The July 2025 housing market is showing signs of renewed optimism across Toronto and the GTA! 📈

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 break down the latest TRREB Market Stats, share insights from Sherry Cooper’s expert analysis, and review CREA’s national numbers—all pointing to positive trends buyers, sellers, and investors need to watch closely.

✅ Where prices and sales are heading this summer
✅ Why inventory shifts are bringing balance back
✅ How national and local stats align for a brighter outlook

Whether you’re planning to buy, sell, or invest, these insights will help you stay ahead of the curve in today’s evolving market.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more updates on how to build wealth through real estate, brick by brick.

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Canada’s housing crisis isn’t just a problem—it’s an emergency. With 3.5 million homes needed by 2031, the gap between what’s being built and what’s required is widening fast. In this episode, we dive deep into six game-changing strategies governments, developers, and communities are using to speed up development proposals and get shovels in the ground—faster.

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.

From record rental construction and modular housing innovation to bold housing start targets, tax breaks, and cutting through red tape, we unpack what’s working, what’s stalling, and how Canada can turn approvals into keys in hand. Whether you’re in real estate, construction, or just trying to understand why your dream home feels out of reach, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.

🎯 Key Topics:

• Why 2025 will see record completions—and why 2029 might not
• CMHC’s ambitious housing start targets
• How prefab homes are slashing build times
• The incentives and tax cuts motivating developers
• How modernized codes can speed approvals without cutting corners

📺 Watch on YouTube - Fast-Track or Fail

Until the next time,

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House hunting? Before you fall in love with a granite countertop or get lured by staged furniture, press play. In this episode, I break down 6 essential tips to help you find the right home and avoid costly mistakes that most buyers only realize too late.

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.

✅ Whether you're a first-time buyer or making your next big move, these insights will help you shop smarter, act confidently, and buy with peace of mind.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

1. Know Your Non-Negotiables – Get crystal clear on what you need vs. what you want.
2. Get Pre-Approved, Not Just Pre-Qualified – Why it matters and how it gives you a competitive edge.
3. Location > Features – What can’t be changed is more important than you think.
4. Think Beyond the Photos – Don’t judge a home by its online cover.
5. Do a Price Reality Check – How to know if a home is fairly priced or setting a trap.
6. Look Past the Staging – Spot the red flags that designer throw pillows can’t hide.

📍 Based in the GTA? Let’s talk. I help buyers like you build wealth through smart real estate decisions.

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Ciao 👋🏼

🎧 Subscribe for more episodes and don’t forget to check out the full visual breakdown on YouTube:

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Support the show

Helping YOU Build Wealth Through #RealEstate #BrickByBrick

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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

Support the show

Helping YOU Build Wealth Through #RealEstate #BrickByBrick

Book a time for a quick 15min Chat - Discovery: https://calendly.com/thecondowiz/15min

Social:
https://linktr.ee/nicojamesbock

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

Support the show

Helping YOU Build Wealth Through #RealEstate #BrickByBrick

Book a time for a quick 15min Chat - Discovery: https://calendly.com/thecondowiz/15min

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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

Support the show

Helping YOU Build Wealth Through #RealEstate #BrickByBrick

Book a time for a quick 15min Chat - Discovery: https://calendly.com/thecondowiz/15min

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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

Support the show

Helping YOU Build Wealth Through #RealEstate #BrickByBrick

Book a time for a quick 15min Chat - Discovery: https://calendly.com/thecondowiz/15min

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