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Senate Approves Stopgap Funding Bill to Prevent Government Shutdown

In a dramatic turn of events, the U.S. Senate passed a six-month funding bill just hours before a potential government shutdown. The bill, which faced significant opposition from Democrats, was approved with a 54-46 vote. The legislation now heads to President Donald Trump's desk for final approval. The funding measure, often referred to as a continuing resolution (CR), was a contentious issue, with Democrats criticizing it for lacking input from their party and for falling short on key priorities like healthcare and housing assistance. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged his colleagues to support the bill, emphasizing that a government shutdown would have far-reaching consequences. Despite internal divisions, some Democrats sided with Republicans to ensure the bill's passage, prioritizing the avoidance of a shutdown over their reservations about the legislation. The decision has sparked debates within the Democratic Party, with some members expressing frustrati...
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Toronto Housing Market: Sales Dip, Prices Climb After Sluggish Period


Toronto’s real estate landscape is showing signs of a turnaround as we transition into spring. After a year of subdued sales activity, the market is witnessing renewed vigor. Here’s a snapshot of the recent developments:

Sales Activity:

  • February Sales Decline: Greater Toronto area home sales dipped in February, breaking a two-month streak of gains. Despite this, the market remains resilient.
  • Buyer Competition: Last month, competition between buyers started to re-emerge. Listings are attracting more attention, and buyers are increasingly competing with each other.
  • Regaining Confidence: Prospective homebuyers are regaining confidence, even as borrowing costs rise due to interest rate hikes by the Bank of Canada. Unlike last year, when the market was sluggish, buyers are now actively participating.

Price Trends:

  • Average Home Price: In March, the average home price in the Toronto area reached $1,108,606, surpassing the average list price for the first time since May 2022.
  • Still Below 2022 Peak: Despite the recent uptick, prices remain far from their 2022 peak. Detached homes, semi-detached properties, townhouses, and condos all saw price adjustments.
  • Composite Benchmark Price: The composite benchmark price for March was $1,118,500, reflecting a 16.2% year-over-year drop but an increase on a month-over-month basis.
  • Sales Volume: March concluded with 6,896 sales, up from 4,765 in February, although still down nearly 37% from March 2020.

The Toronto housing market is in transition. While prices are recovering, buyers are approaching the market more cautiously. As we head into spring, all eyes are on how this delicate balance between supply, demand, and affordability will evolve.


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