A matrimonial home is recognized as a very special asset by the law in Ontario. That means that if the home is sold, it will usually be divided equally between the married couple, regardless who paid for it. Even if only the husband or the wife is on title to the property, it will take […]
Archives for 2012
‘Tis the Season…
The Toronto area real estate market follows a very consistent seasonal pattern year after year: As “everyone knows”, spring is the strongest season for real estate sales, in terms of both the total number of homes sold and the average selling price for those homes. The spring season doesn’t start on March 21, however… it […]
Land Transfer Tax a Bad Idea According to C.D. Howe Institute
Land transfer taxes are a bad idea that have a negative impact on both homeowners and the governments that enact them, says a new report by Benjamin Dachis, senior policy analyst for the C.D. Howe Institute. The tax measure reduces the number of homes that are sold, particularly in the lowest price ranges, and inhibits […]
Five Pitfalls That Keep Buyers From Finding The Right Home
Buying a home is like searching for a mate. You’ll go on many first dates and in the end, the one that has most but maybe not all of the characteristics that you want, will win your heart. However, first-time buyers and sometimes even serial homebuyers are disappointed by how long the process takes. Yet […]
Toronto Area House Prices to Increase in 2013, But More Slowly
The Toronto Real Estate Board’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis, Jason Mercer, recently published an overview of the Toronto area market and a projection as to what’s in store for 2013. Here are the highlights of the presentation: In terms of the broader economy, 2013 will look pretty much like 2012 – continued slow but […]
Teranet Says House Prices Dipped 0.4% from August to September
Home prices dipped in September from August and year-over-year price gains slowed for a 10th straight month in another sign that Canada’s housing market is cooling, the Teranet-National Bank Composite House Price Index showed on Wednesday. The index, which measures price changes for repeat sales of single-family homes, showed overall prices fell 0.4 percent in […]