Erin Corcoran, REMAX Prime Properties

06/17/2026

Most people know Durham Region for communities like Whitby, Oshawa, Ajax, and Pickering.

Fewer people know that one of Durham’s northern townships proudly calls itself the Smallmouth Bass Capital of Canada.

I recently spotted the sign while driving through the area and it sent me down a rabbit hole. Why that title? What makes Brock Township so unique? And how has its connection to fishing, tourism, and the waterfront helped shape the community we know today?

One of the things I love about real estate is learning the stories behind the places we live. Every community has its own identity, history, and reasons people choose to call it home.

Whether you’re already living in North Durham or have never ventured beyond the larger urban centres, Brock Township is a reminder that there is always something new to discover right in our own backyard.

Read the full blog here:
https://rootedinrealestate.blogspot.com/2026/06/why-is-brock-township-smallmouth-bass.html?m=1

Have you ever visited Brock Township, Beaverton, Sunderland, or Cannington? What is your favourite hidden gem in North Durham?

Driving through northern Durham Region, you may have noticed signs proudly declaring Brock Township as the “Smallmouth Bass Capital of Canad...

06/16/2026

I was driving through Scugog recently when something caught my attention.

For Sale signs.

Not one or two.

Several of them within just a few minutes.

What surprised me wasn’t the number of listings. It was the quality of the homes behind those signs.

From character-filled century homes to newer bungalows, there seemed to be something for almost every type of buyer. It made me wonder…

👉 Are buyers overlooking Port Perry?

Many buyers focus their search on Whitby, Oshawa, Bowmanville, and Brooklin. Meanwhile, communities like Port Perry continue to offer small-town charm, waterfront lifestyle, walkable amenities, and some surprisingly interesting housing options.

I wrote a new blog about what I noticed and why I think more buyers should be taking a closer look.

📖 Read it here: https://rootedinrealestate.blogspot.com/2026/06/i-counted-four-listings-in-five-minutes.html?m=1

Have you ever considered living in Port Perry, or do you already call it home? What do you love most about the area?

06/15/2026

Could Waiting for Lower Interest Rates Actually Cost You More?

The Bank of Canada held its key interest rate at 2.25% this week, which was widely expected.

What caught many economists’ attention was the message that came with it: the next move could be up or down, depending on inflation and economic conditions.

What does that mean for home buyers?

🏡 Waiting for rates to drop is no longer a guarantee.

📈 Fixed mortgage rates can change before the Bank of Canada makes its next move because they are influenced by the bond market.

💰 Today’s rate is known. Future rates are not.

For buyers who have been sitting on the fence waiting for a major rate drop, it may be worth taking another look at the numbers. In some cases, a small change in interest rates can have a bigger impact on affordability than expected.

Every situation is different, and there is no one size fits all answer. The right time to buy depends on your finances, your goals, and the homes available in today’s market.

If you’ve been wondering whether it makes sense to buy now or wait, I’d be happy to connect you with a trusted mortgage professional and help you explore your options.

📩 Send me a message anytime.

06/09/2026

I was driving through North Oshawa this week and couldn’t help but notice just how much this area is changing.

What was once open fields is quickly transforming into a brand new community near Harmony Road North. The grading, road preparation, and site work are well underway, giving us a glimpse of what North Oshawa could look like in the coming years.

Growth like this often brings new homes, new infrastructure, new amenities, and plenty of conversation about how our communities evolve.

Whether you’re excited about new development or prefer the charm of established neighbourhoods, one thing is clear: this area is going to look very different before long.

Would you buy in a brand new community or would you rather live in an established neighbourhood? Tell me why in the comments.

06/08/2026

Luxury real estate is a unique segment of the market, and the latest numbers show REMAX continuing to lead Canada in residential sales over $5 million.

While luxury properties may not make up the majority of transactions in Durham Region or Northumberland County, this level of market leadership speaks to the strength of the REMAX network, the reach of its marketing, and the connections available to buyers and sellers across Canada.

Whether you’re purchasing your first home, moving up, downsizing, investing, or selling a luxury property, having the right strategy and exposure matters.

Proud to be part of a brand that continues to lead the way.

What do you think defines a luxury home today? Is it the price, the location, the lifestyle, or something else?

06/04/2026

I came across this comparison today and it caught my attention.

Canada has officially entered a technical recession, while the U.S. economy continues to show signs of strength.

Whenever economic headlines like this start making the rounds, one of the first questions people ask is:

What does this mean for Durham Region and Northumberland County real estate?

The reality is that real estate is local.

National economic trends can influence things like interest rates, consumer confidence, and borrowing costs, but they don’t tell the whole story of what’s happening in Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, Port Hope, Cobourg, or the surrounding communities.

Historically, slower economic growth can increase pressure for lower interest rates, which may improve affordability for some buyers. Lower rates often bring more buyers back into the market, especially those who have been waiting on the sidelines.

What I’m seeing locally is a market where buyers have more choice, conditions are common again, and pricing strategy matters more than ever.

Homes that are priced appropriately for today’s market are attracting attention. Homes priced for yesterday’s market often take longer to sell.

Durham and Northumberland continue to attract buyers looking for more space, better value, waterfront lifestyles, and an alternative to higher-priced markets closer to Toronto.

The biggest takeaway?

Don’t let national headlines make your real estate decisions for you.

Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or simply keeping an eye on the market, what’s happening in your neighbourhood matters far more than a headline from across the country.

What are your thoughts? Are you feeling more optimistic or more cautious about the second half of 2026?

06/03/2026

What if one small change to your mortgage could save you tens of thousands of dollars?

Many homeowners don’t realize that most mortgages allow some form of prepayment. That could mean:

✔ Making a lump sum payment once a year
✔ Rounding up your regular mortgage payment
✔ Switching to accelerated weekly or biweekly payments

Using an example mortgage of $500,000 at 4.99%, even modest prepayments could save tens of thousands in interest and shave years off the mortgage amortization.

One example showed:

🏡 A $2,000 annual lump sum payment could save more than $42,000 in interest and pay off the mortgage over 2 years sooner.

🏡 Accelerated weekly payments could save more than $60,000 in interest and cut the amortization by more than 3 years.

Every lender has different prepayment privileges, so it’s important to check what’s available on your mortgage before making changes.

Have you ever made extra payments on your mortgage, or is this something you’ve considered?

06/02/2026

I was scrolling through Instagram the other day when a headline stopped me in my tracks.

Nearly 12,000 Canadians reportedly launched GoFundMe campaigns in the first four months of 2026 to help cover rent, mortgage payments, utilities, and other essential expenses.

The statistic itself is interesting.

The bigger question is why so many people feel they need to create these campaigns in the first place.

As a REALTOR®, I spend a lot of time talking about home prices, interest rates, and market trends. What often gets overlooked is affordability. The reality is that many Canadians are feeling the pressure of rising housing costs, groceries, utilities, insurance, and everyday expenses.

The number that stuck with me wasn’t the 12,000 campaigns.

It was the thought of how many people are struggling quietly and never create one at all.

I took a deeper look at what this trend might be telling us about housing affordability in Canada and what it could mean for homeowners, renters, and future buyers.

Read the full blog here:
https://rootedinrealestate.blogspot.com/2026/06/why-more-canadians-are-turning-to.html

What are your thoughts? Have rising living costs changed how you budget, save, or think about housing?