We have been told that what goes up must come down, right? So, they say since prices are going up, they will come down. But have they really come down? Throughout my many years in real estate, media coverage has followed the market’s stats and has referenced on a regular basis that there is a dangerous bubble on the verge of bursting. One of the most-cited...Read More

A prospective homebuyer has a number of costs to consider; it may even seem as if everything costs more and bills keep piling up, but there are also cost deductions that may be of assistance, assuming that the buyer qualifies for them. You may be eligible for a substantial rebate if you are a first-time homebuyer in order to reduce the impact of the Land Transfer Tax (LTT) on your budget. LTT is ...Read More

There are many financial responsibilities associated with buying a home. In addition to paying for mortgage insurance, homeowners also have to pay for utilities to “run” their new home. Generally, older homes are less energy-efficient than newer ones. An effective way for homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their older homes is to retrofit them with newer energy-saving techn...Read More

Currently, the housing market is experiencing a lack of supply and pent-up demand, which has led to many sellers holding off on reviewing their offers until a specific date and time in anticipation that more than one person will submit an offer.    It is crucial to understand that the listing price has no significance when a property holds offers until a specific date. Generally, this in...Read More

Types of Townhouses As realtors, we understand that when it comes to homes, one size does not fit all. It is relatively easy to distinguish between a detached home, a semi-detached home, and a condominium apartment, however, when it comes to townhouses, it can become more complicated, not only due to the type of ownership but also due to their design.   As a general rule, and by definition...Read More

Renters are a wonderful way to alleviate some of the financial burdens of owning a property. They offer great financial flexibility that ultimately benefits the owner. Yet what if a homeowner wishes to sell his or her property while tenants are still residing there?   The simple answer is that landlords are legally permitted to sell their property at any time. However, if a tenant has a ...Read More

Many of us may think that advertising on social media consists of posting “homes for sale” on a realtor’s Facebook or Instagram profile and showcasing them to their friends and followers. Nevertheless, with paid advertising, the reach of the ads extends far beyond the realtor’s roster of followers. What can be accomplished in terms of advertising a home for sale has no limi...Read More

Canada is a multicultural country built on immigration from countries all over the world. When Canadians and permanent residents sell real estate, they follow a fairly standard procedure, but for non-resident sellers, there are tax implications to consider:  At closing, the seller’s lawyers are required to retain 25% of the sale proceeds (the sold price amount) until the CRA issues a...Read More

When buying or selling a home, negotiating the purchase price is just one part of the ultimate cost for a home. In addition to the purchase price, there are several other costs—known as transaction costs —that need to be factored into any purchase or sale. Transactional costs are those costs that are incurred in connection with the purchase of the home which are not directly ...Read More

In my practice, I am frequently asked by investor clients whether a property is still a sound investment even if the rent does not cover the mortgage payments and other carrying costs. Generally speaking, the more expensive real estate becomes, the more money is required to cover carrying costs including mortgage payments, insurance, or property taxes. In major cities like Toronto, New York, or S...Read More