| Recent Blog Posts by Robert Atkinson | ||
Why it’s a good time to buy a homeBy Mark Weisleder, Toronto Real Estate Lawyer and columist | Fri Jan 27 2012
I believe there has never been a better time to buy a home. I’ve been in the industry for 28 years as a lawyer and I haven’t seen so many positive signs for housing, whether you are thinking or buying or locking in a mortgage.
Here’s why:
Mortgage rates at historic lows: They can’t ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on February 16, 2012
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Strong Sales/Price Growth Continue in 2012Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,567 sales through the TorontoMLS® system in January 2012. This number was 8.8 per cent higher than the 4,199 sales reported in January 2011. Sales growth was strongest for low-rise home types in the regions surrounding the City of Toronto. “A favourable affordability picture bolstered by very low posted fixed mortgage rates has kept home buyers confident ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on February 14, 2012
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Home prices continue their ascentThe most common question I hear in real estate is "When will prices drop?" Apparently not for anytime soon as evidenced by a report from Stats Canada stating that home prices continued their climb in August.
Fuelled by a healthy demand, sound underlying economic fundamentals, as well as a continuing low interest rate environment that contributes to supporting affordability, August marked ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on October 14, 2011
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Sellers market?Toronto Real Estate Board states “The number of listings has been below expectations so far this year. Increased competition between home buyers has led to an accelerating annual rate of price growth,” which has pushed home prices up to a 9% increase over last April, setting the average home price to $477,407. There is an expectation that this new spike in prices will encourage ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on May 7, 2011
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Toronto & GTA Continue to be a Desirable Place to LiveThis spring continues the pattern of being a popular time to buy and sell homes. The Toronto Real Estate Board reports9,262 transactions through the TorontoMLS® system in March 2011, representing the second best March result on record. The number of transactions was 11 per cent lower than the record result reported in March 2010.
“The strong home sales reported in March and ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on April 5, 2011
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Spring MarketIt never stops to amaze me how active the spring market can be. There seems to be a shortage of good homes for sale and as a result home buyers are actively seeking out these homes and are prepared to pay to get them. What seems to be different this year from prior years is that buyers are actually passing over lesser homes and holding out for the ones that are well staged, clean and show ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on March 21, 2011
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Mortgage Rules Change, What Does It Mean? Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced three new changes to financing rules. Effective March 18, 2011, it will become harder to buy a new home or consolidate debt into your mortgage. What are the changes?
The maximum amortization period has been reduced from 35 years to 30 years for mortgages that are insured by CMHC where the homeowner has less than 20% equity ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on January 18, 2011
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Is the market hot, cold or what!Last year no one wanted to talk about the market as the focus was on jobs and economy. For those who were looking for a bargain 2009 was the year to sell and buy or just buy. This year, many of the folks who bought last year in the dip sold this year and made a very nice profit, very nice indeed!
This year started off with a bang as many buyers flocked to the market looking for home, ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on June 10, 2010
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Home, Sweet ... Investment Property?Canada's real estate market is changing faster than ever before. Depending on your province, city - and sometimes even your street - real estate prices may have dropped, increased or remained stable over the past few months.
Due to this variance, real estate sales representatives like to remind folks that all real esate is local and that the national trends you hear in the news can often be ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on January 26, 2010
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Are prices expected to climb or decline?Everyone is interested in real estate, even if they're not buying or selling. Lately one of the most common questions I get is "Is the market still slow?" I find this really interesting as the market is really quite strong right now!
Most homes are selling within a week and often with multiple offers. There are a number of factors at play as to why this is happening and it's best ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on January 2, 2010
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Save money on your taxes while earning incomeMany people get into real estate as a form of wealth protection or generation but find themselves frustrated when faced with issues of being a landlord.
What if I told you of a way to get all the benefits of being a landlord (ownership of real estate, rental income, tax deductions) without the downside (dealing with tenants, finding tenants, getting them to pay, fixing the property).
There is a ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on July 25, 2009
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GOVERNMENT REBATE$!!!Anyone thinking of doing upgrades to thier home be sure to check out the link below. Here you can find out what upgrades will get you a rebate and which ones won't.
Not only will you feel good about helping the environment you will also be helping your pocket book by reducing your monthly bills and increasing your homes value in the market place.
Call me to find out what your home is worth ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on June 20, 2009
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WOW...the government is helping first time home buyers even more!We all know about the goverments offer where qualified home buyers can use a generous portion of their RRSP money to buy a home but there is a 2nd program available.
The Home Buyers Tax Credit allows qualified home buyers to claim up to $750 in tax credit relief. While it may not sounds like a lot to many, this amount could potentially cover your legal fee's. I don't know about you ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on May 15, 2009
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Budget 2009 - What's in it for me?2009 Budget Highlights
The government has given us a few items to help in our quest to improve our homes. The first one is nice in that you can save up to $1,350 on a wide variety of home improvements15% Home Renovation Tax Credit - Savings of up to $1,350 can be had on the first $10,000 of eligible expenses
The ecoENERGY Retrofit program provides home and property owners with grants of ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on January 29, 2009
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Declining market - How to come out aheadEveryone was really excited these past 5 to 7 years as prices were appreciating and getting your home sold was often an experience of multiple offers and short listing periods. It was a sellers market and as a result everyone was selling to realize their gains, great news if you are selling to downsize or to get out of the market. If your home was over priced the market would eventually ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on January 16, 2009
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Join us for the 7th Annual Homes for the Holidays Tour
For those of you who also like to support your community, please join me in the 2008 Homes for the Holidays event happening this November 14th and 15th. On November 14 and 15, 2008, eight beautiful homes in and around the Markham area will open their doors and showcase their holiday best. Local businesses and designers have teamed up to create holiday cheer inside and out. Get all the ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on October 31, 2008
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I want to wait until the spring to sell my home....Seems every where we turn there is news from the US of failed banks and economic uncertainty. Many people are 'wanting' to move to a home that is better suited to them but that if they wait until the spring they will be able to get a better price for their home. Now, I'm not a psychic or able to see the future but I do have good common sense and the market indicators are pretty clear.... ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on October 3, 2008
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Why should I pay a Realtor? I can save money and do it myself....With the increase in today's prices the thought of 'giving' a Realtor a percentage of the sale money doesn't seem to make sense. Before a home for $150,000 with a 6% commission rate means real estate fee's are costing the home owner $9,000. Now with home prices more than double that the fee's are $18,000 and there are no increase in work for the realtor so I'm going to go it alone and save ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on April 23, 2008
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