Inder Chawla's blog

Downsizing is often pitched as a financial no-brainer. Sell the big house, unlock the equity, move into something smaller, and watch your retirement savings grow.

On paper, it sounds like a clean trade — but for a growing number of Canadians approaching their golden years, the numbers don’t add up the way they expect.

In fact, the decision is almost evenly split. A 2025 survey conducted by Leger found that 46% of Canadians approaching retirement plan to downsize within two years of leaving work, while 47% say they will not (1). A closer look at the financial mechanics of selling and...

When most Canadians hear that fixed mortgage rates are moving, they look to the Bank of Canada. That's understandable — the central bank's overnight rate is the most talked-about lever in the country's housing finance system. But it's not the only one.

There's a second program most homeowners have never heard of: Canada Mortgage Bonds (CMBs). And in January 2026, the Bank of Canada confirmed that the federal government would continue buying up to $30 billion in CMBs throughout 2026 (1). That's real money, moving through a market that directly influences what you pay on a fixed-rate...

The dream of homeownership has felt increasingly like a moving target for many Canadians. Between stubborn inflation and high construction costs, the barrier to entry for a new house or condo has never been higher. However, a new federal initiative aims to provide a much-needed breather by potentially removing a major financial hurdle at the closing table.

Federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson recently confirmed that Ottawa is in active discussions with provinces across the country to temporarily eliminate the GST on new home purchases. This move follows a landmark agreement between...

The Ontario and Federal Governments have expanded the HST rebate to assist both first-time and all home buyers in reducing the upfront cost of purchasing a newly built home.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Rebate, you must be at least 18 years of age. You are also required to be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident. In addition, you must not have owned a home, whether in Canada or abroad, that you or your spouse or common-law partner lived in during the current year or in any of the four preceding years.

The property you are purchasing must meet at least one of the following...

Executive Summary

• Average asking rent in Canada fell to $2,030 in February, down 2.8% year-over-year to a 33-month low.
• Rents have declined on an annual basis for the 17th consecutive month, as well as falling by 1.3% on a month-over-month basis, the largest decrease in February since 2020. However, rents rose month-over-month in the key markets of Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Montreal.
• Rental affordability improved significantly, with the rent-to-income ratio falling to 29%, its lowest level in over six years and below the industry benchmark of 30%.
• Purpose-built rents...

Flipping houses might look like a smart and engrossing way to turn a profit, but it’s become a much riskier game — especially in today’s market.

While success stories might lure some people into the business, other, more steely-eyed individuals get hooked on the idea of building wealth hands-on, one renovation at a time.

But real-world house flipping is tougher than what you’ve heard — or watched unfold on popular home-improvement shows.

According to Coldwell Banker, house flipping stayed surprisingly active through 2024 (1). In the year’s second quarter, approximately 2.42% of homes sold...

Ami Maknoon is hit with a wave of mixed emotions as he stares at the half-completed condo building along Toronto’s Lake Shore Boulevard. One of those units was not only meant to be home to his growing family, but an investment for his two daughters when he put a down payment on one-bedroom back in 2018.

But now, after years of delays and the property value plummeting, he doubts he’ll be able to find the additional $120,000 he’s expected to pay once the deal is set to close.

“The hope was to keep this as something that I can probably, later on, give it to my children, help them with their...

Greater Toronto Area (GTA) resale housing market conditions tightened in March 2026 in comparison to last year. Sales were up year-over-year, while new listings were down. Selling prices were lower compared to March 2025 helping with affordability moving into the spring market.

“It’s encouraging to see an uptick in March home sales compared to last month and last year. This suggests that an increasing number of GTA households are looking to take advantage of improved affordability as we move into the spring market. Positive news on trade and geopolitical issues would help improve...

You need $5,000 for a car repair, an overdue bill or an unexpected expense. Your credit score is less than perfect, so the big banks aren't an option. You turn to an alternative lender — but they turn you away. So you search online for someone, anyone, willing to help.

While common, this scenario caught the attention of the police — with a warning that as many as 4.7 million Canadians may be pushed into payday loans or illegal lending due to new lending rules (1).

How were the lending laws changed?

On January 1, 2025, the laws that govern the maximum allowable rate of interest charged on a...

Canada's central bank just sent a message that every borrower, saver and budget-conscious household should hear: The economic calm you're hoping for may not arrive on schedule.

In a speech given to the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce at the end of March, Bank of Canada (BoC) Senior Deputy Governor, Carolyn Rogers, acknowledged that Canadians who had already lived through five years of economic upheaval may need to brace for the next half decade (1). Speaking in Brandon, MB, Rogers outlined a list of current structural forces reshaping how the central bank thinks about inflation, prices and...