8 New Housing Policies Announced in the 2024 Federal Budget

Wednesday Apr 24th, 2024

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8 New Housing Policies in the 2024 Federal Budget On Tuesday, April 16th, the Canadian federal government unveiled the 2024 budget. The annual fiscal announcement detailed dozens of new and ongoing initiatives aimed at creating new housing, along with policies targeted at making renting and home ownership more affordable for Canadians. Here are eight standout housing policies announced in this year’s budget: Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights More Canadians are renting for... [read more]

Market Watch - Ontario Homes Sales on the Rise

Thursday Feb 22nd, 2024

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We had a positive start to 2024. The Bank of Canada expects the rate of inflation to recede as we move through the year. This would support lower interest rates which would bolster home buyers' confidence to move back into the market. First-time buyers currently facing high average rents would benefit from lower mortgage rates, making the move to home ownership more affordable. Once the Bank of Canada starts cutting its policy rate, likely in the second half of 2024, expect home sales to... [read more]

January 2024 - Beginnings of GTA Market Shift

Tuesday Jan 23rd, 2024

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GTA Real Estate Market Update: January 2024 The volume of home sales has trended down dramatically since the Bank of Canada started raising the Overnight rate (Prime rate) in March of 2022. But things started to shift at the end of last year. RBC reported that the Toronto-area market woke up from its slumber as 2023 drew to a close. Home resales spiked 21% in December. RBC also made some rate predictions in the same report stating that by the end of this year, they anticipate the... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update - October 2023

Monday Nov 6th, 2023

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                     OAKVILLE Average Days on Market: 36    Months of Inventory: 4.67                                     BURLINGTON Average Days on Market: 32   Months of Inventory: 3.60                              [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update - September 2023

Thursday Oct 12th, 2023

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Oakville-Burlington...September 2023 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...   Oakville: Active Listings: 440        #of Sales September 2023: 132    Months of Inventory: 3.3 Burlington: Active Listings: 440        #of Sales September 2023: 135      Months... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update - August 2023

Monday Sep 11th, 2023

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Oakville-Burlington...August 2023 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...       Oakville: Active Listings: 340        #of Sales August 2023: 127    Months of Inventory: 2.68 Burlington: Active Listings: 322        #of Sales August 2023: 186   ... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update - July 2023

Friday Aug 4th, 2023

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Oakville-Burlington...July 2023 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...       Oakville: Active Listings: 317        #of Sales July 2023: 129    Months of Inventory: 2.46 Burlington: Active Listings: 313        #of Sales July 2023: 201   ... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update - June 2023

Thursday Jul 6th, 2023

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  Oakville-Burlington...June 2023 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...     Oakville: Active Listings: 318        #of Sales June 2023: 185    Months of Inventory: 1.72 Burlington: Active Listings: 305        #of Sales June 2023: 275   ... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update - May 2023

Tuesday Jun 6th, 2023

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Oakville-Burlington...May 2023 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...       Oakville: Active Listings: 293        #of Sales May 2023: 226    Months of Inventory: 1.29 Burlington: Active Listings: 273        #of Sales May 2023: 321   ... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update - April 2023

Tuesday May 9th, 2023

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Oakville-Burlington...April 2023 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...       Oakville: Active Listings: 230        #of Sales April 2023: 218    Months of Inventory: 1.05 Burlington: Active Listings: 240        #of Sales April 2023: 285   ... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update - March 2023

Wednesday Apr 5th, 2023

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Oakville-Burlington...March 2023 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...       Oakville: Active Listings: 240        #of Sales March 2023: 199    Months of Inventory: 1.21 Burlington: Active Listings: 244        #of Sales March 2023: 241   ... [read more]

Tax Deductions and Credits for Homeowners

Friday Mar 10th, 2023

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Many taxpayers overpay their taxes simply because they fail to claim some of the common deductions and credits they are entitled to. As a homeowner, there are several home tax deductions and credits that you can claim. Before you submit your next return, check the following list. It represents the most frequently overlooked tax breaks available to typical working Canadians. First-time home buyer’s tax credit If you are buying a home for the first time, you can claim a... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update - February 2023

Tuesday Mar 7th, 2023

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Oakville-Burlington...February 2023 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...     Oakville: Active Listings: 261        #of Sales February 2023: 119    Months of Inventory: 2.19 Burlington: Active Listings: 271        #of Sales February 2023: 168   ... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update - January 2023

Monday Feb 6th, 2023

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Oakville-Burlington...January 2023 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...   Oakville: Active Listings: 244        #of Sales January 2023: 86    Months of Inventory: 2.84 Burlington: Active Listings: 262        #of Sales January 2023: 113      Months of... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update

Saturday Jan 7th, 2023

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Oakville-Burlington...December 2022 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...       Oakville: Active Listings: 220        #of Sales December 2022: 66    Months of Inventory: 3.33 Burlington: Active Listings: 240        #of Sales December 2022: 104 ... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update

Friday Nov 11th, 2022

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Oakville-Burlington...November 2022 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...       Oakville: Active Listings: 302        #of Sales November 2022: 124    Months of Inventory: 2.44 Burlington: Active Listings: 353        #of Sales November 2022: 144 ... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update

Sunday Oct 9th, 2022

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Oakville-Burlington...September 2022 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...   Oakville: Active Listings: 346        #of Sales September 2022: 136    Months of Inventory: 2.54 Burlington: Active Listings: 436        #of Sales September 2022: 184   ... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update

Friday Sep 9th, 2022

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Oakville-Burlington...August 2022 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...   Oakville: Active Listings: 334        #of Sales August 2022: 109    Months of Inventory: 3.06 Burlington: Active Listings: 395        #of Sales August 2022: 209      Months of... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update

Tuesday Aug 9th, 2022

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Oakville-Burlington...July 2022 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...   Oakville: Active Listings: 350        #of Sales July 2022: 133    Months of Inventory: 2.63 Burlington: Active Listings: 396        #of Sales July 2022: 186      Months of... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update

Sunday Jul 10th, 2022

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Oakville-Burlington...June 2022 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington... Oakville: Active Listings: 385        #of Sales June 2022: 176    Months of Inventory: 2.19 Burlington: Active Listings: 462        #of Sales June 2022: 186      Months of Inventory:... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update

Tuesday Jun 7th, 2022

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Oakville-Burlington...May 2022 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington... Oakville: Active Listings: 342        #of Sales May 2022: 212    Months of Inventory: 1.61 Burlington: Active Listings: 384        #of Sales May 2022: 293      Months of Inventory:... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update

Tuesday May 10th, 2022

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Oakville-Burlington...April 2022 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...   Oakville: Active Listings: 319        #of Sales April 2022: 198    Months of Inventory: 1.61 Burlington: Active Listings: 346        #of Sales April 2022: 274      Months of Inventory:... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update

Friday Apr 8th, 2022

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Oakville-Burlington...March 2022 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...   Oakville: Active Listings: 274        #of Sales March 2022: 267    Months of Inventory: 1.03 Burlington: Active Listings: 253        #of Sales March 2022: 351      Months of... [read more]

Tax Deductions and Credits for Homeowners

Friday Mar 18th, 2022

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Many taxpayers overpay their taxes simply because they fail to claim some of the common deductions and credits they are entitled to. As a homeowner, there are several home tax deductions and credits that you can claim. Before you submit your next return, check the following list. It represents the most frequently overlooked tax breaks available to typical working Canadians. First-time home buyer’s tax credit If you are buying a home for the first time, you can claim a... [read more]

March 2022 - Demand for Ownership Housing Remains Strong

Friday Mar 18th, 2022

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February home sales were down compared to the all-time record in 2021 but represented the second-best result for the month of February in history. New listings dropped, but by a marginally lesser annual rate than sales, pointing to a modest move to a slightly more balanced market. Competition between buyers, however, remained tight enough to support double-digit price growth year-over-year. Undoubtedly, the recent interest rate increase along with the higher rate of inflation will weaken... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update

Thursday Mar 10th, 2022

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Oakville-Burlington...February 2022 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington... Months of Inventory Oakville: Active Listings: 166     #of Sales: 212   Months of Inventory: 0.78 Burlington: Active Listings:167  #of Sales: 266   Months of Inventory: 0.63            0-3... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update

Monday Feb 7th, 2022

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Oakville-Burlington...January 2022 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...   Months of Inventory Oakville: Active Listings: 98        #of Sales: 101      Months of Inventory: 0.97 Burlington: Active Listings: 79    #of Sales: 154      Months of Inventory: 0.51   ... [read more]

Market Watch - 2022 Forecast

Monday Jan 24th, 2022

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People have been calling Canadian real estate’s upward trajectory “unsustainable” for almost a decade now. But if a global pandemic, followed by a recession, followed by more pandemic hasn’t been enough to cool the market, it’s fair to wonder when conditions will change enough to give homebuyers some hope in the face of dwindling inventory and high prices. The market will experience its share of changes next year, but Canada’s severe case of real estate... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update

Friday Jan 7th, 2022

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Oakville-Burlington...December 2021 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...     Months of Inventory Oakville: Active Listings: 50     #of Sales: 96    Months of Inventory: 0.52 Burlington: Active Listings: 50   #of Sales: 133   Months of Inventory: 0.38   ... [read more]

Online Shopping Safety Tips for the Holiday Season

Monday Dec 6th, 2021

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It wasn’t just the pandemic that pushed more people online. Long before covid, more shoppers decided to skip the crowds and simply click for their holiday gifts. With the holiday season in full swing, here are a few tips to help you stay safe now and into the new year.  Holiday Shopping Safety Whether shopping online or in the store, be sure to utilize smart shopping techniques this holiday season. 1- Never shop on public Wi-Fi networks: This goes for any time you are... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update

Monday Dec 6th, 2021

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Oakville-Burlington...November 2021 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington Months of Inventory: Oakville: Active Listings: 104     #of Sales: 203    Months of Inventory: 0.51 Burlington: Active Listings: 92   #of Sales: 224   Months of Inventory: 0.41         ... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update

Sunday Nov 7th, 2021

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Oakville-Burlington...October 2021 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...   Months of Inventory: Oakville: Active Listings: 137     #of Sales: 208    Months of Inventory: 0.66 Burlington: Active Listings: 116   #of Sales: 252   Months of Inventory: 0.46     ... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update September 2021

Saturday Oct 9th, 2021

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Oakville-Burlington...September 2021 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...     Oakville: Active Listings: 125     #of Sales: 223    Months of Inventory: 0.56 Burlington: Active Listings: 130   #of Sales: 277   Months of Inventory: 0.47         ... [read more]

7 Ways to Pay off Your Mortgage Faster!

Thursday Sep 16th, 2021

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Paying down your mortgage as early as possible is one of the best suggestions that financial advisers make to their clients.  After all, throwing extra money at the biggest debt you may have can result in big interest savings and being mortgage-free years sooner. Since mortgage payments are made with after-tax dollars, putting extra money down on a debt with an interest rate of 3.49% is equivalent to getting a guaranteed, risk-free return of over 5.0% for most taxpayers. If your... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update August 2021

Saturday Sep 11th, 2021

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Oakville-Burlington...August 2021 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Boardand the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...     Oakville: Active Listings: 138          # of Sales: 176      Months of Inventory: 0.78 Burlington: Active Listings: 146     # of Sales: 238      Months of Inventory:... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update July 2021

Monday Aug 9th, 2021

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Oakville-Burlington...July 2021 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...     Oakville: Active Listings: 149        #of Sales: 221    Months of Inventory: 0.67 Burlington: Active Listings: 171   #of Sales: 256    Months of Inventory: 0.67         ... [read more]

What is Title Insurance?

Wednesday May 5th, 2021

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Title insurance is growing in popularity in Canada. But what is it exactly? Should you get it? Do you need it? Whether title insurance is right for you is something you should discuss with your lawyer, as it depends on the circumstances of your transaction. This article will provide you with some background information about title insurance to help you make an informed decision. Title to Property The title is the legal term for ownership of property. Buyers want a "good and... [read more]

Record Home Sales Continue - GTA March 2021

Wednesday Apr 14th, 2021

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For the third straight month of 2021, record home sales continued in March across the country with buyers taking advantage of favourable borrowing costs and continued improvement in many sectors of the economy.   Ontario -- Housing Sales Continued its Move Up in March Toronto, 05 April 2021 -- For the third straight month of 2021, record home sales continued in March across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) with buyers taking advantage of favourable borrowing costs and continued... [read more]

Oakville-Burlington Real Estate Update

Thursday Apr 8th, 2021

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Oakville-Burlington...March 2021 residential re-sale housing sales summary as reported by the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board and the Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington...   [read more]

GTA Market Watch February 2021

Wednesday Mar 17th, 2021

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It’s clear that the historic demand for housing experienced in the second half of last year has carried forward into the first quarter of this year with some similar themes, including the continued popularity of suburban low-rise properties. It’s also evident that the supply of listings is not keeping up with demand, which could present an even larger problem once population growth picks up following widespread vaccinations later this year and into 2022.    Ontario -... [read more]

1st Time Home Buyers Tax Credit (HBA)

Monday Feb 22nd, 2021

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The Home Buyers’ Amount (HBA) is a non-refundable credit that allows first-time purchasers of homes, and purchasers with disabilities, to claim up to $5,000 in the year when they purchase a home. The non-refundable tax credit rate of 15% means the actual reduction of your taxes will be $750. If your federal taxes are less than $750, your credit will be reduced accordingly since it is a non-refundable credit. You can divide the credit between your return and your spouse or common-law... [read more]

Market Watch - A Good Start for the Year 2021

Wednesday Feb 17th, 2021

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Shifting housing needs during the pandemic and historically low-interest rates have been key drivers of demand in the Canadian market over the last six months. People who managed to enter the market a few years ago, and have seen their home values increase, are now looking to move up in the market to accommodate their changing needs.   Ontario - A Strong Start for 2021 Toronto, 12 February 2021 -- January 2021 home sales amounted to 6,928 – up by more than 50% compared... [read more]

Design Trends Emerging From The Pandemic

Thursday Jan 28th, 2021

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The pandemic has influenced many areas of our lives these past few months. It’s not surprising that it’s also affecting the design of our homes. We are adapting our personal spaces to reduce our exposure to the coronavirus.   Let us look at some of the biggest home design trends influenced by the pandemic. The growth of home offices Home offices, once considered a luxury, are now becoming more popular. Requests for purpose-built offices with systems capable of... [read more]

Market Watch - Resale Market Thrives Despite Pandemic

Wednesday Jan 13th, 2021

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The housing market followed an unfamiliar path in 2020. Following the steep COVID-induced drop-off in demand during the spring, home sales roared back to record levels throughout the summer and fall. A strong economic rebound in many sectors of the economy, ultra-low borrowing costs and the enhanced use of technology for virtual open houses and showings fuelled and sustained the housing market recovery.   Ontario - Resale Market Thrives Despite Pandemic Toronto, January 06,... [read more]

Ontario Home Sales Continue on Upward Trend

Wednesday Nov 18th, 2020

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We are heading into the colder months, the second wave of the pandemic is upon us, and yet the resale market continues to hold steady.  As the chillier weather and upcoming holiday season approach, it will be interesting to see how the market calibrates. Typically, we start to see a slowdown in home sale activity. Whether that actually transpires is something we can’t predict given the topsy turvy year that is 2020. What I can tell you is that this is not the time to navigate the... [read more]

What is Mortgage Payment Deferral?

Wednesday Apr 8th, 2020

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The Coronavirus crisis has left many homeowners in Canada without a job or with reduced hours and wondering how to pay their mortgage. Homeowners facing financial stress may be eligible for a mortgage payment deferral up to 6 months to help ease the financial burden. The COVID-19 Mortgage Payment Deferral program will be ongoing. You can apply at any time during this outbreak. What is mortgage payment deferral? Mortgage payment deferrals can help you during times of financial hardship... [read more]

Bank of Canada Cuts Overnight Rate

Wednesday Mar 4th, 2020

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The Bank of Canada today lowered its target for the overnight rate by 50 basis points to 1 ¼ percent. The Bank Rate is correspondingly 1 ½ percent and the deposit rate is 1 percent. While Canada’s economy has been operating close to potential with inflation on target, the COVID-19 virus is a material negative shock to the Canadian and global outlooks, and monetary and fiscal authorities are responding. Before the outbreak, the global economy was showing signs... [read more]

RRSP Season is Upon Us!

Monday Feb 24th, 2020

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RRSP season is upon us! Time to go through the couch covers and scrounge up the last of our savings to make that all-important contribution. Let’s look at some fundamental concepts of RRSPs. What are RRSPs? RRSP, or Registered Retirement Savings Plan, is a vehicle created by the Federal government to allow you to save and invest your hard-earned dollars in a tax-deferred account. Notice the term “tax-deferred”. It is NOT tax-free; any money entered into the plan is... [read more]

2020 Royal LePage GTA Housing Market Forecast

Friday Dec 13th, 2019

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Tight market conditions influenced by low supply and a growing population continue to affect home prices in the Toronto core and the Greater Toronto Area. The aggregate price of a home in the Greater Toronto Area is forecast to increase 4.75 per cent year-over-year in 2020, rising to $883,700. The median price of a condominium is expected to increase 6.0 per cent year-over-year to $600,000 and the median price for a two-storey detached home is forecast to rise 4.5 per cent year-over-year to... [read more]

Mortgage Decisions - Look Beyond the Interest Rate

Tuesday Nov 19th, 2019

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  For Mortgage Decisions - Look Beyond the Interest Rate and Get Expert Advice November, 2019 Are you among the shoppers who carefully read the labels of items you plan to buy? It seems that more and more Canadians are making informed purchasing decisions a priority, and Paul Taylor, president and CEO of Mortgage Professionals Canada, welcomes this attention to detail. He believes the same – if not greater – scrutiny is warranted when people are obtaining or renewing... [read more]

October 2019 GTA Market Stats

Tuesday Nov 5th, 2019

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8,491 home sales were reported through the Toronto Real Estate Board MLS in October 2019, continuing the trend of improved year over year sales with a 14 per cent jump from the same month a year earlier. Conversely, the number of properties for sale continued to trend downward with a 9.6 per cent decline in new listings and an 18.8 per cent decline in active listings compared to October 2018. More sales with less inventory resulted in a 5.5 per cent growth in prices averaged across all... [read more]

Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

Tuesday Nov 5th, 2019

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With the winter just around the corner, it’s time to get your house in shape for the cooler months ahead. Although autumn can be one of the busiest seasons for homeowners preparing for winter, it’s also the best time to take advantage of the moderate weather to repair any damages before the first frost sets in. Here are some home maintenance tips that will keep your home running in peak condition all winter long. Outdoor Preparation Check the roof for cracked or... [read more]

July 2019 GTA Market Stats

Wednesday Aug 7th, 2019

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8,595 home sales were reported through the Toronto Real Estate Board MLS in July 2019, continuing the trend of improved year over year sales with a 24.3 per cent jump from the same month a year earlier. The average selling price for all home types combined was up by just over 3 per cent over the same period and continues to be driven by higher density home types. On average, single detached home prices remained lower than last year’s levels in the 416 area but had a modest increase of 2.5... [read more]

The Pros and Cons of Co-signed Mortgages

Thursday Jul 11th, 2019

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The Benefits and Risks of Co-Signing for a Mortgage: Thanks to tighter mortgage qualification rules and higher-priced real estate—particularly in the greater Vancouver and Toronto areas—it’s not always easy to qualify for a mortgage on your own merits. You may very well have a great job, a decent income, a husky down payment and perfect credit, but that still may not be enough. When a lender crunches the numbers, their calculations may indicate too much of your income... [read more]

Market Watch - 2nd Quarter 2019

Tuesday Jun 11th, 2019

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After a sluggish start to 2019, the second quarter appears to be reflecting a positive shift in consumer sentiment toward home ownership. Households continue to see ownership housing as a quality long-term investment as population growth from immigration remains strong and the regional economy continues to create jobs across a diversity of sectors.   Ontario - Blossoming Real Estate Market Bolsters May Resales Toronto, 06 June 2019 -- Toronto Real Estate Board President Garry... [read more]

March 2019 GTA Market Stats

Friday Apr 5th, 2019

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Competition between buyers, low inventory, keep market tight… March 2019 activity was the softest in 10 years in the GTA but relative to February, resales increased to just under 2% m/m (on a preliminary seasonally-adjusted basis). A lack of buying options continue to be a factor holding back activity as the number of new listings fell 4.5% from a year ago. Robert Hogue, Senior Economist with RBC, says this explanation finds some support in the fact that the benchmark price rose at a... [read more]

Federal Budget March 19 2019 - Actions for Homebuyers

Wednesday Mar 20th, 2019

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The March 19 2019 Federal budget offered help to young homebuyers, many of whom find it very difficult to afford to purchase in some of our more expensive cities. There were two measures targeted at first-time homebuyers: Maximum Withdrawal from RRSPs Is Increased The simplest to understand is the $10,000 increase in the federal Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) maximum tax-free withdrawal... [read more]

Is There a Best Time of Year to Sell Your Home?

Sunday Mar 17th, 2019

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One of the questions we Realtors frequently get asked is, "When is the best time to sell our house?" In fact, what people are really asking is, "How do we get the maximum value for our property?" It is not really about the time of the year. However, weather and holidays do play an important factor in selling your home. Almost no one goes house hunting around Christmas, and few give up their summer vacations. Late March to June is usually thought of as the best time... [read more]

1st Time Home Buyers Tax Credit

Thursday Mar 7th, 2019

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The First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit (HBTC) is a non-refundable tax credit for eligible home buyers who buy a qualifying home after January 27, 2009. If you have a disability or are buying a home for a relative with a disability, you do not have to be a first-time home buyer. The value of the HBTC is based on $5,000 multiplied by the lowest federal income tax rate for the year. In 2013 the lowest federal income tax rate was 15%, and it remains the same in 2014, so the value of the HBTC... [read more]

Residential Market Commentary - BoC Holding Steady Against Headwinds

Friday Jan 18th, 2019

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I wanted to share a bit more information with you on what we see happening with interest rates; the article is below.  It appears to be a story of stability, which is long over due after all the regulatory mortgage changes and the ensuing 5 interest rate hikes, all of which put a bit of a wet blanket on the housing market. Residential Market Commentary – Bank of Canada holding steady against headwinds The Bank of Canada has not just stepped to the interest rate sidelines, it... [read more]

Title Insurance...Why it's Important

Tuesday Jan 1st, 2019

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Title insurance is an insurance policy that protects you, the homeowner, against challenges to the ownership of your home or from problems related to the title to your home. The policy provides coverage against losses due to title defects, even if the defects existed before you purchased your home. This article will provide you with some background information about title insurance to help you make an informed decision. Title to Property The title is the legal term for ownership of... [read more]

2019 Rate Forecast...A Softened Stance

Wednesday Dec 19th, 2018

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The Bank of Canada has been easing off on interest hike chatter in the last number of weeks.  I just wanted to share this article with you, which I thought is a good read and forecasts what you can expect in January.    Residential Market Commentary - A softened stance on future rate hikes  Back in October it was all “clear sailing and full steam ahead”.  Now the forecast is calling for “headwinds and choppy seas with poor... [read more]

Bank of Canada takes a Holiday from Rate Increases

Wednesday Nov 28th, 2018

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Just a quick update on the mortgage market as we head towards another regular interest rate announcement by the Bank of Canada on Dec 5th.   The Bank of Canada gets one more chance to raise interest rates before the end of the year but market watchers are betting against a Christmas increase.  The October inflation numbers, which came in above expectations, would normally be seen as a green light for the Bank to go ahead with another quarter-point increase.  Headline... [read more]

ARE YOU READY? How to Prepare for Natural Disasters

Monday Nov 19th, 2018

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Are you and your family ready to face an emergency such as a flood, wildfire, earthquake or power outage? Do you have an emergency plan and an emergency kit to survive the first 72 hours following a disaster? Here are essentials tips to be better prepared and to recover from emergencies. Identify Possible Emergency Disaster Hazards Check with your local disaster management office to determine what potential risks exist in your area. Emergency risks include natural disasters such as floods,... [read more]

Fall-Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

Thursday Oct 25th, 2018

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As the winter season approaches and the air become crisp, it's time to start thinking about preparing your house for the season. The winter season means spending more time indoors, hence roofs need to shed rain and snow, windows and doors need to reject the cold, and the heating system needs to keep rooms comfortable. If any of these components don't hold up, you might be faced with scrambling around in the wet, cold and dark to fix them. By handling these important yet reasonably... [read more]

October 2018 Mortgage Update

Wednesday Oct 17th, 2018

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October 17, 2018 Just a quick update for you on the mortgage market on this rather dreary and wet start to Fall. Currently we are experiencing upward pressure on mortgage rates…now is a great time to get your pre-approvals done and hold today’s rates for up to 120 days.  A reasonable rule of thumb for you to utilize as you figure out your monthly mortgage carrying costs, would be $500/month for each 100k borrowed. Residential Market Commentary – Increases in... [read more]

Top 3 Misconceptions About Reverse Mortgages

Tuesday Aug 21st, 2018

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 1. The Bank Owns Your Home.  2. Your Estate Can Owe More Than Your Home  3. The Best Time to take a Reverse Mortgage is at the End of Your Retirement  Let’s examine each misconception in more detail.  1. The Bank Owns Your Home.  Over 50% of Canadian homeowners over the age of 65, believe the bank owns your home once you’ve taken a reverse mortgage. Not true! We simply register our position on the title of the home, exactly... [read more]

Some Relief for Self-employed Borrowers

Thursday Aug 16th, 2018

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  Self-employed Canadians will be happy to hear that CMHC is willing to make some changes that will make it easier to qualify for a mortgage. In an announcement on July 19, 2018, the CMHC has said “Self-employed Canadians represent a significant part of the Canadian workforce. These policy changes respond to that reality by making it easier for self-employed borrowers to obtain CMHC mortgage loan insurance and benefit from competitive interest rates.” — Romy Bowers,... [read more]

After the Rate Hike...Fixed vs Variable?

Sunday Jul 22nd, 2018

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It’s the perennial question homebuyers ask themselves and one that’s getting a lot of attention these days: should I go fixed or variable?   And the answer may have just become a little more complicated now that the Bank of Canada (BoC) has raised its overnight target rate to 1.50%.   The rate increase, which affects variable rate mortgages and Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs), as well as the BoC’s statement that suggests more rate hikes are on the way, are... [read more]

When is the Best Time to Sell?

Monday Jun 25th, 2018

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  A lot of considerations go into selling your home. It can often be a chaotic time—you’ll be choosing a Real Estate Agent, making necessary improvements, coordinating showings and open houses, and possibly shopping for your new home as well. But one consideration many people overlook is how the time of year affects the sale. In Canada, where there are four distinct seasons, seasonal influences play a large part in creating good selling conditions. Wintertime brings... [read more]

May 2018 GTA Market Stats

Wednesday Jun 6th, 2018

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Tight Market Conditions Keeping Prices Stable: The Toronto Real Estate Board has reported a 22-per-cent drop in the number of homes sold in the GTA in May 2018 compared to May 2017 and a 26-per-cent decline in new listings of homes for sale, both statistics suggestive that consumers are still on the sidelines waiting for evidence of recovery in the GTA market. The decline in listings is helping keep prices stable with the average selling price rising 1.1 per cent in May compared to... [read more]

Basement Waterproofing Technologies

Tuesday May 29th, 2018

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Basement leakage is the most common problem found in houses, and over 90% of all basements will leak and suffer damage at one time or another. Some evidence of moisture penetration can be found in almost every house. A house with water problems does not necessarily mean it was poorly constructed. Water can appear in even the best built home. Moisture problems can be intermittent. In some houses, water penetration will occur after virtually every rainfall. In other houses, it will occur only... [read more]

The Advantages of Tankless Water Heaters

Thursday May 24th, 2018

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If your current water heater is reaching its end of life or you're looking for a more energy-efficient water heating solution, then it may be time to give an on-demand – or tankless – water heater a serious look.  Traditional water heaters used by most Canadian homeowners store heated water in a hot water storage tank. As hot water is used up from the storage tank, it gets replaced by incoming cold water, lowering the temperature of the stored water. An electric... [read more]

After the Accepted Offer-Closing the Deal

Sunday May 13th, 2018

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Congratulations, your offer has been accepted and you can’t wait to move into your new home. But don’t start celebrating yet. There is one final stage involved in purchasing a home - closing the deal. Having your offer accepted does not mean the end of your real estate transaction, there is still plenty of work that needs to be done in order to "close the deal."  Closing involves many complicated and time-consuming legal manoeuvres, which is why you’ve... [read more]

April 2018 GTA Market Stats

Sunday May 6th, 2018

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Sales through the TREB MLS in April 2018 on a year-over-year basis were down by just over 32 per cent. Compared to April 2017, which had the highest average sale price on record for the Board, April 2018’s average selling price was down by 12.4 per cent. April’s average sales price was 0.2 per cent below the average sales price in March this year. The month-to-month sales numbers suggest a leveling over the past two months from the drops seen in January and February of this... [read more]

5 Home Renovations That Pay Off

Tuesday May 1st, 2018

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  When it comes to preparing your home for sale, Sellers make it their objective to get the most return on their homes. Before starting any home improvement, you should evaluate the return on investment (ROI). Ask yourself what renovations will boost the resale value of the house. Here are a few renovations ideas that pay off. 1. Floors Replacing dated, scuffed floors can give your house a new sheen and make small spaces seem larger. Flooring can generate a payback as high as 75%... [read more]

9 Factors That Drive The Real Estate Market - Tips For Investors

Saturday Apr 28th, 2018

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Investing in real estate can be a  solid, wealth building strategy, but you need to know what you are doing to avoid losing money. Some people make this their occupation and others dabble in it from time to time. To succeed as a real estate investor you must understand the factors that drive the real estate market in your area. Here are a few points to consider:     1- Mortgage interest rates Low interest rates allow a greater proportion of renters to become... [read more]

1st Time Home Buyers Tax Credit

Sunday Apr 22nd, 2018

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The First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit (HBTC) is one of the measures provided by the federal government in 2009 to encourage investment in Canadian housing. For 2009 and subsequent years, the HBTC is a new non-refundable tax credit, based on an amount of $5,000, for certain home buyers that acquire a qualifying home after January 27, 2009 (i.e., generally means that the closing is after this date). The HBTC is calculated by multiplying the lowest personal income tax rate for the year (15%... [read more]

How to Cancel A Credit Card Without Hurting Your Credit Score

Wednesday Apr 18th, 2018

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The decision to cancel a credit card may be based on the desire to avoid excessive spending or if the terms of the card, such as annual fees or a high interest rate, are no longer attractive. While credit cards aren’t evil, they can be very dangerous. You need to be careful with the way you wield credit. If you’re not careful, you could do some real damage to your credit standing. Be aware that cancelling a credit card may actually hurt your credit score. Part of your score is... [read more]

Protecting Ontario Homes - Grow Ops

Monday Apr 16th, 2018

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Home buyers need better protections with the legalization of marijuana on the horizon... OREA releases recommendations to protect consumers against the risks involved in purchasing a former grow-op. TORONTO, ON, April 9, 2018 – Growing marijuana in a home can pose significant health and safety issues for unsuspecting home buyers. With the legalization of marijuana looming, there are no rules in place to protect a home buyer from purchasing a former grow operation. In its Action... [read more]

Condominium Ownership...The Pros and Cons

Sunday Apr 15th, 2018

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Wondering whether or not condominium living really is the right choice for you? You may love the idea of ditching your snow shovel and lawn mower when you move into a condo, but you might not be so happy about leaving your satellite dish behind to comply with a bylaw. Like most types of accommodation, condominiums have their advantages and disadvantages. Carefully consider all of these pros and cons when deciding whether or not a condo fits with your lifestyle, personality and financial... [read more]

Getting Your Ducks In A Row With A Mortgage Pre-Approval

Friday Apr 13th, 2018

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GETTING YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW… Thinking of buying a property, but don’t know where to start? Well… that’s where a mortgage pre-approval comes in. Start here. Just like you wouldn’t go into a restaurant without having enough money to buy your meal, so you shouldn’t start shopping for a home without an understanding of how much you can afford. So, let’s have a conversation about mortgage pre-approvals so you can get this house hunting... [read more]

Retirement Living Options

Thursday Apr 12th, 2018

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Retirement isn’t what it used to be. These days, rather than sitting back and watching the roses grow, more of us want to use the extra time, energy, and any cash released from the sale of a property to travel the world or fulfill some other lifelong ambition. Today’s retirees want somewhere they can perhaps travel from and entertain. Health issues are still there but more people now stay fit for longer, have the spending power, and have the force of numbers to drive change. A... [read more]

Changing Real Estate Market

Tuesday Apr 10th, 2018

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Swing Towards More Balanced Market Rising interest rates and stricter mortgage requirements have reduced home buyers’ purchasing power, particularly for those at the entry level of our Canadian market. The supply of apartment and townhome properties for sale today is unable to meet demand. On the other hand, the detached home market is beginning to enter buyers’ market territory. Condo sales are in fact driving the number of properties sold at the moment. Due to demand, the... [read more]

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