A lot has changed since I started selling real estate in 1985. Back then, interest rates were around 13% for a five-year term, and my first sale ever was a condominium in Scarborough for $50,000. In those days, real estate agents and potential sellers and buyers also geared up for the busiest markets which were usually in the Spring and Fall. However over the past few years in Toronto, we've seen steady sales all year long...
I recently had a listing in Cabbagetown, a beautiful Victorian row house built in 1868, that attracted six offers on our offer review date. My client, who had owned the home for the past 40 years, was delighted there was so much interest, but understandably nervous because she had never gone through this process before. All six offers were over our asking price. Unbelievably, the three top offers were identical in price. In my more than 20 years of selling real estate, and through the many multiple offer situations I've been in while representing sellers, I had never seen this happen... [CLICK THE TITLE ABOVE TO KEEP READING]
With the rental vacancy so low in Toronto, it's very difficult for people to find rental housing. Rent controls and provincial legislation have often put landlords at a disadvantage. However, regardless of the disadvantages, I'm seeing many landlords and their agents breaching the Residential Tenancies Act. Here are some demands I've seen by landlords which are NOT allowed...
I recently received a call from an agent on one of my listings. On the listing I stated that the seller would consider holding a mortgage for the new buyer. The agent said to me, "You mentioned on the listing that your seller will hold a mortgage. Can you tell me what that means?" I immediately knew that the agent I was speaking to was fairly new...