Open House - The Real Estate & Mortgage Show

Highlights From Recent Episodes

Check out our Youtube channel for videos of previous episodes. If you’d like to listen to any episodes, visit the podcasts page.

April 27th, 2024: How Parents Can Help First-Time Homebuyers

Steve is joined by Dora from Paul Rushforth Real Estate and Sheri from Mortgage Brokers Ottawa; they start the show by conversing about today’s real estate and mortgage market (0:56), how parents can help first-time homebuyers (3:24), why people are downsizing (5:57), and cosigning vs. guarantor vs. gifting (8:34). After the break, the gang talk about the June 5th rate announcements (13:00) and Mike from Advanced MIC calls-in to chat about the capital gains tax (14:43). Then, the gang discuss pre-listing inspections (21:30) and how a drop in interest rates will impact the market (25:15). To end the show, the gang converse about preparing real estate for summer (31:42), whether people need to update their homes to sell it (33:38), how to price your home correctly (34:22), and buying a house with a friend (35:43).

April 20th, 2024: New Federal Budget & Mortgage Rules

Frank and Steve are joined by Dora from Paul Rushforth Real Estate and Tanya from Questrade Financial; they begin the show by discussing Ottawa’s current listings and interest rates (1:16), as well as how the new federal budget impacts real estate (4:53). After the break, the gang converse about capital gains (11:58), open banking (14:53), and new types of insurance (17:08). Then, the gang talk about how the new capital gains rule is impacting Ottawa investors (20:37), new secondary suite loan program (26:31), and the immigration problem (28:54). To end the show, Paul’s parents call-in to wish him a Happy Birthday (32:40), and the gang discuss parent guarantors (34:54).

April 13th, 2024: What Is Impacting People’s Decision To Not Buy A Home?

Paul, Frank, and Steve begin the show by talking about listing from 10+ years ago (0:15), mortgage news and the Canadian and US inflation (3:24), as well as a how development charges impact new home builders (10:37). After the break, the guys converse about new builder insights (12:41), new home vs. resale prices (14:48), and RRSPs (17:39). Then, the gang discuss what’s impacting people’s decisions to not buying homes (22:02), whether it’s smart to sell to rent (24:36), buy or renting out a cottage (27:30), and the type of price increase we’ll see in the Ottawa market (30:07). To end the show, the guys talk about whether people are moving up or down in property size (34:41).

April 6th, 2024: Potential 30-Year Amortization For First-Time Homebuyers

Paul, Frank, and Steve start the show by talking about taking real estate pictures without snow (1:11), listings being up (2:43), potential record high pricing in 2026 (4:23), as well as rate drops in June/July and how that impacts the future market (5:43). After the break, the guys discuss the potential 30-year amortization (11:51), the difficulties of getting shovels in the ground for new builds (17:03), and why it’s so difficult for first-time homebuyers (18:55). Then, the gang converse about real estate and mortgage rate predictions (22:55), people selling to rent (27:47), and people who are coming up for a mortgage renewal (32:56). To end the show, a listener phones-in to ask about if adding an in-law suite increases the value (35:31).

March 30th, 2024: How The Federal Budget Impacts Buyers & Renters

Paul, Frank, and Steve begin the show by discussing the potential spring market and mortgage rates (1:50), how new builds are being impacted by the economy (7:12), and what people need to save for a downpayment and qualify for a mortgage (10:34). After the break, the guys are joined by Mike from Mortgage Brokers Ottawa, and he talks about advanced mortgage investments (13:01). Then, the gang converse about how the Federal Budget impacts buyers (22:11). To end the show, the guys discuss the renter’s bill of rights (35:13).

March 16th, 2024: Good vs. Bad Tenants

Paul, Frank, and Steve start the show by discussing how weather impacts real estate and photography (1:01), how credit scores impact buying a home (4:25), and banks not mortgaging homes in the flood zone (8:01). After the break, the guys talk about getting out of the First-Time Homebuyer Incentive (12:46), the government trying to avoid another market boom (15:22), and a listener phones in to ask about rental increases (17:26). Then, the gang converse about bad vs. good tenants in investment properties (23:16), and investing in the MIC vs. an investment property (28:33). To end the show, another listener phones in to ask about gifted equity (34:16), the guys discuss first-time homebuyers needing help with mortgage payments (37:04), converting a home equity line of credit to a mortgage (38:31), and the importance of a good tenant (39:46).

March 9th, 2024: February Real Estate Numbers

Paul, Frank and Steve begin the show by talking about February’s real estate, mortgage rate and credit card debt stats (1:49), the amortization process, and why you shouldn’t work with banks (6:48). After the break, the guys converse about needing more homes built (11:09), whether real estate and moving costs are impacting buying and selling decisions (14:46), and the increase of home values (17:14). Then, a listener phones-in to ask about rural properties, pools and the current Ottawa market (21:29), the guys discuss first-time home buyer appetites (27:30), and the Federal budget and how it could impact mortgages and real estate (29:33). To end the show, a listener phones-in to discuss the old Home Ownership Made Easy Plan (35:00) and the guys talk about the employment numbers (37:50).

March 2nd, 2024: First-Time Homebuyer Incentive Discontinued

Paul and Steve are joined by Sheri from Mortgage Brokers Ottawa, and they start the show by talking about the next rate announcement (1:12) and what they are seeing in today’s real estate market and mortgage world (3:45). After the break, David Lee, an Ottawa lawyer, calls-in to discuss moving a parent to a retirement home and how that impacts homeownership (11:12), as well as buying a property with someone else like a friend or family member (18:11). Then, the gang discuss the first-time homebuyer incentive being discontinued (21:30), today’s qualifying rate (26:37), and the increase in 2024 rent evictions (30:59). To end the show, a listener phones-in to ask about how fraud impacts applying for a mortgage (33:46).

February 24th, 2024: Preparing For The Spring Market

Frank and Steve are joined by Dora from Paul Rushforth Real Estate, and they begin the show by conversing about this year’s January real estate vs. last year (1:41), the future of inflation and interest rates (3:36), as well as job reports, the bond market and cost of living (8:25). After the break, the gang discuss preparing for the spring market (11:50), and renewing your mortgage (16:05). Then, the gang talk about selling homes needing renovations (20:55), co-signing with your kids (27:50), and why you hire a real estate agent (30:26). To end the show, a listener phones-in to ask about who pays land transfer taxes, capital gains and government spending (33:12), and the gang converse more about land transfer tax rules (35:40) and rates coming down sooner rather than later (38:48).

February 17th, 2024: The Number Of Real Estate Agents In Canada

Paul, Frank and Steve start the show by discussing today’s rates and cost of living (1:54), the number of agents in Canada (4:58), and how losing a job can impact homeownership (9:55). After the break, the guys converse about Ottawa housing stats being down as well as home renovations (13:52), and principle payments (19:15). Then, a listener phones-in to ask about fixed vs. variable rates and A-lenders vs. B-lenders (21:40), and the gang talks about how a 5-year variable works (31:37). To end the show, the guys discuss hiring real estate photographers (33:33), the cost of rent (35:18), and rate drop predictions (40:20).

February 10th, 2024: Interest Rate Drops On The Horizon

Paul, Frank and Steve begin the show by talking about the return of multiple offers in Ottawa real estate (1:54) and how lower interest rates and job numbers are impacting the market (5:05). Then, a listener phones in to ask about real estate commissions (10:20), the guys discuss the difficulty of getting a real estate license (12:43), the rise of condo prices and drop in townhome prices (14:53), and how high rates are impacting new build deals (18:44). After the break, the gang converse about whether you should buy before or after the interest rate drop (21:21), the difficulty qualifying (23:54) and land transfer tax (29:34). To end the show, another listener calls in to ask about selling vs. renting your home (32:51).

February 3rd, 2024: Ottawa’s Perfect Real Estate Storm

Paul, Frank and Steve start the show by conversing about USA vs. Canada job reports (2:23), flipping houses as well as if it’s cheaper to renovate or sell in Ottawa (5:59), why you need to get into the real estate market now (8:53) and what impacts mortgage rate drops (11:56). After the break, Sean Reid, a mortgage lender, calls in to talk about the advanced mortgage investment corp (14:40). Then, the guys talk about Ottawa’s perfect real estate storm (22:15), rent vs. mortgage prices (24:44), and a listener phones-in to ask about builders converting new builds to rentals (28:24). To end the show, another listener phones-in to ask about whether she should be locking in a variable rate mortgage (35:02), and the gang discuss new home sales being down (39:11).

January 27, 2024: When To Expect 2024’s Spring Market

Frank and Steve are joined by Dora from Paul Rushforth Real Estate, and they begin the show by talking about whether the rates have peaked and what impacts that (1:04), whether we’re seeing more default mortgages (7:40), as well as when is the best time to get into the market (8:50). After the break, a listener phones-in to ask about what makes someone a first-time homebuyer as well as how does a relationship split impact a mortgage (13:23). Then, the gang converses about preparing for 2024’s spring market (21:38), fixer-uppers (23:18), the purchase plus improvements program (24:59) and another listener phones-in to ask about how does a smoking house impact pricing (31:19). To end the show, the gang discuss the best time to sell your home in 2024 (36:07).

January 20, 2024: The Issue With Tenants

Paul, Frank and Steve start the show by discussing inspecting homes during cold weather (1:28), low listing numbers, anticipating rate drops and shelter costs (2:48), as well as tenants not leaving their rental (9:44). After the break, a listener phones-in to ask about when you should renew your mortgage (12:44),  the guys converse about working from home (17:20) and why people don’t want to deal with tenants anymore (20:17). Then, the gang talk about the government hurting small businesses (22:54), the drop in million dollar homes sold (29:44), bond market going up and how that impacts rates (31:51). To end the show, the guys discuss equity built up in homes (34:47), and the average mortgage (38:17).

January 13, 2024: Municipal Tax Increases

Paul, Frank and Steve begin the show by talking about Canada’s medical system (1:10), showing homes in the snow (3:49),and today’s issues in real estate and mortgages (8:19). After the break, the gang converse about municipal tax increases and why you want a low assessed home value (12:29). Then, the guys discuss new builds dropping in price (22:43) and why the 2024 market is starting to boom (32:28). To end the show, a listener phones-in to ask about removing someone on title (34:07).

January 6, 2024: 2024 Real Estate & Mortgage Predictions

Paul, Frank and Steve start the show by conversing about bad TV shows (0:00), current interest rate news (2:50), what is impacting the economy (4:53), and the potential boom in moving to the outskirts of Ottawa (9:21). After the break, a listener phones-in to ask about static variable rate mortgages (12;10), and the guys talk about 2023’s real estate recap (14:34). Then, another listener phones-in to ask severing lots (19:43), and the gang discuss 5-year vs. 10-year mortgages as well as porting your mortgage (26:20). To end the show, the guys converse about 2024’s real estate and mortgage predictions (34:32).