Leasing a house  Leasing (renting) a home in Ontario is a popular option for most people as the cost of homes in Ontario rises. However, if you are planning on renting a house with your best friend as a roommate, you should consider other options rather than having both of your names on the lease. If you do that, you both may have leased a home under a Joint Tenancy. This means if you plan t ...

March 6th Interest rate decision March 6th is coming soon and a lot of people, I am sure, are anxious to hear The Bank of Canada’s decision. Let us see what has happened so far since the last decision on January 26th. First of all, the January inflation level came in a lot lower than expected at 2.9%. Economists were expecting 3.3%. While the inflation level is higher than the target 2%, fo ...

Now that the 2024 has begun, a lot of people are curious about how the housing market will unfold. A lot will depend on several factors.   These factors are:   The level of interest rates. Will they go up, stay the same or go down? Demand for housing Economic factors. Will we go into a recession? Will we have a soft landing?   Interest Rates   In my blog I said tha ...

We are almost near the end of 2023 and a lot of people are trying to make predictions in the real estate market. The question you must ask yourself is how the will the interest rate increases will further affect the economy. Will we have a hard landing, which means a severe recession or a soft landing, a slowing economy without going into a recession. Another thing to worry about is what is going ...

A buyer's market typically occurs when the supply of homes or goods exceeds the demand, giving buyers more negotiating power. In the real estate market, a buyer's market is characterized by conditions that favor buyers rather than sellers. Here are some signs that indicate you may be in a buyer's market:   1. High Inventory: There are a significant number of homes or properties available fo ...

Preparing your home to sell is essential to attract potential buyers and maximize its market value. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get your home ready for sale:   1. **Declutter and Depersonalize**: - Remove personal items like family photos, trophies, and personal memorabilia. This helps potential buyers envision the home as their own. - Declutter by getting rid of excess furnit ...

Condo maintenance fees can have a significant impact on condo prices and the overall affordability of owning a condominium. Buyers and investors often consider these fees when making decisions, and they can affect both the demand for condos and their long-term value. Here's how condo maintenance fees can influence condo prices:   1. **Affordability:**   High maintenance fees can make ...

Potential Red Flags in status certificates!   In the world of real estate, most realtors do not want to lose a deal. However, there are some situations when a realtor must tell the client to walk away from a deal because it is in their best interests to do so. I have written some articles that deal with status certificates, a document that tells how well a condo is being managed. This artic ...

Understanding the reserve fund study   Understanding the status certificate is very crucial to determining how well the condo corporation is managing the finances. Part of the status certificate is the reserve fund study, which can be a hard document to understand. Reading the reserve fund study with the help of a real estate lawyer with help you understand this document. This article will ...

Attached is a presentation for investors who are interested in preconstruction. It deals with something you should do when buying preconstruction.   Researching a builder.pdf

Attached are important questions that should be asked before buying a condo. Better yet, get your realtor to ask these questions. At Realty Executives we know the right questions to ask before our clients buy a condo. We are where the experts are. Looking for a condo to call your own? Call or DM me.?   When considering buying a condo, there are several important questions you should ask to ...

Over the years it has become increasingly difficult to save for a down payment as housing prices increase. 20% is usually desirable because no mortgage insurance is needed. However, you do not have to save 20%. It all depends on the market value of the house. Below is a chart that illustrates the minimum payments. Any amount less than 20% requires the buyer to obtain mortgage insurance.   H ...