The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to 4¼%, with the Bank Rate at 4½% and the deposit rate at 4¼%. The Bank is also continuing its policy of quantitative tightening.

Inflation around the world remains high and broadly based. Global economic growth is slowing, although it is proving more resilient than was expected at the time of the October Monetary Policy Report (MPR). In the United States, the economy is weakening but consumption continues to be solid and the labour market remains overheated. The gradual easing of global supply bottlenecks continues, although further progress could be disrupted by geopolitical events.

High housing costs, especially in urban centres, continue to place middle class and low-income Canadians under huge financial pressure.

A long-term plan for a faster-growing Canadian economy must include housing that is affordable for working Canadians, especially young families. Stable housing is critical for communities and for a strong middle class.

Canada's largest real estate board is calling on Ottawa to revisit whether a stricter mortgage stress test introduced last year is still needed, arguing that the policy has negatively impacted the economy and Toronto's once red-hot housing market.

"While we saw buyers return to the market in the second half of 2018, we have to have an honest discussion on whether or not today's homebuyers are being stress tested against rates that are realistic," said John DiMichele, chief executive of the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) in a statement Wednesday.

One of the reasons the Hollywood set loves filming in Vancouver — aka Hollywood North — is because this Canadian city is blessed with bountiful natural beauty. Lovely movie-set locales aside, however, a slew of other factors ranks Vancouver right up there among the best places in North America to live in, as well as to visit.

The moment you enter through the gates of Chelster Hall, a grand home in Oakville, Ont., it feels like you’ve entered a retreat where all stress and worry seem to disappear. Once you’re past the wide front doors, a magnificent chandelier comes into view. Hanging from a domed ceiling some 30 feet above you, it’s in perfect elegant symmetry with the custom oval Persian carpet underfoot. Just ahead of you are vistas of Lake Ontario sparkling in the distance. On a cold winter day, you can see the mist rising from Niagara Falls.

When it comes to selling that all-important investment, your home, there are many factors to consider. In addition to freshening up the paint — a must before you list — here’s what savvy real-estate brokers across Canada recommend.

Montreal’s culture is a vibrant, eclectic mix of English and French, old and new, high-end and working-class. Whether you’re moving to the city or just planning a visit, the city’s walkable neighbourhoods, including thoroughfares, side streets and alleyways, are best explored on foot. Don’t let the winter put you off—the city’s snow-clearing chops are top-notch, and today’s parka design is quite fashionable.

How consumer trends in personal luxury goods open up new possibilities for luxury real estate. The personal luxury market is in a constant state of flux. From art to watches to wine, the luxury market responds to increasing consumer demands for accessibility, personalization and secure service. Here’s how today’s agents can respond to what consumers are looking for next.

A new report released today by Mustel Group and Sotheby’s International Realty Canada reveals the impact of rising housing costs on young families across the country’s major metropolitan real estate markets, highlighting the significant contrast between the home ownership aspirations and realities of this demographic.

While it's easy to think that a few slow weeks are a sign of something larger, a more thorough analysis reveals that the Toronto market is still very strong. There have been many news articles about the slowdown of the Toronto housing market, and many industry prognosticators are predicting a crash. While it's easy to think that a few slow weeks are a sign of something larger, a more thorough analysis reveals that the Toronto market is still very strong. This is more likely just a temporary pause, and here are five reasons why prices and activity in the housing market will soon bounce back and continue to climb.

As cities get more crowded and congested, there is an overwhelming need to get away from it all. “Our clients — executives, well- paid professionals and retirees — are looking to leave the city on weekend getaways or settle for a few months over summer and the fall,” says Rachael Werner, a sales representative at Sotheby’s International Realty Canada

Meet three Canadian architectural firms who are using their talents to make an impact on society. In this age of mounting social and political activism, architects are making a powerful statement in their own right. They’re tackling issues close to their hearts, from helping the homeless to supporting the cause for sustainable food and building better cities through design. We’ve rounded up three leading Canadian architectural firms who are boldly breaking new ground — with a conscience.

Which do you prefer, privacy or intimacy? The quiet stillness of an open-air balcony with views, or the rush of the city streets? Proximity to the very best dining, shopping, and culture a city has to offer, or plenty of space? With Canada’s top luxury condos, you don’t have to choose. Suspended above the hustle and bustle of the everyday, these five stunning homes offer a respite from—and access to—every convenience of urban living.

Toronto-area home buyers are gaining greater access to transaction records for properties, and to track records for agents, after the Supreme Court ended seven years of legal wrangling between the Toronto Real Estate Board and the Competition Bureau.

Canada’s top court on Thursday declined to hear an appeal from the board over a federal Competition Tribunal order on the restriction of home-sale data.

Every day, all kinds of different properties are bought and sold in cities across Canada, from humble homes to mighty mansions. Although prices vary wildly, the average price in each area gives us a sense of where to find Canada’s most expensive real estate. Here’s a look at the Canadian cities where homes cost the most.

A private island represents the ultimate coastal fantasy. Experts approximate that there are only some 2,000 in the entire world suitable enough for development. In order for the development of a property to take place, a stringent mix of the right environmental, geographical, and altitudinal factors need to be met. In order words, an island exudes exclusivity. From privacy to Crusoe-inspired adventure, take a look at the magic of private island ownership through the windows of this Pym Island estate, located off the coast of British Columbia, Canada.

Montreal is projected to lead Canadian luxury real estate in market performance in spring 2018, as strong economic fundamentals and soaring consumer confidence drive demand and elevate prices in the market for homes over $1 million. New data compiled by Sotheby’s International Realty Canada for the preliminary months of 2018 also suggest continued recovery in top-tier real estate in Calgary, where January and February sales over $1 million rose 45% year-over-year.