Written by: Buffini & Co

Spring doesn't officially start until March 20, but now is a great time to create a plan to spruce up your home, especially if you are a homeowner who is considering selling this year. Even if you're not, or are currently renting, a spring cleaning may help you feel refreshed! Tips for Sellers This Spring:

1. Make an Assessment: Determine what repairs need to be done. Book home service professionals before the spring rush.
2. Reduce Last-Minute Stress: Finding problems now can put you in a stronger position during negotiations and potentially save you money at closing.
3. Keep Your Home Show-Ready: Improvements can boost the price of your home. A solid first impression can speed up the sale of your home.

The Benefits of a Spring Home Reset

• Creates calmness and serenity.
• Tackling projects now will free up time later.
• Offers a clean slate.
• A tidy outside fosters neighbourhood harmony.

Easy Steps to Prep When you break down your to-do list into strategic steps, it doesn't seem so overwhelming. Use these tips to get started. Indoors

• Declutter and deep clean areas
• Shampoo carpets and polish floors
• Touch-up paint
• Oil squeaky hinges

Outdoors

• Inspect roofing, siding, gutters, etc.
• Inspect outdoor lighting
• Order spring landscaping needs (mulch, seeds, plants, etc.)
• Schedule service professionals before the spring rush (lawn service, irrigation, etc.)

Curb Appeal

• Touch up or replace house numbers and mailbox
• Polish door knockers and handles
• Sweep away salt or sand on walkways
• Clean away winter debris

Written by: Matt Day of Realtor.ca

The Bank of Canada did what was widely expected today from Canadian economists: its policy interest rate will be kept at 2.25%. The Bank’s reasoning for this decision stems from a focus on stability after earlier rate cuts brought borrowing costs down from their recent peaks experienced in 2024. For Canadians thinking about buying, selling or renewing a mortgage, this decision reinforces a message that has been building for months: interest rates are likely settling into a holding pattern, at least for now. That doesn’t mean today’s announcement is insignificant. In fact, a steady rate environment can offer some much-needed predictability for many buyers and homeowners. Here’s how Wednesday’s rate decision could affect Canadian home buyers, sellers and homeowners.  

What today’s rate hold means for home buyers

For prospective buyers, the Bank of Canada’s decision to hold steady at 2.25% is an indicator that rates won’t be moving swiftly this year, barring any unforeseen geopolitical circumstances (and who knows what’s coming down the line these days). While fixed mortgage rates are already well below where they were a year ago, economists broadly expect them to remain close to current levels in the near term. In January 2025, the average five-year fixed rate was around 6.5%. These days, the average five-year fixed rate hovers in the mid-3% to low-4% range. It’s a different story for variable mortgages, though. One year ago, variable rate mortgages were typically just under 4%, and today they are averaging a touch higher. This shift reflects how prime-linked mortgage pricing has responded to the Bank of Canada’s policy and bond markets over the past year. In many parts of the country, buyers are already benefiting from:

• More listings and higher inventory
• Less competition and fewer bidding wars
• More time to negotiate price and conditions

This calmer market environment gives buyers the opportunity to be more patient and strategic, especially first-time home buyers or condo purchasers in markets where supply has built up. Rather than waiting for further rate cuts, buyers may want to focus on whether today’s prices, payment levels and lifestyle needs align with their long-term plans. “For buyers who may not follow Bank of Canada announcements or bond market expectations, each subsequent announcement where they do not lower rates any further will be further headline news reinforcing the idea that if you have been waiting for rates to stop falling before jumping into the market, we are now at that point,” the Canadian Real Estate Association’s Senior Economist Shaun Cathcart told us.  

What sellers should know right now

For sellers, Wednesday’s announcement is another reminder that we’re no longer in a rapidly rising market driven by cheap credit. Stable interest rates support buyer confidence, but they don’t automatically translate into higher prices. In many markets, buyers are cautious, financing conditions are common, and properties priced above market value can sit for months. While holding rates removes some uncertainty it also reinforces the importance of pricing to current market conditions, not yesterday’s benchmarks, and a REALTOR® can help you navigate this accordingly using exclusive tools like the MLS® Home Price Index.  

What today’s decision means for homeowners and renewals

For homeowners, particularly those approaching a mortgage renewal, Wednesday’s rate hold offers clarity, but not necessarily relief. Many Canadians who locked in ultra-low mortgage rates several years ago are renewing into higher payments, even after recent rate cuts. Holding the policy rate steady suggests that further meaningful declines in borrowing costs may be limited in the short term. That makes preparation key. Homeowners nearing renewal may want to compare fixed and variable rate options, and should consider how changes to amortization or payment structure can affect their budgets. While every situation is different, today’s announcement reinforces that planning early matters more than waiting.  

What to watch next: the Bank of Canada’s outlook

In its latest outlook, the Bank of Canada signalled that economic growth is expected to remain modest through 2026, largely due to ongoing trade disruptions with the United States. While these challenges are weighing on jobs and business investment in some sectors, inflation is expected to stay close to the Bank’s 2% target, which is one of the main reasons interest rates are being held steady. For real estate, the takeaway is relatively straightforward: no major shocks, but no rapid acceleration either. Canada’s central bank expects residential investment to improve gradually, supported by pent-up housing demand and previously strong population growth—a narrative shared by Cathcart. At the same time, affordability challenges remain, particularly in large urban centres like Toronto and Vancouver. Housing supply is continuing to increase, though, which is helping ease some market imbalances. Overall, the outlook points to a housing market that continues to move forward with new builds forecast to remain at elevated levels, but unevenly across regions and property types. Prairie provinces such as Saskatchewan and Manitoba are expected to see some of the strongest growth over the next two years, building on already lower average prices. Quebec also stands out, with consistent price increases forecast through 2027, reflecting sustained demand and relative affordability compared with Ontario and British Columbia. By contrast, higher-priced markets are projected to rise more gradually. After 2025 saw a decrease in average prices for Ontario and British Columbia, these two provinces are expected to experience measured growth in 2026 and 2027. This slower pace may create windows of opportunity for buyers focused on major urban centres, but of course, your best option is to consult with a REALTOR® before making your next move.

Written by: Merisa Gomez-Adams of Realtor.ca

For most people, buying a home will likely be the most significant investment of their lives. With the emotional and financial aspects tied to purchasing and/or selling a home, it’s important to complete all due diligence to ensure your investment is protected.

What is a conditional offer and who benefits from one?

Simply put, “a conditional offer is when a buyer makes an offer on a property that contains conditions,” explains Duncan McDougald, REALTOR® with RE/MAX Executives Realty in Whitemouth, Manitoba. “Conditions are put in place to protect the buyer or seller as both have the right to include them in an offer to purchase. Realistically, conditions can be anything, as long as both parties agree to them. As a REALTOR®, it’s important to know what conditions to recommend to buyers and sellers in various scenarios.” “Conditions don’t have to be accepted by either party, but if they’re reasonable and there’s no better offer on the table, it’s a very typical part of an ‘accepted conditional offer’, which is the status of a sale when the public sees it as ‘pending,’” he continues. More often than not, conditions are put in place by the buyer because it facilitates a safety net for them. “If a buyer’s condition(s) can’t be satisfied, they’re no longer under any legal obligation to move forward with the conditional deal,” explains McDougald. In an offer, a buyer will include a time frame for their condition(s) to be satisfied. If they’re not satisfied by the end date, the deal becomes null and void unless both parties agree to extend the timeframe or the buyer gives notice that the condition(s) won’t be satisfied. In most cases, the buyer is entitled to a return of their deposit money if the conditions aren’t satisfied, but do keep in mind that there is an obligation to make an effort to satisfy the conditions. It should also be noted here that “a condition made by either party is for the benefit of that specific party and they’re entitled to waive their condition any time before the condition’s deadline if they feel it’s no longer required,” emphasizes McDougald. One of a seller’s favourite offers to receive is an unconditional cash offer. If they like the terms, they sign the acceptance and the property is legally sold. “There are times, however, when an unconditional cash offer is made as part of a lowball offer in hopes it’ll tempt the seller into signing. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” shares McDougald. “As a REALTOR®, it’s also our job to advise in those situations, but it’s ultimately up to the seller as to what they’ll accept.”

Common conditions you’ll come across in a real estate transaction

There’s a lot to consider beyond the price point of a home, and agreed upon conditions help ensure protection and a smoother sale. These are some of the more common conditions you’ll encounter during a home sale, though they won’t all be present in every offer.

Appraisal contingency

Buyers have the right to request an appraisal of the home to compare its true value to the asking price. If the home is appraised for less than what the seller listed in the contract, the buyer may not be approved for the mortgage asking price, re-negotiations may commence, or the buyer may walk away with their deposit.

Home inspections

While not a legal obligation, one of the most important and highly recommended conditions to include is a home inspection to ensure the property is structurally sound. Though sellers will occasionally foot the bill, home inspections are usually paid for by the buyer with an inspector of their choosing so they feel confident in the results.

Financing

A financing condition or clause lets a seller know the buyer’s offer to purchase the property is conditional on obtaining their financing. The condition affords the buyer time—usually five to seven business days—to confirm their ability to obtain mortgage approval. This protects the buyer in the event the home appraisal comes in low and they’re not approved for the amount offered.

Escape clause

Usually stipulated by the seller, this clause allows the seller to “escape” or terminate the agreement based on a condition. A common use of the escape clause is when a seller has accepted a conditional offer on their home whereby the buyer requires 10 days to secure their financing. If the seller is receiving better offers during this time, the escape clause allows them to provide the original conditional offer 48 hours to complete the sale and if they can’t, the sellers have the right to go with a new buyer.

Land survey review

A survey review differs from a home inspection by way of surveying the grounds the property is on and again, while not required, it’s strongly advised to pay for a qualified, chartered professional to survey the property.

Cleanliness

Who doesn’t want to move into a clean home? This condition specifies the requirement for the home to be professionally cleaned before you move in.

Fixtures and chattels

If you expect to have appliances when moving into the new home it’s important to write it in the contract so you’re not met with an unexpectedly bare home on moving day. Make sure everyone is aware of what’s staying and what’s going.

Why it’s important to always consult your REALTOR®

During the negotiation period, most buyers will have at least a few conditions they present to a seller. “Buyers and sellers should always discuss conditions with their REALTOR® for their specific purchase or sale and if uncertain, they should never be afraid to obtain sound legal advice from a lawyer,“  insists McDougald. The conditions you include in your offer will vary depending on your situation, but with the help of a REALTOR® you can make sure you include the ones that make the most sense for you.