All Blog Entries by Nutan Brown

For the third straight month of 2021, record home sales continued across the Greater Toronto Area with buyers taking advantage of favourable borrowing costs and continued improvement in many sectors of the economy.

According to a new Toronto Regional Real Estate Board report, sales in the GTA reached a record 15,652 last month, up 97% from 7,945 during the same time last year.

One major reason for the dramatic increase in sales is the fact that this time last year the economic effects of the pandemic first took hold, making many buyers and sellers hesitant to enter the market.

The average home price in March also grew to $1.1 million, an increase of 16.5% compared to last year.

The consistent increase in home sales and price over the…

The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home. But keeping it well maintained can be a challenge, as things tend to pile up very quickly. To help you make the most of this space, here are the top 5 tips to maximize your kitchen.

Consider All The Functions

Today’s kitchen isn’t just used to cook and eat meals. The space also serves many households as a place to study, work and entertain. Start by reflecting on how your family uses the kitchen and create a place to store items when they are not in use. From charging cords and ipads, to notebooks and pens, select an accessible spot for your things so they don’t clutter the kitchen.

Decide What You Actually Use

Give your whole space an objective assessment to determine what…

Selling your home will likely be the largest financial transaction of your life. To help you improve your chances of cashing out big, here are 3 tips to help you get the maximum price for your home.

Understand The Market

Supply and demand is a basic rule of economics, and the housing market is no different. When there are more homes on the market than buyers, it usually brings the price down. Alternatively, if there are more buyers than homes, prices go up. The current Toronto market is considered a seller's market, since there are more buyers than homes. But that doesn't mean it won't change over time. Keeping an eye on the market and supply vs. demand will help you determine an appropriate price for your home.

RELATED: Top 5 Reasons…

Spring is finally here! Along with it comes a chance to renew and revitalize our living spaces, which likely got a lot more use than normal over the last few months.

Here are some of the top spring décor ideas for 2021:

Eco Friendly Decor

Recent months have demonstrated how fragile our planet really is, so anything we can do to use eco-friendly and sustainable products in our homes has to be welcome. Some easy and affordable ideas include buying pre-owned or vintage items, creating some DIY wall art, and investing in timeless designs that will last for multiple years. The planet will thank you!

Invite Nature Into Your Home

Plants are essential for our living and very much welcome in the home, especially since most of us…

The hot Toronto housing market continued into February as the average home price surpassed $1 million for the first time.

According to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board, home sales reached 10,970 last month, which represents a whopping 52.5% increase from 7,193 homes sold in the same month last year.

The average selling price for all home types was up 14.9% to $1,045,488, an increase from $910,142 in 2020. While market conditions were tight throughout the GTA region in February, the detached, semi-detached and townhouse market segments in suburban areas were the drivers of average price growth, with annual rates of increase above 20% in all three cases.

RELATED: How To Buy In A Seller’s Market

TRREB officials predict that the…

Just because the days are shorter and the weather is cold doesn’t mean you can’t spruce up the exterior of your home. Whether you are looking to sell or dress up your home for the winter, here are 4 tips to enhance your curb appeal.

Clear the Snow and Clutter

A fresh snowfall can certainly look nice, but leaving your driveway and walkway unkempt will give your home a sloppy look. Cleaning up the snow will also help make your home accessible and safe for guests or prospective buyers. Make sure all toys, shovels and lawn equipment are put away as well to create a more clean and inviting atmosphere.  

RELATED: Should I Stage My Home?

Plant Some Seasonal Greens

Winter provides us with plenty of grey days, so placing some…

The Canadian real estate market is expected to sit in seller’s territory for 2021. This is great news if are considering selling your home. But those who have their sights set on buying a home this year will face some challenges. Here are 4 tips for buying in a seller’s market.

Make Your Offer Simple

Buying a home isn’t only about price. Most offers include contingencies that need to happen to move the deal forward. Sellers tend to view these contingencies as potential risks for a deal to fall apart. In a seller’s market, removing or reducing the contingencies can make your offer more competitive.

RELATED: 5 Essential Tips For First Time Home Buyers

Make An All-Cash Offer

All-cash offers are often preferred by sellers…

As the first month of the New Year comes to an end, we get a glimpse into 2021 and what the Toronto housing market has in store. Despite the cold weather, January came in hot with a total of 6,928 monthly transactions, representing a year-over-year increase of a whopping 52.4% in sales.

While this number might seem big, we have to consider that real estate activity, particularly over the last few months, has been abnormal. For example, as stated in our market update for November 2020, a record number of homes were sold in October which represented a 25.1% increase from the previous year. This trend continued into November and December to close out the year.

RELATED: Toronto Housing Outlook 2021

Interestingly, the number of sales wasn’t the…

The recent pandemic has changed the way we use our kitchens. Now more than ever homeowners are spending an abundance of time cooking from home, causing a shift in consumer habits and behaviours.

Here are some of the trends you can expect to stay throughout 2021:

Touchless Faucets

Hands-free functionality saw an increase in popularity last year, and demand continues to grow into 2021. Inspired by a heightened awareness of hygiene around the home, touchless faucets are quickly replacing traditional faucets in the modern kitchen. This new faucet feature is not only more hygienic, but it can also help you be more productive in the kitchen too.

Increased Storage

The past year not only changed what we cook, but the way we cook…

It's no surprise that the condo market was hit the hardest last year due to the pandemic. With stay at home orders in effect and social distancing required, homeowners shifted their attention to larger lots and bigger homes causing a significant decline in condo sales. But that doesn’t mean the demand for condos is gone forever.

Which is why some people have been asking; are condos a good investment?

Shift In Demand

In the first quarter of 2020, condo price increases were outpacing single detached houses. New condo prices in Toronto were up 14.6% over the previous year while resale prices had increased by 8.5%.

Current data shows a different story. While condo prices are up year over year – month over month, price growth is not as…