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Written by Yousaf Iqbal, Head of IQI CanadaCanada’s housing market held steady in October 2025, with national sales dipping 0.8% and average prices settling at C$676,000, slightly higher than September but 1.5% below last year. The Bank of Canada’s move to lower rates to 2.25% provided some relief for buyers, although affordability remained stretched in major cities. Toronto and Vancouver continued to soften as new listings increased and prices adjusted downward, while Prairie markets like Calgary and Edmonton remained notably strong. Across the country, moderating rents and rising supply supported more balanced market conditions. Overall, early signs of stabilisation are emerging as Canada moves toward 2026 under a lower-rate environment.Regional dynamics showed clear divergence. The GTA saw a 9.5% drop in sales and a 7.2% decline in average prices, reinforcing a buyer-friendly landscape as inventory grew and the MLS® HPI fell 5% year-over-year. Vancouver posted a 14% drop in sales and a 13.2% rise in active listings, pushing prices lower across all housing types. Meanwhile, Quebec stood out as the strongest performer, with sales rising 8% and prices increasing across all categories: single-family homes up 8%, condos up 5%, and plexes up 17%. These contrasting trends highlight Canada’s multi-speed market, shaped by affordability gaps, inventory shifts, and varying local economic conditions.Discover more here!Download Now!

Written by Lily Chong, Head of IQI AustraliaAustralia’s housing market continued its strong recovery in October, with national home values climbing 1.1% — the sharpest monthly gain since June 2023. This marks a turning point since the first rate cut in February, which reignited growth momentum after a brief slowdown late last year. According to Cotality’s research director, Tim Lawless, housing values have surged 6.1% nationally over the past year, with every capital city and regional market posting gains in October — led by Perth (+1.9%) and Hobart (+0.3%). Across the combined capitals, the median dwelling value rose by over $10,000 in October alone, bringing total growth since February to nearly $54,000. The rise is largely driven by strong demand amid tight supply, with home sales tracking 3.1% above the five-year average while listings remain 18% below average. This imbalance has continued to favour sellers, reflected in solid auction clearance rates hovering between the high 60s and low 70s.Additional momentum has come from the expanded 5% Deposit Guarantee Scheme, effective from October 1, boosting activity among first-home buyers and investors. Growth has been most pronounced across the lower and middle price brackets, where affordability and incentives are strongest, while the premium segment shows more moderate increases. Looking ahead, market analysts expect housing values to remain on an upward trend into early 2026, supported by limited housing supply, resilient buyer demand, and stable lending conditions. However, affordability pressures and future interest rate movements will continue to influence the pace of growth across different price segments and cities. For investors and homeowners alike, Perth’s property market presents exciting opportunities. Whether you’re considering selling, buying, or investing, now is the time to explore your options. Contact our team at sales@iqiwa.com.au to discuss your property goals today. Discover more here:Download

The global real estate markets continued to show encouraging momentum, with many countries experiencing rising home values, stronger buyer confidence, and healthier market activity as conditions gradually improve.Explore the latest market trends and expert insights inside the December 2025 Juwai IQI Monthly Newsletter.Click here to discover moreDownload Now!

TL;DRFIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) is a lifestyle movement designed to help you exit the rat race decades ahead of schedule. By aggressively saving 50-70% of your income and accumulating a "corpus" worth 25 times your annual expenses, you can gain total freedom over your time. Whether you choose a minimalist approach like Lean FIRE or a balanced approach like Barista FIRE, the strategy relies on disciplined spending, increasing your income, and letting compound interest do the heavy lifting via the 4% Rule.Can you imagine you are in this scene? It is Monday morning. But instead of fighting traffic, chugging lukewarm coffee, and dreading the 9-to-5 grind, you wake up when your body feels like it. You grab a fresh cup of coffee, step out onto your porch, and ask yourself one question: "What do I want to do today?"No boss. No timesheet. No Sunday scaries.For most of us, this sounds like a dream reserved for lottery winners. But for a growing community worldwide, this is just math. It’s called the FIRE movement.But is retiring in your 30s or 40s actually realistic? Can a normal salary worker achieve it, or do you need to be a tech CEO?Here is your down-to-earth guide on what FIRE is, how it works, and exactly how you can rewrite your financial future.Key TakeawaysDefinition: FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early, focusing on extreme saving and smart investing to retire decades earlier than age 65.The Strategy: It involves saving 50-75% of your income and accumulating assets worth 25 times your annual spending.The Flexibility: You don’t need to be rich. Approaches like Barista FIRE allow you to work part-time, while Lean FIRE is for minimalists.The Execution: It requires cutting costs, maximizing income (side hustles/passive income), and using the 4% rule for withdrawals.Table of contents1. What is FIRE? (Financial Independence Retire Early)2. How Does the FIRE Movement Work?3. How to Calculate Your FIRE Number?4. Types of FIRE: Lean, Fat, Barista, and Coast5. Is Early Retirement Realistic? (Pros and Cons)6. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Achieve FIRE7. Conclusion: Should You Pursue FIRE?Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)1. What is FIRE? (Financial Independence Retire Early)So, what does FIRE stand for?FIRE implies Financial Independence, Retire Early.At its core, FIRE is a financial movement defined by frugality, intentional living, and extreme savings. While traditional budgets suggest saving 10% to 15% of your income, FIRE proponents aim to save 50% to 75% of their income each year.By investing this aggressive surplus into the stock market, real estate, or other growth assets, the compound interest eventually creates a "money machine" big enough to pay your bills forever.a. Where Did the Movement Start?The modern FIRE movement was popularized by the 1992 best-selling book Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez. They introduced a life-changing concept: viewing money as "life energy." Before you buy that expensive gadget, ask yourself, how many hours of your life did you have to work to pay for it?Later, early retirement bloggers like Mr. Money Mustache and Jacob Lund Fisker (author of Early Retirement Extreme) proved that you don't need a CEO salary to retire young; you just need a high savings rate."Financial independence means having enough wealth or passive income to cover your living expenses without needing to work." - Sun Life2. How Does the FIRE Movement Work?The concept isn't magic but a simple arithmetic. The FIRE investment strategy relies on the gap between your income and your expenses. The wider the gap, the faster you retire.Let me give you an example: Let’s say Nicole is A, then Syah is B.Nicole (The Spender): Nicole earns $5,000 a month. She buys a new car, orders delivery daily, and spends $4,500. She saves $500 (10%). At this rate, Nicole will likely have to work for 50 years before she can afford to stop.Syah (The FIRE Follower): Syah also earns $5,000 a month. But Syah drives a reliable used car, cooks at home, and shares an apartment. She spends $2,500 and saves $2,500 (50%). Because her expenses are low and savings are high, Syah could theoretically retire in 15 to 17 years.It sounds aggressive, but that is the trade-off: aggressive discipline now for total freedom later.a. The Power of IncomeSaving 50% of a small salary is hard. To achieve FIRE faster, you need to boost the "income" side of your equation. You need a career with unlimited earning potential.This is where IQI Global offers a game-changing opportunity. As a PropTech giant present in 30+ countries, we are looking for driven individuals to join our team of 60,000+ real estate warriors. With uncapped commission structures and access to global markets, joining IQI can provide the significant income boost you need to fund your investment accounts and hit your savings goals in record time. Join IQI Global today to unlock your unlimited earning potential!3. How to Calculate Your FIRE Number?A common pain point for beginners is not knowing their "target." You can't hit a target you can't see.To find out how much to save to retire early, use the Rule of 25.a. The Rule of 25 FormulaThis rule suggests you need to accumulate 25 times your expected annual expenses to retire safely.Annual Expenses × 25 = Your FIRE NumberHere is a quick look at the math example:If you spend per year...You need this FIRE Number (Corpus)$30,000$750,000$40,000$1,000,000$60,000$1,500,000$100,000$2,500,000b. What is the 4% Rule?Once you have that pot of money, you apply the 4% Rule. This rule states that you can withdraw 4% of your investment portfolio in the first year of retirement and adjust that amount for inflation in subsequent years. History suggests that at this withdrawal rate, your money should last for at least 30 years.Warning: Some experts suggest being safer. In a high-inflation or bear-market environment, withdrawing 3.8% to 4% is safer to ensure you don't run out of money.4. Types of FIRE: Lean, Fat, Barista, and CoastNot everyone wants to live on beans and rice. Luckily, the FIRE community has evolved to offer different "flavors" depending on your lifestyle goals.a. Lean FIRE (The Minimalist)This is for those who are happy living with less. You cut expenses to the bone, living in a smaller house, driving an older car, and embracing minimalism.Annual Budget: Typically less than $40,000.Pros: Fastest route to freedom.Cons: Very tight budget; requires frugal living.b. Fat FIRE (The Luxury Route)Fat FIRE is for people who want to retire early but refuse to lower their standard of living. You want to travel business class and eat at nice restaurants.Annual Budget: $100,000 or more.Strategy: Requires a high income and aggressive investing.c. Barista FIRE (The Hybrid)This is very popular among millennials. You save enough so you don't need a high-stress corporate salary, but you still work a low-stress part-time job (like a barista) to cover day-to-day bills or health insurance.Pros: You can leave the "rat race" much sooner because your investment nest egg doesn't need to be as massive.d. Coast FIREYou save heavily in your 20s until your retirement account is big enough to grow on its own through compound interest. Once you hit that number, you stop contributing to retirement entirely. You only work to cover your current bills.Both Barista and Coast FIRE require a job that is flexible, engaging, and pays well for the hours put in. Real estate is the perfect fit.By joining IQI Global, you become your own boss. You can choose to work hard to build capital or scale back to maintain your lifestyle, with support from IQI's world-class training and mentorship. It’s the ultimate flexible career to match a freedom-based lifestyle. Start a flexible, high-reward career with IQI Global now!e. Comparison: The 4 Main FIRE Types at a GlanceFIRE TypeSaving Target (Corpus)Job Required?Withdrawal RateLifestyleRisk LevelLean FIRELow ($600k – $1M)NoStandard (4%)Minimalist & Frugal. Strict budgeting required.High (Small buffer for emergencies or high inflation).Fat FIREHigh ($2.5M+)NoFlexible (3% – 4%)Luxurious. No budget restrictions on travel or dining.Low (Large financial buffer protects against market dips).Barista FIREModerate ($600k – $900k)Yes (Part-time or Low-stress)Variable (Supplements salary)Balanced. Income from part-time work covers perks like insurance.Medium (Relies on continued ability to work part-time).Coast FIREMilestone Only (e.g., $200k by age 30)Yes (Cover daily expenses)0% (Until final retirement)Flexible. You spend 100% of your current salary; investments grow passively.Medium (Relies on long-term compound interest & market performance).5. Is Early Retirement Realistic? (Pros and Cons)Before you sell everything you own, let's look at the reality. Is the FIRE lifestyle all sunshine and rainbows?a. The ProsFreedom: You own your time. You can wake up and pursue hobbies, volunteer, or travel.Security: Having a massive safety net means you are never stuck in a toxic job because you "need the money."Resilience: You learn to be happy with less, making you immune to lifestyle inflation.b. The ConsThe "Boring Middle": The 10–15 years of extreme saving can feel monotonous.Guilt: As Charlie Brown shared in Business Insider, some people feel guilty spending money even after saving it, realizing they prioritized profit over living.Economic Risk: High inflation or a market crash right after you retire can disrupt your retirement corpus.6. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Achieve FIREReady to start? Here is your step-by-step guide to FIRE savings and investing.Understand Your "Why": Why do you want to retire? If you are running away from a job you hate, maybe you need a better career. FIRE is best when you are running towards a life you love.Slash the "Big Three": Stop stressing about $5 lattes. Focus on Housing, Transport, and Food. Can you house-hack? Drive a used car? Meal prep? These three areas make up 70% of most budgets.Eliminate Toxic Debt: Credit card debt is an emergency. You cannot build wealth paying 20% interest to a bank. Pay it off immediately. (Source: Ramsey Solutions).Invest Wisely: Keep cash in a bank account is losing money due to inflation. Invest in low-cost index funds (ETFs) or real estate.Increase Income: Frugality has a limit (you can only cut costs to zero). Income has no limit. Start a side hustle, freelance, or invest in skills to get a raise.When increasing your income, efficiency matters. IQI Global empowers our agents with the IQI Atlas SuperApp, a powerful tool that uses data and AI to handle marketing and lead generation. This means you spend less time on paperwork and more time earning commission.Whether you are new to real estate or a pro, IQI’s tech-driven platform helps you earn the money you need for FIRE faster and easier. Leverage the world's best PropTech by joining IQI Global as an agent!7. Conclusion: Should You Pursue FIRE?Ultimately, FIRE isn't really about retirement. It’s about choices.Even if you aim for FIRE and say you "only" save enough to retire at 55 instead of 40, you are still miles ahead of everyone else. You will have a healthy bank account, zero debt, and the ability to sleep well at night.So, don't be afraid to start small. Calculate your number. Save a little more. And remember, the goal isn't just to stop working; it's to start living.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)What is FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early)? FIRE is a financial strategy where you aggressively save and invest 50-75% of your income to accumulate a nest egg that allows you to retire well before the traditional age of 65.How to calculate your FIRE number? Use the "Rule of 25." Multiply your expected annual expenses by 25. For example, if you need $48,000 a year to live, your FIRE number is 1,200,000(48,000 x 25).What is the 4% rule for FIRE early retirement? The 4% rule states you can withdraw 4% of your total invested portfolio in the first year of retirement (adjusted for inflation thereafter) with a high probability that your money will last for at least 30 years.Can someone on a normal income achieve FIRE? Yes, but it takes longer and requires discipline. People with average incomes typically pursue Lean FIRE (minimalist living) or Barista FIRE (working part-time) to make the math work. The key is the savings rate, not just the salary.Lean FIRE vs Fat FIRE, which is right for me? If you enjoy a simple lifestyle and can live on <40K/year, choose Lean FIRE (it is faster to reach). If you want luxury, frequent travel, and a high budget (>100K/year), aim for Fat FIRE, but be prepared to save a much larger amount.What passive income streams support FIRE goals? Common streams include dividend income from stocks/ETFs, interest from bonds, and rental income from real estate properties. Some also create digital products or use high-yield savings accounts.How does inflation affect my FIRE plan? Inflation decreases the purchasing power of your money over time. A dollar today buys less in 20 years. Your investment plan must account for inflation by ensuring your assets (like stocks or property) grow faster than the inflation rate.Ready to fast-track your FIRE goals? Break free from the salary cap by joining IQI Global. With limitless commission potential, global access, and cutting-edge PropTech, you can build the wealth you need for early retirement. Join the IQI warrior team today![custom_blog_recruit_form]Continue ReadingMalaysia’s Flood: 6 Steps To Remember When Cleaning Up Your PropertyHollywood Mansions of Malaysian Stars: Henry Golding and Michelle YeohTop 5 Celebrity Home Picks Around the WorldReferenceBrown, C. (2025, November 6). I stopped chasing early retirement after years of aggressive investing. The FIRE movement made me feel guilty. Business Insider. Retrieved fromhttps://www.businessinsider.com/fire-movement-years-quit-job-travel-felt-guilty-ethical-investing-2025-11CIMB Malaysia. (2022, December 20). All You Need to Know About the FIRE Movement. CIMB Malaysia. Retrieved fromhttps://www.cimb.com.my/en/personal/life-goals/save/financial-independence-retire-early-all-you-need-to-know.htmlEquifax. (n.d.). What is the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) Movement? Equifax. Retrieved fromhttps://www.equifax.com/personal/education/personal-finance/articles/-/learn/what-is-fire/Fidelity International. (n.d.). Early retirement and financial independence: are you on track? Fidelity International. Retrieved fromhttps://www.fidelity.com.sg/beginners/investing-for-retirement/early-retirementKerr, A., James, M., & Kvilhaug, S. (2025, August 22). FIRE Explained: Financial Independence, Retire Early – Rules, Types & Planning. Investopedia. Retrieved fromhttps://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/financial-independence-retire-early-fire.aspLighthouse. (2023, December 19). Is The F.I.R.E Movement A Scam? Lighthouse. Retrieved fromhttps://lighthousefinancial.co.nz/podcasts/is-the-f-i-r-e-movement-a-scam/Ramsey Solutions. (2025, May 8). What Is the FIRE Movement? Ramsey Solutions. Retrieved fromhttps://www.ramseysolutions.com/retirement/what-is-the-fire-movementSun Life. (2025, September 30). FIRE Retirement Guide: How to Retire Early in Malaysia. Sun Life. Retrieved fromhttps://www.sunlifemalaysia.com/life-moments/bright-facts/fire-retirement-guide-how-to-retire-early/