Your Guide to Home Buying
Q&A with Taniya Nayak
Mediaplanet
What are the top design features home buyers should prioritize to ensure their new space feels both stylish and functional?
For style and function, I immediately go to the kitchen. Panel-ready appliances make the kitchen feel more like a part of the home, particularly with open floorplans and eat-in oversized countertops. Consider a microwave drawer that is out of plain sight. If you're a coffee snob like me, a built-in and plumbed coffee maker such as the Miele is a great addition. Utilize the cabinetry for pullout pantry and trash/ recycle. If the space allows, an appliance garage is a must!
For buyers seeking a truly unique home, what trends or customizations are you seeing that make properties stand out in today's market?
1. Usable Indoor/Outdoor space became a huge trend in 2020, and the trend continues to sell homes. Complete an outdoor space with landscaping and furnishings to paint the picture of how useful this additional exterior livable square footage can be.
From panel-ready
spaces, smart design choices make all the difference.
2. Built-in garage storage also has a strong appeal with potential homebuyers.
3. Luxury vinyl-plank flooring is still making its mark with buyers. What are some innovative ways to add personality and character to a new home without waiting for years of renovations?
1. Painting kitchen cabinets is one of my biggest “bang for your buck” tips. If that's too daunting, try changing the hardware as well as some lighting and plumbing fixtures and other hardware such as doorknobs and hinges.
2. I love a good wallcovering — these days they are much easier to remove then the wallpaper at grandma’s house.
3. If you have some minimal skills with tools, add applied molding to the walls and paint over the entire wall and molding with one colour. This adds tons of character and sophistication for a gorgeous custom look that won’t break the bank.
How Proptech is Transforming Every Step of Homeownership
Proptech is not just a buzzword — it’s a revolution in the real estate space. From more personalized home searches to seamless financing and even smarter maintenance, technology is making homeownership more accessible and
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the real estate market, you know things are changing fast. From how homes are built to the way we search, finance, and manage properties, technology — better known as proptech — is reshaping the home-buying experience in ways that seemed unimaginable a decade ago.
Every year, Proptech Collective, Canada’s largest proptech community, surveys the industry for its Proptech in Canada report.
The 2024 edition highlights more than 530 active proptech startups across the country, with 40 per cent focused on residential real estate. These companies are tackling inefficiencies across the homeownership journey — from the first home search to closing the deal and long-term maintenance.
It all starts with finding the right home.
Real estate portals are integrating advanced technology to refine search results, surfacing listings that match buyers’ preferences — sometimes even before they hit the market.
Platforms like Local Logic provide deeper insights and a more data-driven search experience, helping improve every real estate decision, from consumers seeking a neighborhood that aligns with their lifestyle to investors aiming to pinpoint the best locations for development. At the same time, on the brokerage side, AI platforms like Mave are equipping real estate agents with real-time
data and marketing tools at their fingertips to ensure they can focus on what matters most — their clients.
Financing is a critical step in the home-buying process, and proptech is making it more accessible and efficient.
Digital mortgage platforms like Nesto, Perch, and Homewise analyze credit histories quickly, recommend the best financing options, and streamline what was once a complex, manual process. Closing a home purchase has also seen major improvements. Traditionally a paperwork-heavy process, startups like Ownright are simplifying it with technology-driven legal services, offering buyers, sellers, and industry professionals a seamless, transparent experience — all accessible from anywhere.
Even after the keys are handed over, there are ways technology can support homeownership. AI-powered management platforms are making maintenance easier, using predictive tools to flag potential issues — like an aging roof or inefficient insulation — before they become costly problems.
These platforms also consolidate warranties, maintenance records, and even insurance policies, making it simpler to stay on top of coverage. Digital insurance providers like Duuo by the Co-operators and Apollo are streamlining the process of obtaining and managing home insurance, offering flexible coverage tailored to homeowners' needs. Meanwhile, affordability remains a pressing issue, making homeownership more challenging for many Canadians. The good news?
Alternative financing models are gaining traction. Rent-to-own platforms like Requity Homes help buyers build equity before committing to a purchase, while companies like Ourboro offer down payment assistance, bridging financial gaps for those otherwise locked out of the market.
These innovations aren’t just about convenience; they’re fundamentally reshaping expectations. Buyers now have more data, better financial options, and smarter tools to navigate homeownership from start to finish. As the way Canadians buy and own homes continues to evolve, proptech’s role in shaping that future is only growing.
Why Working with a Mortgage Professional Can Save You Time, Money, and Stress
With the high cost of housing and economic uncertainty, there has never been a better time to consult a mortgage professional. They’ll help cut out the noise and provide a custom solution that fits the unique needs of anyone thinking of buying a home or an existing mortgage holder.
Ken Donohue
Mediaplanet sat down with Mortgage Professionals Canada CEO and President, Lauren van den Berg to ask some of the most pressing questions Canadian home buyers may have and to learn how any of the more than 15,000+ members of Mortgage Professionals Canada can help you navigate the mortgage process.
How does a mortgage broker take the stress out of home buying?
A broker will find the mortgage product that is best for you. They have access to a wide range of lenders, unlike a bank that can only offer their own products. They’re part of the same community as home buyers and brokers are obsessed with the housing market and staying on top of the latest trends, so you can be assured you’re getting the best advice.
What services do mortgage brokers offer?
A mortgage broker will be with you through the entire process. They do the research and the paperwork, which means you don’t have to worry about the administrative burden. They tailor solutions that fit your budget and circumstances, not just today, but where you want to be in the future. They can easily get you into the home of your dreams, because brokers shop around for the best rates and terms.
Do home buyers pay a fee for a broker’s services?
No. Mostly all Brokers are compensated by the lenders, not the consumer, so all the expert and unbiased advice and work a broker does is free for clients. However, it’s always a good idea to clarify if there are any potential fees upfront, which again, most often there are not. Given the increasing cost of living, it makes sense to use the services of a broker to get you the best deal for your home financing needs.
How can brokers be a good resource for first-time home buyers?
I can speak about this personally, because a
few years ago, we bought our first home and we used a broker, before I even knew much about mortgage brokers. Their expertise was invaluable, and they took the stress away. They listened to what our goals were and what we wanted in a house. It’s not about just making a sale; mortgage brokers genuinely want to help find the right fit for someone’s future. For a first-time home buyer, a broker can take what could be a terrifying experience into an exciting next step in home ownership.
Buying a home can be one of the most exciting milestones in a person's life and also the single largest financial decision they’ll make. But it can also be stressful, with a lot of conflicting advice out there which is why working with a mortgage professional can provide you personalized advice to get a mortgage that best fits your financial needs.
How does a broker support mortgage renewals or refinancing?
No matter the mortgage challenge, a broker can help. When it’s time for renewal or refinancing, they can advise whether it makes sense to stay with your current lender or find other options to get the best rate. With the Canadian economy facing shocks
from U.S. tariff threats, individuals may need to reconsider their mortgage choices between fixed rates and variable rates. A broker can help navigate the economic uncertainty.
When in the home buying process should somebody consult a broker?
The number one thing I tell people is to find a mortgage broker before you start looking for a home, because they're the ones who can tell you exactly what you can and can’t afford. It can be devastating for people to have their eyes on a dream home, only to learn that it’s just out of reach.
Why has Mortgage Professionals
Canada advocated for changes for lenders to verify a buyer’s income?
We have been advocating for additional income verification measures because it’s absolutely vital for safeguarding consumers against mortgage fraud and money laundering. While almost all prospective borrowers are open and forthright when sharing their financial information, some are not. Right now, lenders are essentially taking someone’s word when it comes to verifying income, but if we could verify that information, this could help reduce cases. Similar to a credit report with credit bureaus, the CRA would confirm the income reported on a client’s tax return, ensuring the accuracy of the information provided.
How does someone find a mortgage broker?
It’s easy to find a qualified and licensed broker at findmeabroker.ca. Simply input your postal code and instantly be connected with brokers in your area. We want to make it easy to find the right professional who can provide expert guidance through your home buying journey. We take a lot of pride in in being part of an industry that empowers Canadians with choice and knowledge in one of the most significant decisions of their life. Everyone should use a mortgage broker to help make their housing dream a reality.
