Laurel Campbell (Lapointe)

BC Housing’s Digitally Accelerated Standardized Housing (DASH) platform (https://ow.ly/XVS450Ycz4Q) is helping to transform housing delivery across B.C. We are taking an important step to build more homes, faster by beginning early work on two demonstration projects that use our innovative platform. On Feb. 2, BC Housing opened a call for proposals for companies with prefabrication experience. We are inviting manufacturers and general contractors to work in teams to deliver the first DASH demonstration projects in Abbotsford and Prince George. These projects will show how DASH can help build quality homes quickly across B.C. The DASH platform includes: -          permit-friendly and open-source blueprints, -          site planning tools, and -          flexible kits of parts systems. These tools streamline the approval process and make building faster and easier. Learn more about the RFP for manufacturers and general contractors for the projects in Abbotsford and Prince George: https://ow.ly/FLYq50Ycz4P #HousingInnovation #PrefabConstruction #AffordableHousing #BCHousing #DASHPlatform

58

3 Comments

UDI joined business leaders across B.C. to speak out about the Province’s plan to expand the PST to professional services used in housing and development. “Adding costs in this market at this moment tells builders that housing is no longer the priority. Capital will respond to that message and will move elsewhere. And when capital leaves, housing supply follows.” Right now, condo pre-sales have collapsed, and rental projects are harder to finance. Adding new, non-refundable taxes to the services needed to build housing increases costs at a time when many projects are already on the edge. When costs go up, projects don’t move forward. When projects don’t move forward, housing supply slows down. UDI will continue working with government to support policies that make it possible to build more homes in B.C. Michael Drummond | Chris Gardner | Greater Vancouver Board of Trade

123

7 Comments

The Yardi Multifamily Report (Q3 2025) was released today and it reinforces a message we’ve been sharing often with developers and owners: market conditions are shifting, and success is no longer about riding the wave — it’s about strategy, execution, and adaptability. Here are a few takeaways that stood out: 💠 RENT GROWTH IS SLOWING New lease rent growth has dropped to 2.8% nationally, the lowest since 2020. In some markets like Calgary and Kitchener-Waterloo, rents are flat or even declining. If your business model assumes sustained rent lift, it's time to revisit the plan. 💠 VACANCY IS CLIMBING Vacancy is now 4.1% nationally, with the highest year-over-year increases observed in Toronto, Halifax, Edmonton, and Calgary. New supply, fewer immigrants, and economic uncertainty are all playing a role. 💠 LEASE-UPS ARE TAKING LONGER Units in new buildings are sitting vacant longer — even in major markets. The days of buildings leasing themselves are behind us. Developers need to plan for extended lease-up periods, bigger marketing budgets, and sharper pricing strategies. 💠 RETENTION IS GETTING HARDER — AND MORE IMPORTANT Turnover is up to 24.2% nationally. At the same time, renewal rent growth is trending down. This creates a double hit to NOI. The smarter play? Keep the residents you’ve got. Incentivize renewals, improve service, and build community. 💠 DIGITAL LEASING PERFORMANCE VARIES WIDELY Yardi’s report tracks digital prospect conversion, and the gap between high and low performers is significant. Some buildings are converting fewer than 1 in 10 digital leads. If you're not investing in the full digital leasing experience — from advertising to lead follow-up — you’re leaving money on the table. 💠 RESIDENT LONGEVITY MATTERS The average length of stay nationally is 37 months — but it’s 47 months in Toronto and 45 in Hamilton, where new rental supply is constrained. In markets like Calgary, Edmonton, and Saskatoon, where supply comes online faster, average stays drop to 26–27 months. Retaining long-term tenants is a major stabilizer in a softening market. This is where leasing strategies must align with long-term asset value. For developers of new multifamily or owners of existing assets — this is the moment to double down on the fundamentals: ➡️ Understand your market and price with precision ➡️ Make marketing work harder with stronger digital execution ➡️ Build lease-up plans that balance speed and quality ➡️ Prioritize resident experience and retention ➡️ Don’t assume last year’s strategy will work again If you want to chat more about what this means for your project, I’m always happy to share what we’re seeing on the ground. #Yardi #multifamily #realestate #leaseupstrategy #propertymanagement #rentals #canadianrealestate #marketingandleasing https://lnkd.in/eR-zPZHQ

13

🏗️ Saskatoon’s Commercial Market: Limited Inventory, Expanding Potential Saskatoon’s commercial property opportunities remain scarce, particularly for buyers seeking buildings or combined business + property investments. As the city continues to grow, limited availability has led many investors to develop custom spaces to meet specific business needs. This scarcity highlights both the strength of demand and the potential for development in Saskatoon’s evolving commercial landscape. 🎥 Watch the full video here: https://linktw.in/TPcAfP #RealEstateInsights #Saskatoon #CommercialInvestment #PropertyDevelopment #BuildToSuit #BusinessInvestment #RealEstateMarket #SaskatoonDevelopment #CommercialProperty

1

OREB President Paul Czan did a fantastic job articulating The Ottawa Real Estate Board's response to the Federal Budget in the Ottawa Citizen today: “We wish that there was more focus on housing in the budget. Giving more attention to supply would have been much more welcome. Ultimately, that’s the biggest problem that we’re still facing... We need to provide people with lateral movement (in the housing market), into their first home, and fill in that missing middle.” https://lnkd.in/enPS7SGm #cdnpoli #housingaffordabiliy #missingmiddle #realestate

8

1 Comment

⚠️ **News Alert: CMHC MLI Select deals are getting harder to get approved.** 🏢📊 This is something I’m seeing more often right now 👀 As the rental market starts to level out, CMHC and lenders are looking much more closely at the strength of the file. And one thing is becoming very clear: 👉 Your leasing plan needs to make sense. 👉 Your assumptions need to be realistic. 👉 Your numbers need to hold up under review. This is not the market for “hope-based underwriting.” 😅📉 Another important point: When your file is being reviewed, expect the lender to use the **municipality’s cap rate** to determine value… not necessarily the cap rate you used in your own pro forma. 🏦⚖️ That can change: 💰 The valuation 📉 The loan proceeds 🏗️ The feasibility of the deal 🧾 The structure of the financing A small change in assumptions can make a very big difference. If you are working on an MLI Select file, now is the time to tighten the story, sharpen the leasing plan, and make sure the deal can stand up to scrutiny. 🔍📂 Don’t know what I’m talking about? Give me a shout. 📲 We can discuss it before the lender does. #CMHC #MLISelect #commercialmortgages #multifamilyrealestate #realestatefinance #rentalhousing #mortgagebroker #developmentfinance

2

A thoughtful dive into today’s office market by Eliezer Timolien. The wedge between demand for high-quality buildings and lower-tier alternatives is only widening. If the office experience doesn’t deliver on quality, amenities, or location, many teams are opting to work remotely.   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g6EVXdhF? 

6

New Op-Ed : As provinces move to streamline real estate licensing across Canada, Real North Strategies warns: consumer protection must not be an afterthought. In REM | Real Estate Magazine, we explore why real estate isn’t like other professions — and why regulatory safeguards matter when REALTORS® cross borders. Check it out! https://lnkd.in/gA8GfEdC #cdnpoli #realestate #housingpolicy #REALTOR #consumerprotection #interprovincialtrade #TRESA #labourmobility

12

Yesterday, CHRA Executive Director Ray Sullivan appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance to highlight the urgent need for a stronger federal focus on developing non-market community housing. He emphasized that Canada must more than double the share of non-market housing in the overall housing system to ensure people across the country have access to safe, affordable, and appropriate homes.  Watch Ray’s appearance. https://lnkd.in/gkemN6HW

139

3 Comments

Housing market sees little change as we head toward year-end. Watch our November Market Insights video for the full picture. #GVR #marketupdate #vancouverrealestate

11

📊 Our Winter 2025 Renter Feedback Survey at Rentals.ca shows just how much pressure renters across Canada are under right now. A few findings that stood out to me: - 62% of renters say more than 30% of their net income goes toward rent - One-third of renters are spending over half their income on housing - 30% of renters say their budget for their next rental is between $1,000 and $1,499 What’s especially striking is that this isn’t just a “young renter” issue. 37% of renters aged 35–54 say more than half their income goes toward rent, suggesting affordability pressures are affecting renters well into mid-career. We also saw a major gap between renter budgets and market rents. 70% of renters say their budget for their next home is under $2,000, even as asking rents in many cities remain above that level. Full survey results and visuals here 👉 https://lnkd.in/g43sFC8N

8

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Green Street News: Canada about the evolving Toronto purpose-built rental market and the launch of SVNTY, BGO's new rental community in Liberty Village. One theme stands out: In a market with more choice, reputation and resident experience are powerful drivers of performance. With increased supply and more informed renters, retention is earned through operational excellence — not short-term incentives. Demand remains for the right rental product — professionally managed, well-maintained, service-driven communities with thoughtfully delivered amenities. Communities that prioritize resident experience and long-term relationships will drive stronger performance today — and be best positioned to lead as the market tightens. Proud to see www.RentSVNTY.com now welcoming residents. 

110

1 Comment

Did you know that Heritage Valley and Windermere have a tax breakdown of 77% residential, 17% commercial/industrial, and 6% multi-residential? Learn more and download the Urban Growth Case Study — a data-driven look at how urban expansion is impacting Edmonton’s economy, infrastructure, and communities. https://lnkd.in/gF469Npu

1