With colder weather on the way, an aging heating system may be moving up your home project list. Add a headline about a rebate of up to $10,000, and replacing it suddenly sounds even more interesting.

But which program is the headline referring to, and what can you actually count on? Here are the main points to understand before making plans.

A New Federal Program Has Been Announced

On October 8, 2026, Canada announced the National Heat Pump Rebate Program for eligible electric cold-climate air-source heat pumps.

The announced amounts are up to $10,000 for eligible households below the median income and $2,000 for other eligible homeowners.

As of October 13, the official program page describes it as upcoming and invites homeowners to sign up for launch and eligibility updates. Treat the announcement as something to follow, rather than an approved rebate already in your pocket.

Ontario Already Has a Separate Program

The Home Renovation Savings program, delivered by Enbridge Gas and Save on Energy, currently offers heat-pump rebates based on your home’s primary heating source and qualifying equipment.

For qualifying purchases:

Eligibility conditions apply. These maximums are not available to every household.

For this Ontario program, a participating contractor submits the pre-installation application. Approval must come before installation; work completed beforehand is ineligible. No home energy assessment is required for this heat-pump pathway.

What Should You Compare Before Deciding?

A rebate is one part of the decision. Ask your contractor for a written quote that explains the equipment, installation work, any electrical changes, maintenance and expected running costs for your particular home.

Keep the full project cost separate from the rebates you have actually been approved to receive. For the new federal program, verify the final timing and rules before assuming an installation will qualify.

If you’re preparing to sell, consider the upgrade alongside the condition of the whole property and your moving timeline. Spending money on a new system does not automatically mean adding the same amount to your sale price.

At Unna Real Estate Group, we’re always available to discuss how home improvements fit into your buying or selling plans.

If you own a rental property, rent your home, or are considering buying a property with tenants, recent Ontario rule changes deserve your attention.

Several changes under Bills 60 and 97 took effect on September 21, 2026. Here are some key updates and the questions they raise for your next real estate decision.

Shorter Notice for Unpaid Rent

For N4 notices given on or after September 21, the unpaid-rent notice period shortened from 14 to 7 days. A notice is not an eviction order; the legal process still matters.

Landlord’s Own Use and Purchaser’s Own Use Are Different

For qualifying landlord-own-use N12 notices served from September 21, giving at least 120 days’ notice removes the requirement to compensate the tenant or offer another acceptable unit. With shorter notice, existing compensation rules apply.

This exception does not apply to purchaser-own-use notices.

Returning After Renovations

Eligible tenants exercising their right to return after repairs or renovations must receive written completion updates and the required 60-day opportunity to reoccupy, subject to the applicable transition dates.

Hearing Requirements Also Changed

For rent-arrears applications filed from September 21, tenants seeking to raise other issues at the hearing must pay half the claimed arrears to the landlord at least seven days beforehand. Written issue disclosure remains required.

These are selected changes, not a complete guide.

What Does This Mean for a Property Purchase?

An attractive listing can make it easy to focus on the house and leave the tenancy questions until later. We recommend bringing those questions into the conversation early.

If you intend to live in a tenanted property, discuss the existing tenancy, your possession expectations and the required legal steps before committing to a closing timeline. If you intend to keep it as a rental, review the tenancy documents and responsibilities as part of your purchase planning.

At Unna Real Estate Group, we can help you identify the real estate questions to address before making an offer. A licensed lawyer or paralegal should advise on the legal requirements of your specific tenancy.

Buying, selling or investing? Reach out anytime to discuss your plans and the next steps. Book a Free 15-Minute Call here

If you’ve seen the headlines about buying a home on Toronto Islands, you may already be picturing morning walks by the water and a ferry ride into the city. We understand the appeal. But before you start packing, there’s a different buying process to understand.

The current opportunity is to apply for a place on the Toronto Islands Purchasers’ List, and that does not guarantee a home purchase.

How Does the Purchasers’ List Work?

The list holds up to 500 names. When positions become available, a random draw selects applicants to join the end of the queue. Only people on the list can buy island homes through the Trust.

Applications close on October 30, 2026, at 4 p.m., with a $20 non-refundable application fee. Successful applicants also pay an annual renewal fee, currently $50, to keep their position.

There is no guaranteed purchase date. With very few homes changing hands each year, the wait can be long.

What Would You Actually Own?

Residents own their homes while leasing the publicly owned land beneath them. The Toronto Islands Residential Community Trust manages the sales process and regulates prices.

Homes must be the owners’ primary residences, rather than vacation homes or investment rentals.

Would Island Living Work for Your Family?

The setting may be appealing, but your everyday routine deserves just as much attention. Before pursuing a place on the list, think about:

• Your commute and how ferry schedules would fit your workday.

• School, childcare and the activities your family relies on.

• Getting groceries, managing deliveries and arranging home repairs.

• Whether a long and uncertain purchase timeline fits your plans.

For a family that needs more space soon, this opportunity may sit alongside a separate, more immediate home search. Ask the Trust about its current process, costs and lease conditions before applying.

At Unna Real Estate Group, we believe the right move starts with understanding how a home would work for you. Whether you’re curious about island living or planning your next move in Toronto and the GTA, feel free to reach out and talk through your options.

Have Something on Your Mind? Book a Free 15-Minute Call here

When homeowners start thinking about selling, one question comes up quickly:

“Should we renovate first?”

Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes spending thousands of dollars before listing is completely unnecessary.

The important part is knowing the difference.

Start With Repairs

Before thinking about a new kitchen or bathroom, look at what already needs attention.

A leaking faucet, damaged wall, broken handle, burnt-out light or unfinished repair may seem small, but buyers notice these things.

When several little problems appear during a showing, buyers can start wondering what bigger problems they haven't seen yet.

Taking care of basic maintenance can make the home feel better cared for without requiring a major renovation.

Cosmetic Changes Can Go a Long Way

Fresh paint, better lighting, cleaning, decluttering and simple updates can completely change how a home presents.

They may not be exciting projects, but they can help buyers focus on the space instead of everything they think they need to fix.

Sometimes a few thousand dollars spent carefully can make more sense than a much larger renovation.

A Renovation Doesn't Guarantee a Bigger Profit

This is where sellers need to be careful.

Spending $30,000 on a renovation doesn't automatically mean your home will sell for $30,000 more.

The value of an improvement depends on the property, neighbourhood, buyer expectations and current market.

A renovation that makes sense for one Toronto home may not make sense for another property in Mississauga or elsewhere in the GTA.

Know Why You're Spending the Money

Before starting any project, ask one simple question:

Will this help the home sell better, or am I doing it because I personally would prefer it?

Those can be two very different things.

If you're preparing to sell, the goal isn't to create your dream home for the next owner. It's to present the property well and make smart decisions about where your time and money will have the most impact.

Get the Strategy Before the Contractor

Before spending thousands of dollars, understand how your home compares with similar properties in your area and what buyers are currently expecting.

You may need a renovation.

You may only need paint, repairs and better preparation.

And occasionally, the smartest thing to renovate before selling is... nothing at all.

Knowing that can save a lot of money.

Before You Spend Money, Get our FREE Guide

You don’t need to figure out the selling process on your own or start spending money before you know what will actually matter.

That’s why we created the FREE UNNA Seller Guide. It walks you through the important steps of selling, including how to prepare your home, pricing, marketing, showings, offers and what happens once your home is sold.

Whether you’re planning to sell soon or simply starting to think about it, the guide can help you understand the process and make better decisions before the FOR SALE sign goes up.

Thinking about selling? Click here to get your FREE UNNA Seller Guide and start with the right information.