items help keep homes warm and festive, but they also increase the risk of overloading electrical outlets. Fires caused by overloaded outlets are more common than many people think—especially in winter.

A bold new housing plan is quietly making waves in Scarborough. The proposal would tear down an aging low-rise commercial plaza at the corner of Lawrence Avenue East and Birchmount Road. In its place, a pair of buildings would go up, one 34 storeys tall and the other 11. They would sit on a shared six-storey base, creating a solid foundation that ties the project into the surrounding area.

Canada’s fixed mortgage rates are sitting in a fragile spot, closely tied to government bond yields. Right now, lenders are waiting to see which way bond yields move before adjusting rates. If the five-year bond yield climbs above around 3 percent and stays there, even the lowest fixed mortgage rates could increase. This has added tension to an already uncertain housing market.

Canadian winters can be brutal. Ice storms, heavy snow, and high winds often knock out power for hours—or even days. When the temperature drops below freezing, a power outage can go from inconvenient to dangerous very quickly. Every year, people are caught off guard, left without heat, light, or a way to cook.

A one-bedroom, ground-floor condo in North Vancouver sold for its full asking price of $697,000 after just five days on the market. The unit is located at 345 Lonsdale Avenue in the Lower Lonsdale area and caught the eye of a well-qualified buyer who wanted a peaceful place with a bright outdoor space. The sale closed smoothly in late March 2025.

Toronto homeowners will soon find a helpful tool in speeding up home builds as the city now offers free pre-approved plans for garden and laneway suites. These are small, separate living units built at the back of homes or facing a public laneway. This change aims to make the build process faster, less costly, and more accessible for many.

When winter hits, a hot shower can be the best part of your day. But that warm comfort relies on a hardworking appliance that many homeowners ignore—your hot water heater. If it stops working, you’re left with freezing water and an unexpected repair bill. Taking care of your water heater before cold weather arrives can save you money, improve energy efficiency, and make sure you’re never stuck shivering under a cold stream.

Toronto’s housing story in June shows a city aiming to balance growth and affordability—and asks whether real estate remains the best way to invest money. In June, Toronto City Council approved more than a dozen housing development proposals, including the redevelopment of the historic Coach Terminal and a new master-planned project on the Cineplex Queensway site. Together, these projects are expected to add nearly 10,000 new housing units to the city’s supply.

In today’s mortgage market, finding the best deal isn’t as exciting as it used to be. Interest rates have stayed relatively stable for months, and that’s made some homebuyers unsure about when to make a move. With no major rate drops on the horizon, many are wondering if it’s better to lock in now or keep waiting for a better offer that may not come. In a ho-hum rate environment like this, strategy matters more than ever — and shopping around is key.

Keeping your home energy-efficient and comfortable starts with sealing up the weak spots—mainly your doors and windows. These are often the biggest culprits when it comes to air leaks, heat loss in winter, and cool air escape in summer. If your energy bills keep rising or your home always feels drafty, it’s time to take weatherproofing seriously.

Thanksgiving in Canada is more than just turkey and pie. It’s a chance to spend time with family and friends, enjoy good food, and relax before the start of winter. But if you’re hosting this year, it also means getting your home ready to welcome guests. From cleaning and decorating to planning the meal and setting up sleeping arrangements, there’s a lot to think about.

New home sales in the Greater Toronto Area have fallen by more than half so far in 2025, according to a recent report. The analysis, done by Altus Group for the Building Industry and Land Development Association, makes clear that housing construction in Ontario is slowing down in a way that puts jobs and investment at risk.

In the first quarter of 2025, Vancouver led the nation with the highest average asking rent for a two-bedroom apartment, at $3,170. This made it the most expensive city in Canada for anyone looking to rent a two-bedroom space. Compared to the same period last year, the asking rent in Vancouver actually fell from $3,440 in the first quarter of 2024.