Well, we are in the thick of summer — my favorite season. Those who know me know that’s absolutely not true. I loathe summer. It’s my least favorite season. However, there are ways to stay cool and save thousands. In this episode, I’ll be sharing five summer energy-saving tips, plus Ontario rebates explained.

Ciao! Welcome to a new episode of Building Wealth Through Real Estate...Brick by Brick with me, Nico James-Bock, Founder of The CondoWiz™ Group and Broker at Keller Williams Co-Elevation Realty in Toronto.

Summer cooling costs can take a bite out of your monthly budget. But with smart planning — and a little help from federal, provincial, and local rebate programs — you can make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient.

Program Round‑Up

• Federal Tax Credit: 30% off qualifying heat pumps (up to $2,000)
• Ontario Home Renovation Savings Program: up to 30% rebate on renovations (heat pumps, insulation, windows, smart thermostats); up to $12K for heat pumps or $10K for bundled upgrades as electricity-heated home
  EcoFlow
  IESO+2
  Save on Energy+2
  Toronto Hydro+2
  en.wikipedia.org+5
  Dynamic Heating and Cooling+5
  Reddit+5
• Canada Greener Homes Grant: supports pre‑audit and insulation/heat pumps/windows
  • CoolSaver: instant discounts for AC tune‑ups and replacements in eligible areas
    Toronto Hydro
  • Energy Affordability Program: low‑income households get free smart thermostats, LED bulbs, insulation, etc.
    Toronto Hydro+1
    ClimateCare+1
• Municipal: City of Toronto’s Eco‑Roof Incentive (cool/green roofs) and the Energy Retrofit Loan Program for low‑interest funding on HVAC/solar upgrades

By combining smart products like high-efficiency heat pumps and smart ceiling fans with powerful Ontario and federal rebates, you can significantly reduce summer cooling costs and create a more comfortable, greener home. Listen, act early—many programs have limited funds!

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In this episode of Building Wealth Through Real Estate, Brick by Brick, I break down the major difference between 2 of Canada’s key homebuyer incentives: the longstanding HST New Housing Rebate and the brand new GST rebate designed specifically for First-Time Home Buyers (FTHBs).

Ciao! Welcome to a new episode of Building Wealth Through Real Estate...Brick by Brick with me, Nico James-Bock, Founder of The CondoWiz™ Group and Broker at Keller Williams Co-Elevation Realty in Toronto.

You’ll learn:

• How each rebate works, and who qualifies
• Why first-time buyers can now save up to $63,000 by stacking both rebates
• What these changes mean for developers, agents, and investors
• How to guide your clients (or yourself) to take full advantage of both opportunities

This is essential listening for anyone involved in buying or selling new construction homes in Canada — especially in high-demand markets like the GTHA.

🎧 Tune in and get ahead of the curve!

Ciao ciao

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Ciao! Welcome to a new episode of Building Wealth Through Real Estate...Brick by Brick with me, Nico James-Bock, Founder of The CondoWiz™ Group and Broker at Keller Williams Co-Elevation Realty in Toronto.

In this episode, I unpack the June 2025 real estate market stats, revealing a surprising mix of resilience and opportunity amid political uncertainty, rising crime, and record-high housing inventory. From a sharp drop in condo prices to a five-month rebound in sales, listeners will learn how market sentiment is shifting—and why now might be the smartest time to act as a buyer. With key insights on immigration trends, insurance spikes, interest rate forecasts, and emerging hotspots like Alberta, this episode delivers the full story behind the headlines—and the strategies that matter most for buyers, sellers, and investors alike. Don’t miss the expert analysis that ties it all together.

Summary:

1. Home prices declined: The GTA’s HPI dropped 5.5% YoY and average prices fell to $1.1M.
2. Sales rebounded MoM: June marked a five-month high with 5,068 sales (+8.1% MoM).
3. Buyer's market confirmed: Inventory levels—especially in resale condos (>5 months) and new builds (exceed 17 months of inventory!!!). Now is the time to BUY BUY BUY. Be tight with prices and exercise patience if selling (Avg DOM 42).
4. Condos under pressure: High completions and low demand are leaving units unsold longer (42 days avg.).
5. Crime impacting sentiment: Rising violent crime and carjackings are driving caution and hurting demand.
6. Insurance costs surge: Home premiums in Ontario rose 84% in the last decade due to climate/flood risk.
7. Net migration shifts: Ontario is losing people to provinces like Alberta due to high costs and policies.
8. Immigration slowing: Canada’s Q1 2025 PR intake was the lowest in four years, though Ontario still leads.
9. BoC rate outlook: Key interest rate is 2.75%; may drop to 2.25% by year-end pending economic data.
10. Affordability improving: Lower prices (because of adjustments/incentives) and rates are helping buyers—especially those ready to act now. BUY BUY BUY.

Upcoming Seminars:

Smart Moves: Rightsizing in Today's Real Estate Market:

👉🏼RSVP - July 23, 2025 7:00pm Liberty Village

👉🏼RSVP - July 30, 2025 7:00pm Kipling/Bloor - Etobicoke Junction

Ciao ciao

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Ciao! Welcome to a new episode of Building Wealth Through Real Estate...Brick by Brick with me, Nico James-Bock, Founder of The CondoWiz™ Group and Broker at Keller Williams Co-Elevation Realty in Toronto.

In this new episode, I broke down what’s happening in the current real estate market, especially the clear divide between the condo and freehold sectors. Right now, condos are firmly in a buyer’s market, thanks to high inventory and softer demand. I also walked through the key federal and provincial incentives available for first-time homebuyers — from grants and rebates to tax credits — and stressed how important it is to meet the specific criteria to qualify.

I touched on some local housing programs and Indigenous housing initiatives that are also worth exploring. And as always, I encouraged listeners to connect with a trusted financial professional and to use my CondoWiz™ Toronto GTA app to dig into the data and make informed decisions.

Takeaways

1. Review federal and provincial definitions of "first-time buyer" to determine their eligibility for various programs.
2. Potential homebuyers to explore the First Home Savings Account (FHSA) and consider contributing up to $8,000 per year.
3. Investigate combining FHSA with RRSP Home Buyers Plan for maximum benefit.
Ontario residents to check eligibility for Land Transfer Tax Rebate of up to $4,000.
Toronto residents to explore additional Municipal Land Transfer Tax Rebate of up to $4,475.

4. Research local housing programs in their regions (e.g., Peel, Durham).
Indigenous first-time homebuyers to investigate specific housing initiatives available to them.
5. GTA homebuyers to consider Ourboro co-investment program for assistance with down payment.

6. If your first purchase is in a multi-unit development or project, download the CondoWiz™ - Toronto GTHA+ app, choose a monthly subscription after the 3-day trial and #savetime.

Contact me for guidance on finding the right program and home.

Ciao

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Ciao! Welcome to a new episode of Building Wealth Through Real Estate...Brick by Brick with me, Nico James-Bock, Founder of The CondoWiz™ Group and Broker at Keller Williams Co-Elevation Realty in Toronto. In this episode I do a deep dive into the recent Band of Canada interest rate announcement, the recently released TRREB Market Stats for May 2025, and check in with Stats Can for the immigration/emigration counts. All of this to prepare you for what will be a challenging summer for real estate and the economy.

4 Key Takeaways:

• TRREB reported 6,244 home sales in May 2025, down 13.3% year-over-year but marking a second consecutive monthly increase.
• The average selling price fell 4% from May 2024 to $1,120,879, improving affordability.
• Inventory levels have risen, especially in the condo market, with over seven months of supply now available.
• Despite lower borrowing costs and prices, economic uncertainty—particularly related to U.S. trade—continues to weigh on buyer confidence.
• Canada enjoyed a net gain of ~402,000 people through international migration in 2024.
• Ontario alone added approximately 161,000 people—a significant portion of Canada’s growth.

Bottom Line:
The GTA market is offering improved affordability and more selection, especially for condo buyers. However, broader economic concerns are keeping some would-be buyers on the sidelines. This situation will continue heading into the summer market. It will however start to turn around as we move into fall. The next BoC announcement on July 30 will be a reflection of the key economic and job indicators announced over the next 6 weeks.

Ciao

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This episode explains how MPAC conducts property assessments in Ontario through direct comparison methods, with a focus on residential properties and the factors influencing their value. The assessment cycle operates every four years with a phase-in process for value changes, though the 2020 postponement is still affecting current values. The episode concludes with an overview of how municipalities calculate property taxes based on assessed values, including details about tax rates, dispute processes, and various tax relief programs.

Ciao! Welcome to a new episode of Building Wealth Through Real Estate...Brick by Brick with me, Nico James-Bock, Founder of The CondoWiz™ Group and Broker at Keller Williams Co-Elevation Realty in Toronto.

What Should You Do Next?

• Review your Property Assessment Notice (PAN) carefully. This document details your property's assessed value and property classification.
• Utilize MPAC's AboutMyProperty™ tool. This free online service allows you to compare your assessment to similar homes in your neighbourhood and review the information MPAC has on file for your property.
• Consider filing a Request for Reconsideration (RfR) if you disagree with your assessment. You have a limited window to do this, so act promptly if you believe there's an error.
• Budget for your property taxes. Understand your payment due dates and explore options like pre-authorized payments to avoid penalties.
• Stay informed about municipal and provincial programs. Look into potential tax relief initiatives or deferral programs that may be available.
• Keep MPAC updated on significant changes. If you undertake major renovations or additions, notify them to ensure your property information is accurate.

Links

The Seniors and Persons with a Disability Property Tax Exemption provides financial relief on a portion of a property’s value if improvements were made to a residential home to accommodate a senior (aged 65 or older) or a person with a disability.

City of Toronto Property Tax, Water & Solid Waste Relief
Apply online for the 2025 Property Tax, Water & Solid Waste Relief Program. Deadline to apply is October 31, 2025.

Ciao 😊

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Ciao! Welcome to a new episode of Building Wealth Through Real Estate...Brick by Brick with me, Nico James-Bock, Founder of The CondoWiz™ Group and Broker at Keller Williams Co-Elevation Realty in Toronto.

In this episode, I dive into the current state of the real estate market and explore the key factors driving property values. I focus on the cost of ownership, job security, and housing supply—fundamental elements that shape how the market behaves. I also touch on regulatory changes and global influences that add to the complexity of today’s environment.

I point out that the media often sensationalizes market stats, which can lead to unnecessary fear or hesitation. From where I stand, this is clearly a buyer’s market—especially in the condominium segment. Inventory levels for new condos remain high, and I expect that to keep downward pressure on prices for the foreseeable future.

My advice to buyers is straightforward: don’t wait for the perfect moment or for the economy to shift. The current conditions offer real opportunities, and now is a smart time to act.

Salient Facts & Next Steps:

1. Bank of Canada to potentially reduce interest rates by 25 basis points at the June 4th announcement.
2. Federal Government to continue negotiations and implement retaliatory tariffs on $21 billion worth of U.S. imports.
3. CMHC to oversee the allocation of $365 million for building 767 new homes in Toronto.
4. Federal Government to manage the $2.5 billion investment in low-cost financing for rental housing construction in Toronto.
5. Ontario Provincial Government to work towards building 1.5 million new homes by 2031.
6. Ontario Provincial Government to implement the $2.3 billion infrastructure funding for water and wastewater systems.
7. Toronto Municipal Government to proceed with freezing development charges and offering incentives for rental builders.
8. Toronto Municipal Government to initiate the construction of 8,000 affordable homes through development charge waivers.
9. Toronto Municipal Government to continue implementing tenant protection programs such as the Rent Bank and Eviction Prevention Program.

Ciao 👋🏼

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This episode is titled "Tariffs and Tightropes: How global and local issues are shaping GTA real estate in spring 2025." I outline 7 factors affecting real estate values, focusing on four: Cost of shelter (including ownership and rent), Job security, Local supply, and Global factors.

Emphasis is made on the importance of these factors in understanding changes in real estate values. This episode will explore how they are currently impacting the market.

Ciao! Welcome to a new episode of Building Wealth Through Real Estate...Brick by Brick with me, Nico James-Bock, Founder of The CondoWiz™ Group and Broker at Royal LePage Signature Realty in Downtown Toronto.

Next Steps/Highlights:

1. Listeners to seriously consider the candidates in the upcoming Federal election (early voting April 18-21, main election on April 28).
2. Evaluate party leaders' proposals for bolstering the economy, curbing inflation, and counteracting tariff effects.
3. Listeners to share their opinions on which leader would be better at deflecting tariffs and leading Canada into a more prosperous summer.
4. Listeners to watch for the Bank of Canada's interest rate announcement on April 16.
5. Potential homebuyers to explore opportunities in markets with high inventory, particularly in the condo sector and multi-unit communities.
6. Investors to monitor the Durham region for potential opportunities despite low inventory levels.
7. Interested buyers to consider opportunities in the Oakville market due to high inventory levels.

All stats available on my social channels.

Ciao ciao

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Helping you increase wealth through #realestate

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