Why isn't anybody buying new builds?

Plus, calls for an inquest into Neveah's death and Trudeau's political future [The Star] First Up [By Andy Takagi] By Andy Takagi Good morning. Here’s the latest on a record low for home sales, calls for an inquest into the death of a young girl and Justin Trudeau’s political future. DON’T MISS Clifford Skarstedt/Metroland real estate [Sales of new build homes are way down]( Sales of new builds hit an all-time low record for July, as buyers remain unwilling to buy and move into new homes. The total inventory of homes has crept up in the meantime, with experts projecting more demand as interest rates go down. New construction projects, an industry expert said, likely won’t pick up until inventory in the resale market drops. [Clarrie Feinstein breaks down what it all means for your house hunt](. - Driving it home: The 654 new home sales in July were a 48 per cent decrease from the same time last year and 70 per cent below the 10-year average. - Through the roof: “The cost to build, driven by excessive government fees and taxes, is simply too high,” one building industry expert said, warning that the housing shortage would reach “unprecedented levels over the next few years” without government action. Toronto Star Illustration using OPP composite sketch the invisible girl [Calls are increasing for an inquest into Neveah’s death]( The NDP critic for child welfare wants an inquest into the death of Neveah — a 4-year-old whose remains were found in a Rosedale dumpster two years ago. The Star’s Jennifer Pagliaro and Wendy Gillis revealed over the weekend that Neveah spent the majority of her life in Children’s Aid Society’s care. She was an example of a child who “completely fell through the cracks,” NDP MPP Monique Taylor said. [Here’s what an inquest would mean](. - To recap: Investigators spent 14 months trying to identify Neveah, who was never reported missing, despite her ties to CAS. [She was placed back with her birth mother in 2020 at the request of child services](. - Inquest request: Doug Ford’s office did not respond to the Star’s questions. His minister of social services said the decision for an inquest lies with the chief coroner. Canadian Press/Kelly Clark federal politics [Behind closed doors, Justin Trudeau ponders the road ahead]( Does Justin Trudeau have what it takes to stick around? Those conversations are happening but Trudeau is “going to have to do stuff that is really tough,” former ambassador to the U.S. David MacNaughton told the Star. That means bold policy swings on big items like health care and getting proactive on economic growth. [Trudeau’s future — and that of his party — hangs in the balance, Tonda MacCharles writes](. - State of play: Trudeau isn’t being elbowed out by any of his rank and file, but some are lacking enthusiasm for the coming year. - Whack-a-mole: There have been a whirlwind of announcements from Trudeau’s government amidst his cabinet’s retreat, including new EV tariffs, changes to the TFW program and new housing developments. WHAT ELSE Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. is preparing for a Trump or Harris presidency. [Here’s what she has found](. Supt. Stacy Clarke is expected to be [sentenced today in the Toronto police exam-cheating scandal](. More than 200 former Republican presidential staffers [signed an open letter endorsing Kamala Harris](. U.S. authorities filed a new indictment in the Trump Jan. 6 case, [keeping the charges intact but narrowing its allegations](. York Region Police are reporting a [92 per cent increase in shootings and a 106 per cent jump in carjackings](. [Rick Leary discusses his time as TTC CEO]( allegations of bullying, the SRT derailment and that huge funding hole. An Israeli hostage was [rescued from a tunnel in Gaza after 326 days of captivity](. The TTC is increasing its service next month. [Here’s what you need to know](. A Canadian airline has introduced a new $1 base fare. [Here’s why and what travellers should know](. The Maple Leafs have changed. [Now Nick Robertson’s best move might be the one he didn’t expect](. The aughts were the Golden Age of television, but the ’90s laid the groundwork. [Here are 10 shows that defined the decade](. From “Gremlins 2” to “Blair Witch” — [these 10 movies shaped the ‘90s](. POV Lawrence Jackson/Official White House Photo [Can Justin Trudeau’s Liberals seize on the U.S. Democrats’ success? Here’s where they should start.]( CLOSE-UP Canadian Press/Paige Taylor White RAMSDEN PARK: Who let the dogs out? Not the dog walkers, at least not the ones at Ramsden Park, located in the affluent neighbourhood of Rosedale. They have been caught off guard with a ban on commercial dog walkers after complaints of an “acoustical anomaly” in the area. [Here’s an inside look at the dog-walking war](. Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_1184). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [View in Browser]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](