Categories for Strategic Real Estate Advisory

How to Interview a GTA Realtor in a Brief 15 Minute Phone Call

How to Interview a GTA Realtor in a Brief 15 Minute Phone Call You’re about to face one of the largest financial transactions of your lifetime. You need to hire a real estate agent and you need them to know their stuff. But who’s got the time to spend hours ...

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Advice on Hiring a Realtor® to Sell Your Home

Hiring a Realtor to Sell Your Home: Who Has What it Takes? Hiring a Realtor® to sell your property and not sure where to start? First, congrats on any work you’ve already done to get to this point. Second, don’t take this decision lightly! The truth is, you won’t have ...

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2025 Real Estate Changes in Ontario

New lending regulations came into effect in 2025 aimed at improving accessibility for both first-time buyers and existing homeowners. Changes include the expansion of eligibility for 30-year amortizations on insured mortgages to all first-time homebuyers and all buyers of newly constructed homes, an increase from the previous 25-year maximum. Additionally, ...

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Your REALTOR® is Asking Questions Because…it’s the Law

Federal money laundering and anti-terrorist financing rules require real estate agents and brokers to collect personal identification information from buyers and sellers. It is the federal Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) that requires financial institutions and real estate agents, among other professionals and services covered ...

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Why Proper Representation Agreements Protect Consumers

Real estate transactions involve significant: financial commitments, legal obligations, negotiations, disclosures, and risk exposure. However, many consumers view representation agreements as simply: paperwork, administrative formalities, or documents designed primarily to protect the brokerage. In reality, properly structured representation agreements are intended to help protect consumers by creating: transparency, informed consent, ...

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Understanding FINTRAC Obligations in Canadian Real Estate

Canadian real estate transactions are subject to anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing legislation designed to help protect the integrity of Canada’s financial system. As a result, real estate brokerages and registrants across Canada are subject to compliance obligations under legislation administered by FINTRAC — the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis ...

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Why Documentation Matters in Real Estate Transactions

Real estate transactions involve significant: financial commitments, legal obligations, negotiations, timelines, and risk exposure. However, many buyers and sellers underestimate the importance of proper documentation throughout the transaction process. In Ontario real estate, documentation is not simply administrative paperwork — it plays a critical role in: transparency, informed consent, compliance, ...

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How Are You Going To Get Your Money Out Of The Business ???

And how much money are you going to get? Liquidation One often-overlooked exit strategy is simply to call it quits, close the business doors, and call it a day. (not a great one). If you liquidate, however, any proceeds from the assets must be used to repay creditors. The remainder ...

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Can I Buy a Property in Durham Region Without a REALTOR® ?

Yes. Just like a Seller can represent themselves, so can a Buyer. In Ontario, REALTORS® usually work with Buyers in one of 2 ways. The most common relationships are “client” and “customer”, but other options may be available in the marketplace. A Buyer’s Representation Agreement acknowledging a Client relationship is ...

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When it Comes to Offers, it’s Not Always about Price

When considering which of two or more competing offers to accept for your property, there is no doubt price will play a huge role. After all, if Offer #1 is $10,000 higher than Offer #2, that’s an enticing difference that puts thousands of extra dollars in your pocket. However, price ...

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