Keep Your Eyes on the Prize: Why Timing the Market is a Losing Game

Josh Perez • February 13, 2025

One of the most common concerns I hear from clients and investors is, "When is the perfect time to buy real estate?" My answer? Stop chasing perfect timing—it doesn’t exist. Instead, keep your eyes on your long-term goals and build a plan that works for you.


The Illusion of Perfect Timing

If there’s one thing the last few years have taught us—especially since COVID and the economic uncertainty that followed—it’s that even the experts can’t predict the market with absolute accuracy. They might get the general direction right, but the timing? That’s nearly impossible to nail down.


Waiting for the absolute perfect moment to buy, sell, or invest is a risky strategy. The truth is, there will always be market fluctuations, changes in interest rates, and external factors beyond our control. What matters most is focusing on your specific goals and making smart, well-informed decisions based on what’s right for you, rather than getting caught up in market noise.


Build a Plan, Not a Prediction

Rather than stressing over when rates will drop or if the market will shift in your favor, focus on building a solid real estate plan. Ask yourself:

  • What are your short-term and long-term real estate goals?
  • What kind of property best fits your financial situation and lifestyle?
  • Are you in a position to qualify for the right mortgage today?

A structured plan ensures that you stay on track, regardless of market fluctuations. And just as importantly, it should be a dynamic plan—one that gets updated as market conditions change.


Why Staying Informed Matters

While perfect timing isn’t realistic, staying informed is essential. Take recent changes in bond rates, for example. Fixed mortgage rates have decreased by more than one percent in the last 90 days—this kind of movement can significantly impact:

  • Your mortgage qualification amount
  • Your monthly payments
  • The type of home you can afford

For instance, a lower mortgage rate could mean the difference between affording a $700,000 home vs. an $800,000 home, or having a $1,500 monthly payment vs. an $1,800 one. These shifts in affordability can have a huge impact on your financial future, making it crucial to monitor the market and adjust your strategy accordingly.



The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, real estate success isn’t about guessing the market—it’s about preparing for it. Work with an experienced mortgage professional who can help you navigate changes, analyze the numbers, and find the best path forward.


If you're ready to stop waiting for the “perfect” time and start making smart, strategic moves toward your real estate goals, let’s connect. The best time to take action is when you're prepared—and that starts with having the right plan in place.

"Keep your eyes on the prize, not all the noise. Perfect timing is impossible—what matters is building a plan for your real estate goals and refreshing it often."

Josh Perez
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New to Credit? Let’s Build a Solid Foundation

By Josh Perez • September 24, 2025
Starting from Scratch: How to Build Credit the Smart Way If you're just beginning your personal finance journey and wondering how to build credit from the ground up, you're not alone. Many people find themselves stuck in the classic credit paradox: you need credit to build a credit history, but you can’t get credit without already having one. So, how do you break in? Let’s walk through the basics—step by step. Credit Building Isn’t Instant—Start Now First, understand this: building good credit is a marathon, not a sprint. For those planning to apply for a mortgage in the future, lenders typically want to see at least two active credit accounts (credit cards, personal loans, or lines of credit), each with a limit of $2,500 or more , and reporting positively for at least two years . If that sounds like a lot—it is. But everyone has to start somewhere, and the best time to begin is now. Step 1: Start with a Secured Credit Card When you're new to credit, traditional lenders often say “no” simply because there’s nothing in your file. That’s where a secured credit card comes in. Here’s how it works: You provide a deposit—say, $1,000—and that becomes your credit limit. Use the card for everyday purchases (groceries, phone bill, streaming services). Pay the balance off in full each month. Your activity is reported to the credit bureaus, and after a few months of on-time payments, you begin to establish a credit score. ✅ Pro tip: Before you apply, ask if the lender reports to both Equifax and TransUnion . If they don’t, your credit-building efforts won’t be reflected where it counts. Step 2: Move Toward an Unsecured Trade Line Once you’ve got a few months of solid payment history, you can apply for an unsecured credit card or a small personal loan. A car loan could also serve as a second trade line. Again, make sure the account reports to both credit bureaus, and always pay on time. At this point, your focus should be consistency and patience. Avoid maxing out your credit, and keep your utilization under 30% of your available limit. What If You Need a Mortgage Before Your Credit Is Ready? If homeownership is on the horizon but your credit history isn’t quite there yet, don’t panic. You still have a few options. One path is to apply with a co-signer —someone with strong credit and income who is willing to share the responsibility. The mortgage will be based on their credit profile, but your name will also be on the loan, helping you build a record of mortgage payments. Ideally, when the term is up and your credit has matured, you can refinance and qualify on your own. Start with a Plan—Stick to It Building credit may take a couple of years, but it all starts with a plan—and the right guidance. Whether you're figuring out your first steps or getting mortgage-ready, we’re here to help. Need advice on credit, mortgage options, or how to get started? Let’s talk.

Bank of Canada Rate Announcement Sept 17th, 2025

By Josh Perez • September 17, 2025
Bank of Canada lowers policy rate to 2½%.  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Relations Ottawa, Ontario September 17, 2025 The Bank of Canada today reduced its target for the overnight rate by 25 basis points to 2.5%, with the Bank Rate at 2.75% and the deposit rate at 2.45%. After remaining resilient to sharply higher US tariffs and ongoing uncertainty, global economic growth is showing signs of slowing. In the United States, business investment has been strong but consumers are cautious and employment gains have slowed. US inflation has picked up in recent months as businesses appear to be passing on some tariff costs to consumer prices. Growth in the euro area has moderated as US tariffs affect trade. China’s economy held up in the first half of the year but growth appears to be softening as investment weakens. Global oil prices are close to their levels assumed in the July Monetary Policy Report (MPR). Financial conditions have eased further, with higher equity prices and lower bond yields. Canada’s exchange rate has been stable relative to the US dollar. Canada’s GDP declined by about 1½% in the second quarter, as expected, with tariffs and trade uncertainty weighing heavily on economic activity. Exports fell by 27% in the second quarter, a sharp reversal from first-quarter gains when companies were rushing orders to get ahead of tariffs. Business investment also declined in the second quarter. Consumption and housing activity both grew at a healthy pace. In the months ahead, slow population growth and the weakness in the labour market will likely weigh on household spending. Employment has declined in the past two months since the Bank’s July MPR was published. Job losses have largely been concentrated in trade-sensitive sectors, while employment growth in the rest of the economy has slowed, reflecting weak hiring intentions. The unemployment rate has moved up since March, hitting 7.1% in August, and wage growth has continued to ease. CPI inflation was 1.9% in August, the same as at the time of the July MPR. Excluding taxes, inflation was 2.4%. Preferred measures of core inflation have been around 3% in recent months, but on a monthly basis the upward momentum seen earlier this year has dissipated. A broader range of indicators, including alternative measures of core inflation and the distribution of price changes across CPI components, continue to suggest underlying inflation is running around 2½%. The federal government’s recent decision to remove most retaliatory tariffs on imported goods from the US will mean less upward pressure on the prices of these goods going forward. With a weaker economy and less upside risk to inflation, Governing Council judged that a reduction in the policy rate was appropriate to better balance the risks. Looking ahead, the disruptive effects of shifts in trade will continue to add costs even as they weigh on economic activity. Governing Council is proceeding carefully, with particular attention to the risks and uncertainties. Governing Council will be assessing how exports evolve in the face of US tariffs and changing trade relationships; how much this spills over into business investment, employment, and household spending; how the cost effects of trade disruptions and reconfigured supply chains are passed on to consumer prices; and how inflation expectations evolve. The Bank is focused on ensuring that Canadians continue to have confidence in price stability through this period of global upheaval. We will support economic growth while ensuring inflation remains well controlled. Information note The next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is October 29, 2025. The Bank’s October Monetary Policy Report will be released at the same time.