April 2023 - Page 3 of 14 - Mama Home Decor

April 20, 2023

Canada luxury real estate market sales fall but don’t blame buyers

People are eager to buy homes, if only there were enough listings

Published Apr 19, 2023 • 5 minute read

Sales of luxury real estate properties were slower in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same time last year. Photo by Tyler Anderson/National Post

Good morning,

Luxury home sales retreated across much of Canada this past winter, but a lack of buyers isn’t to blame for the pullback and the market is expected to pick up this spring, according to Sotheby’s International Realty Canada.

Sales of luxury real estate properties were slower in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same time last year, with Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary all registering declines, says Sotheby’s latest report on the state of high-tier housing.

Toronto and Vancouver, the most expensive housing markets in Canada, bore the brunt of the slump in sales. In Toronto, sales of luxury homes priced $4 million and higher fell 64 per cent from the first quarter of 2022. Transactions of houses above $1 million also slowed, declining 57 per cent over last year. Vancouver sales of residences over $4 million were down 53 per cent year over year, and sales of dwellings above $1 million fell by 51 per cent.

Montreal’s market also climbed down from 2022 levels, with sales of luxury properties above $1 million declining 43 per cent in the first quarter compared to last year. Residences priced at $4 million and higher experienced a slowdown in sales, too, falling 33 per cent year over year.

Meanwhile, Calgary remains a bright spot in the market amid a growing economy that’s attracting new residents from other parts of Canada. But it too experienced slower sales when compared to the same time last year. Sales of $1-million homes fell 36 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2022. However, Sotheby’s says sales are up 223 per cent compared to the same time in 2020, which shows the underlying strength of the market.

The overall drop in home sales isn’t a sign that buyers have given up on homeownership, however. Sotheby’s blames a lack of listings for the downturn in transactions, and says people are ready and eager to get back into the market to find their dream homes.

“A significant cohort of prospective homebuyers and sellers who were reluctant to make a move in 2022 … are now pre-qualified, highly motivated and anxious to find a home that meets their needs and lifestyle,” Don Kottick, chief executive of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, says in a press release.

Investors also continue to have faith in real estate, with recent research from Sotheby’s and Mustel Group showing that 60 per cent of city-dwelling Canadians believe property will outperform or line up with their other investments over the next 10 years.

That high confidence, combined with pent-up demand, bodes well for the spring housing market, the report says, providing there is enough inventory to meet buyer intentions. Sotheby’s says many sat on the sidelines this winter, in the hope of more inventory coming online in the second quarter. But listings are expected to stay muted, which will likely constrain sales.

“The greatest challenge that (buyers and sellers) are facing is a sheer lack of housing supply across every price point and housing type,” Kottick said. “This shortage is placing a chokehold on real estate markets that would otherwise be primed for healthy activity.”

Still, don’t expect a lack of listings amid a cohort of motivated buyers to translate into big price gains this spring. Higher interest rates that have pushed up the costs of homeownership are keeping people from bidding up prices further, Sotheby’s says. Indeed, inflation data from Statistics Canada released on April 18 shows mortgage interest costs increased 26.4 per cent last month from March 2022. That should continue to keep a lid on home prices this spring, even as the market picks up.

“Properties priced appropriately for the market will see qualified interest and uptake in the coming months,” Kottick said.

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Inflation appears to finally be slowing, which means interest rate increases are likely off the table, at least for now, writes Kevin Carmichael.

The consumer price index increased 4.3 per cent from March 2022, Statistics Canada said on April 18. That was the smallest year-over-year increase since August 2021.

Excluding food and energy, the year-over-year increase was 4.5 per cent, down from 4.8 per cent in February. Excluding mortgage interest costs, the index increased 3.6 per cent, compared with 4.7 per cent the previous month.

Still, though headline inflation is lower to four per cent than its eight per cent peak, it might not feel like much a of a relief for many households. Find out more about what you need to know about the latest consumer price reading.

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150,000 PSAC members comprised of Canada Revenue Agency and Treasury Board workers walk off the job today in what will be the largest federal public service work stoppage since 1991. Here’s what you need to know about how demands for wage increases could affect inflation
Suzanne Clark, chief executive of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, attends a breakfast event in Ottawa, organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada in partnership with the Business Council of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Canada 2020 hosts the Net-Zero Leadership Summit in Ottawa. Speakers include Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault and Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane
Imperial Oil Ltd. holds its 2023 investor day and provides an update on its operations and business strategy
The United States Federal Reserve Board releases the latest Beige Book report
Today’s data: Canadian housing starts, industrial product and raw materials price indices
Earnings: Tesla Inc., Morgan Stanley, IBM Corp., Kinder Morgan Inc., Nasdaq Inc., Equifax Inc., Metro Inc., Alcoa Corp.

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Rich people have problems, too, but the advice financial planner Ed Rempel provides for one couple trying to ensure a comfortable retirement applies just as much to the rest of us as it does to them. Do we have enough money to maintain our lifestyle? How can we pass some money to our kids in a sensible way? Where should I park the capital that’s currently sitting in guaranteed investment certificates? Retirement advice this way.

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Today’s Posthaste was written by Victoria Wells (@vwells80), with additional reporting from Financial Post staff, The Canadian Press, Thomson Reuters and Bloomberg.

Have a story idea, pitch, embargoed report, or a suggestion for this newsletter? Email us at posthaste@postmedia.com.

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April 20, 2023

33 Beautiful Outdoor Kitchen Ideas

Are you at this time in search of out of doors kitchen area concepts? There is absolutely nothing quite like embracing out of doors residing, no matter if it is firing up the grilling station or web hosting a celebration less than a pergola in your backyard. It’s possible you crave a smooth pizza oven or marble counter tops, or just want to host a relaxed yard barbecue surrounded by family members and pals. No make any difference your style, an outside kitchen and cooking region is an prospect to see outside space in a new gentle. “An out of doors kitchen is not only a natural extension of indoor dwelling, but it also permits for web hosting a much larger gathering,” claims Rhode Island–based interior designer Lindy Lowney. Having said that, setting one up can also be an frustrating undertaking, loaded with questions you want to reply about everything from products to cost points.

A modern outdoor kitchen area can serve as a area to host and connect with relatives and buddies though also savoring the beauty of the outdoors. It’s a treasured option that numerous households are in search of out. “Many owners are opting to produce outdoor residing environments conducive to a lot easier entertaining and simple cleanup,” claims Lowney.

With that ethos in brain, we spoke with additional than 30 designers who have created unique outside dining parts for inspiration. Probably you are just searching for layout thoughts for an outside kitchen area, or you want a thing new to enhance your yard landscaping. Perhaps you are thinking of choosing a design and style qualified to established it up for you or you want to do it oneself. Beneath are loads of outdoor kitchen area models to spark your imagination…and your hunger. But to start with, make sure you know what you need to know about out of doors kitchen area spaces.

What are the most effective resources to use for an outside kitchen?

“Stainless steel is quite resilient and straightforward to thoroughly clean,” states Lowney. “It withstands humidity and warmth and retains up well to the outdoor features.” When it will come to the counter tops, Lowney implies granite simply because of its power and toughness with small servicing. “With a powerful business sealer, it will resist staining and dampness. Porcelain is also getting well known thanks its ease of routine maintenance and appealing price tag level,” she adds.

How a lot does it value to establish an outdoor kitchen?

Unquestionably, constructing a comprehensive-dimensions out of doors kitchen with a prep area, stainless-metal appliances, and a kegerator is a expensive possibility. Lowney states that it is “really tricky to place a selection on” out of doors kitchens, due to the fact “cost can differ significantly depending on the style and design, measurement, labor necessary, and elements you use.” On the other hand, several individuals pick out to Do it yourself their personal out of doors kitchen, functioning to approach and develop the room with a stringent spending plan. Keep in mind, even a humble mini fridge subsequent to a sensibly intended counter space can be the basis of your outside kitchen design. When you are dining al fresco, possessing your possess outdoor kitchen can be fulfilling with just a pair of relaxed bar stools at a high-top desk.

What do I do about my outside patio kitchen all through the winter season?

There are so quite a few variables that go into designing an outdoor leisure house, with 1 of the most essential kinds becoming the surroundings you stay in. Folks who are living in dry parts with minor precipitation really do not have to fear as a great deal about the danger of snow or hurricanes. By developing a included patio kitchen area, you aren’t as constrained to when you can use the area. Lowney, who based in New England, recommends building a included kitchen space to guarantee it lasts longer. “It extends the longevity of the expenditure,” she notes.

Beneath, browse a range of backyard kitchen area tips to get you started on your outdoor kitchen journey.