Homes And Condos By Catherine

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Homes And Condos By Catherine Catherine Balfour, Real Estate Agent
Royal LePage Signature Realty, Brokerage Buying or Selling your home can be a lengthy and emotional process.

You can easily feel overwhelmed. Contact me for some tips to help you keep things in balance.

The Bank of Canada has raised its key interest rate to 2.5%, its first increase in more than three years.The quarter-poi...
10/29/2026

The Bank of Canada has raised its key interest rate to 2.5%, its first increase in more than three years.

The quarter-point hike comes as inflation climbed to 3.2% in September, driven largely by higher energy costs. The Bank says another increase is possible but that it will proceed carefully as new data comes in.

For homeowners with variable-rate mortgages or lines of credit, borrowing costs may rise. Fixed-rate borrowers won’t see a change until renewal. For buyers, it’s a good time to revisit your pre-approval and budget so you can move with confidence.

The takeaway? Rates are one piece of the picture. Inventory, pricing and local conditions still shape every decision.

Wondering what today’s announcement means for your plans? Speak with your mortgage professional, and let’s connect to talk through your options.

Condo or freehold? For investors, the answer comes down to strategy.Condos often offer a lower entry point and less hand...
10/29/2026

Condo or freehold? For investors, the answer comes down to strategy.

Condos often offer a lower entry point and less hands-on maintenance, but condo fees, bylaws and rental rules all play a role in your returns. Freeholds typically require a larger investment and more involvement, but offer greater control and land ownership, which can support long-term value.

The right choice depends on your budget, timeline, cash flow goals and how hands-on you want to be.

Considering an investment property in the GTA? Let’s connect and find the structure that fits your goals.

Being prepared isn’t just about moving fast. It’s about negotiating well.When your pre-approval, deposit, budget and pri...
10/28/2026

Being prepared isn’t just about moving fast. It’s about negotiating well.

When your pre-approval, deposit, budget and priorities are already sorted, you can put your energy into the details that make a real difference: price, conditions, closing dates and what’s included in the sale.

Prepared buyers know their numbers, know their limits and can make confident decisions without feeling rushed.

Save this checklist, and let’s connect to make sure you’re offer-ready before the right home hits the market.

Outdated paint colours and worn flooring can make a home look tired, but they’re often some of the easiest things to cha...
10/27/2026

Outdated paint colours and worn flooring can make a home look tired, but they’re often some of the easiest things to change.

The bigger questions are usually less visible: the roof, foundation, mechanical systems, electrical and drainage. These are the items that can have a real impact on your budget long after closing day.

Knowing the difference can help you spot hidden potential in a dated home, and avoid being swayed by fresh finishes alone.

Thinking about buying in the GTA? Let’s connect and make sure you know exactly what you’re investing in.

NIGHT LIGHT WALK FOR SHELTER - THERE'S STILL TIME TO DONATEA huge thank you to everyone who sponsored me in the Royal Le...
10/27/2026

NIGHT LIGHT WALK FOR SHELTER - THERE'S STILL TIME TO DONATE

A huge thank you to everyone who sponsored me in the Royal LePage® Shelter Foundation™ Night Light Walk™, presented by TD.

Thanks to your incredible generosity, my personal fundraising goal was shattered by 56%, and the overall Whitby Night Light Walk surpassed its event goal by 19%!

You can check out the full Whitby event results and rankings here:
https://shelterfoundation.akaraisin.com/ui/NightLightWalk/g/51223

The even better news? We’re not done yet! Donations are still being gratefully accepted through the end of the month.

If you’d like to make a contribution, there is still time:
https://shelterfoundation.akaraisin.com/ui/NightLightWalk/p/538bea55a5bb4dea82c2407177723b35

Together, we are helping light the path forward for women and children fleeing intimate partner violence. Thank you for your continued support!

Halloween is almost here! Is your front porch ready for visitors?Clearing wet leaves, lighting your walkway and keeping ...
10/26/2026

Halloween is almost here! Is your front porch ready for visitors?

Clearing wet leaves, lighting your walkway and keeping decorations out of the way can help make sure every trick-or-treater gets to your door safely. Small touches, like a non-food treat option for kids with allergies, can make a big difference too.

Save this checklist for Halloween prep, and share it with a neighbour who goes all out every year!

The GTA housing market remained relatively quiet in September, as many buyers continued to take a wait-and-see approach....
10/24/2026

The GTA housing market remained relatively quiet in September, as many buyers continued to take a wait-and-see approach. Concerns about the economy, inflation, job security and future borrowing costs are making some households hesitant to make a major purchase.

There were 5,040 homes sold across the GTA in September, down 9% from September 2025. At the same time, 16,500 new properties came onto the market, a decrease of 14.4% from a year ago. Both sales and new listings also declined compared with August.

For buyers, the good news is that prices remain below last year’s levels. The GTA’s average selling price in September was $1,006,409, down 5.1% from September 2025.

In simple terms, buyers have more affordability than they did a year ago, but many are still waiting for greater confidence in the economy before making a move.

The GTA condo market continues to be one of the more challenging segments of the market. Prices remain below last year’s levels, and buyers continue to have plenty of choice. TRREB’s latest condo-market data showed the average GTA condominium apartment price at $634,972 in the second quarter of 2026, down 7.5% from a year earlier, while the number of new listings and active listings also declined.

September market data continues to point to a softer condo environment, particularly for investors and owners of units competing with a large supply of similar properties. For buyers, this can create opportunities to negotiate on price and terms, while sellers need to be realistic about pricing and prepared for longer marketing periods.

The underlying story is one of pent-up demand rather than a lack of interest in homeownership. Many people are watching the market closely and would like to buy, but they want to feel more confident about their employment, the economy and where borrowing costs are headed.

As we move through the fall, the key question will be whether improved affordability is enough to bring some of these buyers off the sidelines. If confidence improves while the supply of available homes remains relatively restrained, we could see more activity in the months ahead.

For now, buyers have more negotiating power than they have had in recent years, while sellers need to price strategically and understand that today’s buyers are taking their time.

Please never hesitate to reach out to me with any of your real estate questions, I am always happy to help. I look forward to connecting with you soon.

GTA condo prices continue to face downward pressure, but buyer activity is revealing where demand remains strongest. The...
10/23/2026

GTA condo prices continue to face downward pressure, but buyer activity is revealing where demand remains strongest.

The average condo selling price fell 7.7% year-over-year to $605,257 in September, reaching its lowest September level since 2019.

Despite new condo listings declining for the 13th consecutive month, softer demand has kept market conditions favourable for buyers, with 6.3 months of supply.

Affordability remains a major driver of activity. Condos priced below $500,000 accounted for 45% of all condo sales, with transactions in that price range rising 54% year-over-year.

For buyers and sellers, these trends highlight the importance of understanding how demand varies across price points.

Swipe through for a closer look at the GTA condo market, and reach out to explore what these trends mean for your next move.

GTA home sales lost momentum in September as many buyers continued to take a wait-and-see approach.Sales fell 9% year-ov...
10/22/2026

GTA home sales lost momentum in September as many buyers continued to take a wait-and-see approach.

Sales fell 9% year-over-year, reversing the modest recovery seen earlier in 2026. After growing 7.6% in the second quarter, sales declined 4% in the third quarter as buyer confidence weakened.

Economic uncertainty, trade tensions and higher fixed mortgage rates have contributed to hesitation, despite improved affordability compared to a year ago.

For those ready to make a move, softer competition and increased negotiating leverage may present opportunities. However, market conditions vary by location and property type.

Swipe through for a closer look at GTA buyer demand, and reach out to better understand the opportunities in your local market.

Fewer GTA homeowners are listing their properties, but that doesn’t necessarily mean buyers have fewer options.New listi...
10/21/2026

Fewer GTA homeowners are listing their properties, but that doesn’t necessarily mean buyers have fewer options.

New listings fell 14.4% year-over-year in September, marking the ninth consecutive month of annual declines. Despite this pullback, active inventory remains 37% above its 10-year average.

With buyer demand also slowing, market conditions continue to favour buyers, offering more selection and negotiating room.

The takeaway? It’s not just how many homes are available, but how supply compares to demand that shapes market conditions.

Swipe through for a closer look at GTA housing supply, and reach out to understand what these trends mean for your local market.

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950 Merritton Road
Pickering, ON
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