Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

The Greater Toronto Area housing market remains largely buyer-friendly, with only 6% of neighborhoods showing overbidding in January, up from 2% in December. Most homes sold below asking price, especially in high-priced areas like York Mills and Eastlake. Overbidding was mainly seen in Toronto’s east end. The market's trajectory will become clearer after the spring…

First-time homebuyers in Ontario should get home insurance to protect their property and liability, and never skip a home inspection to avoid costly repairs. Pay off mortgages faster by increasing payment frequency. Budget for closing costs beyond the down payment, including legal fees and taxes. Obtain a written warranty that the home wasn’t used for…

Canada's major banks have minimal exposure to the condo market downturn, with condo developer loans making up less than 1% of their portfolios. This limits the risk of a banking crisis despite ongoing condo market struggles. However, smaller lenders and developers with higher exposure face greater risks due to less liquidity. While new condo sales…

Canada's review of the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) impacts housing costs, construction, and mortgage risk due to heavy reliance on US trade, especially in lumber, steel, and aluminum. Despite low effective tariffs, US sectoral tariffs on these materials raise costs and affect affordability. Trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty dampen housing market recovery hopes. Concessions on tariffs…

Hamilton, Ontario, saw the largest increase in renter interest in Q4 2025, with favourited listings up 207%, moving it to #2 nationally. Page views rose 13% and saved searches by 72%, driven by renters priced out of Toronto seeking affordability. Kitchener also gained, rising to #13 with a 158% increase in favourited listings. Toronto ranked…

In January 2026, Greater Toronto Area home sales hit their lowest since 2008, with 2,912 transactions and an average price of $973,289. Only 6% of neighborhoods saw homes sell above asking, up from 2% in December but down from 11% a year earlier. Overbidding was mainly in Toronto’s east end, with homes selling $14,500 to…

In December, 98% of Greater Toronto Area neighbourhoods saw homes sell below asking price, continuing a 2025 trend of buyer leverage amid economic uncertainty. Median home prices ranged from $485,000 in affordable areas to over $3 million in expensive ones, with an overall GTA median of $923,500. Homes sold within 30 days on average. Commercial…