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The New Wave of Uncertainty: How Job Losses, Tariffs, and AI Are Shaping Today’s Real Estate Market
A Market Defined by Uncertainty Across Canada, the economy feels different — cautious, unpredictable, and emotionally charged. Rising costs, slowing growth, and job insecurity are influencing how people think about money and major life decisions. Homebuyers, investors, and developers are hesitating to make big commitments. Even those who could buy are often choosing to wait. For appraisers, this new wave of hesitation is an important signal: the value of real estate is no lo
Laura Cade
Oct 28, 20254 min read


How Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADUs) Can Pump Up Your Home's Value and Bring in Steady Rental Cash
In today’s competitive housing market, homeowners are constantly seeking ways to increase property value without breaking the bank. Enter Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) —compact, secondary homes on the same lot as your primary residence. Also called granny flats, in-law suites, or backyard cottages, ADUs are exploding in popularity across Canada. But do they really add value, or are they just a trendy expense? At Cade Appraisals , we’ve valued dozens of properties with ADUs
Laura Cade
Oct 27, 20253 min read


Understanding Flagpole Lots and Their Impact on Property Value
When exploring real estate options, you may come across unique property types like flagpole lots (also known as flag lots). As an appraiser with years of experience helping clients maximize property value, I’m excited to share how flagpole lots can influence your investment decisions and potentially create opportunities for wealth-building. At Cade Appraisals, we’re passionate about empowering homeowners and investors with the knowledge to make informed choices. In this arti
Laura Cade
Oct 24, 20254 min read


How to Read Your Own Appraisal Report
What Did That Appraiser Just Say? If you’ve recently received a property appraisal report, you might be looking at it with a mix of confusion and curiosity. Between the grids, tables, codes, and industry jargon, it’s not always clear how your home’s value was determined—or why. At Cade Appraisals Inc. , we believe transparency and education are key. Whether you needed an appraisal for mortgage financing, refinancing, divorce, estate settlement, or selling your home, understan
Laura Cade
Oct 23, 20255 min read


MPAC Property Assessment in Ontario Explained | Hamilton & Niagara Homeowner Guide 2025
Every Ontario homeowner eventually receives a property assessment from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). Whether you live in the heart of Hamilton or along the lakefront in Niagara-on-the-Lake, that small white envelope can have a big impact on your finances. But what exactly is MPAC? How does it differ from a real estate appraisal? And why do assessed values seem to rise or fall at unexpected times? This guide dives deep into how MPAC works, why it matter
Laura Cade
Oct 15, 20254 min read


How to Appraise a Partly Built House
Introduction Not all homes hit the market fully finished. Whether due to financial challenges, builder delays, or changes in ownership,...
Laura Cade
Oct 4, 20253 min read


Why Appraising a Gutted or Incomplete Property Is Not Business as Usual
For real estate investors, buying a property mid-renovation—or one that’s been gutted entirely—can offer tremendous upside. But it also...
Laura Cade
Sep 5, 20254 min read


The Most Common Renovation Myths That Don’t Add the Value You Think
Renovation ≠ Guaranteed Return Homeowners often assume that every dollar spent on a renovation will come back (or more) when it’s time to...
Laura Cade
Aug 7, 20255 min read


Why Lenders Reject Appraisals and How to Avoid It
Imagine this: you’ve paid for a home appraisal, the report is complete, the value looks good—and then your lender rejects it. Suddenly,...
Laura Cade
Aug 5, 20255 min read


Vacant Homes vs. Tenant-Occupied: Which One Appraises Better?
Does Who Lives There Matter? If you're preparing a property for appraisal—whether for sale, refinance, or investment—you may be...
Laura Cade
Aug 4, 20255 min read


How Zoning Changes Can Affect Your Property’s Value Overnight
Zoning Is More Powerful Than You Think Most property owners don’t give zoning much thought—until it changes. But the truth is, zoning can...
Laura Cade
Jul 28, 20253 min read


When Reputation Costs: Appraising Stigmatized Properties in Real Estate
Introduction In the world of real estate, some properties carry baggage that bricks and mortar can't fix. When a home, condo, or building...
Laura Cade
Jul 11, 20253 min read


What Does a Real Estate Appraiser Actually Do? Everything You Need to Know in 2025
Demystifying the Role of an Appraiser If you’ve ever bought, sold, refinanced, or inherited property, chances are you've heard the term...
Laura Cade
May 14, 20253 min read


When the Real Estate Market Declines, Is It the House or the Land That Loses Value?
When real estate markets soften or prices fall, homeowners, investors, and even real estate professionals often ask: Is it the house or...
Laura Cade
May 13, 20254 min read


How AI is Transforming Real Estate Appraisals
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing nearly every corner of the real estate industry—and appraisals are no exception. Long...
Laura Cade
May 12, 20255 min read


Understanding the Income Approach in Real Estate
In real estate appraisal, determining the value of an income-producing property requires more than just examining comparable sales or the...
Laura Cade
May 8, 20255 min read


Appraising Real Estate in a Declining Market: Strategies, Risks & Unique Considerations
In a volatile economic landscape, real estate markets don’t always trend upward. When property values begin to decline—whether due to...
Laura Cade
May 6, 20255 min read


Why Your Home’s Appraisal Value Might Be Lower Than Expected
When you’re in the process of buying or selling a home, one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the transaction is the home appraisal. A...
Laura Cade
May 5, 20256 min read


How Elections in Canada Impact Real Estate Appraisals
Canadian federal, provincial, and municipal elections all have wide-reaching impacts on the housing market—and by extension, on real...
Laura Cade
Apr 14, 20257 min read


U.S.–Canada Tariffs, Stock Market Volatility, and the Real Estate Forecast in Ontario
In 2025, one of the biggest challenges for Canadian investors and homeowners is navigating the economic uncertainty triggered by...
Laura Cade
Apr 10, 20255 min read
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