July 2008

Central Toronto Housing Market Sends Mixed Signals

by Rosalin Smith Carr July 31, 2008 Tips for Buyers

Most of us are familiar with the most basic law of supply and demand which tells us that when supply goes up and demand goes down, prices can only travel in one direction … down!
So much for economic theories! In central Toronto, three prime neighbourhoods recorded an increase …

Read the full article →

Red Flags to Watch Out for When Accepting Offers On the Sale of Your Home

by Rosalin Smith Carr July 29, 2008 Tips for Buyers

Three weeks ago you put your home up for sale and things are going quite well. The home you are moving into has a flexible closing and you are looking forward to moving in.

Two different buyers have made an offer on your present …

Read the full article →

Which Renovations Give You the Best Return When Selling Your Home?

by Rosalin Smith Carr July 28, 2008 Tips for Buyers

The majority of us tend to make major buying decisions, such as a home, based on impulse and very little logic. Most home buyers will buy after “falling in love” with your house. Hardly a calculated, well thought out decision! As a seller, you …

Read the full article →

Ottawa Changes in Mortgage Rules Too Late to Avoid Housing Bubble

by Rosalin Smith Carr July 26, 2008 Toronto Real Estate

In an effort to prevent a U.S. style housing bubble, the Canadian government has announced that as of October 15 2008, it will no longer back mortgages with amortization periods longer than 35 years.

The government first introduced mortgage insurance in 1954 through the …

Read the full article →

Announcing the Death of the For Sale by Owner (FSBO)

by Rosalin Smith Carr July 25, 2008 Tips for Sellers

The more things change the more they remain the same, except when it comes to selling your home without an agent. When I first entered the real estate business I did not have many clients. My manager advised me to go out and …

Read the full article →

You Want to Buy a House in Toronto, May I See Your ID Please?

by Rosalin Smith Carr July 24, 2008 Tips for Buyers

New Money Laundering Law Affects All Canadian Real Estate Buyers and Sellers

The next time you are involved in buying or selling real estate you may be surprised to have the real estate agent ask to see your ID.

In an effort to combat …

Read the full article →

Should You Wait for the Market to Bottom Out Before Buying a Home in Toronto?

by Rosalin Smith Carr July 23, 2008 Tips for Buyers

A quick look at the headlines suggests that the Toronto housing market will continue to slow down. The question is whether waiting for the market to reach bottom is a smart idea. Here are four reasons to buy now and four reasons you …

Read the full article →

How to Get the Most for Your Home in a Slowing Toronto Real Estate Market – Part Three

by Rosalin Smith Carr July 22, 2008 Tips for Sellers

Here are the last two most common errors that you must avoid, in order to get a higher price when selling your home in a softening real estate market.

Do not let your emotions gain control of you

The offer you have …

Read the full article →

How to Get the Most for Your Home in a Slowing Toronto Real Estate Market – Part Two

by Rosalin Smith Carr July 21, 2008 Tips for Sellers

Here are two more common errors that you must avoid in order to get a higher price when selling your home in a softening real estate market.

Not willing to make cosmetic improvements before selling

“Let the Buyer fix that.” The time to make cosmetics improvements is …

Read the full article →

How to Get the Most for Your Home in a Slowing Toronto Real Estate Market – Part One

by Rosalin Smith Carr July 18, 2008 Tips for Sellers

A few days ago I got an email from a client who has been thinking of moving into a smaller house for several years. The family is all grown up and the house is too big and too much work.

Had my client …

Read the full article →