Strong demand for homes near public transit continues

Transit-oriented developments will continue to be popular among Vancouver real estate buyers, including baby boomers who are downsizing, funding their first-time buyer children, or both, according to Colliers’ fourth-quarter Marketshare report on multi-family residential real estate.

Low mortgage rates muster slight boost in housing market affordability

Owning a house became slightly more affordable in Canada during the second half of 2012, but that’s mostly due to rock-bottom mortgage rates, RBC Economics says in a report to be released Monday.

Canada vs the world…debt level comparison study

Hey, here’s an interesting stat that should make us Canadians feel good…. Our Federal govt keeps telling us to slow our personal debt levels… maybe they should start balancing their own books…  I remember when, in 1997, the Feds actually balanced the budget and even made a surplus.   Remember that?    In fact, from 1997 to 2008, the Feds reduced our national debt from $563billion to $458billion.  We seemed to be heading in the right direction.

Portuguese property market still seeing price falls

Residential property prices and rents in Portugal are continuing to fall due to very weak demand, according to the latest housing market survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Confidencial Immobiliario.

Russia plans $25-$30 billion oil-for-loans deal with China

LONDON/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Rosneft is seeking to borrow up to $30 billion from China in exchange for possibly doubling oil supplies, making Beijing the largest consumer of Russian oil and further diverting supplies away from Europe.

Can You Refinance if You're Newly Married?

Getting married and buying a home are possibly two of the biggest choices and commitments you'll make during your lifetime. Once you've said "I do," you'll officially share your finances.

Flaherty promises ‘fiscal sustainability’ to keep Canada’s economy on track

OTTAWA — Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is sticking to his timetable for balancing the federal budget, even though lower prices for Canadian oil is “obviously a concern” for spending plans in the coming year.

Hong Kong is most expensive place for expats to rent property

Hong Kong is the most expensive location in the world to rent a high end three bedroom apartment, followed by Caracas in Venezuela, according to research.

Should you sell your house before you buy a new one?

It’s the first choice you have to make when you decide to move and one that just might define the state of the housing market.

Thailand set to see increase in interest from foreign property investors

An increase in tourist figures is being taken as a signal that Thailand is set to see a rise in demand from overseas buyers for the condo property market, particularly in popular spots such as Phuket.