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Is It Okay to Have Multiple Real Estate Agents?
Can You Work With More Than One REALTOR® in Ontario? Yes, it may be possible to work with more than one real estate agent in Ontario. However, whether you should — and whether you are free to do so — depends largely on the representation agreements you have entered into and ...
Continue ReadingWays to Make Your Home Accessible for All Ages
As multi-generational families are opting to live under one roof, homeowners may want to renovate to accommodate this growing demographic. Here are some tips to create an inviting home, while also maintaining universal appeal for all occupants regardless of age. Keep your options open When planning renos, keep your floor plan ...
Continue ReadingWhat Investors Should Know Before Creating a Second Suite in Ontario
Creating a second suite can look deceptively simple. An investor walks through a property and sees an unfinished basement, or perhaps a basement that already has a kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms and a separate entrance. With rental demand and the potential for additional income, it can be tempting to calculate the expected ...
Continue ReadingWhat Real Estate Consumers Should Expect From Their Brokerage
Most consumers have a general idea of what they expect from a real estate agent. A seller may expect advice about pricing, marketing and negotiations, while a buyer may expect help identifying properties, evaluating opportunities and preparing an offer. Commercial and investment clients may require assistance with leasing, acquisitions, due ...
Continue ReadingThe Difference Between Transactional Sales and Professional Advisory
Not every real estate transaction requires the same level of advice, analysis or professional involvement. Some transactions are relatively straightforward, while others involve significant financial commitments, contractual obligations, operational considerations and risks that may continue long after a property has been purchased, sold or leased. That distinction can also influence the ...
Continue ReadingWhat Commercial Tenants Should Review Before Signing a Lease
Finding the right commercial space can be an exciting step for a business. A new location may provide room to grow, better access to customers, improved facilities or the opportunity to establish a business in a market it has been trying to enter. Once a suitable property is found, however, attention ...
Continue ReadingCCHR – Help Stop Discrimination in Housing
The Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) is Canada’s leading non-profit organization working to advance the right to housing. For the first 35 years of their existence – from 1987 until 2022 – CCHR was called the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA). The Canadian Centre for Housing Rights is ...
Continue ReadingMortgage Rates, Property Prices and the Real Cost of Waiting to Buy
When mortgage rates begin to decline, it is understandable that prospective homebuyers may consider waiting. The reasoning seems straightforward: if borrowing becomes less expensive in the future, waiting for another rate reduction should make the eventual purchase more affordable. But real estate affordability is determined by more than the mortgage rate ...
Continue ReadingCommission Rebates May Have Tax Implications
A real estate commission rebate is a portion of the real estate agent's commission that is legally returned to the buyer after closing. This is a legitimate practice in Ontario, overseen by the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), and must be put in writing, often in a Buyer Representation ...
Continue ReadingEscape Clauses : Taking New Offers After Selling Conditionally
Can a home seller consider other bids after accepting a conditional offer? The short answer is yes, but you have to be cautious. A seller can consider additional offers even after signing a conditional offer. This is because the sale is not final and binding on both parties until all the conditions ...
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