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TREB MLS Mid-Month December 2010

TORONTO, December 16, 2010 – Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 2,509 sales through the MLS during the first two weeks of December 2010. This represented a 19 percent decrease compared to the 3,079 sales recorded during the same period in December 2009. Year-to-date sales amounted to 84,316 – down one percent from the 2009 total of 84,888. “While off the 2009 record, the level of December transactions remains strong from a historic perspective. The number of transactions in 2010 will be the third highest on record,” said TREB President Bill Johnston. The average price for December mid-month transactions was $435,225 – up three percent compared to the average of $423,103 recorded during the first 14 days of December 2009. “Market conditions remain tight enough to support moderate growth in the average selling price. Expect the three percent annual rate of growth reported for the first two weeks of December to be the norm in 2011,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market An

TREB MLS -- AVERAGE Resale Home Price -- November 2010

TREB MLS New Listings --- November 2010

TREB MLS SALES__November 2010

Market Watch***Sales Strong in November

December 3, 2010 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 6,510 existing home sales in November – down 13 per cent from 7,446 sales in November 2009. New listings were also down 13 per cent annually to 8,642. On a month-over-month basis, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of sales increased for the fourth straight month to 88,100. This rate was substantially higher than the July low of 67,900."The GTA resale market has tightened since the summer. Healthy market conditions continued to support growth in the average selling price," said Toronto Real Estate Board President Bill Johnston."Sales through the first 11 months of the year were down only marginally compared to the same period in 2009. We remain on track for one of the best years on record under the current TREB market area," continued Johnston.The average selling price for November transactions was $438,030 - up five per cent compared to November 2009. "The average selling price in the GTA is affordable. A

GTA REALTORS Report Mid-Month Resale Housing Market Figures

TORONTO, November 16, 2010 – Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 3,076 sales through the MLS during the first two weeks of November 2010. This represented a 16 percent decrease compared to the 3,666 sales recorded during the same period in November 2009. Year-To-Date sales amounted to 78,526 – up slightly from the 2009 total. “The number of transactions remained high relative to new listings through the first half of November, promoting a healthy rate of price growth compared to last year,” said TREB President Bill Johnston. The average price for November mid-month transactions was $437,554 – up more than 5 percent compared to the average of $415,066 recorded during the first 14 days of November 2009. “Mortgage payments on the average priced home remain affordable in the GTA based. This is why the average selling price continues to increase,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

GTA REALTORS Reported Monthly Resale Housing Market Figures

TORONTO, November 3, 2010 – Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 6,681 sales through the MLS in October 2010. This represents a 21 percent decrease compared to the 8,476 sales recorded in October 2009. Through the first ten months of the year, sales amounted to 75,582 – up one percent compared to the January through October period in 2009. “The annual change in sales and average selling prices has been quite uniform across the GTA and by property type as the market has balanced out from record levels of sales in the second half of 2009 and first few months of 2010,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Bill Johnston. “The composition of GTA home sales does differ depending on location. Condominium apartments accounted for 42 percent of total sales in the City of Toronto and almost 60 percent of sales in TREB’s central districts,” Johnston continued. “In regions surrounding the City of Toronto, in contrast, low rise home types accounted for almost 90 percent of transactions.” The a

Green your home and save you money

October 29, 2010 -- Toronto SUN Column --Bill Johnston, President of the Toronto Real Estate Board. Energy efficiency used to be a subject to which only the environmentally conscious gave a lot of consideration. Today though, with rising energy costs consuming a greater share of our household budgets, it is something that all of us are thinking about more carefully. While some energy upgrades, like new windows or solar panels, can require a sizable outlay of funds, achieving significant results doesn't have to be a costly undertaking. Sealing air leaks for example is one of the most cost-effective ways to help your home operate more efficiently. Closing off drafts around windows and doors can be achieved with a can of spray foam insulation, a tube of caulking and some weather stripping at minimal expense. You might even consider taking these efforts a step further by topping up the insulation in your attic. Planting trees is another cost effective option that offers many benefits.

TREB MLS SALES --October 2010

TREB MLS New Listings - October 2010

TREB MLS Sales To New Listings Ratio--October 2010

TREB MLS -- AVERAGE Resale Home Price - October 2010

GTA REALTORS Report Mid-Month Resale Housing Market Figures

Toronto, October 18, 2010 —GTA REALTORS reported 3,012 sales through the MLS during the first 2 weeks of October 2010. This represented a 17 percent decrease compared to the 3,631 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. Year-To-Date sales amounted to 71,988, representing a 3 percent increase compared to 2009. “The GTA resale market is balancing out from a record level of sales experienced in the second half of 2009 and first few months of 2010. This is why sales figures have been lower than 2009 levels in recent months. With this said, it should be noted that the annual rate of decline slowed somewhat through the first two weeks of October,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Bill Johnston. The average price for October mid-month transactions was $444,644 – up seven percent compared to the average of $414,479 recorded during the first 14 days of October 2009. “we are seeing enough buyers relative to sellers to promote continued price growth year-over-year. People are b

Keeping your best interest in mind

Toronto Sun--October 15, 2010 --Bill Johnston, President of the Toronto Real Estate Board, One characteristic that defines most Canadians is hope. Canada is a society founded on the promise of a better life achieved through hard work and integrity. This dream and these principles attract people from all over the world to Canada, who in turn, contribute so much to what makes our country great. If you were to ask Canadians to identify the key to a better life most would point to home ownership. Indeed, nearly 70 per cent of Canadian households owned their dwelling at the time of the 2006 Census, representing the highest rate of homeownership since 1971. The reason for our love of housing is simple: real estate is not only an excellent long-term investment; it’s the only one in which you can live as it grows. Regardless of whether you are a first-timer, a move-up buyer or a right-sizing empty nester, it’s wise to use the professional services of a REALTOR® to help with the transition. L

GTA REALTORS Work to Eliminate Harmonized Sales Tax Misconceptions

TORONTO, October 5, 2010 – Concerned that homebuyers are uncertain about the Harmonized Sales Tax’s (HST) applicability on real estate purchases, Greater Toronto REALTORS are reaching out to consumers to eliminate misconceptions. Using social media channels and an ongoing series of newspaper columns, TREB is conveying to consumers that HST does not apply to the purchase price of resale homes. “Although the HST applies to newly constructed homes and professional services associated with real estate transactions, the purchase price of a resale home is exempt from this tax,” said TREB President Bill Johnston. Since resale housing was never subject to the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) or the Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST), it continues to be exempt from the new HST. Conversely, newly constructed homes were previously subject to the GST, meaning that the HST now applies. The Provincial Government however, provides a rebate of 75 percent of the PST on the first $400,000 on new homes, to

GTA REALTORS Report Monthly Resale Housing Market Figures September 2010

TORONTO, October 5, 2010 Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 6,310 sales through the MLS in September 2010. This represented a 23 percent decrease compared to the 8,196 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. Through the first nine months of the year, sales amounted to 69,069 – up four percent compared to the first three quarters of 2009. “The level of sales in the second half of 2010 has been lower, representing a balancing out period following record levels of sales in the latter half of 2009 and first few months of 2010. We remain on track for one of the best years in history for existing home transactions in the GTA,” said TREB President Bill Johnston. The average price for September transactions was $427,329 – up five percent compared to the average of $406,877 reported in September 2009. The average selling price through the first nine months of the year was $429,657. “Resale homes in the GTA remain affordable,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis

TREB MLS -- AVERAGE Resale Home Price--September

TREB MLS Sales To New Listings Ratio

TREB MLS SALES--September

Condos have become a way of life

Toronto Sun..October 1, 2010 --Bill Johnston, President of the Toronto Real Estate Board. Toronto is a place that has long been known as a city of neighbourhoods, one in which the character of a community can dramatically change from one intersection to the next. From a housing perspective, our neighbourhoods have been defined by the detached, semi-detached and low-rise structures that have stood for generations. The condominium apartment boom of the past decade however, may well re-define our idea of what comprises a neighbourhood. Affordability and certainly lifestyle are two driving factors in making condominiums so appealing. And for today’s condo dwellers a simple gym, pool or party room is no longer the standard. Buyers now view amenities as an adjunct to their private living space. As such, you can find yoga studios, in-door basketball courts, spas, bars and even dog washing stations included in today’s condominium developments. Given that residents share similar tastes with r

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GTA REALTORS Report Mid-Month Resale Housing Figures

September 16, 2010 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 2,623 sales through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) during the first two weeks of September 2010. This represented a 22 per cent decrease compared to the 3,361 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. “Sales remain below the record pace we experienced in the second half of 2009. The prospect of higher interest rates and new mortgage lending guidelines resulted in higher than normal sales in the first few months of the year. To balance this out, the pace of sales has slowed in the second half,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Bill Johnston. “It is important to note that year-to-date sales remain above the number reported through the same period last year,: added Johnston. The average price for September mid-month transactions was $412,367 – up 5% compared to the average of $393,818 recorded during the first 14 days of September 2009. “Under current lending standards, the average selling price is affordable for

TREB: Energy efficiency for all homes, new and old

Toronto Star Column --September 10, 2010 -- Bill Johnston, President of the Toronto Real Estate Board. When 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. Environmentally friendly spray foam insulation, which can help prevent dampness, keep out pollutants and contribute to structural strength, is even partially made with recycled materials.Roofs, walls and floors can be insulated as well with special structural panels that consist of two layers of board with insulating foam in between them. The forms that are used to mould a home's poured concrete foundation can now also be found with insulating ability, and barriers that prevent dampness

No Bubble to Burst

National Post Column --September 11, 2010 -- Bill Johnston, President of the Toronto Real Estate Board. In August, there were 6,232 Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) transactions through the Toronto Real Estate Board, which represented a 22 per cent decline compared to August of 2009. The average price for these transactions was $411,012 – up six per cent compared to last year. Through the first eight months of the year, sales were up by eight per cent and the average selling price was up by 11 per cent compared to the January to August period in 2009.Since May, sales have been lower than last year's results. At the same time, the average selling price has continued to grow. This has led some individuals and organizations to suggest that a housing price bubble has emerged and that it is ready to pop at any time. An oft cited argument goes something like this:"Average selling prices have been rising above the rate of inflation for the better part of the last decade, so we shou

TREB MLS New Listings August 2010

TREB MLS -- Average Price Monthly Time Series with Trend Line

TREB MLS -- AVERAGE Resale Home Price -- August 2010

TREB MLS SALES --August 2010

August Sales and New Listings Down, Prices Up

September 3, 2010 -- 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 hikes and new mortgage lending rules prompted some households to purchase a home sooner than they otherwise would have this year. The result has been a larger than normal dip in sales over the summer months. With this said, it is important to recognize that sales on the year were eight per cent higher than in 2009," said Toronto Real Estate Board President Bill Johnston.The average price for August transactions was $411,012 – up six per cent compared to the average of $387,921 reported in August 2009."Market conditions have remained tight enough to support higher home prices in comparison to last year. Under current mortgage lending standards,

Green Living - How to Avoid and Repel Mosquitoes Naturally

Nothing ruins a lovely summer evening faster than being attacked by hungry mosquitoes. With the arrival of the West Nile Virus, mosquitoes have become a dangerous insect for the first time in many years. The best defense against mosquitoes is to avoid being bit. Understanding what attracts mosquitoes is as important as understanding what repels them. Here are some tips for controlling mosquitoes around your home without pesticides or other dangerous chemicals. Destroy the mosquitoes habitat Most mosquitoes will breed in any still fresh or salty water. They are also likely to breed in salt marshes, woodland pools and some plants. Mosquitoes can also enter a geographical area by traveling a distance being carried by the wind. The first step you should take is to examine your yard thoroughly a day or two after a heavy rainfall, looking for areas with standing water that might harbour mosquito larvae. Not all of these areas will be natural—in fact, some mosquitoes show a decided preference

First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit (HBTC)

The First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit (HBTC) is one of the measures provided by the federal government in 2009 to encourage investment in Canadian housing. For 2009 and subsequent years, the HBTC is a new non-refundable tax credit, based on an amount of $5,000, for certain home buyers that acquire a qualifying home after January 27, 2009 (i.e., generally means that the closing is after this date). The HBTC is calculated by multiplying the lowest personal income tax rate for the year (15% in 2009) by $5,000. For 2009, the credit was $750. Each year, the credit is recalculated, so it may be higher or lower than previous years. How do you qualify for the tax credit? You, and anyone you purchase the home with, must be considered a first time home buyer to be eligible for the tax credit. The home must be used as your principal residence, and if you purchase with your spouse, common-law partner, or even a friend, then either one of you can claim the credit (or share it). However, the combine

GTA REALTORS Report Mid- Month Resale Housing Figures - August 2010

TORONTO, August 17, 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 last year, the number of monthly sales was well above the expected long-term trend. Accordingly, it makes sense that the number of transactions has dipped over the past few months in comparison to last year’s record results,” said TREB President Bill Johnston. The average price for August mid-month transactions was $412,934 – up eight per cent compared to the average of $383,796 recorded during the first 14 days of August 2009. “We have seen a sufficient number of buyers relative to sellers over the summer months to support continued year-over-year price growth in the GTA,” said Jason Mercer,

TREB MLS -- AVERAGE Resale Home Price - July 2010

TREB MLS -- SALES July 2010

Sales and New Listings Down, Average Price up in July

August 5, 2010 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS ® reported 6,564 sales in July – a 34 per cent dip from the record 9,967 sales reported in July 2009. New listings, at 10,825, dropped to the lowest level for the month of July since 2002. "The level of July sales remained below the expected long-term trend. The market has become more balanced following record monthly sales through most of the winter and early spring," said Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) President Bill Johnston. Total sales through the first seven months of 2010 were up 12 per cent compared to the same period in 2009. Notwithstanding the fact that price trends vary at the neighbourhood level in GTA, the average price for July transactions was $420,482, representing a six per cent increase over July 2009. Over the first seven months of 2010, the average selling price was up 12 per cent annually to $432,253. "Market conditions promoting growth in the average selling price have remained in place. While July sales

HST will not effect resale homes,Toronto Star Column

July 9, 2010 --Bill Johnston, President, Toronto Real Estate Board -- As of July 1st, the new Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) will be in effect and Ontario consumers will be hard-pressed to avoid this so called “tax on everything”. While that less than flattering nick name for the HST may be pretty close to the truth, it’s not completely accurate, especially when it comes to real estate, where the HST applies differently depending on the type of real estate, whether it is re-sale housing, newly constructed housing, or business properties. Anyone who has ever purchased a home or has considered purchasing a home knows that budgeting for taxes is an important part of determining what they can afford. Whether it is the on-going cost of property taxes, or the upfront cost of land transfer taxes, the cost of taxes on housing can add up. With that in mind, one of the most important things to know about the HST is that, fortunately, it will not increase the tax burden on the purchase price for home

Market More Balanced In June!

Market Watch June 2010 Greater Toronto Realtors reported 8,442 sales through the 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 percent to 50,455 compared to the first six months of 2009. "We experienced a record number of existing home sales during the first half of 2010, but these sales were weighted more towards the beginning of the year," said TREB President Bill Johnson. "The pace of home sales has moderated from record levels over the past two months with the prospect of higher mortgage rates." The average price for June transactions was $435,034 - up eight per cent compared to to the average of $403,972 recorded for June 2009. "With more homes to choose from in the second quarter, many home buyers have been making less-agressive offers. This has resulted in les upwa

TREB MLS New Listings--JUNE 2010

TREB MLS -- AVERAGE Resale Home Price--JUNE 2010

TREB MLS --Sales--JUNE 2010

GTA REALTORS Report Mid- Month Resale Housing Figures - June 2010

TORONTO JUNE 16, 2010 – Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 4,139 sales through the MLS during the first two weeks of June 2010. This represented a 20 percent decrease compared to the 5,185 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. New listings increased by 21 per cent annually to 7,985. “The pace of existing home sales in the GTA has slowed to more normal levels following a record-setting start to 2010,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Tom Lebour. “Due to higher mortgage carrying costs, sales in the second half of 2010 will not be as high as what was experienced during the last six months of 2009.” The average price for June mid-month transactions was $437,039 – up seven per cent compared to the average of $407,716 recorded during the first 14 days of June 2009. “The seller’s market conditions experienced during the first few months of the year have given way to more balanced conditions. Home buyers are experiencing more choice,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of

Today's Most Desirable Home Features

Housing trends and styles are changing constantly. Today, more than ever, buyers have a strong sense of what they want in a home. Today’s desirable home features depend greatly on the type of buyer. Buyers can be divided into two main groups. The first group are first-time buyers which is pretty self-explanatory. The second group are the move up buyers, which are looking to move into a home that addresses the shortcomings of their existing home. They aren't necessarily second-time buyers but they are often people that have out grown their current home. Buyer age is also a main factor in deciding the desired home features. This article focuses on what is hot in the housing market today. Whether you are planning on renovating, selling, or you are looking for a new home, this information will help you make choices that will contribute to both your real estate enjoyment and investment. Home Exterior Today, stone and stucco are very popular choices. Brick is the standard material used

TREB MLS New Listings--May 2010

TREB MLS -- AVERAGE Resale Home Price--May 2010

TREB MLS --Sales--May 2010

GTA REALTORS Report Monthly Resale Housing Figures

Toronto, June 3, 2010- Greater Toronto Realtors reported 9,470 sales through the MLS System in May, representing a one percent dip from May 2009. In comparison to previous years, this was the third highest May sales result on record. "The pace of transactions slowed in May following record-setting sales in February, March and April," said Tom Lebour, President TREB. "Buyers who otherwise would have been purchasing a home in May moved more quickly this year, likely to get ahead of mortgage rate hikes". New listings were up 38% annually to 18,940. The average price for May transactions was $446,593 - up 13 % compared to the average of $395,609 recorded in May 2009. "The gap between listings and sales has widened, which means there is more choice for buyers," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "The annual rate of price growth will slow in the second half of 2010, from the current double digit pace into the single digits.

Summer Maintenance Recommendation from Adam Marzec- Certified Home Inspector

Monitor basement humidity and avoid relative humidity levels above 40 per cent. Use a dehumidifier to maintain safe relative humidity. Clean or replace air conditioning filter, and wash or replace ventilation system filters if necessary. Check basement pipes for condensation or dripping, and take corrective action, for example, reduce humidity and or insulate cold water pipes. Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water. Refill with water if necessary. If you have a plumbing fixture that is not used frequently, for example, a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower stall, run some water briefly to keep water in the trap. Deep clean carpets and rugs. Vacuum bathroom fan grille. Disconnect the duct connected to the dryer and vacuum lint from duct, the areas surrounding your clothes dryer and your dryer’s vent hood outside. Check security of all guardrails and handrails. Check smooth functioning of all windows and lubricate as required. Inspect window putty
June1, 2010(Reuters) - The Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate on Tuesday, the first G7 industrialized economy to do so after the global recession, but said the European debt crisis made its next move highly unpredictable. The rate hike, to 0.5 percent from 0.25 percent, is a response to two quarters of extraordinarily strong growth at home. But the bank cautioned investors against betting on an uninterrupted tightening campaign, due to the euro zone fiscal problems and an uneven global recovery. "Given the considerable uncertainty surrounding the outlook, any further reduction of monetary stimulus would have to be weighed carefully against domestic and global economic developments," the central bank said in a statement. The rate hike itself was widely expected. In a Reuters poll of 40 analysts, 32 had forecast a quarter-point rate hike. "No surprise in the decision but the tone was slightly more dovish than we or the markets had anticipated," said Millan Mu

Today's Most Desirable Home Features

Canada Realty Newsletter May 2010- Housing trends and styles are changing constantly. Today, more than ever, buyers have a strong sense of what they want in a home. Today’s desirable home features depend greatly on the type of buyer. Buyers can be divided into two main groups. The first group are first-time buyers which is pretty self-explanatory. The second group are the move up buyers, which are looking to move into a home that addresses the shortcomings of their existing home. They aren't necessarily second-time buyers but they are often people that have out grown their current home. Buyer age is also a main factor in deciding the desired home features. This article focuses on what is hot in the housing market today. Whether you are planning on renovating, selling, or you are looking for a new home, this information will help you make choices that will contribute to both your real estate enjoyment and investment. Home Exterior Today, stone and stucco are very popular choic

GTA REALTORS Report Mid-Month Resale Housing Figures

TORONTO, May 19, 2010 - Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 4,887 sales through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) during the first two weeks of May. This represented a 7% increase compared to the 4,561 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. New listings increased by 48% annually to 10,059. "The average household looking to purchase a home continued to benefit from affordable opportunities in the first half of May," said TREB President Tom Lebour. "The number of done deals will remain high for the remainder of 2010, but will dip from record levels". The average price for May mid-month transactions was $448,641 - up 12 % compared to the average of $399,811 recorded during the first 14 days of May 2009. "The total number of homes currently listed in the GTA is now within a more normal range. As buyers benefit from more choice in the second half of 2010, average selling prices will grow at a slower pace," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager o

TREB MLS New Listings - April 2010

TREB MLS SALES - April 2010

GTA REALTORS® Report Monthly Resale Housing Figures

May 5, 2010 --Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 10,898 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in April, representing a 34 per cent increase compared to April 2009. There were also 20,683 new listings in April - a 59 % annual increase. Both the sales and new listings results amounted to new records for the month of April under the current Toronto Real Estate Board(TREB) boundaries. "The GTA resale market is functioning properly. Sales were high as buyers continued to take advantage of affordable home ownership opportunities. Listings grew as home owners reacted to strong sales and price growth," said TREB President Tom Lebour. "More balanced market conditions will result in sustainable rates of annual price growth in the second half of 2010. The average price for April transactions was $437,600 - up 13 % compared to the average of $385,641 recorded in April 2009. "Home sales will continue to be driven by many different segments of the market, with sales

Greater Toronto REALTORS® Report Mid-April Resale Market Figures

TORONTO-April 16, 2010 --Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 4,601 sales through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) during the first two weeks of April. This represented a 25 percent increase compared to the 3,681 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. New listings increased by 48 per cent annually to 9,512. "The fact that annual growth in new listings outstriped growth by listing their homes in greater numbers. They are confident they will receive offers in line with their asking price." The average price for April mid-month transactions was $430,271 - up 12 percent compared to the average of $383,361 recorded during the first 14 days of April 2009. "The average annual rate of price increase has declined and we are shortly going to see a return to sustainable single-digit rates of growth," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "As Home Buyers experience more choice in the marketplace, there will be less upward pressure on the a

Many Ways to Cut Energy Costs

April 16, 2010 -- Toronto Star--Tom Lebour,President of the Toronto Real Estate Board. If there is one thing on which all homeowners can agree, it’s that there’s always something to do around the house.If during these remaining weeks of winter you’re developing a list of improvements to get underway this spring, be sure to include energy efficiency enhancements, which contribute to your home’s overall value while also reducing your energy costs.If you have an older home, renovations such as new windows, extra insulation or an Energy Star rated furnace can sizably diminish your energy costs. You can even qualify for government rebates to help you through the process.There are a number of minor changes you can also undertake to make a big difference to your monthly energy bills. It’s estimated for example, that you can save two per cent on your heating bill for every degree that you lower your thermostat. Replacing your old thermostat with an Energy Star programmable unit that automatic

MLS-Rental Market Report

Toronto Real Estate Board- "From September through December 2009, TREB Members reported 3,859 lease transactions for condo apartments and Townhouses through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) - Up 12 percent from the 3,433 recorded during the same time in 2008. Condo Apartment transactions, which account for over 90 % of the total, were also up 12 %. The weighted average rent across all apartment types and all TREB districts for the last four months of 2009 was $1,667 - in line with the 2008 weighted average of $1,672. This reflected the fact that average rents for the two most popular apartment categories moved in opposite directions, with one percent decrease for one bedroom apstments and one percent increase for two bedroom apartments. At district level, rent changes were quite mixed, in some cases changing at rates above or below the GTA average." For a complete report, email me at jawalker@trebnet.com . I would be happy to send it off to you.

Greater Toronto REALTORS® Report March Resale Market Figures

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 6, 2010) - Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 10,430 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in March, pushing total first quarter 2010 sales to 22,418 – the best result on record under the current Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) boundaries. The average price for March transactions was $434,696. The average price for the first quarter was $427,948. "The strong rebound in the existing home market was one of the initial drivers of economic recovery," said TREB President Tom Lebour. "While we don't expect to see the same rates growth moving forward, GTA households will remain confident in ownership housing as a quality long-term investment, especially as economic recovery expands across all industries." The annual rate of growth for new listings continued to accelerate in March. The number of new listings grew by 42 per cent compared to March of 2008. "The average home price in the GTA will continue to grow th

Information Regarding Energy Retrofit Program

April 5, 2010 -- Be aware of recent changes to the ecoEnergy Retrofit Program. Effective March 31, 2010, the Government of Canada ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program is no longer accepting bookings for pre-retrofit evaluations. The program will continue to be administered until March 31, 2011. If you have already booked an appointment for a pre-retrofit evaluation, have completed an evaluation or applied for re-entry to the program, you remain eligible to apply for a grant. Please check the Natural Resources Canada website for complete details. http://oee.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/residential/personal/grants.cfm?attr=0 Homeowners in Ontario may still qualify for grants of up to $5,000 for energy retrofits through the provincial program. Details on the Government of Ontario Home Energy Retrofit Program can be found at http://www.mei.gov.on.ca/en/energy/conservation/homeenergyon/?page=homeenergy-retrofit

It Pays to Renovate Before You Sell

April 2, 2010 --Tom Lebour, President of the Toronto Real Estate Board...SUN Column. If you’re preparing to get in on the Greater Toronto Area’s spring housing market by undertaking a number of improvement projects to your home, you’re in good company.According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, close to $21.3 billion was spent in our country’s 10 major centres on renovations in 2008, an increase of more than $1.6 billion compared to 2007. The majority of those surveyed, 55 percent, indicated renovations were undertaken in preparation for a sale, to update or add value to their homes. Another 33 per cent of respondents pointed to a need for repairs as their primary motivation for improvements.Whether you’re planning a renovation in preparation for a sale, because your house is in need of repairs or simply for esthetics, it’s wise to plan carefully to achieve the best return on investment. Most of us know that kitchens, bathrooms and a fresh coat of paint inside and out, offer

TREB MLS -- AVERAGE Resale Home Price

TREB MLS SALES

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist!

The weather is getting warmer, and now is the time for spring home maintenance and repairs; below are some tips to help you prepare for the warmer weather. Turn on hose bibs. Before you turn on your hose bibs, inspect pipes between the hose bib and shut-off valve for signs of frost damage or splits in the pipes. Also check for separated joints. Once you've checked that everything is in good shape, make sure your outside hose bib is turned off, and turn on the shut-off valve inside your home. Your outside hose bib is now ready for use. Inspect your roof. Visually inspect your roof. Extensive damage can be caused when shingles become loose or fall off completely. Look for signs of age such as curling, shrinking, or broken or missing shingles. In order to avoid costly leaks, repair or replace damaged or missing shingles. Inspect air conditioning system and change the filter. Now is the time to have your air conditioning system checked by a licensed HVAC mechanic. A yearly

Spring Time Makeover!

10 things you can do to improve the odds that your home will stand out among the sea of new listings flooding the spring-time real estate market! by Arshad Khan, CHI, P. Eng. 1) Wash windows inside and out / polish all mirrors: Sparkle is free, and sparkle sells homes. A potential buyer may not realize why your home seems so inviting but will feel drawn to it if the windows are spotless and your mirrors reflect sunlight. Cleaning is the first step to preparing your home for sale. 2) Rake the yard / trim back bushes: Clean out dead leaves and debris in your lawn. Don't let overgrown vegetation block the windows or path to the entrance. Cutting bushes and tree limbs will let the sun inside and showcase the exterior of your home. 3) Mow diagonally and edge lawn along driveway / sidewalks: Artfully manicured lawns are edged and tell buyers you pay attention to small details. Diagonally mowed lawns make your yard appear larger. 4) Transplant tulips and daffodils or buy flowers in contai