The Group at Re/Max First

Buyers who have the smoothest experience are almost never the ones who jumped in overnight. They’re the ones who spent a few months quietly getting ready before anyone even knew they were looking.

If buying is on your radar later this summer or early fall, the next 90 days matter more than you think.

Here is where to spend that time:

Get your financing conversation started now. Not when you find the house. Now. Understanding your real budget, your approval timeline, and any credit factors worth addressing early gives you options later that rushed buyers simply don’t have.

Start paying attention to the market without the pressure of having to act on it. Follow a few neighborhoods. Notice what things are selling for and how quickly. By the time you are ready to move, you will already have a feel for what good value looks like.

Get clear on your non-negotiables. Not your wish list … your non-negotiables. The things that genuinely cannot be compromised on versus the things you think you want but could actually live without. That clarity will save you weeks of searching in the wrong direction.

And find your agent before you need one. This relationship matters. You want someone who knows your situation, your timeline, and your priorities before the right home shows up. Not someone you called five minutes after you found it.

Ninety days of quiet preparation makes all the difference when the right home shows up.

If you want help knowing where to start, DM me “90” and we’ll start building your plan now so you’re ready when the time comes.

Are you one of the 1 in 6 Canadian renters thinking about buying a home in the next year? 🏡

You're not alone — and depending on which province you're in, your path to homeownership looks very different right now.

The Bank of Canada's latest survey shows first-time buyer intent by province for Q1 2026:

📈 Manitoba: 21% — highest in Canada
📈 Ontario: ~19%
📈 Atlantic Canada: ~18%
📈 Saskatchewan: ~17.5%
📈 Alberta: ~16%
📊 Canada average: 15%
📉 Quebec: ~12%
📉 BC: ~6.5% — lowest in the country

Here's what this means for YOU:

🏠 Thinking of buying in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or Atlantic Canada?
You're in one of Canada's tightest markets — and you're competing with a lot of other motivated buyers. Get your mortgage pre-approval done NOW and have your search criteria ready before you start looking.

🏠 Thinking of buying in Ontario?
Almost 1 in 5 Ontario renters plans to buy this year — but current market conditions still give you negotiating room. This is your window. Get prepared before the competition picks up.

🏠 Thinking of buying in BC?
Fewer renters are planning to buy here — which actually works in your favour if you're ready. Less competition, more listings, and benchmark prices down from 2025 levels. 2026 might be your best entry point in years.

🏡 Selling in a high-demand province?
Manitoba, Ontario, and Atlantic Canada have the deepest pools of motivated first-time buyers in the country right now. Make sure your listing is priced right to capture them.

We've broken down everything you need to know province by province in our latest market update.

👉 Read the full analysis: https://www.real-estate.ca/blog/prairies-lead-the-next-wave/

Are you a renter thinking about buying this year? Which province are you in? Drop it in the comments — we'd love to help! 👇

Vancouver down 6.9%. Winnipeg up 4.4%. Canada's housing market has never been more divided. 🏘️

April 2026 benchmark prices are out — and where you live could mean a $697,000 difference in what a home costs you.

📍 Vancouver: $1,098,000
📍 Toronto: $944,100
📍 Winnipeg: $401,000
📍 Montreal: $594,400

The gap between Canada's priciest and most affordable major markets is real — and it's reshaping where people choose to put down roots.

💬 Would you move cities for a better shot at homeownership? Tell us below 👇