tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:00:14 +0000The resource for important information pertaining to Toronto's residential real estate market, green living, and all other housing related topics.http://www.therealestatepulse.com/blog.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)Blogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-3821018347546153858Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:59:00 +00002010-04-16T15:00:14.672-04:00Green LivingDon't miss this year's largest consumer eco-show at the Direct Engergy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto Halls B & C.Show Hours are Friday April 23rd from 10am-9pm, Saturday April 24th from 10am-9pm and Sunday April 25th from 10am-6pm.The Green Living Show offers consumers hundreds of new and innovative products and ideas for living a greener lifestyle. Hundreds of earth-friendly exhibitors will http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2010/04/green-living-show.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-5380471619740543429Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:58:00 +00002010-03-11T11:59:04.290-05:00NewsBuyingThe long standing controversy on bringing Ontario a Value Added Tax ended permanently on June 18, 2009, when the Ontario Provincial Government announced the implementation of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). The effective date of this new tax will be July 1st, 2010.This tax is called a Harmonized Sales Tax because it will effectively replace the 5% Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the 8% http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2010/03/hst-harmonized-sales-tax-explained.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-622852420731570828Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:41:00 +00002010-03-02T11:43:02.297-05:00MortgageBuyingSOURCE: RBC ECONOMICSThe Bank of Canada left the overnight rate at 0.25% this morning and maintained its assessment of risks to the outlook as being balanced based on macro considerations. The Bank removed the statement about risks being "tilted slightly to the downside" because policy is operating at the effective lower bound and did not allude to its ability to use alternative measures to http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2010/03/rbc-bank-of-canada-committed-to-low.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-226550408905642232Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:05:00 +00002010-02-03T20:08:46.452-05:00RentalsLeasingFrom September through December 2009, TREB Members reported 3,859 lease transactions for condominium apartments and townhouses through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) – up 12 per cent from the 3,433 recorded during the same time in 2008. Condominium apartment transactions, which accounted for over 90 per cent of the total, were also up by 12 per cent.The weighted average rent across all http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2010/02/treb-rental-market-report.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-2284607304556291586Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:39:00 +00002010-02-01T11:41:12.867-05:00Green LivingReal Estate TipsWhen it comes to character, you just can’t beat the charm of an older home. Newly constructed homes however, come with their own unique assets, one of the most noteworthy of which is energy efficiency.From the roof to the foundation, a number of innovative building practices often go into constructing today’s greenest homes.Roof shingles for example, are now available in recycled materials. http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2010/02/green-homes-provide-lots-of-savings.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-6108708260369007063Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:11:00 +00002010-01-25T16:12:49.497-05:00NewsBuyingThe 2010 Prognosis for the Central Toronto Real Estate MarketComing off a record 2009, the Toronto Real Estate Market for all intents and purposes is poised for a very healthy spring and early summer market. The momentum of the past six months coupled with the low listing inventory has fuelled buyers thirst for quality properties. Even in this hot market, overpriced properties will stagnate http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2010/01/housing-market-update-first-quarter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-1740901473488500487Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:35:00 +00002010-01-15T14:36:57.509-05:00NewsBuyingDemand and supply finding balance in the second half of the yearCanada’s residential real estate market is forecast to remain unusually strong through the first half of 2010 as economic conditions across the country improve and the stimulus impact of low interest rates continues to stoke demand, according to today’s Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast. As confidence in http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2010/01/canadas-real-estate-market-expected-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-6026592222893561270Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:43:00 +00002010-01-06T13:44:22.496-05:00MortgageINTEREST RATES EXPECTED TO RISE THIS WEEK – READ ON!Interest rates are expected to rise this week by 20-30 basis points. If you (or any of your family members) are considering an application for a new mortgage, or renewing or making changes to your existing mortgage, please make sure to have yourself pre-approved as soon as possible so that you are rate protected for 120 days. Also, in October http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2010/01/interest-rates-expected-to-rise.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-3025828422198358733Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:41:00 +00002010-01-06T13:42:45.743-05:00MortgageFederal Government Ready to Deflate Any Housing Bubble: FlahertyAndrew Mayeda, Canwest News ServiceFriday, Dec. 18, 2009OTTAWA -- The federal government is ready to clamp down further on mortgage rules if the boom in the Canadian housing market turns into a bubble, says Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.In an exclusive interview with Canwest News Service and Global National, Mr. Flaherty said the http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2010/01/mortgage-rate-update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-3096054100709524192Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:38:00 +00002009-12-01T11:43:00.715-05:00NewsBuyingLast week, the Government of Ontario formally launched its latest assault on homeowners, purchasers and sellers with the introduction of legislation to harmonize the provincial sales tax and goods and services tax.Homebuyers and sellers will pay 8 per cent more on legal fees, appraisals, real estate commissions, home inspection fees, and moving costs, adding about $1,500 in new taxes to the http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2009/12/stop-hst-cost-of-buying-owning-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-5407110598772950719Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:04:00 +00002009-11-10T15:05:21.816-05:00NewsHome RepairCASH IN ON THIS GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT!!Just a reminder that the renovation deadline for the Home Renovation Tax Credit is February 1, 2010. The credit will only be available for the 2009 tax year and applies to eligible expenditures of more than $1,000, but not more than $10,000, resulting in a maximum credit of $1,350 ($9,000 x 15%).Eligible expenditures include:• Renovating ahttp://www.therealestatepulse.com/2009/11/take-advantage-of-home-renovation-tax.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-2620270555619624164Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:59:00 +00002009-11-03T16:01:24.767-05:00Green LivingCommunity Tid BitsHomeowners now have an easy, affordable way of having a tree planted in their backyard!Planting trees around homes can help conserve energy, filter pollutants from the air, provide natural privacy and most importantly - increase property value!!LEAF (Local Enhancement and Apprciation of Forests) is a local, non-profit organization that can help you plant a tree in your backyard. The program is http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2009/11/increase-your-property-value-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-9124085138558826879Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:18:00 +00002009-10-18T12:24:41.995-04:00RentalsNewsThe Ontario Human Rights Commission has released a new Policy on Human Rights and Rental Housing. This policy document is intended to give practical advice on how people (both tenants and landlords) can exercise their rights and fulfill their obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code, with regard to how it applies to rental housing.Ontario Human Rights CodeUnder Ontario’s Human Rights Code,http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2009/10/new-policy-on-human-rights-and-rental.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-2584803833202949438Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:38:00 +00002009-09-22T15:39:44.909-04:00BuyingCanada’s rate of inflation is at a historical low of .09%, not seen since 1953. This provides assurance of low interest rates going into a busy autumn market.Please contact me if you are thinking of buying a home or condo. Now is a great time to invest in our wonderful city!http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2009/09/great-time-to-buy-real-estate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-8689808338155746908Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:10:00 +00002009-09-08T13:11:45.835-04:00Real Estate TipsWelcome back from one of the wettest summers on record!While the heat this summer certainly wasn’t in the weather, the real estate market in Toronto, as well as in the rest of Canada, was certainly boiling and continues to do so! The first few months of the year were certainly dismal from a real estate perspective so it is absolutely amazing that by the end of August, the year to date sales were http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2009/09/cool-summer-hot-real-estate-market.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-3771407898977041000Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:23:00 +00002009-07-19T18:24:46.466-04:00Community Tid BitsToronto will close three temporary garbage dump sites at 7 p.m. today, and open three new ones at 7 a.m. tomorrow.The three new sites are:* The parking lot at Clairlea Park Arena, 45 Fairfax Crescent, west of Warden Ave., north of St. Clair Ave. E.;* The outdoor rink at Campbell Park, 225 Campbell Avenue (near Lansdowne and Dupont) Enter off Campbell Ave., north of Wallace Ave.;*The parking lot http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2009/07/city-to-open-three-new-dump-sites.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-8674776540359839331Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:42:00 +00002009-07-14T14:47:12.570-04:00CondoLeasingCondo owners who can’t sell their units are morphing into landlords to ride out the storm. The good news? The rental market is hopping By Bert ArcherPeople have been predicting the collapse of the condo market since well before the crash. Toronto couldn’t possibly sustain its rank as the biggest condo city in North America, the thinking went. With thousands of units coming on the market every http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2009/07/new-rental-frontier.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-5252008697845483945Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:46:00 +00002009-06-23T13:52:27.186-04:00LeasingIn the first four months of 2009, TREB members reported 3,945 leased condominium apartments, representing a 38% increase over the 2,854 units leased during the same period in 208. Almost 93 per cent of all residential rental transactions on the MLS® involved condominium apartments.With the exception of three-bedroom units, average condominium apartment rents declined. The average rent for the http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2009/06/leased-condominium-apartment.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-6849577544940457672Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:34:00 +00002009-06-23T13:40:08.845-04:00Real Estate TipsIn May 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 9,589 sales, up almost two per cent from May 2008 – the first annual increase since December 2007. The seasonally adjusted annual rate of sales in May was 81,3001.“The resale housing market in the GTA has remained resilient in the face of challenging times globally,” according to TREB President Maureen O’Neill. “Many home buyers have taken advantagehttp://www.therealestatepulse.com/2009/06/gta-may-resale-housing-sales-higher.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-7216993439003052032Fri, 01 May 2009 02:56:00 +00002009-04-30T22:58:08.441-04:00MortgageNewsBy Julian Beltrame, The Canadian PressOTTAWA - The Bank of Canada has taken its key policy interest rate to the lowest practical level in an effort to combat what it says has become a deeper than expected economic slump.The central bank sliced its target for the overnight rate in half to 0.25 per cent - "the effective lower bound" - and signalled it will keep it there until at least mid-2010 in http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2009/04/bank-of-canada-cuts-interest-rate-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-3977079519820197618Fri, 01 May 2009 02:51:00 +00002009-04-30T22:54:24.719-04:00NewsConsidering how sharply resale activity fell in the closing months of last year and how quickly market sentiment has soured in the face of worsening economic conditions, the relatively moderate pace of price correction so far in the Toronto area should alleviate fears that the market is on the brink of collapse. Overall, prices in the area have retreated between 2% and 6% from the peak (dependinghttp://www.therealestatepulse.com/2009/04/toronto-cyclical-downturn-but-no.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-5860641371062875159Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:15:00 +00002009-01-21T12:19:32.113-05:00NewsThe Toronto market is still reasonably healthy. I always advise the best time to buy is when nobody wants to. I don't expect the real estate market to be setting off any kinds of records but then again why does it have to? If you are planning on making a move and feel secure enough with your financing why not make the move now? Below is an update the current real estate market.Gian-Piero--------http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2009/01/toronto-real-estate-market.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-794769736373229307Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:01:00 +00002009-01-21T12:14:08.291-05:00CondoBuyingReal Estate TipsHere is a checklist that will help you when you set out to buy a condo. Due diligence is always advised when buying into anything. Buying a condo can involve more legwork than buying a hoouse. Below are a few tips to help you on your way.Gian-Piero------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Source: Market WatchIt's more than just location,http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2009/01/questions-to-ask-when-buying-condo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-4306767588796324692Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:58:00 +00002009-01-21T12:01:12.924-05:00NewsLeasingThe 2009 rent increase guideline is 1.8 per cent. That's the maximum percentage by which a landlord can raise the rent for residential tenants without getting approval from the Landlord and Tenant Board. The Ontario government sets the increase guideline annually based on the changes in the Ontario Consumer Price Index for all goods and services. Last year's guideline was 1.4 per cent. If at http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2009/01/calling-all-landlords-rent-increase.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4990494592629343515.post-8363856482936660415Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:43:00 +00002009-01-21T11:58:08.938-05:00NewsBuyingReal Estate TipsThere are various programs to help people buy real estate. When it comes to saving up for a deposit opening up a tax free savings account appeals the most to me. The account can be used for other purposes as well making this even more attractive.Gian-Piero------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Source: Market WatchIn January, you can http://www.therealestatepulse.com/2009/01/open-tax-free-saving-accounts-and-start.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (GP)0