| Home | My Account | Directories |
Viewing Properties: How Many Is Too Many?
Published on 2012-05-16 22:56:50
My wife and I have been known to watch a fair bit of television together. Although we share a love of many of the same shows (Twin Peaks, The Mighty Boosh, …to name a few) our viewing habits are different. She’s happy to sit through marathon sessions of back-to-back-to-back episodes, whereas I like to spread [...] > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: April 2012 Statistics
Published on 2012-05-06 15:03:50
Following is TREB’s market report for April 2012: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 10,350 transactions through the TorontoMLS system in April 2012. This level of sales was 18 per cent higher than the 8,778 firm deals reported in April 2011. The strongest sales growth was reported in the single-detached market segment, with transactions of this home type [...] > read more
Buyers: Should You Have A Pre-Offer Home Inspection Done?
Published on 2012-04-21 20:40:47
A couple of months ago I wrote a blog post asking the question, “Sellers: Should you have a pre-listing home inspection done?” (read it here). Despite all the benefits, the reality is that some sellers opt not to have one done. Fair enough. It just means that the responsibility is in the buyer’s hands. Buyers essentially [...] > read more
When Does The Spring Real Estate Market Actually Begin? (Re-visited)
Published on 2012-04-12 12:03:19
Two years ago I wrote a blog post asking the question, “When does the spring real estate market actually begin?” Among other things, I took a look at the downtown market stats (districts C01 & C08) and found that there was an almost 80% increase in new listings in the week after Easter, compared to [...] > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: March 2012 Statistics
Published on 2012-04-05 09:19:47
Following is TREB’s market report for March 2012: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 9,690 sales through the TorontoMLS System in March 2012. This result was up by almost eight per cent in comparison to the 8,986 deals reported during the same period in 2011. “The GTA resale market has not suffered from a lack of willing [...] > read more
How Am I Supposed To Show Your Listing If I Can’t Find The Key?
Published on 2012-03-23 19:29:23
I was viewing condos at Bathurst & Lakeshore earlier this week with a buyer client of mine. The plan was to see six properties in total, all located within two neighbouring buildings. We got in to see five of the properties, no problem. Unfortunately, condo number six – the one she really wanted to see [...] > read more
$421,800 Over The Asking Price. Seriously?
Published on 2012-03-15 14:05:21
That’s right. A bungalow in north Toronto sold earlier this month for $421,800 over the asking price. The home was listed at $759,000 and sold in multiple offers for a whopping $1,180,800. According to an article from today’s CBC News (reposted in full, below), there were a total of five bids above $1 million dollars. [...] > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: February 2012 Statistics
Published on 2012-03-05 11:42:35
Following is TREB’s market report for Febuary 2012: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 7,032 sales in February 2012 – up 16 per cent compared to February 2011. New listings were also up over the same period, but by a lesser 11 per cent to 12,684. It is important to note that 2012 is a leap year, with one more [...] > read more
Sellers: Should You Have A Pre-Listing Home Inspection Done?
Published on 2012-02-22 20:17:26
Before listing a house for sale, I always advise my seller clients to have a pre-listing home inspection done. In my experience it’s best for everyone involved (the sellers, the buyers, and the realtors) to know the condition of the home before an offer is presented. Any reasonable buyer is going to make their offer [...] > read more
Two $5 Million Dollar Listings… In One Day!
Published on 2012-02-14 14:44:05
Gotta love the photo I chose for this blog post. Two scantily clad ladies, an enormous electric guitar, cardboard flames and a glass box full of millions. Ah, Vegas in all its mundane glory… How many $5 million dollar condos do you think sell in the city of Toronto in any given year? Ten? Twenty? [...] > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: January 2012 Statistics
Published on 2012-02-07 10:27:11
Following is TREB’s market report for January 2012: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,567 sales through the TorontoMLS® system in January 2012. This number was 8.8 per cent higher than the 4,199 sales reported in January 2011. Sales growth was strongest for low-rise home types in the regions surrounding the City of Toronto. “A favourable affordability [...] > read more
Viewing Properties At Night? Be Sure To Take A Second Look During The Day
Published on 2012-01-25 21:27:10
When most people picture themselves shopping for a home they imagine doing so on the weekend, during the day. After all, this is when the majority of open houses happen and it’s generally the easiest time for people to coordinate a couple of free hours. In a busy city like Toronto however, realtors and buyers [...] > read more
Condo/Loft Spotlight: “Chocolate Company Lofts” In The Queen Street West Area
Published on 2012-01-18 22:07:59
Over the last few years Queen Street West has seen its share of new residential development, the majority of which has sprung up around the Gladstone Hotel; Westside Lofts, The Bohemian Embassy, 2 Gladstone. Prior to these new buildings, Queen West was known more for the residential loft conversions that sit just west of Trinity Bellwoods [...] > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: December 2011 Statistics
Published on 2012-01-10 09:04:35
Following is TREB’s market report for December 2011:Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,718 transactions through the TorontoMLS® system in December 2011. The December result capped off the second-best year on record under the current Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) boundaries. Total sales for 2011 amounted to 89,347 – up four per cent in comparison to 2010. [...] > read more
Five For Friday
Published on 2012-01-06 17:36:30
It’s roundup time! Let’s take a look back at some of the more interesting articles and photos that popped up over the past few weeks… #5. What Apocalypse? Housing Market Predictions For 2012 [Infographic] On December 28th, the folks over at BuzzBuzzHome posted an informative infographic illustrating the CMHC’s major predictions for the 2012 Canadian [...] > read more
What’s In Store For The 2012 Real Estate Market?
Published on 2011-12-31 14:46:58
Last month, the Toronto Real Estate Board posted the above video to their YouTube channel. In the video, Senior Manager of Market Analysis, Jason Mercer, takes a look back at the 2011 real estate market and a look forward to what we can expect in 2012. Warning: the video is over 25 minutes long! Not [...] > read more
Happy Holidays!
Published on 2011-12-26 21:13:20
I’d like to wish all of my loyal blog readers, clients, family and friends a safe and happy holiday season. Happy Holidays everyone! If you’re thinking of splurging on a new home this holiday season and would like to know how I can help, feel free to contact me for more info. > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: December 2011 Mid-Month Statistics
Published on 2011-12-20 21:31:24
Following is TREB’s market report for mid-December 2011: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 2,699 transactions through the TorontoMLS® system during the first 14 days of December. This result was 11 per cent above the number of transactions recorded during the same period in 2010. On a year-to-date basis, sales amounted to 87,407 – up 4.3 per [...] > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: November 2011 Statistics
Published on 2011-12-07 20:45:44
Following is TREB’s market report for November 2011: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 7,092 residential transactions through the TorontoMLS® system in November – up 11 per cent in comparison to November 2010. At the same time, the number of new listings was up by 14 per cent in comparison to last year. “We have seen strong [...] > read more
Love Where You Live? Tell Us Why For A Chance To Win $20,000!
Published on 2011-06-28 18:21:09
Love where you live? Looking for a way to publicly sing the praises of your neighbourhood or community? Interested in a chance to win $20,000? You’re in luck… Last week Royal LePage kicked off their annual “My Great Neighbou > read more
Condo/Loft Spotlight: “The Hudson” In The King Street West Area
Published on 2011-06-21 20:42:08
Over the last few years, King Street West (I’m talking here about that stretch of King running west from Spadina to Bathurst) has seen plenty of residential growth. Not only in the number of new buildings in the area, but in the value of the real > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: June 2011 Mid-Month Statistics
Published on 2011-06-16 12:14:39
Following is TREB’s market report for mid-May 2011: The number of sales and the average selling price reported by Greater Toronto REALTORS® were both up during the first 14 days of June 2011. Sales through the first two weeks of June amounted to 4 > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: May 2011 Statistics
Published on 2011-06-06 18:10:17
Following is TREB’s market report for May 2011: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 10,046 sales in May 2011 – up six per cent compared to May 2010. This result was the second best on record for May under the current Toronto Real Estate Board se > read more
What Happens When A Seller Mistakenly Lists Their One-Bedroom Condo As A Bachelor?
Published on 2011-06-01 20:04:03
I remember going back-to-school shoe shopping one year as a kid. I had my heart set on a pair of red Adidas Sambas. With cash in hand, I biked to the mall and made a bee line for K-Mart’s sneaker section. But the Sambas were nowhere > read more
Toronto Is About To Get Re-Districted!
Published on 2011-05-25 14:56:00
Take a look at the above photo. This is how the Toronto Real Estate Board divides up the city. Furthermore, each of these four areas (Central, North, East, and West) are divided up into districts. For example, the Central area is divi > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: May 2011 Mid-Month Statistics
Published on 2011-05-19 09:57:13
Following is TREB’s market report for mid-May 2011: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,774 sales through the TorontoMLS® during the first two weeks of May 2011. This result was two per cent lower than the May 2010 figure of 4, > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: April 2011 Statistics
Published on 2011-05-05 17:14:11
Following is TREB’s market report for April 2011: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 9,041 existing home sales through the TorontoMLS® system in April 2011. This result was down 17 per cent compared April 2010 when sales spiked to > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: April 2011 Mid-Month Statistics
Published on 2011-04-21 12:36:29
Following is TREB’s market report for mid-April 2011: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,444 sales during the first two weeks of April 2011 – a three per cent decrease compared to the first two weeks of April 2010. The number > read more
It’s Garage Sale Time Again!
Published on 2011-04-17 14:51:04
It’s that time of year again… Royal LePage’s annual Garage Sale For Shelter is just around the corner and we need your help! Last year’s sale was a great success (read my BLOG post from last year here), and we̵ > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: March 2011 Statistics
Published on 2011-04-08 17:41:21
Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 9,262 transactions through the TorontoMLS® system in March 2011, representing the second best March result on record. The number of transactions was 11 per cent lower than the record result reported in > read more
Condo/Loft Spotlight: “Sudbury Townhomes” In The King Street West/Liberty Village Area
Published on 2011-04-04 18:50:59
Back in the fall I had a listing in one of the condo townhomes on Sudbury Street. That listing prompted me to write a full blog post on “The Appeal Of A Condo Townhouse” (read it here). With the spring market kicking into high gear, > read more
Five For Friday
Published on 2011-03-25 18:45:58
It’s roundup time! Let’s take a look back at some of the more interesting articles, videos, and photos that popped up over the past two weeks… #5. Photos Of The Supermoon Above Toronto On the 20th, Derek F > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: March 2011 Mid-Month Statistics
Published on 2011-03-18 16:55:31
Following is TREB’s market report for mid-March 2011: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,138 sales during the first two weeks of March 2011 – a five per cent decrease compared to the first two weeks of March 2010. The number > read more
Does My Deposit Cheque Need To Be Certified?
Published on 2011-03-15 20:09:30
In my recent blog post on real estate deposits (read it here) I answered some of the key questions that my clients often have: “How much should the deposit be?” “When is the deposit due?” There’s another question that often > read more
Five For Friday
Published on 2011-03-11 13:15:55
It’s weekly roundup time! Let’s take a look back at some of the more interesting articles, videos, and photos that popped up over the past seven days… #5. The 10 Ugliest Streets In Toronto On Wednesday, Dere > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: February 2011 Statistics
Published on 2011-03-05 09:51:07
Following is TREB’s market report for Febuary 2011: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 6,266 transactions through the TorontoMLS® system in February 2011. This result was 14 per cent lower than the record sales reported in Februa > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: February 2011 Mid-Month Statistics
Published on 2011-02-19 10:33:07
Following is TREB’s market report for mid-February 2011: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 3,084 sales during the first two weeks of February 2011 – a 13 per cent decrease compared to the first two weeks of February 2010. R > read more
Elements Of An Offer Explained: The Deposit
Published on 2011-02-11 12:38:26
An offer-to-purchase real estate is made up of many elements, some of which are arguably more important than others. In most cases, price sits at the top of the list. Conditions are another biggie, followed by any significant clauses, th > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: January 2011 Statistics
Published on 2011-02-04 22:11:03
Following is TREB’s market report for January 2011: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,337 transactions through the TorontoMLS® system in January 2011. This result was 13 per cent lower than the record result reported in Janua > read more
Federal Government Changes Mortgage Rules, Again
Published on 2011-01-25 19:57:25
It’s been almost a year since the Feds last tightened lending rules (you can read my BLOG post from last February here). Last week, Jim Flaherty and the Government of Canada announced three further changes to the standards invol > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: January 2011 Mid-Month Statistics
Published on 2011-01-20 19:05:45
Following is TREB’s market report for mid-January 2011: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 1,563 sales during the first two weeks of January 2011 – an 11 per cent decrease compared to the first two weeks of January 2010. ̶ > read more
Condo/Loft Spotlight: “New Times Square” In The St Lawrence Market Area
Published on 2011-01-15 19:32:10
Every great neighbourhood has at least one major intersection that sits at what might be called the “heart” of the neighbourhood. These crossroads are known to locals and visitors alike, and they function as a sort of landmark or hub. > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: December 2010 Statistics
Published on 2011-01-06 16:48:01
Following is TREB’s market report for December 2010: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,395 existing home sales for the month of December, bringing the 2010 total to 86,170 – down by one per cent compared to 2009. “Ma > read more
Looking Forward: What’s In Store For The 2011 Real Estate Market?
Published on 2010-12-31 10:23:58
The Toronto Real Estate Board recently weighed in with their outlook for 2011/2012 by posting the above video to their YouTube channel. This video is the latest from TREB in a series featuring their Senior Manager of Market Analysis, > read more
Looking Back: The 2010 Real Estate Market In Review
Published on 2010-12-24 17:52:56
One of my favourite Real Estate blogs, BuzzBuzzHome, posted a great recap a few days ago of all the craziness that the Canadian real estate market experienced this past year (read it here). Looking back, there’s no doubt 201 > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: December 2010 Mid-Month Statistics
Published on 2010-12-17 16:31:10
Following is TREB’s market report for mid-Decemeber 2010: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 2,509 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) during the first two weeks of December 2010. This represented a 19 per cent > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: November 2010 Statistics
Published on 2010-12-05 21:19:49
Following is TREB’s market report for November 2010: Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 6,510 existing home sales in November – down 13 per cent from 7,446 sales in November 2009. New listings were also down 13 per cent annually > read more
The Appeal Of A Condo Townhouse
Published on 2010-11-27 17:08:35
A new listing of mine hit the market earlier this week – a two bedroom condo townhouse in the King/Queen West area. I figured this would be a good time to take a closer look at what differentiates a townhouse from a regular condo high ri > read more
Toronto Real Estate Market Report: November 2010 Mid-Month Statistics
Published on 2010-11-17 21:09:48
Following is TREB’s market report for mid-November 2010: Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 3,076 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) during the first two weeks of November 2010. This represented a 16 per cent > read more