Market Updates

{“type”:”elementor”,”siteurl”:”https://freure.com/wp-json/”,”elements”:[{“id”:”2a3aeccf”,”elType”:”widget”,”isInner”:false,”isLocked”:false,”settings”:{“editor”:” 200 Brantwood Park is a Gas Free Community,  \n Why Renting a Gas-Free Unit Could Be the Best Decision You Make \n When you’re searching for a rental in Brantford, you’re probably focused on the usual things: price, location, square footage, and whether there’s in-suite laundry. But there’s one feature that more renters are starting to pay attention to—and that most people overlook entirely on a listing: whether the unit runs on natural gas or electricity. If you’ve come across an all-electric, gas-free apartment or home for rent, here is why that might actually be a better deal than you think. \n   \n 1. One Less Bill to Deal With \n In a unit with gas appliances, you are typically responsible for two separate utility accounts: electricity through Brantford Power or Hydro One, and natural gas through Enbridge. That means two bills, two account setup fees, two monthly fixed charges, and two companies to call when something goes wrong. \n Enbridge charges a fixed monthly delivery fee just for having the gas service connected—regardless of how much gas you actually use. In the warmer months, when you’re not running the furnace, you may use almost no gas at all, yet you’re still paying that baseline charge. In a gas-free unit, that cost disappears entirely. You have one utility account, one bill, and one less administrative headache every month.  \n According to Engeryshop.com a typical annual residential gas bill in Ontario is around $1,200, which works out to about $100/month on average \n   \n 2. Cleaner Air Inside Your Home \n This one surprises a lot of people. Most of us grew up thinking gas stoves were just a normal, neutral part of cooking. But research has consistently shown that gas stoves release nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and fine particulate matter into the air inside your home every time they’re used—even when the burner is just on a low simmer. \n In a small apartment or a unit with limited ventilation—common in older Brantford rental stock—these pollutants can accumulate to levels well above outdoor air quality standards. Studies have linked indoor gas combustion to higher rates of asthma, particularly in children, as well as other respiratory issues. An all-electric unit with an induction range produces zero combustion byproducts. The air in your kitchen stays clean, and you’re not adding pollutants to the space where you eat, cook, and spend time every day. \n   \n 3. Less Carbon Monoxide Risks \n Gas leaks and carbon monoxide exposure are real risks in any home with gas appliances. Carbon monoxide is odourless and colourless, which means a malfunctioning furnace or water heater can be dangerous before you even realize something is wrong. While landlords in Ontario are legally required to install carbon monoxide detectors in units with gas appliances, the safest version of this scenario is simply not having the risk in the first place. \n In a gas-free unit, there is no gas line, no pilot light, no combustion process happening inside your living space. An electric heat pump, induction stove, and heat pump water heater operate without any of the combustion-related risks that come with gas. For families with young children, seniors, or anyone with respiratory sensitivities, this is a meaningful safety advantage. \n   \n 4. More Consistent and Comfortable Heating \n If you’ve ever lived in a unit with gas forced-air heating, you know the cycle: a blast of hot air, then silence, then the temperature drops, then another blast. Modern heat pump systems work differently—they run more continuously at lower intensity, which means more even temperatures throughout the unit and less of that dry, stuffy air that comes with traditional gas furnaces. \n Heat pumps also double as air conditioning in the summer, which is increasingly important as Brantford summers get warmer. In a gas-heated unit, central air conditioning is often a separate add-on that may or may not be included. In a unit with a modern heat pump system, heating and cooling are integrated into one efficient system—and you benefit from both without needing two separate appliances. \n   \n 5. Lower Environmental Impact Without Any Extra Effort. \n Ontario’s electricity grid is one of the cleanest in North America. It is powered predominantly by nuclear and hydroelectric generation, which means that when you use electricity in Brantford, the carbon footprint of that energy is already very low. Simply by renting a gas-free unit, you are meaningfully reducing your household’s greenhouse gas emissions compared to a neighbour in a gas-heated unit—without any lifestyle changes, without buying anything, and without any additional cost. \n For renters who care about their environmental impact but feel limited in what they can change as a tenant, this matters. You may not be able to install solar panels or upgrade insulation in a rental, but choosing a gas-free unit is a straightforward, immediate way to reduce your footprint from day one. \n   \n 6. Cooking on Induction: Better Than You Expect \n A lot of people who cook have a sentimental attachment to gas stoves, and the hesitation around induction is understandable if you’ve never used one. But induction cooking has quietly become the preferred choice among professional chefs and home cooks who have made the switch. Induction burners heat up faster than gas, respond to temperature changes more precisely, and the cooktop surface itself stays cool to the touch—making spills much easier to clean and reducing the risk of burns. \n If the rental unit you’re considering has an induction range, give it a genuine chance. Most people who cook on induction regularly say they would not go back to gas. The learning curve is short, and the practical advantages in a rental kitchen—where you may not have a powerful ventilation hood—are significant given the absence of fumes and combustion gases. \n   \n 7. A Unit Built for the Future \n Canada and Ontario are moving steadily toward phasing out natural gas in buildings. Regulatory

The Stars Are Aligning for Ontario Home Buyers — And Black Oaks Is Where You Want to Be If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to buy a new home in Ontario, that moment is now. A rare convergence of soft market pricing, historic tax relief, and sweeping government incentives has created a window of opportunity that simply didn’t exist twelve months ago — and may not stay open for long. At Freure Homes, we believe the best decision you can make right now is to step into the community we’ve been building at Black Oaks in Cambridge. Ontario’s real estate market has spent the last two years in a deep reset. Prices have pulled back from their pandemic peaks, listings are sitting longer, and buyers that have been waiting for an opportunity are in a great position to get into the market now. Simultaneously, both the provincial and federal governments have introduced a suite of incentives unprecedented in the province’s history — slashing HST on new homes, cutting development charges in half, and directing billions of dollars toward housing affordability. For buyers who move decisively, the financial rewards could be transformative. For buyers who choose Black Oaks, the lifestyle rewards will last a lifetime. A buyer’s market hiding in plain sight The data tells a clear story. Ontario entered 2026 with active listings at their highest level for February in over a decade, and the sales-to-new-listings ratio sat at just 39% — firmly in buyer’s market territory. Average resale prices declined roughly 6.7% year-over-year, and new home sales across the Greater Toronto Area closed out 2025 as the worst year on record. For cautious buyers, those headlines sound like a reason to wait. For savvy ones, they describe exactly the environment where long-term wealth is built. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) projects that sales will begin rising across Ontario’s major centres in 2026 and continue trending upward through 2028, driven by improving affordability and pent-up demand. Prices are expected to recover in both 2027 and 2028, as tightening inventory meets stronger demand. In other words: today’s softness is tomorrow’s equity — and those who act now buy ahead of that recovery. $130K – Maximum HST relief on new homes up to $1.5M50%- Reduction in development charges for 3 years (city dependant)$8.8B -Federal-Ontario investment to support charge cuts The HST rebate: a once-in-a-generation tax break Effective April 1, 2026 and running through March 31, 2027, the Ontario and federal governments have jointly eliminated the full 13% HST on new homes valued up to $1 million. For homes priced between $1 million and $1.5 million, buyers receive a flat $130,000 tax reduction. This is the most generous housing tax relief in Ontario’s history — and Black Oaks townhomes, starting from the mid $700s, fall squarely within the maximum rebate range. What this means in real dollars On a $900,000 new home, the full 13% HST would normally add over $117,000 to your purchase cost. Under the current rebate window, that obligation is eliminated entirely — putting six figures back in your pocket before you’ve moved a single piece of furniture into your Black Oaks home. Industry groups have not been shy about characterizing these measures. The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) and the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) jointly called the rebate a “game changer” for the preconstruction sector. Historically, government fees, charges, and taxes have added 25–30% to the final price of a new home. Eliminating the HST doesn’t just make buying cheaper today — it fundamentally changes the economics of new homeownership. Development charges slashed in half — what it means for you On March 30, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Doug Ford jointly announced the Canada–Ontario Partnership to Build: an $8.8 billion commitment over ten years enabling municipalities to cut development charges by as much as 50% for the next three years. Development charges are fees levied by municipalities and passed directly to buyers in the final price of a new home. Ontario carries some of the highest development charges in Canada. In many GTA and surrounding communities, they can represent tens of thousands of dollars embedded in the sticker price of a new build — costs that buyers pay without ever seeing them itemized. Cutting those charges by half flows through to lower base prices on new construction, improved viability for builders, and more supply entering the market over the coming years. The OHBA noted that in an environment where government fees have added 25–30% to the cost of a new home, halving development charges “will dramatically improve the viability of projects and enhance affordability.” For buyers at Black Oaks, this means a structurally better-priced product at a time when the incentive environment couldn’t be more favourable. Introducing Black Oaks by Freure Homes, Cambridge Black Oaks is Freure Homes’ newest townhome community, ideally situated in Cambridge’s desirable West Galt neighbourhood near 215 Blenheim Road. This thoughtfully planned community of 164 freehold and POTL (Parcel of Tied Land) townhomes combines the tranquility of low-rise living with exceptional access to everything Cambridge has to offer. With sizes ranging from 1,166 to 1,975 square feet and prices starting from the high $500s, Black Oaks is designed to meet the needs of first-time buyers, growing families, and real estate investors alike. Each home features open-concept floor plans, contemporary design, and high-end finishes — the hallmark of Freure quality that has defined the company since 1954. Black Oaks at a glance: • Location: 101 Queensbrook Crescent, Cambridge (Blenheim Rd & Queensbrook Crescent)• Home types: POTL towns• Pricing: Starting from the high $500s• Unit count: 164 homes• Size range: 1,166 – 1,975 sq ft• Bedrooms: 3–4 bedrooms, 2–3 bathrooms, 1 garage• Occupancy: 2026-2029 Location, lifestyle, and long-term value Cambridge is one of Ontario’s fastest-growing cities, and Black Oaks places residents at the heart of everything that makes it special. Situated just minutes from Victoria Park and Downtown Cambridge, and within easy reach of the Grand

First Time Homebuilders Rebates Up to $130,000 in HST Savings:What Ontario’s New HST Rebate Means for First-Time Home BuyersUpdated March 2026 — Federal Legislation Now Law If you have been waiting for the right moment to buy your first new home in Ontario, that moment may have just arrived. On March 12, 2026, the federal government’s Bill C-4 — the Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act — received Royal Assent, officially making the First-Time Home Buyers’ GST/HST Rebate the law of the land. Combined with Ontario’s own proposed provincial HST rebate, eligible first-time buyers stand to save up to $130,000 on the purchase of a qualifying new home. This is not a small tax adjustment. This is one of the most significant housing affordability measures in a generation, and if you are a first-time buyer in Ontario, it pays to understand exactly what is available, how it works, and what you need to do to qualify. What Is the New HST Rebate? Historically, the purchase of a new home in Ontario was subject to 13% HST — a 5% federal portion and an 8% provincial portion. While a partial rebate existed for homes under certain price thresholds, buyers of more expensive new homes still faced a significant tax bill at closing. The new rebates change that picture dramatically for first-time buyers. Here is how the two layers of relief work together: The Federal Rebate: Bill C-4 eliminates 100% of the 5% federal GST on new homes valued up to $1 million for qualifying first-time buyers — a saving of up to $50,000. For homes priced between $1 million and $1.5 million, the rebate is gradually phased out. The Ontario Provincial Rebate: The Ontario government has proposed matching the federal measure by rebating the full 8% provincial portion of HST on new homes valued up to $1 million — a saving of up to $80,000. Combined with Ontario’s existing HST New Housing Rebate of up to $24,000, first-time buyers could effectively eliminate the entire provincial HST on a qualifying purchase. Together, for a first-time buyer purchasing a brand-new home at $1,000,000 in Ontario, the combined federal and provincial HST savings could reach $130,000. Even for a new home priced at $700,000, the combined savings would be approximately $91,000 — a transformative reduction in the cost of homeownership. ESTIMATED HST SAVINGS BY PURCHASE PRICEHome Purchase Price Estimated Total HST Savings$500,000 Up to $65,000$600,000 Up to $78,000$700,000 Up to $91,000$800,000 Up to $104,000$900,000 Up to $117,000$1,000,000 Up to $130,000$1,200,000 Partial rebate — phased out $1,500,000+ Minimum $24,000 (existing rebate only) Note: Estimates are approximate. Savings include both new federal and proposed Ontario provincial rebates combined with existing housing rebates. Subject to legislative approval. Important Update: Federal Law Is Now in Effect A crucial development for buyers: Bill C-4 received Royal Assent on March 12, 2026, meaning the federal GST rebate of up to $50,000 is now officially law. This is significant because it means eligible buyers who purchased a qualifying new home from a builder on or after March 20, 2025, can now formally apply to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for their federal rebate. However, if your home’s ownership transferred before Royal Assent (i.e., before March 12, 2026), your builder was not able to credit the rebate directly at closing. In that case, you will need to apply to the CRA directly using Form GST190 — the GST/HST New Housing Rebate Application for Houses Purchased from a Builder. Do not delay in checking whether this applies to you, as there are filing deadlines. For buyers whose ownership transfers after Royal Assent, builders will be able to credit the federal rebate directly at closing, reducing your purchase price at the time of the transaction rather than requiring a separate application. Ontario’s provincial rebate is still pending its own enabling legislation. Once passed, it is expected to align with the federal framework, and eligible buyers will be able to claim both rebates together. Do You Qualify? The Eligibility Rules Explained Both the federal and proposed Ontario rebates have consistent eligibility criteria. Here is what you need to know: You must be at least 18 years old and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident at the time of purchase. You must be purchasing the home as your primary place of residence — investment properties and rental homes do not qualify. You must be a true first-time buyer, meaning you have not owned a primary residence — anywhere in the world — in the calendar year of the purchase or in any of the four preceding calendar years. For example, if you take ownership in 2026, you must not have owned a home in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026. Your spouse or common-law partner must also not have owned a primary residence during your relationship. If they have previously claimed this rebate, you are no longer eligible. The rebate can only be claimed once per lifetime. It is not a program you can use on your second or third purchase. The purchase must be a newly built or substantially renovated home — resale properties do not qualify for these new rebates. Your agreement of purchase and sale must have been entered into on or after March 20, 2025 (for the federal rebate), with construction beginning before 2031 and the home substantially completed before 2036. Corporations cannot claim the rebate — all purchasers must be individuals. However, you can purchase with a non-first-time buyer, as long as you are a first-time buyer and will live in the home as your primary residence. What Types of Homes Qualify? The new rebates apply to newly constructed homes and substantially renovated homes only. This includes: • Brand-new detached homes, semi-detached homes, and townhomes purchased from a builder• New condominium units purchased from a developer• Homes that have been substantially renovated (where the renovation is so extensive the home is effectively treated as new construction for tax purposes)• Owner-built homes, subject to specific criteria including when construction began

Ontario Just Removed HST on New Homes — Here’s What You Need to Know Big news for Ontario homebuyers and the construction industry: Premier Doug Ford announced this morning that the province is temporarily removing the full 13% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on new homes valued up to $1 million — and this time, it’s open to all buyers, not just first-timers. Here’s a complete breakdown of what was announced, who qualifies, and what it means for the Ontario housing market.   What Was Announced? Premier Ford held a news conference in Mississauga today confirming that Ontario, in partnership with the federal government, will eliminate the full 13% HST on new home purchases for a one-year window running from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. This is a significant expansion of existing rebate programs. Previously, HST relief was targeted at first-time home buyers. Today’s announcement opens the rebate to all buyers of new homes in Ontario — whether you’ve owned a home before or not. For Future Freure home buyers that means a maximum savings? Up to $130,000 back in your pocket.   Who Qualifies? To be eligible for the full rebate, buyers must meet the following conditions: Purchase agreement signed between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027 The home must be used as a primary residence or residential rental property The home must be valued at $1 million or under for the full rebate Construction must begin on or before December 31, 2028 Construction must be substantially completed by December 31, 2031 If construction on your home began before March 31, 2026, you can still qualify — provided your purchase agreement is signed within the program window and construction wraps up by December 31, 2029. Contact Freure Homes to discover if you can qualify   What About Freure’s Larger Luxury homes? The full rebate applies to homes under $1 million, but buyers of pricier properties aren’t entirely left out:   Home Value Rebate Available Up to $1,000,000 Full rebate — up to $130,000 $1,000,000 – $1,500,000 Full rebate (up to $130,000) $1,500,000 – $1,850,000 Reduced / partial rebate Over $1,850,000 Pre-existing rebate of $24,000   How Is This Being Funded? Ontario is covering the 8% provincial portion of the HST, while the federal government has agreed to cover the 5% federal portion. Together, that wipes out the full 13%. The province estimates the program will cost Ontario approximately $1.4 billion in foregone tax revenue. However, the federal portion of the relief requires passage of federal legislation to be fully confirmed — so buyers should stay tuned for updates on that front.   What Does This Mean for Freure Homebuyers? The Ford government is banking on this measure to jumpstart a construction sector that has been struggling with high building costs and weak buyer demand. In Kitchener, Waterloo and surrounding areas, new condo sales have fallen to levels not seen in decades. The province estimates the rebate could: Stimulate 8,000 additional housing starts in Ontario over the next year Support up to 21,000 jobs in the construction and related industries Boost Ontario’s real GDP growth by $2.7 billion The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) welcomed the announcement, calling it a move that will “significantly reduce upfront homeownership costs” and a major step toward unlocking affordability in Ontario’s housing market.   What Should Buyers Do Now? Ford was direct in his message to prospective buyers: “Please get everything together, you have one year… talk to your bankers and start buying the homes.” If you’re considering purchasing a newly built home in Ontario, here’s what to do: Speak to a mortgage broker or lender to understand what you can afford with the tax savings factored in. Consult a real estate lawyer to understand the timing requirements — particularly the April 1, 2026 start date for purchase agreements. Contact Freure Homes to explore new homes that qualify under the program. We are always here to help Watch for federal legislation confirming Ottawa’s portion of the rebate. The Bottom Line   Ontario’s one-year HST holiday on new home builds is one of the most significant housing affordability measures the province has introduced in years. With savings of up to $130,000 available to any buyer — not just first-timers — this is a rare window of opportunity in a market that has been tough for buyers and builders alike. The clock starts April 1, 2026. You have until March 31, 2027 to get a purchase agreement signed. Freure Homes,Discover Where you Belong   This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional to understand how these changes apply to your specific situation. Rebate eligibility is subject to passage of applicable federal and provincial legislation Explore Our Gas Free Unit in BrantWood Discover our exceptional communities and new home developments in Brantford.