At the risk of sounding melodramatic, I honestly believe that bidding wars are among the greatest economic inefficiencies ever produced by the real estate market. In 2017, we saw a pretty wild market, with real-time price discovery being the greatest challenge of buyers, sellers, and realtors alike. As a result, we saw the arbitrary underpricing of properties that led to even more arbitrary firm offers being submitted. Ultimately, this created risk for buyers, sellers, and lenders as we... [read more]

The B.C. government took steps Monday to reduce some of the pressure in Metro Vancouver's overheated real estate market, introducing legislation that would add a 15 per cent property transfer tax for foreign nationals buying real estate there. The new rules take effect Aug. 2 and only apply to home purchases in Metro Vancouver, excluding the treaty lands of the Tsawwassen First Nation. Provincial Finance Minister Mike de Jong unveiled the tax as part... [read more]

It's interesting to see the demand for homes for sale in Georgina and York Region that has resulted, consequence to the following article. Via BNN Millennials need to adjust their expectations when it comes to living in single-family homes, according to Toronto’s chief city planner. “The reality is not everyone can live in a ground-oriented, single-family home. It’s simply not possible,” Jennifer Keesmaat told BNN in an interview. “There’s not... [read more]

Interestingly, the geographic distribution of sales volume of homes sold in Georgina has seemed to spread itself more evenly, with a large decrease in homes sales in Keswick South, paired with an increase in homes sales in Keswick North and Sutton & Jackson’s point, putting these three areas within 4 home sales of one another. Total home sales in Georgina decreased by only 5 units for a total of 122 homes sold in Georgina in July: •7 homes sold in Baldwin •0 homes... [read more]

A new report from National Bank Financial is cautioning policymakers that crimping demand for housing could hit federal and provincial coffers. In the report, economists Warren Lovely and Marc Pinsonneault warned governments and regulators shouldn’t take hasty action when it comes to changes to the industry responsible for $120 billion, or 17 per cent, of government revenues in this country. “From a fiscal perspective, housing is something of a cash cow for Canadian... [read more]