With the high stakes of the upcoming US presidential election on November 3rd, people are getting nervous about what they will be waking up to. If you’ve been holding off purchasing property or investing until after the election because of the uncertainty, here is some information you might want to consider.
Fleeing the city? It may be cheaper to buy a home in the “burbs” but have you stopped to think about some of the extra costs? Property taxes are a good place to start. Toronto and Vancouver, the country’s two most expensive housing markets: they’re both property tax bargains. Within the province of Ontario, Toronto’s property tax rates were found to be the lowest among 35 municipalities in a 2019 survey. More houses and more expensive property values help keep property tax rates in big cities lower. A recent comparison found that a Vancouver home assessed at $1-million would have a property tax bill of $2,468 annually, while a similarly assessed home in Halifax would have a tax bill of $11,085.
Thanksgiving marks a special time of year in which we express gratitude and something to be thankful for. This year is going to be a little different. Gathering around a table with loved ones to enjoy a bountiful feast will have to wait. We have to plan to make sure this year's Thanksgiving holiday is safe during this pandemic, Canada’s top public health officer has urged, as case counts continue to soar in several parts of the country, especially Ontario and Quebec.