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Is Now a Good Time to Rent vs. Buy in Canada?

After years of brutal rent hikes that left many Canadians feeling priced out of their own cities, something has quietly shifted: rents are finally falling. But does that mean you should lock in a lease and wait out the housing market — or is this actually the window you've been waiting for to buy? The answer, as always, depends on your city, your finances, and your plans. Here's a clear-eyed breakdown of where things stand in 2026. What's Happening With Rents Right Now The Canadian rental market has undergone a dramatic reversal. After vacancy rates hit record lows in 2023 and rents surged by as much as 8% nationally in a single year, the tide has turned. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the national vacancy rate for purpose-built rental apartments rose to 3.1% in October 2025 — up from 2.2% in 2024 and a record low of just 1.5% in 2023. That 3.1% figure now sits above the 10-year historical average , marking a meaningful shift in the bal...
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Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Cinnamon-Walnut Swirl

 

This rich and buttery coffee cake features a sublime cinnamon-nut swirl, making it a classic breakfast treat. The contrasting flavors and crunch of the swirl elevate this cake to a whole new level. 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Cinnamon-Walnut Swirl:

    • Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and set an oven rack in the middle position.
    • Toast the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet until fragrant and golden brown (about 10 to 15 minutes). Let them cool, then reduce the oven temperature to 300°F (149°C).
    • In a small bowl, combine the toasted walnuts, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mix until well combined, then set aside.

  2. Make the Cake Batter:

    • In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
    • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or beaters), combine the granulated sugar and softened butter. Beat on medium speed until pale and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
    • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the mixture is homogenous.
    • On low speed, mix in the sour cream and vanilla. The batter may look a little curdled at this point, but that’s okay.
    • Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
    • Gradually add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until the batter is smooth and homogeneous.

  3. Layer the Batter and Swirl:

    • Scoop 1/3 of the batter into a prepared pan (even if it seems like not enough, especially if using a 12-cup Bundt pan).
    • Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-walnut mixture evenly over the batter.
    • Cover with another 1/3 of the remaining batter, spreading it evenly over the pan and to the edges.
    • Sprinkle the remaining nut mixture evenly over the batter.
    • Finally, cover with the remaining batter, spreading it evenly over the nut mixture.

  4. Bake:

    • Bake for 65 to 75 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean.

  5. Enjoy!

    • Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
    • Slice and savor the deliciousness!

This coffee cake is so good that it can be stored in a covered container on the countertop for up to two weeks.

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