June 2009

Canadian Home Values Better Than U.S.

by Rosalin Smith Carr June 24, 2009 Tips for Buyers

A recent real estate survey reveals that home values in Canada are, on average, higher than in the United States. Cities such as Toronto and Winnipeg, though similar in economy and size to Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul, boast much stronger and more stable …

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Toxic Chinese Drywall in Your Home Can Make You Sick

by Rosalin Smith Carr June 19, 2009 Toronto Real Estate

The use of toxic Chinese drywall in newly-built or renovated homes is turning into the largest environmental crisis to hit the North American real estate industry in recent history.

When exposed to humid conditions, the defective drywall gives off toxic gases like …

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Toronto Real Estate Market Close to Reaching Boiling Point Again

by Rosalin Smith Carr June 15, 2009 Tips for Buyers

As springtime sales experience an unexpected upswing, parts of the Toronto market go from famine to frenzy. Even bidding wars have returned, to the joy of sellers and annoyance of buyers.

In the first two weeks of May, housing sales in the Greater …

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Survey: Royal LePage Real Estate in the Top Ten Real Estate Companies in North America

by Rosalin Smith Carr June 12, 2009 Toronto Real Estate

Real Trends 500 (or RT500) is the real estate version of Fortune 500. It appears annually and measures the performance of the top 500 most successful residential real estate brokerages in the U.S.

In a recent comparison, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., including …

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Woman Uses Children to Steal Valuables at Open House

by Rosalin Smith Carr June 10, 2009 Tips for Sellers

I have never been fond of doing open houses because the person who benefits most is your agent, not you the seller. And now I have that much less incentive to do them. A 36-year-old woman was arrested recently in connection with thefts …

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