Howard Chai

Howard is a freelance real estate reporter based in Vancouver who covers the development industry, housing policy, and commercial real estate. He was previously Western lead at STOREYS, where his work was nominated for a Jack Webster award. He is also a contributor at Western Investor, RENX, The Tyee, and The Globe and Mail, as well as Founder of The Realist.

Howard Chai

Ross McCredie On: Douglas Elliman Canada, Sutton Group, And The Luxury Market

After growing Sotheby's International Realty Canada, Ross McCredie took over Sutton Group, and will now be bringing Douglas Elliman to Canada.

OREA Pushes For Development Charge Reform, Makes Several Recommendations

The Ontario Real Estate Association called development charges "one of the most direct levers available to reduce costs and accelerate construction" of new housing.

How Lenders See Canada's 2026 Commercial Real Estate Market

For the first time in a decade, Vancouver is now the top market in terms of lender sentiment. The sentiment around office is also rebounding.

Construction Costs Stabilized In 2025, Expected To Align With Inflation In 2026

For 2026, BTY Group is projecting real GDP growth of 1.5% (after growing 1.7% in 2025), an unemployment rate of 6.9%, and 250,000 housing starts, but emphasizes that there continues to be a “high degree of uncertainty around economic relationships with the United States.”

Chartwell To Sell Waterloo Asset To Resolve Competition Bureau Concerns

Last year, Chartwell announced that it was acquiring six properties in Ontario from Sifton Properties, prompting the Competition Bureau review.

New $1.3B Fund Launched To Buy Unsold GTA Condos, Convert To Rental

The "GTA Rental and Affordable Housing Initiative" is a partnership between High Art Capital and the Building Ontario Fund.

Manulife Sells Downtown Ottawa's EDC HQ To Regional Group For $143.5M

Regional Group announced their acquisition of 150 Slater Street — a landmark office building near Parliament Hill — in late-February, but did not disclose the price.

Peterson Proposes 34-, 29-Storey Rental Towers On SE Marine Drive

The proposal by Peterson for 605-695 SE Marine Drive in Vancouver covers a total of 652 rental units, including 153 below-market rental units.

Manuela Preis On Loving (And Posting) Life As A Crane Operator

"It takes a lot of mental work which, for me, is great. I like a busy brain. You pay attention to many things at the same time."

Graywood Buys Yonge–Eglinton Development Site From First Capital REIT For $42M

The sale of 34-70 Montgomery Avenue was completed last year, and Graywood has since submitted a new application for the site.

Crestpoint Buys 145 Wellington For $50.8M, Site Slated For H&R REIT Tower

H&R REIT announced the sale of 145 Wellington Street West in November as part of $1.5 billion in dispositions, but did not disclose individual sale prices.

Onni Group Advances New Surrey City Centre Master Plan Project With 2,700+ Units

The proposal would see Onni Group redevelop the Regency Gardens apartment complex near Whalley Athletic Park into five mid-rise buildings and seven high-rise buildings.

All rights reserved SiteMedia © 2026.

Howard Chai

After growing Sotheby's International Realty Canada, Ross McCredie took over Sutton Group, and will now be bringing Douglas Elliman to Canada.

​The Ontario Real Estate Association called development charges "one of the most direct levers available to reduce costs and accelerate construction" of new housing.

For the first time in a decade, Vancouver is now the top market in terms of lender sentiment. The sentiment around office is also rebounding.

For 2026, BTY Group is projecting real GDP growth of 1.5% (after growing 1.7% in 2025), an unemployment rate of 6.9%, and 250,000 housing starts, but emphasizes that there continues to be a “high degree of uncertainty around economic relationships with the United States.”

Last year, Chartwell announced that it was acquiring six properties in Ontario from Sifton Properties, prompting the Competition Bureau review.

​The "GTA Rental and Affordable Housing Initiative" is a partnership between High Art Capital and the Building Ontario Fund.

Regional Group announced their acquisition of 150 Slater Street — a landmark office building near Parliament Hill — in late-February, but did not disclose the price.

​The proposal by Peterson for 605-695 SE Marine Drive in Vancouver covers a total of 652 rental units, including 153 below-market rental units.

"It takes a lot of mental work which, for me, is great. I like a busy brain. You pay attention to many things at the same time."

​The sale of 34-70 Montgomery Avenue was completed last year, and Graywood has since submitted a new application for the site.

H&R REIT announced the sale of 145 Wellington Street West in November as part of $1.5 billion in dispositions, but did not disclose individual sale prices.

​The proposal would see Onni Group redevelop the Regency Gardens apartment complex near Whalley Athletic Park into five mid-rise buildings and seven high-rise buildings.

All rights reserved SiteMedia © 2026.

The Ontario Real Estate Association called development charges "one of the most direct levers available to reduce costs and accelerate construction" of new housing.

The "GTA Rental and Affordable Housing Initiative" is a partnership between High Art Capital and the Building Ontario Fund.

The proposal by Peterson for 605-695 SE Marine Drive in Vancouver covers a total of 652 rental units, including 153 below-market rental units.

The sale of 34-70 Montgomery Avenue was completed last year, and Graywood has since submitted a new application for the site.

The proposal would see Onni Group redevelop the Regency Gardens apartment complex near Whalley Athletic Park into five mid-rise buildings and seven high-rise buildings.