When it comes to collecting money for a down payment, the kids are all right — without their parents’ help. That’s the conclusion of a recent study by the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP), which found that since 2010, only 17 per cent of first-time buyers had help from their parents for the […]
Archives for 2014
Wind Turbines and Property Values
There are few topics more controversial in rural Canada than the impact of industrial wind turbines. In almost every community where they are in place or planned, local opposition groups are working to get rid of them through political pressure and court challenges. When it was recently announced that a major wind turbine development near […]
Steady As She Goes
Toronto area prices fell slightly in November but were about 8% higher than the same time last year. This continues the trend that has been followed throughout this year, with prices each month 7-9% higher than the corresponding month in 2013. Based on this eerily consistent pattern, I can predict with some confidence that average […]
How Renovations Impact Your Home Insurance
Woody Allen once said: “There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman?” But if you are planning a renovation to your home and don’t take the time to speak to your insurance broker, you could be making a big mistake. During and after a renovation, […]
Toronto Market Remains in High Gear
The Toronto area market surged upward again in October with both prices and sales significantly higher than in October 2013. The inventory of homes for sale was again lower than last year, continuing the higher sales/lower inventory trend that we have seen every month this year as compared with 2013. The blazing hot sellers’ market […]
What You Need To Do To Your House Before Winter
As fall arrives, thoughts start to turn to boots and sweaters and parkas and snowball fights. But before we start changing out our wardrobe and preparing for snowfall, there are a few things we should do to our home. Air leaks throughout house Air leaks are one of the primary sources for energy loss in […]
