Premier Doug Ford announced that the Province of Ontario will be proposing a new rebate to fully remove the 8% provincial portion of the HST for first-time homebuyers on new homes up to $1 million, effective for agreements signed on or after May 27, 2025. When combined with the federal 5% GST rebate, this could save buyers up to $130,000. 

What does this all mean? How is it calculated? How does it differ from the previous HST rebate already in place for new homes? Who qualifies?

Ema speaks for Matthew Patullo, Barrister and Solicitor to get all these answers.

Matthew Patullo is a founding Partner at A.P. Romano Legal Professional Corporation. His practice focuses on all areas of real estate, wills and estates, and corporate law matters. Matthew was called to the Ontario Bar in 2015 and has worked with a great breadth of entrepreneurs, first-time home buyers, experienced home buyers, builders, realtors, and mortgage agents and their clients to deliver seamless transaction closings and client-centric service.  

Legislation being referred on the podcast can be found here: https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/45-1/c-4?view=progress

And Matthew can be contact directly at [email protected].

Dreaming of resort-style living in Ontario? In this video, Ema explores two of the province’s most sought-after lifestyle destinations:

🌊 Friday Harbour, Innisfil – a modern resort community on Lake Simcoe, offering luxury condos, waterfront living, dining, and year-round activities.
⛰️ Blue Mountain, Collingwood – a four-season playground with ski-in/ski-out chalets, condos, and vibrant village life for families, investors, and second-home buyers.

Whether you’re looking for a vacation property, an investment, or a permanent lifestyle upgrade, these communities offer the perfect blend of relaxation, recreation, and long-term value.

As a Realtor with THE AGENCY, I bring local insight and global reach to help you find your perfect resort property in Ontario.

Ema talks with Grace Simon, a 25 year real estate guru, and Tracy Kambeitz, Real Estate interviewer master.

The current data of the market in Ontario shows we are close to a balanced market. 

A balanced real estate market occurs when the supply of homes for sale closely matches the demand from buyers, creating a relatively stable environment for both buyers and sellers. In this market, neither buyers nor sellers have a significant advantage, and prices tend to be more stable. 

However since we have not since a balanced market in years, this may be foreign to us. 

Have a listen.

The Connection is a place dedicated to you and your needs in an ever changing world. 

Having an extensive and diverse background in multiple businesses, a group of Christian women created this group as a place to pass along all of our connections and knowledge we’ve obtained throughout the years, with no expectation of something in return. Whether it be questions or needs in health and wellness, real estate, financial services, counselling services, trades and many other professional and personal recommendations, one of us will be able to guide you in the right direction. Although we are all for supporting fellow entrepreneurs, we wanted to create a safe place for people to come knowing that it is not transactional in any way. Therefore, we will not allow promotion of businesses on the page, unless it is in response to someone requesting it. 

In general, this is a community created to serve others and their needs in life. No networking, no one trying to sell you anything (unless you request it specifically); just a safe place to come and express any questions or needs, run by a group of women who have a lot of experience and desire to povide solutions during these uncertain times.

My guest today is Tracy Kambietz. Tracy has been a licensed Realtor in 3 provinces over the span of her 20 year career in Real Estate. She specialized in relocations in Calgary’s ever changing market and during the period when everyone was relocating to the city for work. Tracy also worked in the Okanagan of beautiful BC, assisting clients from Calgary and Vancouver purchase recreational and investment properties. That eventually lead her back home to Ontario where she focused solely on the cottage market in Muskoka and Georgian Bay. Tracy’s vast knowledge of various major markets across Canada makes for interesting conversation, which is why we’re here today. Have a listen.

Delayed occupancy compensation up to a maximum of $7,500 is payable:

• If occupancy occurs on a date after the Firm Occupancy Date; or
• If you exercised your right to terminate the purchase agreement due to delay as permitted by the Addendum
  
  

In this episode Ema explains why Exclusive Listings Agreements do not favour the seller, and why.

To put it simply, an exclusive listing agreement the seller is limiting him or herself to working with one agent and his or her buyers.  In a non-exclusive listing, your chosen real estate agent is working on your behalf with an army of agents and their clients, so that you home can be sold fast and for the most money.

Have a listen.

The demand for affordable housing along with government guidance is allowing for considerable opportunity for extended living spaces and income  generating opportunities for the savvy investor. 

Today I have Shannon Hammer, the President of Bark & Co giving us an overview of what are tiny homes and how his company's Suite Homes are different and why perhaps you may want to consider one as an income property.

Tiny Homes have been growing in popularity globally due to their relatively inexpensive cost and low impact on the environment.  

Depending on the size chosen, most will include all the amenities you expect in a larger home, while embracing a minimalist living philosophy. These small homes are no longer just for vacation properties. They have evolved as conventional options for in-law suites, younger generation suites, office and rental income apartments for long and short-term tenants.

Their popularity has exploded since Ontario introduced Bill 23 which allows for legal secondary dwellings on many existing properties. Suite homes are the perfect solution. They can be installed easily and fast; and even sold or moved if the need arises. 

Ema talks breifly of what this Act means, which includes:

"This legislation ‘cuts the red tape’ associated with additional residential units within new and existing houses, as well as accessory buildings. Now up to three residential units per lot will be permitted “as of right.” "