How to navigate a bidding war: 10 expert realtors weigh in

The country’s housing markets are on fire. How do you nab a house and survive a bidding war?

REPORT: Toronto’s most and least expensive neighbourhoods for car insurance

Find out whether your neighbourhood is more or less expensive than the city’s average for car insurance.

Why both homeowners and contractors need to be insured during renovations

Failing to hire a contractor with insurance when doing renovations can put both you and your home at risk.

Ellen Roseman: The art of the bully offer. How and when to use it to get the house you want

House prices are going up at a brisk pace in many Canadian cities. This makes it harder for first-time buyers to get into the market at an affordable price.

Ontarians with usage-based insurance can now be penalized for risky driving

Until recently, usage-based insurance was only a positive reinforcement tool in Ontario. That’s no longer the case.

When is the best time to buy a house?

COVID-19 has turned much of what we know about homebuying on its head. Just because spring is the busiest time doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good time to buy a house.

Zandile Chiwanza

March 11, 2021

6-minute read

The upcoming spring season is notably the busiest time of year to buy a home. Around now, the weather is warming up, there’s more inventory available on the housing market, homes tend to look more appealing than when they’re covered in snow and slush, and people are generally in a more optimistic mood.

About the author

Zandile is a freelance personal finance journalist. She previously worked as a personal finance writer at LowestRates.ca and before that, the content editor for Real Estate Management Industry News. As a self-proclaimed budget warrior, Zandile dedicates most of her time to advocating for financial wellness.

Best Car Insurance Companies

We created a ranking of the best car insurance companies in Canada based on data from drivers who used our free quoter tool, liked a particular car insurance quote, and decided to connect with the agent or broker offering that rate.

Alexandra Bosanac

March 11, 2021

12-minute read

Jane Switzer

About the authors

Alexandra is a content manager in the personal finance space, specializing in auto insurance. Her reporting has appeared in Canadian Business, the Toronto Star, the National Post, and the CBC.

Jane Switzer is a writer, editor and native Torontonian. She got her start working in daily journalism, and was formerly a content manager for LowestRates.ca. She has written about personal finance and investing for websites like Wealthsimple, Tangerine Bank and Ratehub.ca. You can find her on Twitter: @janeswitzer.