As the crisp air of autumn settles in and the leaves begin their glorious display, Toronto’s real estate market is also undergoing some remarkable changes. After a series of financial and regulatory changes, we are experiencing a noticeable uptick in activity. For the first time in months, we are seeing multiple offers re-emerge on several of our listings, signaling a renewed urgency among buyers.
 
With interest rates continuing their descent, combined with changes to amortization periods, insurance caps and adjustments…

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As quickly as it arrived, summer has flown by. Pencils are being sharpened, lunches are being packed, and there has been a palpable shift in energy, weather, and expectations concerning the Toronto real estate market.

While conditions remained relatively stable over the warmer months, it’s no surprise that many buyers were momentarily preoccupied with all that summer had to offer. However, with fall just around the corner, we expect a renewed focus from buyers, making this the perfect time to start planning…

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As we move through the quieter summer months, it is typical for the market to experience a bit of a slowdown, with many Torontonians shifting focus to summer getaways and warm weather adventures. There is, however, a fitting adage about the real estate industry never taking weekends off, and – judging by the activity level in our own headquarters – the same may indeed be true of summers. While much of this activity can be attributed to strategic planning and thoughtful preparation for the fast-approaching Fall…

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Consumers need to see more interest rate movement before major effects are felt.
This summertime reprieve presents the perfect opportunity to ready ourselves for a busy fall.

“If you build it, they will come.” For those of us who remember that famous movie line, this year’s anticipation around interest rate cuts had many feeling that same sense of eager anticipation – if you cut it, they will come. The sales figures for the month of June, however, tell a rather different story. The Bank of Canada’s…

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And… we have lift-off. After months of speculation from economists, analysts, and armchair experts alike, the Bank of Canada has decreased the overnight lending rate by 25 basis points. While this may seem like a small gesture from a financial standpoint, it is one that could have a rather profound impact on the Toronto real estate market, as many are viewing it as a positive sign of things to come. 

While it may not translate into a significant change to monthly mortgage payments, the cut marks the first time in more than four years that we have seen any decrease to the all-important lending…

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The Central Toronto market saw some rather positive movement last month, with price appreciations happening across all inventory categories. The number of transactions, while down somewhat compared with last year, was also higher in every category month over month. With that said, as with the rest of the GTA, the kick-off to…

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Today is the day. Are you ready to be a fly on the wall in Cailey’s living room as she chats with her friends and fellow change-makers about their blueprints for success?

Introducing “Beyond the Blueprints,” a business and lifestyle podcast now streaming everywhere you get your podcasts.

Join Cailey as she discusses life, entrepreneurship, innovation, and more with her inspiring guests and uncovers the motivations, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way.

Because behind every success story lies the blueprint of the human experience that inspired it.

Episode 1: The Catriona ‘Coco’ Smart

In this first episode, Cailey sits down with Coco Smart, a dynamic entrepreneur and a beacon of empowerment and personal growth. Coco, the visionary…

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Who among us doesn’t have at least one unlived life? You know the kind I mean – the life you would have had if only you had made a different decision. Perhaps it was a move to a far-flung country, leaving behind an entirely different future. Or maybe it was a move you didn’t make, staying put out of fear. A job you didn’t take. Or a job you didn’t quit when you had the chance. A lover you decided not to marry. Or a troublesome spouse you didn’t leave.

Do you ever imagine what your life would have been if you had?

I thought so.

We all think about our unlived lives on occasion.

And it can be hard to contemplate them. They reside in you forever as Alternative Selves. And often, we imagine many of those Alternative Selves as being happier and…

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The April showers adage has never felt quite as fitting as it does today as I look out the window while typing these words and the rain is coming down in sheets. It feels appropriate, too, as a metaphor for how the market is behaving right now. TRREB just released the stats for March and the numbers confirm what our team has been experiencing firsthand: the market is springing to life a little more slowly than some were expecting, but, as with the adage and its promise of May flowers, there is much to look forward to in the months ahead.

The quieter start to the…

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Recently, the Federal government tabled its latest budget, and, although there are no proposed changes to the personal tax brackets, there are several measures – purportedly aimed at building more affordable homes, reducing the cost of living, and growing the economy – that will impact the housing market and, possibly, your real estate portfolio.

The following is a round-up of some of the key takeaways that will affect real estate buyers, sellers, and investors.

Capital Gains Inclusion Rate

One major component of the proposed budget centres around an increase to capital gains taxation. Capital gains, which are profits from the sale of assets like stocks or businesses, would undergo a rate increase from 50% to 66% for individuals on gains…

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