Inder Chawla's blog

INDER CHAWLA, REAL ESTATE BROKER

Canada’s recreational real estate market is evolving, and so is the role of short-term rentals (STRs). REMAX Canada’s 2026 Recreational Property Report reveals that, while demand for vacation properties remains strong, the market has shifted away from the rapid growth seen in recent years toward a more balanced, thoughtful environment. Today’s buyers are more strategic, focusing on properties that deliver both lifestyle value and reliable income potential.

What are short-term rental trends in Canada for 2026?

Short-term rentals in Canada are becoming more...

INDER CHAWLA, REAL ESTATE BROKER

Canada’s New Path to Homeownership and Long-Term Wealth

Nearly half of Canadians see recreational properties as a more accessible way to enter the housing market, with younger buyers driving demand.

A New Strategic Buyer is Emerging

As affordability challenges continue to sideline homebuyers in major urban markets, recreational properties are emerging as a viable entry point to homeownership and a key component for long-term financial planning for many Canadians.

According to a recent Leger survey commissioned by REMAX Canada, 45 per cent of prospective...

INDER CHAWLA, REAL ESTATE BROKER

Once your offer to purchase has been accepted, your financing has been approved and a closing date has been set, you might breathe a sigh of relief. But there’s another important step before you take possession: preparing and transferring the title to your home.

When a real estate lawyer—or a notary, in Quebec—starts working on the title, several tricky issues can come up. But not to worry; most of the time, you can rely on your REALTOR®  and this professional to help navigate the process. 

Real estate lawyers review the contract, making sure it complies...

INDER CHAWLA, REAL ESTATE BROKER

For a long time, obtaining a summer home meant that a person had made it. But increasingly, a recreational property is becoming the first stop for those entering the market, according to a new study.

A recent Leger survey commissioned by REMAX Canada found that 45 per cent of prospective Canadian buyers plan to purchase a recreational property as an entry point into the broader housing market. Among Canadians aged 18 to 34, that figure climbs to 54 per cent, a sign that younger buyers are thinking about homeownership in new ways.

A buyer’s market in much...

INDER CHAWLA, REAL ESTATE BROKER

So, you want to make a move but you’re not willing to give up that sub-3% interest rate? There’s something important you should know. Mortgage porting (also known as transferring your mortgage) has been growing in popularity in Canada. But what exactly is mortgage porting, and how do you know if it’s right for you?

What is mortgage porting? 

“Porting a mortgage lets you transfer your existing interest rate and terms to your new home,” explains Freshta Tahiri, a Mortgage Advisor with RBC. “This means, on top of  keeping the same interest rate, you keep your...

INDER CHAWLA, REAL ESTATE BROKER

Imagine this: You’ve applied for your first credit card or found an apartment you want to rent. The only problem is, when a credit score is run, you’re told that there is “no file on record.” It may sound like bad news, but it’s not.

No credit does not mean bad credit; it simply means that your personal credit hasn’t been scored yet. By the end of this article, you’ll understand why a Canadian can have no credit score, what it means and how to fix it in just a few months.

What does it mean to have no credit score in Canada?

Having no credit score, or being...

INDER CHAWLA, REAL ESTATE BROKER

The number of home sales recorded over Canadian MLS® Systems was up 0.7% on a month-over-month basis in April 2026.

“While home sales were up only modestly from March to April, the small increase reflected a slow start to the month with a stronger handoff into May, alongside falling days on market and stabilizing prices,” said Shaun Cathcart, Senior Economist with the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). “This latest bout of global economic uncertainty and higher mortgage rates means the previously expected rebound in housing markets this year will...

INDER CHAWLA, REAL ESTATE BROKER

After a turbulent phase for commercial real estate, investors are getting excited again, though they remain “highly selective,” according to REMAX Canada. 

REMAX’s 2026 Commercial Real Estate Report, released today, found office leasing in particular picked up in the first-quarter across 12 major Canadian markets, as return-to-office mandates drum up renewed demand for premium space. 

“While uncertainty shaped much of 2025, we’re now seeing a clear shift in investor behaviour,” said Damon Conrad, vice president of REMAX Canada Commercial. 

“Capital remains...

INDER CHAWLA, REAL ESTATE BROKER

If you feel like your guest bedroom has become a permanent residence lately, you’re certainly not alone. Across Canada, the "empty nest" is becoming a bit of a myth. More millennials and Gen Z adults are unpacking their boxes in their childhood bedrooms, creating a multi-generational shift that is changing the face of Canadian real estate and personal finance.

While the image of the "basement dweller" used to be a punchline, today it’s a calculated financial strategy. With the cost of living climbing and housing affordability reaching historic lows, many...

INDER CHAWLA – REAL ESTATE BROKER

• Average asking rent in Canada declined 4.7% year-over-year in April, falling by $100 to $2,027, marking the 19th consecutive month of year-over-year declines.
• On a monthly basis, rents rose by 0.9% compared to March, marking the beginning of increasing seasonal demand during the spring and summer.
• Since reaching a low of $1,662 in April 2021 during COVID-19, average rents have risen 21.9%.
• Secondary markets adjacent to Canada’s largest cities experienced some of the steepest declines in apartment rents over the past year, including double-digit drops in...