Rohani Ramdhine

Ontario new home sales jump 130 percent after enhanced HST rebate, but condo market still lags
Exciting shifts are happening in Ontario’s new home market! In the second quarter, new home sales soared by 130%, reaching 8,410 units. This remarkable upswing is largely thanks to the enhanced HST rebate, especially benefitting buyers in the low-rise housing segment. While condo sales did edge up by 12%, they’re still trailing well behind the typical pace as high fees, delays, and zoning challenges continue to hold back growth.

My journey from nursing into real estate has always been about service and care for my community, and I see firsthand how policy changes like these can open new doors for families and investors alike. Each market move brings fresh opportunities and, sometimes, new hurdles to navigate. With my background and commitment to personalized guidance, I’m here to help you turn these market changes into successful steps toward your real estate goals.

Canada: Rate Cuts Can Worsen Affordability
As someone who’s deeply connected to the GTA and passionate about helping families navigate the real estate journey, I often hear questions about how interest rate changes really affect affordability. Recent central bank research highlights something I see firsthand: when rates drop in Canada, we do notice an immediate boost in home buying demand—resales pick up quickly, with the biggest impact showing up 18 to 24 months after a cut. But here’s the catch: new housing supply lags behind, often taking around two years for construction starts to respond. Builders wait for higher prices and better financing before starting new projects, and multi-unit developments especially face longer planning and permit delays. Even strong job markets and easier lending encourage buyers to act faster, but the supply side always takes longer to catch up. That’s why, despite lower borrowing costs, affordability pressures can actually worsen at first. The research makes it clear—rate cuts alone aren’t a magic solution for Canadian home affordability. It takes time, patience, and a holistic approach to truly balance demand and supply. My experience, both in caring professions and real estate, has shown me how important it is to look at the full picture when guiding clients through these shifting market dynamics.

From the very first day I met her she has been there explaining every detail, she was never tired of...
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Canada’s Affordability Streak Hits 10 Quarters
Canada has now seen 10 consecutive quarters where affordability remains a major challenge—a reality I witness daily in conversations with clients across the GTA. While many hoped mortgage rate relief would give buyers some breathing room, economists now expect rates to hold steady or even rise in the coming year. This means any improvement in affordability will depend more on home prices moderating and incomes growing.

As someone who transitioned from a career in nursing to real estate, I know how crucial stability and support are for families making big decisions. The evolving labour market is a bright spot, offering hope for stronger household incomes, but price pressures remain a concern—especially in cities like Toronto and Vancouver, which feel very different from markets like Calgary and Edmonton right now.

It’s never been more important to have a real estate partner who truly understands the nuances of each local market and brings genuine care to every client’s journey. My goal is always to ensure your real estate experience is as seamless and reassuring as possible, even as the market continues to shift.

New report suggests HST rebate continues to boost single-family new home sales across GTA
As someone who has dedicated years to caring for others—first as a nurse, now as your trusted GTA real estate and mortgage advisor—I’m always watching for important shifts that can benefit our community. July brought some remarkable news for anyone interested in single-family homes: new home sales in the GTA tripled, reaching 781 units, largely thanks to the continued impact of the HST rebate. Notably, single-family home prices have softened by 8.5%, now averaging $1.36M, which may open doors for more families to achieve their dreams. While condo sales ticked up only slightly and inventory across all types now sits at 18,546 units, condos have seen a modest price rise of 2.5% to $1.05M. My passion has always been guiding clients with patience and knowledge through changes like these—so you can make confident, informed decisions in a shifting market.

Ontario Tax Relief Spurs New Homes
One of the biggest hurdles for homebuyers in Ontario has always been the weight of taxes and government fees—these costs have accounted for about 36% of a new home's price, meaning more than a third of what buyers pay goes beyond just the core building expenses. As someone deeply passionate about helping families put down roots in our communities, I know just how much these extra charges can impact your journey. In many areas, development charges alone have soared past $100,000 per single-family home, sometimes bringing the total for levies and fees up to $200,000.

Recently, a collaborative federal-provincial initiative started offering funding to municipalities that agreed to reduce residential development charges by 30% to 50% (or more) and maintain those reductions for at least three years. Following the HST cut, Ontario saw 8,400 new home sales in the first three months—well above the 3,600 we’d typically see during the same period each year.

If these HST rebates and reduced development charges become permanent, it could offer lasting certainty to buyers, builders, and municipalities alike. For those of us dedicated to supporting your real estate journey—whether you’re buying, selling, or investing—this kind of stability is a game-changer for affordability and housing supply. It’s all about creating more opportunities for you and your family to find your place to call home.