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A Clear Guide to the Principal Residence Exemption and What It Means for

Your Taxes.

Selling your home is a big moment. It often comes with excitement, relief, and a long to-do list. One of the most important parts people forget to plan for is taxes.

The good news is this. In Canada, most homeowners do not pay capital gains tax when they sell their main home. That is thanks to something called the principal residence exemption.

This exemption can protect all or most of the profit you make when selling your home. But there are rules. And since 2016, there are also reporting requirements...

If you live in Peterborough or spend time in the Kawarthas, you probably noticed that real estate felt different in 2025. Things slowed down a bit, but in a healthy way. Homes still sold. Cottages still changed hands. It just felt more normal than the busy years before.

I’m Frank Rosso, ABR, SRS, your trusted local Peterborough REALTOR®. I work with buyers and sellers across Peterborough and the Kawarthas, including single-family homes and cottages. I talk to people every day who are trying to understand what the market is doing and what comes next. This blog is meant to explain that in...

Thinking about selling your home during a separation in Peterborough? Learn why a separation agreement matters and how Frank Rosso can help you sell with clarity and confidence.

Sarah sat at her kitchen table one morning, coffee going cold, staring at a house that suddenly felt far too quiet. The decision to sell felt obvious. What did not feel obvious was what her lawyer said next: you need a separation agreement before you list.

That moment catches a lot of people off guard.

If you are separated or in the process of separating in Peterborough and thinking about selling your home, you are...

Buying your first home is exciting-but let’s be honest, it can also feel overwhelming. There are prices to understand, neighbourhoods to compare, rules to follow, and a lot of opinions coming at you from friends, family, social media, and the internet.

Peterborough is a unique market. It’s not Toronto, it’s not cottage country, and it’s not a small rural town either. That’s why first-time buyers here need local context, not generic advice.

Let’s break it down step by step.

Table of Contents

1. Why First-Time Buyers Are Choosing Peterborough
2. Understanding the Peterborough Housing Market as...

RRSPs, Inheritance, and a Tax Trap Many Peterborough, Ontario Families Never See Coming

If you own a home, a cottage, or investment property in Peterborough or the Kawarthas, chances are RRSPs or RRIFs are part of your financial picture. Most families assume those accounts pass smoothly to their children, just like life insurance. Money in, money out, end of story.

Unfortunately, that assumption can turn into a shockingly large tax bill.

The Canada Revenue Agency often treats RRSPs and RRIFs as a back-up tax source when someone passes away. This is not theory or planning-desk speculation....

One of the most confusing parts of real estate for home sellers is pricing. Buyers often ask why a home sold for more or less than the list price. Sellers wonder how two similar homes on the same street can end up with very different results. It usually comes down to one thing. The difference between list price and market value.

If you are buying or selling a home in Peterborough or the Kawarthas, understanding this difference can save you time, stress, and money. I see pricing mistakes every week, and most of them are avoidable once you understand how the system actually works.

Let’s...

The purchase of a house is one of the most important financial decisions that a person has to make, and the transaction without the help of a real estate agent can be very difficult and stressful. This is especially true for a city like Peterborough, where the market moves fast and prices, demand, and supply constantly fluctuate.

Many buyers intending to purchase one of the Houses for sale in Peterborough Ontario soon find out that self-navigation through the area opens them up to risks- from paying too much to acquiring real estate without knowing it has problems concealed. This is when...

Selling your home is one of those moments where the excitement and stress show up at the same time. When selling your home, you may have questions: What repairs do you need to make? What do buyers care about? What is the sales process like? If you feel that way, you are not alone. I see it every week with clients across Peterborough and the Kawarthas. 

Why Do Buyers Ask for a Home Inspection?

People sometimes think an inspection is a sign something is wrong. It is usually the opposite. Buyers just want a clear picture of what they are purchasing. Inspectors typically look at:

• Roof...

Written for homeowners preparing to sell in 2025 and beyond

When you decide to sell your home in Peterborough, there is always a moment when things suddenly feel real. Maybe you are standing in your kitchen, thinking about the next chapter or scrolling through listings, wondering where your home fits in. I see this with almost every client. Selling a home is not complicated, but it quickly becomes stressful when you slip into the same mistakes many sellers make without even realizing it.

These mistakes cost time, money, and confidence. Some sellers fight them. Some overlook them. Some do...

The Market for Farms and Acreage in Ontario

Rural demand has stayed strong, especially from people leaving the GTA. Communities like Peterborough, Cavan, Douro, Otonabee, Norwood, and the broader Kawarthas see steady interest because they offer a quieter life without sacrificing access to amenities.

Prices vary depending on soil quality, the amount of workable land, outbuildings, road access, and whether the property is set up for farming. Some buyers want turn-key operations. Others want raw land so they can build their dream layout over time.

Either way, farmland and acreage remain a...