Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Ontario's credit rating has been upgraded by S&P Global, marking the second upgrade in six months and reversing a trend of downgrades from the previous Liberal government. This improvement allows for lower borrowing costs, enabling the government to provide financial support to families facing high interest rates and carbon taxes. The province plans to invest…

New data from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) reveals a trend towards smaller condos and larger single-detached houses in Ontario, driven by changing consumer preferences and affordability challenges. Since the 1970s, single-family homes have increased in size, while condos have shrunk by 32%. Townhouses and semi-detached homes have seen moderate size increases. The GTA…

Ontario courts have recently grappled with whether the closure of open building permits can be requisitioned as a title matter. In the case of EPRF Holdings Ltd. v Fergus Bloor Inc., the court ruled that an outstanding building permit constituted a valid objection to title, obligating the vendor to resolve it or provide title insurance.…

The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) released a report addressing inefficiencies in Ontario's Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) and their impact on the housing market. The report calls for reforms to improve LTB operations, including reinstating in-person hearings, reducing the backlog, enhancing staffing and training, and upgrading technology. With over 53,000 unresolved cases, TRREB…

The federal government has introduced new mortgage rules effective December 15 to improve home ownership for first-time buyers, especially millennials and Generation Z. Changes include raising the insured mortgage price cap to $1.5 million, allowing 30-year amortizations, and altering mortgage stress test requirements. These measures aim to reduce monthly payments and enhance affordability. Recent rate…