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What to Actually Buy (or Skip) Before the Aug. 19 Tariffs Hit

  Pulished August 15, 2026 Four days out, the "stock up now" advice making the rounds is mostly aimed at exporters, not shoppers. Here's what genuinely moves the needle on your car, wine, and grocery bill — and what's just noise. At 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday, a new round of U.S. tariffs is set to hit roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian exports — dairy, alcohol, and vehicles among them — unless Ottawa and Washington reach a deal first. As of this weekend, the signals are genuinely mixed. Canada's chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, told a government advisory group Friday that there's still "a significant amount of work to do," with talks expected to run through the weekend. At the same time, industry executives following the negotiations told the Washington Post the two sides are inching closer to an arrangement that would pair Canadian concessions on autos, alcohol, and dairy with commitments on energy, defence, and critical minerals — in e...

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New home buyers in trouble as mortgage rates soar

Some buyers who purchased preconstruction homes are finding themselves unable to close on their properties due to rising mortgage rates and stricter lending rules. As a result, they are resorting to selling their contracts to other buyers at a discount, or even giving up their deposits and facing legal risks.

According to Robert McLister, an interest rate analyst and mortgage strategist, this trend is creating opportunities for bargain hunters who are looking for assignment deals. These are transactions where the original buyer transfers their rights and obligations to a new buyer before the home is completed.

However, assignment deals are not without challenges and costs. Both assignors and assignees need to get approval from the builder, pay fees and taxes, and secure financing. Moreover, they need to be aware of the market conditions and the potential risks of flipping or renting out the property.

McLister advises buyers to start evaluating their options early and seek professional help from a tax-savvy accountant, a mortgage broker, and a real estate lawyer. He also suggests that buyers should monitor the bond yields and the Bank of Canada’s rate decisions, as they may affect the future demand and prices of new homes.

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