Recent Blog Posts by Sara Kareer

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR MARCH 2012 - Tight Market Drives Double-Digit Price Growth

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 9,690 sales through the TorontoMLS system in March 2012. This result was up by almost eight per cent in comparison to the 8,986 deals reported during the same period in 2011.      “The GTA resale market has not suffered from a lack of willing buyers this year. Buyers have been spurred on by the positive affordability picture brought about ...

How Much House Can YOU Afford?

It can be difficult for first time homebuyers to know what they can afford. Here is a good video from Barbara Sukkau, President of the Ontario Real Estate Association, who helps a couple determine what they can afford with a simple formula. She reminds them that the lifestyle they want can affect the home they end up buying.       In addition to the one-time costs, don't forget ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2012

Tight Market Pushes the Average Price above $500K Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 7,032 sales in February 2012 – up 16 per cent compared to February 2011. New listings were also up over the same period, but by a lesser 11 per cent to 12,684. It is important to note that 2012 is a leap year, with one more day in February. Over the first 28 days of February, sales and new listings were ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR JANUARY 2012

Strong Sales/Price Growth Continue in 2012   Greater 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 ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2011

Second-Best Year on Record for Sales Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,718 transactions through the TorontoMLS® system in December 2011. The December result capped off the second-best year on record under the current Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) boundaries. Total sales for 2011 amounted to 89,347 – up four per cent in comparison to 2010.    “Low borrowing costs ...

Lago Condos Toronto - Special VIP Event – August 27, 2011

Lago Condominiums will stand proud at 49 Storeys and will sit atop a 3-storey podium and offer some of the most incredible views of the Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario. It is conveniently located and provides quick access to TTC, Highways, neighbourhood Parks, walking and biking trails, and relaxing greenspace.    Enjoy impressive standard features in every suite:  9' Ceilings Single ...

For Sale By Owner - FSBO a NO GO

The founder of a website preeching the concept of selling your home without the help of a real estate agent -- failed at selling his own home.   The creator of ForSaleByOwner.com, Colby Sambrotto, failed to do what he preeched.  After 6 months of unsuccessfully trying to sell his own 2 bedroom New York condo, he eventually hired a real estate agent for 6% commission and the ...

Buying a Home: Is that home you’re buying a former "Grow-Op"?

Is that home you’re buying a former "Grow-Op"?      Before you’re sold on the granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, consider that a previous homeowner may have been cooking up a lot more in the basement, bedrooms and even the family room. Prospective buyers need to know that a home, formerly used for a grow-op, may hold a ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR JUNE 2011

TorontoMLS® Sales and Average Price Up in June Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 10,230 home sales through the TorontoMLS® system in June 2011 - up 21 per cent compared to June 2010. This number represented the third best June result on record behind 2007 and 2009. The number of transactions during the first six months of 2011 amounted to 48,189 - down by 4.5 per cent compared to the ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR MAY 2011

Sales and Price Increase in May Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 10,046 sales in May 2011 - up six per cent compared to May 2010. This result was the second best on record for May under the current Toronto Real Estate Board service area. The number of new listings in May, at 16,076, was down 15 per cent compared to last year. "Positive economic news and low borrowing costs led to strong sales ...

The Importance of a Buyers Representation Agreement

TREB (Toronto Real Estate Board) has produced a series of YouTube videos to help the buying public see the benefits of signing a Buyer Representation Agreement.  It’s important to understand the benefits of signing this agreement as it protects you, the consumer.  Have a look…     Feel free to call me with any questions you have about signing a Buyers Representation ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR MARCH 2011

Second Best March on Record  -- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 9,262 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 throughout the first quarter of 2011 have been based on a solid ...

Looking to Buy a Home or Condo, Special Promotion with Best Buy Geek Squad!

If you are looking to buy a Home or Condo in Brampton, Mississauga, Oakville, Caledon, Vaughan, or the surrounding Toronto area, I have yet another reason to choose me as your value-added Realtor®.       As another value-added service, I am very excited to offer my clients a special promotion with Best Buy Canada’s “Geek Squad”.     ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR AUGUST 2010

August Sales and New Listings Down, Prices Up   Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 6,232 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in August 2010. This represented a 22 per cent decrease compared to the 8,035 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. New listings decreased by one per cent year-over-year to 10,488.    "The prospect of interest rate ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) Mid-Month Resale Housing Figures - AUGUST 2010

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 2,732 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) during the first two weeks of August 2010. This represented a 29 per cent decrease compared to the 3,832 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. New listings, at 4,770 were down eight per cent compared to the first two weeks of August 2009. “Throughout the better part of the ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR JUNE 2010

Market More Balanced in June   Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 8,442 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in June. This represented a 23 per cent decrease compared to the record 10,955 sales reported in June 2009. Sales for the second quarter of 2010 amounted to 28,810 – up one per cent annually. Year-to-date sales through June were up 23 per cent ...

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2009

TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD (TREB) MARKET WATCH REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2009 GTA Resale Market Resilient in 2009                                                                                     ...

City of Toronto orders Condo Developers to buy annual TTC Metropass for Every Unit

City of Toronto orders Condo Developers to buy annual TTC Metropass for every unit.       In an attempt to encourage transit use and reduce dependency on motor vehicles, the City of Toronto has passed an initiative requiring Developers building condos on Toronto transit lines to buy every unit an annual TTC Metropass in order to obtain condominium approval from the city. ...