Please don't hesitate to reach out for detailed stats that are specific to your neighbourhood, or even if you're just curious about what the house down the street sold for – it'd be great to hear from you!

UPTOWN JAZZ & DOWNTOWN BLUES

Waterloo’s wildly successful street performers festival is back!

Mark your calendar as the Waterloo Busker Carnival is heading back to town with a variety of entertaining shows that the whole family will enjoy!

Performers from around the world will amaze people of all ages as the non-stop, action-packed entertainment includes comedians, fire breathers, contortionists, musicians, acrobats, and more!

Make sure to come hungry as there’ll be a variety of vendors serving up an assortment of delicious carnival-styled food items all weekend long!

The four days of fun take place between Thursday, August 22nd and Sunday, August 25th in Uptown Waterloo stretching from Waterloo Public Square and Willis Way to Waterloo City Hall on Regina Street.

There’s something for everyone at the Waterloo Busker Carnival so bring along your family and friends to enjoy the non-stop, action-packed entertainment! Hope to see you there :)

Bank of Canada Rate Update

The Bank of Canada announces second consecutive policy rate cut.

In a scheduled announcement on Wednesday, July 24th, the Bank of Canada reduced its target once again for the overnight lending rate from 4.75% to 4.5%.

The move was widely expected by financial markets and marked the Bank’s second rate reduction since the onset of the pandemic four years ago, bringing rates down to where they stood in April 2023.

The Bank noted that Canada’s economy picked up in the first half of 2024 but at a slower pace than population growth, while consumer spending and housing are showing signs of weakness.

The Bank continues to note that employment has been rising at a slower pace than working-age population growth, of which the latter is expected to grow at a stronger pace than previously expected.

According to the Bank, Canadian economic growth is forecast to pick up over the remainder of this year and over the course of 2025 “as borrowing costs ease”, implying a continued unwinding of tightness in monetary policy that should provide a boost to exports, household spending, and business and residential investment.

The Bank continues to focus on elevated shelter costs as a significant contributor to inflation. However, it also noted that both headline and core measures of inflation have moderated and are close to historical norms.

In its Monetary Policy Report, the Bank also made special note of several challenges impacting housing supply growth such as municipal zoning restrictions, high development fees, time-consuming permitting processes and shortages of skilled construction workers.

Although excess supply in the economy is lowering inflation, the Bank is also monitoring shelter and services costs which are pushing inflation in the opposite direction. The Bank has stated that “monetary policy decisions will be guided by incoming information” and their assessment of its implications for the inflation outlook.

The Bank of Canada will make its next scheduled interest rate announcement on Wednesday, September 4th and will publish its full outlook for the economy and inflation in its next Monetary Policy Report on Wednesday, October 23rd.

Relocation, Relocation, Relocation

The prospect of relocating to a new city for work means you'll need to be well organized as there’s usually not much time to get acquainted with the new area.

Before you make your move, consider factors such as workload and travel expectations, along with job opportunities for your spouse and schools for the kids. Here are a few other points to keep in mind:

Time Is Money
Investigate the cost of living in your new city and create a budget and a detailed timeline to help you stay focused and on track.

Recon Mission
Plan a trip to familiarize yourself with the local area. If it's too far to visit in person, check out a few community websites to get a better feel for the area.

Take the Credit
Employers often provide relocation packages to help offset expenses such as temporary housing and moving costs. There may also be certain tax credits available.

Professional Help
Arrange a home evaluation to find out what your home’s worth, and ask to be referred to an agent in your new city who can help get you acquainted with the local market.

Smooth Move
The best way to ensure a smooth move is to write out a plan of action that includes a detailed checklist that clearly states what needs to be done.

Deciding whether or not to relocate can be stressful. Not only are you trying to negotiate a new career but you'll also be starting a new life in an unfamiliar place.

However, if you pay close attention to all the details and plan everything out in advance, you'll set the stage so that you’ll be able to enjoy a smooth move.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or need any real estate advice!!

Getting Ready for School Daze

Going back to school can be a big adjustment after the lazy days of summer.

Getting back into the school routine after a peaceful summer can be hectic. Here are a few tips that will help make the transition a little easier:

Shop Early
The first few weeks of school are very busy and unpredictable, so be sure to purchase your back-to-school items as early as possible.

After School Plans
Start discussing extra-curricular activities, homework routines and household chores so that you can organize your fall schedule ahead of time.

Have a Hub
Hang a calendar in a central spot where everyone can write down their activities and attach a folder for notices and permission slips so that everything's in one place.

Sleep Easy
Ease back into the school routine by gradually adjusting bedtimes (and wake-up times) a week or so before school starts to help everyone get back into the routine.

Be Positive
Returning to school is an emotional adjustment for children so help them stay positive and ensure you’re around to help put them at ease.

Back to school doesn’t have to be about forgotten lunches, unlabelled belongings and lost permission slips. With a little pre-planning, you'll be able to enjoy the rest of the summer knowing that September will be smooth sailing.

K-W Real Estate Questions

Please reach out if you ever have any questions about the Kitchener-Waterloo real estate market, even if it’s just to find out what the house down the street sold for – it’d be great to hear from you!