The evolution of technology has positively changed the way businesses operate as well as how we live our daily life - but it can also operate as a double-edged sword. From an owner's perspective, Airbnb can be great. Short-term rentals can be profitable each time you host but what happens when you find out your tenant is listing your condo unit without your permission? In major metropolitan cities like Toronto, it is becoming increasingly common. Each condo corporation varies in their... [read more]

The exact cost of updating your home will depend on its size, what kind of work needs to be done and the types of finishes you choose. Knowing your numbers ahead of time is crucial. After this article, you should be able to set a budget for your project(s) and conclude on needs vs. wants. Paint plays a major role in renovating but the big ticket items are appliances and cabinets - kitchens and bathrooms. Good news is, these two rooms also provide the most return on investment. Here's... [read more]

Effective March 17, 2017, Canada's federal housing agency will be increasing the cost of mortgage loan insurance for homebuyers as part of new regulatory requirements to offset risks in Canada's hot real estate markets, particularly Toronto and Vancouver. It is an attempt to slow down the appreciation of homes by making it more difficult to enter the real estate market. CMHC says the new premium changes are calculated based on the loan-to-value ratio of the mortgage being... [read more]

Just weeks after Ontario's Finance Minister announced that first-time home buyers would receive double the rebate on provincial land transfer tax effective January 1, 2017, the city of Toronto is in talks to "harmonize" its land transfer tax with the province's. The Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) and realtors warn against this move. First-time home buyers are already cash-strapped and facing increasing competition as home prices continue to rise astronomically. Many homes... [read more]

As spring quickly approaches, Toronto's real estate market is gearing up for a busy season and is expected to outperform itself. According to a Bloomberg report, Toronto's market is even hotter than New York's and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. The evidence is in the bidding wars. Gone are the days detached homes would sell for $30,000 over asking. We are seeing homes selling for as much as half a million dollars over asking! The inventory simply cannot keep up with... [read more]