How hard will the BoC go on the next rate cut?

For months now, owners have been keeping a keen eye on the falling rate of inflation in the hope it would signal cheaper mortgage costs and boost the property market. Now Canada’s inflation is 2.5%. It doesn’t mean anything is any cheaper, but it signals the fast pace of price rises, which most global economies…
Read more

Should you open a branch of The Bank of Mom and Dad?

Parents are being called the “Sandwich Generation”, caught between helping their own children as well as their mothers and fathers, a consequence of living longer. The days when parents’ greatest concern was paying for the kids’ college education have now morphed into helping them onto the property ownership ladder. It’s amazing to think that almost…
Read more

Affordability emerging as Canadians enjoy two rate cuts

WIth two interest rate cuts under our belt, and more promised by the Bank of Canada, how is this affecting the spending power of those wanting to buy their first home, or upgrade to a bigger property? So far, Canada has seen rates cut for two successive months, moving the cost of cash from 5%…
Read more

Sales are up with more homes coming onto the market

A chink of light has appeared at the end of the tunnel of American property sales.  For the first time in five months home sales are up, rising 1.3% in July compared with June and signaling a potential turning point. Using annualized figures, America is on track to buy and sell 3.95 million homes over…
Read more

Prepare your home for buyers with these six tips

What’s the true secret to a successful home sale? Is it location, size, design, price or presentation? Of course, it’s a combination of all of these facets of a property. The most powerful factor will depend on the individual buyer.  However, there’s one element homeowners often underestimate despite the advice of their agent: the importance…
Read more

Seven ideas to maximize the value of your home before sale

It takes planning and discipline to prepare your home for sale and achieve your dream deal. Depending on the condition of your home, only a few cosmetic improvements may be needed so you can focus on delivering buyers a five-star presentation. If your home requires a little more TLC, it’s usually best to undertake those…
Read more

Seven problems a property inspection can reveal

A shortage of homes for sale across America can lead to some buyers making rash decisions to win a property against other interested parties. This is dangerous – by all means fall in love with the home of your dreams, but you must know exactly what you are buying. Whether you’ve targeted an apartment, condo…
Read more

Six declutter tips now that summer’s gone

No doubt you’ve enjoyed the good summer vibes with the sun on your back and local traffic reduced because of neighbors being on vacation – and now all of a sudden it’s fall. When September comes, the mood changes so quickly. All of a sudden, folks are back to work and school starts with the…
Read more

Curse of the Critters may be on your target purchase

Finding the perfect home is about more than having enough bedrooms, square footage, or falling in love with the property’s curb appeal. You also want to be sure about your neighbors, and I am not talking about the ones on the other side of the fence or across the street. These neighbors are more like…
Read more

Lopez stars in real estate dramas

Celebrities have been making real estate headlines with more high-profile luxury sales, and a luxury apartment featuring in a music video. Superstar singer and actor Jennifer Lopez has finally sold her New York penthouse for $23 million. She and her husband, the actor and producer/writer Ben Afleck, recently put their Beverly Hills mansion on the…
Read more