GTA HOME SALES BREAK FEBRUARY RECORD As New Mortgage Regulations Take Effect Purchasing a home in Canada just got more expensive for certain buyers as new mortgage down payment rules came into effect halfway through February. However, a record number of homes still changed hands that month across the Greater Toronto Area. A total of 7,621 home sales were registered through the Toronto Real Estate Board's MLS System in February, a 21.1% increase over the same month in 2015,... [read more]

PRE-CONSTRUCTION CONDOS: SHOULD YOU USE A REALTOR? Should you use a realtor when buying a new pre-construction condo? The answer for this is a definite YES. Toronto Realtor Matt Smith, who specializes in helping buyers navigate through the complicated process of buying new condos, has shared with me the many pitfalls and disadvantages of buyers going at it alone when dealing with the builders' sales staff. Above all else, realize that the builder's sales team works for... [read more]

HOW MUCH OF A VALUE-ADD IS SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY? Neil Sharma, Canadian Real Estate Wealth Magazine Image courtesty of: Realty Biz News While Canadians have been slow adopters of smart home technology, the luxury market has embraced it with gusto - and condominium developers have taken note. Additionally, smart home technology augments a home's value, says Forest Hill Real Estate broker Matt Smith. "Any time technology can save time, money and energy, there is a major... [read more]

CHANGE IN HOUSING MARKET PROMPTS NEW WARNINGS: SELLER BEWARE Tess Kalinowski, The Star Image courtesty of: Matt Smith Jasmin Sheba had already sold her furniture in anticipation of moving this week when she learned the buyer of her house wanted $20,000 off the selling price to close the deal. He threatened to sue for the $10,000 deposit if he didn't get the reduction, she said. But the stay-at-home mother was defiant.  "I have a 2-year-old and, after all the house... [read more]

DESPITE RECORD UNAFFORDABILITY, 84% OF CANADIAN MILLENNIALS STILL DREAM OF HOME OWNERSHIP Sarah Niedoba, BuzzBuzzNews Image courtesty of: Getty Canadian milliennials looking to buy their first home in 2018 face some of the worst housing affordability in years. But according to a new report, the vast majority still consider homeownership a worthwhile goal. Zoocasa's 2018 Housing Trends Report found that 84% of Millennials surveyed felt that owning a home was an important life... [read more]