All Blog Entries by Nutan Brown

Sales climbed for the first time in five months to start off the fall season, hitting the third-highest mark on record for September according to TRREB.

There were 9,046 home sales in the Toronto region last month compared to 8,596 in August, marking the first month-over-month increase in activity since March.

“Demand has remained incredibly robust throughout September with many qualified buyers who would buy a home tomorrow provided they could find a suitable property,” according to TRREB.

Although more homeowners put their properties up for sale last month, the total number of houses on the market was lower than in the fall of last year.

The average selling price across the Toronto area was $1,136,280, an 18.3% increase compared…

Fall offers some excellent opportunities to sell your home. Unfortunately there are many myths surrounding the fall market that may make some home sellers hesitant to list their homes.

If you are thinking of selling your home, we dispel some common myths about selling this season.

The cold weather deters homebuyers

Just because the weather cools down for fall, doesn't mean the real estate market does as well. Homebuyers who came up short in the summer may even be more committed to finding a home this season. When preparing your home for a showing, be sure to turn up the thermostat to make the buyers feel comfortable. You can even turn on your fireplace and add some blankets and pillows to create a warm and cozy indoor atmosphere. 

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Home sales slowed as prices continued to rise in the Toronto area last month.

According to the latest TRREB report, 8,596 homes were sold in August, a 19.9% drop from 10,738 at the same time last year and an 8% fall from 9,368 in July.

New listings in the region fell to 10,609, down 43% from 18,599 last August and 15% from 12,551 in July.

RELATED: The Royal LePage Advantage

However, Toronto home prices continued to climb, up 12.6% compared year-over-year to an average $1,070,911 for all home types.

“It is clear that the supply of homes is not keeping pace with demand, and this situation will become worse once immigration into Canada resumes,” said TRREB president Kevin Crigger.

The only exception to the slow sales last month was…

A home showing happens when you list your home for sale and potential buyers want to view it. As a seller, you might wonder what happens at a home showing.

To give you an idea of what you can expect, here are frequently asked questions and answers about home showings.

Who shows your home?

During a home showing, potential buyers are always accompanied by their real estate agent. Buyers are not allowed to show up at your house unannounced. All showings are booked and approved by your real estate agent before they see your home.

How will I be notified of a showing?

RELATED: Top 5 Reasons Why Your House Is Not Selling

Once a showing has been booked, you will receive a notification in the manner you prefer so you can keep…

There are many things to consider when you are looking for a new home. While the physical home may be the first thing that grabs your attention, you’ll want to make sure that the area around it is perfect for you as well.

Here are some liveability factors to look for when finding your next home:

Location

When you are searching for a home, be sure to take into consideration the location of the property. Factors such as how busy the street is, what the noise levels are like and the future of the neighbourhood are especially important. Try to keep your emotions in check and don't overlook the surrounding area when house hunting.

RELATED: How To Buy In A Seller’s Market

Lifestyle

What type of lifestyle do you picture…

A mortgage preapproval is an important part of the home buying process. If you are pre-approved, it means that you qualify for a mortgage loan based on the information you have provided. Here is a breakdown of how to get pre-approved for a mortgage.

What is the mortgage preapproval process?

The mortgage preapproval process may be divided in various steps. Different lenders have different definitions and criteria for each step they offer. It is important to shop around, so you can compare options offered by different lenders.

During this process, the lender will look at your finances to determine the maximum amount they may lend you and at what interest rate. They will ask for your personal information, various documents and will likely…

Housing demand dropped in July compared to the previous year, but still remains above average for the season in 2021.

There were 9,390 home sales in the city last month, down 14.9% compared to July 2020. Sales were also down 2% month-over-month, according to the latest TRREB report.

Although sales were down, home ownership still remained well above the average for this time of year. According to TRREB president Kevin Crigger:

“Demand for ownership housing has remained strong despite a pandemic-related lull in population growth. Of specific note is the condominium apartment market, which has seen a marked turnaround in 2021 with sales up compared to last year. First-time buyers, many of whom were slower to benefit from the initial recovery…

Over the last year, homeowners have been spending more and more time at home. As a result, the outdoor living space has become a central part of daily living. The way we use this space has changed along with it.

Here are 3 landscaping trends that have gained popularity in 2021. 

Bringing The Indoors Out

In 2021, the outdoor living space of many homes has transformed from a quiet green space to an all-out entertainment center. Homeowners are redesigning their backyards to include everything from furniture, to lighting, to tv screens and projectors. Even barbeques aren’t the only meals eaten outside, as alfresco dining has gained popularity.  

RELATED: 4 Outdoor Ideas To Enhance Your Backyard 

Reducing The Lawn

In order to…

As Canada’s Real Estate Company, Royal LePage is proudly Canadian. Since 1913, Royal LePage has been helping Canadians buy and sell their homes and supporting communities.

Our mission is to deliver innovative services and market information with superior client satisfaction, while making a meaningful contribution to the communities in which we live and work. We are proud of the integrity and professionalism of our Realtors.

Network

With a network of over 18,000 in 600 locations from coast-to-coast, Royal LePage continues to be the largest national real estate company in Canada. No matter if you live in a big city or in the country, you’ll find a Royal LePage agent ready and equipped to help you.

 RELATED: 5 Essential Tips For First-Time…

How you prepare your home for showings can make a major impact on potential buyers. You really want your home to be looking its best in order to fetch the highest price.

Here are 4 tips for creating an inviting environment during home showings. 

Make Your Home Spotless

The kitchen and bathrooms are paramount and should be "deep-tissue cleaned". Professional interior and exterior window cleaning should be done and is money well spent. Eavestroughs should be clean and free from leaves/debris. Every area of the home tells a buyer about the level of care the homeowner has taken over the years.  Any negatives are carried with the buyer throughout the viewing and will definitely affect their decision to proceed or not with an offer.

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