With nearly two decades of experience helping clients buy and sell homes across the GTA, I’ve seen firsthand how tax incentives can impact the real estate market. Ontario’s temporary HST relief was a clear example—by reducing tax burdens, we saw a boost in affordability, market activity, and buyer confidence. Yet, the challenges for builders remain significant: higher material and labour costs, lengthy approval processes, and a web of regulations continue to slow progress, with taxes, fees, and levies often weighing heavily on new developments. The rollout delays of the temporary program also created uncertainty, leaving builders, developers, and buyers waiting on the sidelines while housing activity struggled to gain momentum. Highrise condo projects felt this the most, as their extended timelines made short-term policies less effective. Many in the industry believe that moving toward permanent HST relief—ideally removing the tax on new homes—could make a real difference. It’s a crucial step if Ontario hopes to reach the goal of 1.5 million new homes by 2031. As someone deeply invested in our communities, I’m always watching for shifts like these that can shape opportunities for buyers and sellers alike.
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