It’s August. Where did the last five months go? I see posts about PJ’s, midday snacks and a new trend of baking bread. I wish I could say I have been relaxing in “sweats,” however, the real estate market has been as busy as our weather has been hot. This column will focus on where we are in Oshawa for prices and how heated the market has become. We are continuing to expe...Read More

Every week it seems I encounter sales reps who bring different levels of experience to our sales interactions. I was involved in a multiple offer situation this past week, representing the seller, and it caused me to think about how experience in this type of market is critical. When you are a buyer in a low inventory market, getting an offer accepted can be a challenge. The average detached home...Read More

Our world changed in mid-March. I will never forget how we went from “gale force winds” to “dead calm” overnight in the real estate market. When our province declared emergency orders to stay at home and shelter in place, most of Ontario was closed for business. Real estate was deemed an essential service, and we were allowed to continue to operate. There was some controve...Read More

We met with a client this week looking at downsizing. They live in a home that really is suited for a large family, and we started the discussion about what, where, and when. One of the interesting questions they asked was about a home they saw on realtor.ca. He mentioned the area and before he could describe it, I knew exactly which home he was going to mention. We had a discussion around how som...Read More

  I am going to start this column off with a headline from May: “CMHC sees house prices in Canada falling between 9 per cent and 18 per cent over the next 12 months.” Let’s look at another quote responding to real estate brokers disagreeing with this forecast. “Please question the motivation of anyone who wants you to believe prices will go up.” I have mention...Read More

  This past weekend I spent some time on a patio in lovely Westport, Ontario. I have no idea how people seem to sense that Wendy Starr and I are real estate broker/reps. One of questions we had from a table next to us came from a couple who had a daughter starting first grade this coming school year (whatever that might look like). They were already planning for her post-secondary education ...Read More

Two couples were enjoying a drink on a newly opened restaurant patio and were having a passionate discussion. Both couples were planning on moving to different homes and debating selling first or buying before selling. Overhearing their chat, I thought I would chime in with some thoughts based on the experience of 36 years of selling homes in Oshawa. Here are some of the points we covered as we si...Read More

  A question I had from a Seller this week was one I have been asked many times over the past few months. Let’s take a look at why people are asking this question and explore why so many people are reaching out for this specific information. This question is very honest and based around a sense of confusion, fear and uncertainty. All feelings we have experienced since we began the new...Read More

  On a waterfront walk this past week, I could see a smokestack on the USA side. I think Rochester is about 80 kms from where I was. It’s amazing how 80 kms can be night and day for areas to live in. If you go 80 kms west of Oshawa, you would be in Brampton. One thing we share in common with Brampton is our proximity to downtown Toronto. It is almost the same commute by GO train. One ...Read More

Two interesting opposing views of the market: 1) A local realtor makes an online post this past week about how her client lost out several times on properties they loved only to be caught up in multiple offers. 2) CMHC releases a report predicting values will drop by 9 to 18 per cent in 2020. Real estate predictions are based on a combination of breaking down market statistics/trends and using ...Read More