The Canadian government is once again making international headlines with an announcement about banning some foreign buyer from buying real estate for the next two years. The move comes as an effort to cool the nation’s hot housing market, after prices have risen more than 20% in many areas in the past year. Rental prices have also increased.

The new rules have exemptions for permanent residents and foreign students and workers, as well as people buying a primary residence.

Analysts are divided about the impact this temporary ban will have on housing prices, however. There is limited data on the exact number of homes purchased by foreign investors in Canada, but experts say it is a relatively low percentage of the overall market.

One analyst from Bullpenn Research & Consulting, for example, estimated that just 1% of homes purchased in 2020 were from foreign buyers compared to about 9% in 2015 and 2016. Instead, rising populations and a shortage of supply are seen as the driving forces behind price increases.

New Zealand introduced a similar measure banning foreign buyers in 2018, with varying results on the real estate market.

Other factors like rising interest rates are expected to also impact the housing market prices.

Parkview is an attractive residential neighbourhood in west Edmonton that overlooks the North Saskatchewan River valley. Parkview is divided into two main sections: East of 142 is Valleyview and West of 142 is Parkview proper.

The neighbourhood dates back to the 1950s and it is one of the larger ones in the city, with tree lined streets and mature landscapes. Most homes in Parkview are single-family dwellings that are owner occupied. Thanks to its proximity to many amenities, several schools and high safety rating, the neighbourhood is increasingly popular which is driving up demand and encouraging newer infill development.

A robust security system is an important way to keep your loved ones and your possessions safe from intruders and would-be burglars. It can also increase the value of your property when it comes time to sell.

There are countless home security system options and many people choose an out-of-the-box, traditional solution. But with the advance of smart technology, homeowners have more choices than ever. Here are a few ways to save money while still having a state-of-the-art security system with the right tools:

Security Cameras: Cameras are a great deterrent to anyone scoping out your home – just the presence of security cameras on their own may be enough to stop a potential burglar. They also, of course, have the added bonus of gathering footage if a crime is committed. Many cameras nowadays can be set up easily yourself and will even live stream what’s happening to your phone.

Smart locks: The easiest way for someone to break into your home is to simply open the door and waltz in. You’d be surprised how many doors are left unlocked … or just as bad, with a key hidden somewhere nearby like under a potted plant or welcome mat. Smart locks let you control your locks from your phone, so you never have to worry about easy access for a burglar.

Smart lights and motorized blinds: The majority of house robberies happen when no one is home. Having smart lights and motorized blinds helps you give the impression of being home even when you’re not. You can set them on a timer so it looks like a normal routine – nights on, blinds down at dusk!

Security window film: If a burglar can’t get in through the door, they’ll often turn to a window. When you install security film, it helps strengthen the glass and makes it harder to penetrate. Depending on what kind of film you use and how you install it, the extra layers can make a glass window strong enough that it takes someone several minutes with a hammer or baseball bat to break though – long enough to deter most people.

Just like buying a car, there are pros and cons to purchasing a new build. And in a real estate market as hot as Canada’s, potential homebuyers should be carefully weighing all the options available to them before making a purchase.

A new construction, also sometimes known as a pre-construction, includes any property from a single-detached home to a condominium to a townhouse. It also includes planned new constructions, where the purchaser is involved in the design process.

One of the big benefits of purchasing a new build is that the property is, as the name suggests, brand new. No one else has lived there before and it’s in pristine condition on move-in day.

No renovations are needed and the stress of expensive repairs down the line is alleviated. This means it is much lower maintenance. An added bonus is that most new constructions are also more energy efficient, which will save you money in the long-term.

On the flipside, those benefits come with a price. A new build is usually more expensive than similar pre-owned properties. And the timelines to get the keys can be much longer – sometimes pre-constructions can take months, or even years, to be completed.

This means the homebuyer is on the hook for the cost of living somewhere else while waiting (although in today’s market, many people who purchase new builds find that by the time they move in, their property has appreciated significantly).

And while it can be great to have the option to design and customize the home before it’s build, those upgrades are often more expensive than getting the work done by a third-party.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to purchase a new build or a pre-owned property is up to your budget and your timeline – for many people, it can be a great option. A word of advice, many developers required a prospective purchaser to arrive to the first showing or meeting with a real estate agent if they plan to use one they chose. Otherwise, you may have to go with their in-house real estate brokers who might not be able to negotiate on your behalf as effectively.