Vendor take-back mortgages (VTBs) are increasingly becoming the WD-40 of real estate deals—lubricating transactions that might otherwise seize up.

With home prices still elevated, rates hanging tough, tighter lending conditions, and fewer sales, free-and-clear sellers are more motivated to extend VTBs.

According to commercial real estate lawyer Patrick Gordon of Blakes, the VTB terms that sellers use most include:

Straight from the digital marketing trenches come two gobsmacking revelations from search marketing company Ahrefs:

1. Google's AI Overviews (AIOs) kill an average of 34.5% of clicks for most top-ranking pages (so far).
2. These are likely the highest click-through rates (CTRs) we will ever see again.

Translation: if you liked your Google CTR last year, take a screenshot—it’s now a relic, just like that old BlackBerry.

It's Good Friday, so let's kick off the weekend with some economic optimism that doesn't require divine intervention.

Trade tensions with the U.S. have thankfully simmered down, offering borrowers a somewhat improved inflation and interest rate outlook.

In fact, we've seen several rate-friendly developments in recent days:

Jerome Powell runs a little central bank you might have heard of called the U.S. Federal Reserve. It's only the most influential monetary force in the global bond market — essentially the sun that our financial solar system revolves around.

People will say what they will about Powell, but it's hard to doubt one thing: his independence from political influence.

It's this very attribute, however, that a certain someone in a big white house doesn't appreciate.

Fun Facts on BoC Pauses

The Bank of Canada just slammed the brakes on policy easing, leaving floating-rate borrowers pondering two questions.

1. How long will the prime rate flatline?
2. What happens after the BoC's pause?

If you look back at overnight rate records, you'll immediately notice numerous cases where our central bank paused. These intermissions indicate that the reasons for the prior trend in monetary policy had ceased on balance, at least temporarily.

Ever since the BoC first moved to scheduled announcement dates in December 2000, there have been 20 such pauses.

Those with variable-rate mortgages will need to keep their champagne on ice; the Bank of Canada isn't ready to pop the cork on lower rates just yet. Instead, it left its policy rate at its estimated "neutral" level of 2.75%.

For mortgage shoppers, we'll outline how to survive this will-they-won’t-they rate saga. But before delving into strategies, let's unpack the critical takeaways from today's BoC verdict:

New Home Price Gauge Reveals Emerging Trends

The antics of America's trade-tax tzar threw a wrench in our 2025 spring housing spree, and data are starting to quantify the damage.

Case in point: A fresh Royal LePage survey by Leger. It revealed that nearly half (47%) of prospective buyers have postponed purchasing homes, citing the U.S. trade dispute as their reason.

More Sharing, Less Hassle

If you're looking for a more engaging way to keep your VIPs informed, this latest update has you covered.

Thanks to feedback from our phenomenal members, MLN has become more shareable. MLN Pro members can now transmit one or two entire articles per week to clients, leads and referral sources via email, a secure portal, SMS/text or snail mail. Simply copy and paste the content you wish to share (no forwarding full emails, please) and attribute.

Previously, sharing was capped at 100 words. The problem there was: members had to tell people, “There’s more, but I’m not allowed to show it to you,” like a bad tease.

In any event, problem solved. Here’s a quick look at the new guidelines.

Storms on the Horizon

Higher inflation is now the consensus, but this week's U.S. data offered a mixed bag—that is, a glimmer of hope wrapped in a cautionary tale. Per usual, the rate moves in Yankeeland also had Canadian rate implications.