Rick on Real Estate

10/01/2012

Interesting article in the Globe and Mail regarding CMHC and what might happen if it were to disappear ....http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/mortgages/can-we-afford-less-chmc/article4573255/

How would Canadians fare amid higher down payments and scaled back mortgage guarantees?

09/04/2012

WARNING! Condo owners should be aware of this and ensure that it can't happen to them.

http://metronews.ca/news/toronto/356910/fraud-forces-condo-owners-to-pay-thousands/

Their fears are coming true. Hundreds of people across Toronto who own units in condo buildings allegedly defrauded of millions of dollars by a former property management company are now coughing up big bucks for special assessment fees.

06/21/2012

Frankly, in my opinion, this should have happened ages ago. It just makes good economic sense.
http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idCABRE85K01P20120621

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada is set to tighten mortgage rules on Thursday as it seeks to cool a heated housing market, cutting the term of mortgages and reducing the amount a home buyer can borrow, the Canadian

06/07/2012

For everyone who's kids are getting ready to go to college.... this is a great time to invest in real estate and the future.... I realize that these numbers are from the US, but I doubt there are much different for the Canadian marketplace. It is likely that our numbers would be even better still. Contact me if you want to look at the possibilities anywhere in North America. I have a GREAT network of GREAT agents!

http://www.kellerink.com/blog/three-reasons-invest-your-childs-college-housing

As the post-commencement rumble quiets, finances take center stage as many parents and students look at fall college expenses and budget for the inevitable. Continuing education is by no means cheap these days. While housing costs quadrupled at their peak, college tuition skyrocketed tenfold from 19...

05/28/2012

In so far as I have ALWAYS advised my Seller Clients NOT to sign a "Sellers' Property Information Form" (SPIS) for their protection, it appears that it can harm the Buyers too! I will never ask a client of mine to sign something or do something that I would not do myself if I were my own client. The SPIS is a prime example.
http://www.aaron.ca/columns/2012-05-26.htm

SPIS information statements dangerous for all , Seller Property Information Statement, a form published and promoted by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA), Cotton v. Monahan, dangers of using SPIS, Aaron & Aaron, Bob Aaron is a Toronto area Lawyer specializing in...

05/05/2012

You have to be VERY CAREFUL about who you consider renting your property to. Remember, even if you are renting it out short term or renting your own home for a period of time you are away, you become a Landlord under the Landlord & Tenant Act and ALL aspects apply!

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1173615--tenant-from-hell-leaves-string-of-landlord-victims #.T6VATsxmMs0.facebook

A Toronto Star investigation reveals that the rules governing the provincial Landlord and Tenant Board have allowed bad tenants to flourish.

04/25/2012

Here's an interesting article on what to consider when pricing your home:

http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/taranichollenelson/3-tips-setting-homes-list-price

REThink Real Estate. Q: How can I really determine what my property is worth? Here is the situation: An online estimate website says my property is worth $230,000, but my agent says it's worth only $200,000! I'm listed at $225,000, and my price is comparable to other comparable listings. I r...

04/15/2012

Here's a few great ideas on how to maximize the "dead space" under a staircase!

http://freshome.com/2012/04/12/30-under-stair-shelves-and-storage-space-ideas/

Stair shelves and unconventional storage spaces around your stairs are clever ways to declutter you home. In this post we will present 30 solutions that

04/13/2012

You can now search ALL available MLS® Listings in the Greater Toronto Area in one spot, often BEFORE they appear on REALTOR.ca®! Check out TorontoAreaHomeFinder.com!

http://www.torontoareahomefinder.com

04/10/2012

The Toronto Real Estate Board statistics for March are in. Have a look at what happened last month in Toronto real estate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2xxBBsFrLo&feature=share

Jason Mercer - Senior Manager, Market Analysis, discusses the Market Watch Report for March 2012. Hosted by Shannon Kelly - Social Media Manager.

04/08/2012

For those that know me well, posting this article will probably come as a bit of a surprise. Maybe there's hope for my gardening skills yet! (NNNNAAAAAHHHHH!!!)

http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/gardens/common-gardening-mistakes/

It's hard to know what garden mistakes to avoid but HouseLogic is here to tell you the most common gardening mistakes and how to prevent them.

03/28/2012

http://business.financialpost.com/2012/03/27/mortgage-rates-have-nowhere-to-go-but-up/

Mortgage rates on terms of five years and 10 years have never been this low. You can go back 50 years and not find a rate of 2.99% from one of the major banks for a fixed-rate product for five years, but already there are signs rates could be on the increase