Flaherty to discuss further changes with developers  MBN | 29 Oct 2013 Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will meet with developers to determine whether future interference in the housing industry may be needed. “Some of the economists this morning suggested that I have some conversations with some people in the building industry – some more conversations […]

Can we call ourselves professionals? Oct 21, 2013                         By Lloyd R. Manning In recent years, from many quarters, concerns have been expressed about the continuing decline in professionalism. This includes medical doctors, lawyers, accountants, other professions and certainly Realtors, assuming that we who […]

News Release: October 2, 2013   SEPTEMBER HOUSING MARKET SHOWS MARKED  IMPROVEMENT OVER LAST YEAR’S HISTORICAL LOWS      (Surrey, BC) – The Fraser Valley real estate market continues to edge closer to typical activity levels as September saw the largest year-over-year increase in property sales this year to date.      The Fraser Valley Real Estate […]

Can you sleep your way to success? Oct 2, 2013 By Ari Lahdekorpi An Internet series called TED talks is a fascinating diversion these days. The series consist of experts in various fields sharing leading edge ideas and discoveries. The other evening I was scrolling through the latest of the TED talks and came across […]

News Release: September 4, 2013 CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN FRASER VALLEY’S HOUSING MARKET    (Surrey, BC) – Buyers and sellers continued to show greater confidence in the market last month as home sales on the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) edged closer to typical levels. The Board processed 1,258 sales in August, an […]

The rise of the variable rate? Fixed or variable? It’s a debate brokers thought they left behind but is now coming up more and more as fixed rates climb and concerns about a Central Bank move fade into the distance. “You’re seeing a one per cent spread between variable and fixed so it almost doesn’t […]

Brokers say they are experiencing longer than average turnaround times with the banks, suggesting it could be a result of a flooded market due to collective client fears that rates will continue to increase. “I would divide the segment into two parts; the adjudication part with the banks in general is probably twice or three […]

Toronto real estate numbers for July were the best since 2009, with total sales up 16 per cent compared to last year, according to statistics released today by the Toronto Real Estate Board.   “Last month’s sales represented the best July since 2009 and was the third-best July result on record,” said Dianne Usher, president […]

Interest rates continue to go up – and this time, it is Scotiabank and RBC following TD Canada Trustby announcing increases to special discounted rates.   TD Canada Trust increased its special 5-year closed residential rate 10 bps to 3.39 per cent on Wednesday – a discount off the posted rate. This was quickly followed […]

RBC’s announced rate hike Friday is a signal the big bank is laying down its weapon of choice at least for the time being, say brokers.   “They’re realizing that competing on rate is a losing game, and want to see how the market will react,” says Paolo Di Petta, a broker with EQRON Mortgage. […]