The Risks of Improper Tenant Screening in Ontario

August 21, 2026

Choosing a tenant is one of the most consequential decisions a landlord makes. Once a residential tenancy begins, the relationship may continue for many years, during which the landlord is relying on the tenant to pay rent, reasonably care for the property, respect other occupants and comply with the tenancy ...

Can a Real Estate Commission Rebate Have Tax Consequences?

August 20, 2026

Commission rebates can be an attractive part of a real estate representation arrangement. Depending on the agreement between the client and brokerage, a portion of the remuneration earned on a transaction may be returned to the buyer after the purchase is completed. For someone already making a substantial investment in ...

OREA – 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 ...

Understanding Commercial Mortgages: Financing Is Part of the Property Decision

Purchasers who have financed a home are sometimes surprised by how different the process becomes when they acquire commercial or investment real estate. A residential mortgage can create an expectation that financing is primarily about the borrower: income, credit, down payment and the value of the home. Those considerations remain ...

Mississauga Approves Renovictions By-Law: What Landlords and Tenants Should Know

August 12, 2026

On April 1, 2026, Mississauga joined Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, and Kitchener in adopting a municipal renoviction by-law. Mississauga’s Rental Repairs and Renovations Licensing By-law will come into effect on September 1, 2026. The new by-law introduces a municipal licensing framework for landlords undertaking certain major repairs or renovations that require ...

How to Transfer Oshawa Real Estate Property During Your Lifetime

August 11, 2026

Are you looking to transfer real estate property during your lifetime to your children? Maybe your rental property or a cottage? First of all, yes it’s possible, but take the time to evaluate all the possible scenarios. There are many solutions available and they all come with their share of ...

Why I Prefer a Neutral Lease

August 10, 2026

A lease agreement is sometimes approached as though it is primarily a defensive document: the landlord wants as much protection as possible, the tenant wants as much flexibility as possible, and the agreement becomes a contest over whose interests will dominate. I do not think that is the best way ...

What Does a Full-Service REALTOR® Really Provide?

August 4, 2026

Selling a home is one of the largest financial transactions many people will undertake, so it is understandable that homeowners pay close attention to the cost of selling. When interviewing REALTORS®, sellers may encounter different commission structures, flat-fee arrangements, limited-service offerings and professionals describing themselves as providing “full service.” The ...

Does Your REALTOR® Get Paid for Referrals? What Ontario Consumers Should Know

August 3, 2026

Real estate transactions rarely involve only a buyer, seller and REALTOR®. Depending on the property and transaction, clients may also need lawyers, mortgage professionals, home inspectors, appraisers, contractors, surveyors, environmental consultants, movers, staging professionals and other specialists. It is therefore perfectly normal for clients to ask their real estate representative ...

Understanding Real Estate Contracts in Ontario: From Offer to Closing

August 1, 2026

Real estate transactions involve a surprising number of contracts and related documents. Buyers and sellers naturally tend to focus on the Agreement of Purchase and Sale because that is where the price and many of the most visible terms of the transaction are recorded, but the agreement is usually only ...