| Recent Blog Posts by Robert Atkinson | ||
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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Canada continues to shine as a place to call home.....
I was following up on a report from Scotia Capital about the world economy and was pleased to see something that matched what we in the industry have been seeing first hand....Canada continues to have a good economy and is a great place to be invested in real estate. Below is a direct quote from the report which I have included a link to further down in my blog.
"Canada’s housing ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on September 28, 2011
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Sellers Market Confirmed!Well, with 15% fewer listings this May compared to last May, and mortgage rates still at record lows the Toronto Real Estate market continues to perform well, favoring sellers over buyers. Sales were up 6% over last May. “Positive economic news and low borrowing costs led to strong sales through the first five months of the year, including the increase in May,” said Toronto Real Estate ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on June 13, 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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Pricing Your Home - Being overpriced is a bad startIf you're selling your house, one of the first steps you'll take is setting an asking price, a task that requires the ability to find the perfect balance between attracting solid offers and ultimately receiving top dollar.
If you're working with a Realtor, you'll probably hear talk of fair market value, which typically means the highest value an educated buyer will pay. Fair market value is usually ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on October 24, 2010
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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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Boom? Bust? Where's the market going?Economists are predicting the current activity in housing to slow down. This means home prices will stabilize as the demand begings to balance with the availability.
See this attached story from the Toronto Sun.
Last year’s comeback for Canada’s housing market will carry through early 2010 but subdued activity is on the horizon as higher prices and interest rates make property ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on March 26, 2010
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Economists predict higher interest rates in fall According to many of Canada’s top economists, higher interest rates – and debt servicing costs – may be just around the corner. Exactly when rates will rise is unclear and depends on who you talk to.
In its latest Financial System Review, The Bank of Canada judges that vulnerability of Canadian households to adverse wealth and income shocks has grown in recent years. “At ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on February 2, 2010
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GTA Housing Market Rebound Continues in SeptemberOctober 5, 2009 -- In September 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 8,196 sales, up 28 per cent from September 2008. The average price for September transactions was $406,877 – up by 10 per cent compared to the same month last year. “We have experienced an increasing rate of existing home price growth in the GTA as sales have continued outpace 2008 results,” said TREB President ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on October 8, 2009
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Spring Market is HoppingBank of Canada dropped the prime lending rate 0.25% and the banks followed. Further assurances were given that the rates are expected to remain low into 2010.
Prices have become more affordable and we are seeing an increase in home sales above what is typical of the spring market. This means that 'serious' buyers are moving fast to scoop the better homes as soon as they hit the market, ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on April 23, 2009
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How's the market?The market is being reported as a 'balanced' market where there is a good ratio between the number of buyers and sellers. Prices are coming down and homes are taking longer to sell but, they are selling and a well priced home will sell quickly. On average, homes in N11 are selling in about 45 days and while prices are declining there are definitely NOT sliding (tanking, plummeting, nose-diving ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on January 15, 2009
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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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The 40 year mortgage is dead.As of October 15th, 2008 the government of Canada will no longer be guaranteeing 40 year mortgages in an effort to strengthen and protect the Canadian housing market. Some of the rule changes are:
Fixing the maximum amortization period for new government-backed mortgages to 35 years;
Requiring a minimum down payment of five per cent for new government-backed mortgages;
Establishing ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on September 19, 2008
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Help for the First Time Home BuyerBeing a first time home buyer is an exciting and somewhat intimidating process. If you scan the Internet you can find a wealth of information and you can spend hours upon hours reading it all. While this will make you a more informed person it may also make you feel more intimidated as there is a lot of risk that needs to be pointed out however, without risk there is no reward. Below ...
Posted by Robert Atkinson
on April 19, 2008
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