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The Seven Deadly Sins of CRE Investment
Buying a CRE asset above its value or at a low cap rate is rarely a route to a successful transaction. Most of you have heard about the Seven Deadly Sins that include; pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed and sloth. There are also Seven Deadly Sins of commercial real estate ...
Continue ReadingClear Signs of a Bad Real Estate Agent
Don’t brush off these telltale signs of a bad real estate agent Did you choose your real estate agent based on a friend-of-a-friend’s referral, a quick Google search, or even a flyer in a mailbox? Is your gut telling you it isn’t the right fit, but you’re not sure if it’s ...
Continue ReadingMortgage Fraud
Be one step ahead and discover red flags that may indicate any of the different types of mortgage fraud so you won't be a victim yourself and avoid getting yourself entangled in any fraudulent agreements. Mortgage fraud can be a criminal offence when someone – you, a mortgage broker or agent, ...
Continue ReadingMultiple Offers are Being Accepted
Are we able to see what others are offering before we make ours? This has been a more common question lately, as many transactions are taking place with multiple (competing) offers. Sellers represented by real estate brokerages in Ontario accept offers in what is referred to as closed bidding process, so ...
Continue ReadingCommission Reduction Agreements
When REALTORS® use commission reductions, it is essential to create an appropriate agreement in order to comply with the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 (TRESA 2002). In a commission reduction agreement, the listing brokerage agrees with the seller to reduce commission that was previously agreed to. The following are the ...
Continue ReadingAre Real Estate Commission Rebates Taxable in Ontario?
There are nearly 40,000 real estate agents in Toronto; that is one agent for every 140 Torontonians! In Vancouver, the numbers are even more staggering - one agent for every 61 Vancouverites. It helps, of course, that the market is sizzling hot, but across Canada, the competition among realtors is ...
Continue ReadingOREA – Fighting for Fair Housing
The report from the Ontario Real Estate Association’s Presidential Advisory Group on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The overarching goal of the PAG is to identify where systemic racism occurs in the real estate and housing sectors... Over the past two years, a racial reckoning has taken place, triggered by a number ...
Continue ReadingThe Commercial Mortgage
Preface If you are reading this, you may be considering acquiring a commercial property, for example, a commercial or industrial condo, an office building, a manufacturing/warehouse facility, apartment building, shopping centre, strip mall etc., and this generally involves the negotiation of a commercial mortgage. While most of you may have had ...
Continue ReadingSophisticated Negotiations Involve More Than Price Alone
Many people assume successful real estate negotiation is primarily about: achieving the highest price, negotiating the lowest purchase price, or “winning” financially. However, sophisticated real estate negotiations often involve much more than economics alone. Strong negotiation strategy may also involve: risk allocation, timing, financing structure, conditional protections, operational flexibility, documentation, liability management, ...
Continue ReadingRisks of Improper Tenant Screening
Tenant screening is one of the most important operational and risk-management responsibilities landlords face. However, many landlords either: screen tenants too casually, or: apply inconsistent or poorly structured screening practices that may create additional liability exposure. Improper tenant screening can lead to: payment problems, property damage, operational stress, disputes, legal complications, or prolonged ...
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