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. […]

Here’s a story you can share with your clients who only want to talk about rate. Omer Quenneville loves to tell the story of the two clients who bought identical condos in the same building – and especially loves to remind the client who didn’t listen just how wrong he was.   “Do I love […]

Majority (60%) of Canadian Homeowners Admit to Mistake Making When Buying a Home; Renovations (15%), Small Down Payments (14%), and No Home Inspection (13%) Among Top Concerns Affordability (46%) and Saving for Large Down Payment (32%) Top Reasons for Not Buying Until Now for First-Time Buyers Monday, April 29, 2013 Toronto, ON – When it […]

News Release: April 3, 2013 LOWER INVENTORY KEEPS HOME PRICES IN CHECK AS ‘SLOW BUT STEADY’ MARKET CONTINUES (Surrey, BC) – In March, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,128 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), a 20 per cent decrease compared to the 1,412 sales during the same month last year, and […]