Most Interesting Places to Live in Canada

Home is the place where dreams become a reality, where memories are made, and where you always feel welcome no matter what. Among the most interesting place to live in Canada, it is the place where friends become family, and where you are proud to plant roots that extend far deeper than the foundation of the house you call home. No matter what beautiful city you choose to land, there is no denying that Canada is home.

We are all proud of the communities and neighbourhoods we live and work in, but there are so many options that choosing just one is nearly impossible. With lists like Money Sense’s “Canada’s Best Places to Live in 2016” and the Readers Digest “9 Most Interesting Cities in Canada” you can see the options are endless, and that is why we wanted to create our own list of the most interesting places to live in Canada. Whether you are considering a move, are looking for a local vacation destination, or simply using your imagination to build your dream home in a beautiful location, we have the top places you need to consider below.

Most Interesting Place to Live in Canada

Ottawa, Ontario

Landing at the top of Money Sense’s Best Places to Live in 2016 list, it is no surprise that Ottawa has many attractive qualities for prospective homebuyers. Aside from its beauty, Ottawa is well known for being a quiet, reserved, family oriented city.

Blainville, Quebec

If you are looking for the ideal place to raise your young family, Blainville is the place for you! With the average Monthly Daycare Cost coming in below $200 a month, this off-island suburb of Montreal is a great one for young families to consider.

Summerside, PEI

Not only is Summerside the second largest city in Prince Edward Island, is has many different attractions including historic buildings and a breathtaking waterfront district making this one city you should add to your travel list.

Muskoka Lakes, Ontario

The Muskoka Lakes are one of the most well-known cottage destinations in Canada. With many options to choose from and endless attractions for both residents and visitors, this location will continue to be one of Canada’s most interesting locations.

Victoria, British Columbia

As a vibrant city appealing to a wide range of demographics, Victoria ranked high on the list of top places to retire. With the moderate climate and a number of outdoor activities available, it is a location that has long been attractive to retirees.

West Vancouver, British Columbia

Ranked among the richest places to live in Canada with an average household net worth of $3,510, 201, it is highly attractive for families. It has excellent options for schooling, easy access to downtown, and homes with beautiful views.

With these options only being the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Canada’s most interesting places to live, it is very clear that the options within our beautiful country are endless. If you are thinking about making a move to one of these beautiful destinations, get in touch with a local RE/MAX agent who will help you throughout your entire journey.

Myths About the Fall Real Estate Market

There is nothing like lounging on a patio, enjoying the long lazy days of summer with a cold drink in your hand, and myths about the fall real estate market a distant thought. The sounds of children playing in the yard floats through the air, and the sidewalks are full of happy couples strolling through the neighbourhood, taking the time to get to know their neighbours a little better. Before long, the highlights of summer will come crashing down, and your days will be full of back to school shopping, carpooling to sporting events, and re-organizing your sweater collection.

On top of that, new homebuyers and sellers have the added difficulty of navigating the current real estate market with the myths about the fall real estate market floating around. While we hope you are reading this while soaking up everything summer has to offer, because it won’t be long before the tips below will become very handy.

Common Myths About the Fall Real Estate Market

1.) Summer is Over, Why Bother with Curb Appeal?

In a few weeks, summer will come to a screeching halt, but that doesn’t mean the extra attention the exterior of your home has been receiving has to come to an end as well. Make sure your fall curb appeal is exactly where it needs to be by ensuring walkways and gutters are free of leaves and debris, and ensure your lawn is always mowed. With unexpected weather the fall months can bring, keeping your trees neatly trimmed will ensure fallen branches don’t make your yard appear messy and unkempt.

2.) People Spend More Time Indoors, So Focus Your Attention There

Just because fall doesn’t have the heat of the summer, doesn’t mean people stay indoors. With the beauty the changing leaves and crisp fall air has to offer, some people actually enjoy spending time outdoors in the fall more than they do in the summer. Celebrate the season with seasonal home décor around the holidays that will attract potential buyers by making your house feel more like a home.

3.) The Weather is Cold, and So is Your Home

When summer inevitably comes to an end, the first sign will be the plummeting temperatures outdoors. Just because it’s cooler outdoors doesn’t mean your home décor needs to reflect that! Consider a fresh coat of paint in a warmer shade, and don’t be afraid to bring the temperature up a couple degrees to make your guests feel comfortable. If you don’t want to make a large change, a few additions like cozy pillows or throws can go a long way in cozying up your home décor for the cooler months.

4.) The Price Doesn’t Have to be Quite Right

The biggest mistake you can make when selling in the fall is pricing it incorrectly. The first thing you should do is understand the importance of working with a real estate professional, and from there, how to choose the right one for you. Working with a professional will help you ensure your home is priced correctly for the fall market.

5.) Once It Sells, You’re Done!

The paper’s are signed, and the deal is done, so all you have to do is pack up and move, right? Not quite! Leading up to the holidays, everyone is very busy which means you may have issues finding time to pack, finding a company to help you move, or even finding family and friends who would normally be able to lend a helping hand. To eliminate these issues, plan ahead! Make sure your moving date is scheduled firm in everyone’s calendar, and plan ahead to ensure you aren’t left without a solution if someone is forced to back out. A stress free move will make the world of a difference in the first couple days in your new home.

Now that you know the common myths about the fall real estate market, you may have a bit more to think about this summer! Take this time to enjoy everything summer has to offer, but tackle small projects on this list to ensure there are no surprises when fall roles around and the iconic red, white, and blue for sale sign is standing proudly on your yard.

Thank you to my colleagues at the RE/MAX blog for producing this great article.

The supply of resale homes is remarkably low across BC

The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a record 12,906 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in June, up 14.3 per cent from the same month last year. Total sales dollar volume was $8.97 billion in June, up 25.7 per cent compared to the previous year. The average MLS® residential price in the province was up 10 per cent year over year, to $694,925.

“Robust housing demand in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Okanagan drove sales growth in June,” said Brendon Ogmundson, BCREA Economist. “At the same time, the inventory of homes for sale continues to slide lower, creating very tight market conditions around the province.”

“The supply of resale homes is remarkably low across BC, but particularly so in Victoria and the Fraser Valley,” added Ogmundson. The sales to active listings ratio has eclipsed 60 per cent in both Victoria and the Fraser Valley, corresponding to less than two months of supply given current demand.

Year to date, BC residential sales dollar volume increased 53.2 per cent to $49.9 billion, when compared with the same period in 2015. Residential unit sales climbed by 30.6 per cent to 67,361
units, while the average MLS® residential price was up 1 7.3 per cent to $7 41,150.

For more information, please contact:
Brendon Ogmundson, Economist
Direct: 604.742.2796
Mobile: 604.505.6793
Email: bogmundson@bcrea.bc.ca