Blog - Gerald Lawrence - General Manager, REALTOR®

Market Update

The Ultimate Hedge Against Inflation

Here are some stats on the benefits of home ownership. For example, let’s say you have a $500,000 30-year mortgage with an 8% interest rate. Your monthly payment would be approximately $3,700 a month. Making one extra payment of $3,700 a year would cut your mortgage by 7 years and save you up to $220,000 […]
Market Update

Is Your Home the Right Size for You?

It’s rare for most people to remain in the same home throughout their adult lives. Sometimes, a growing family needs a larger home. Or it could be kids moving out on their own, leaving parents with a space that’s too big for their lifestyle. Choosing to upsize — or downsize — can be an emotional, […]
Market Update

GTA Home Sales Up in July, but Buyers Still Benefit from Increased Choice

Get an Instant FREE Home Value Estimate in 10 seconds at QuickHomeValues.ca TORONTO, ONTARIO, August 6, 2024 – The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) housing market saw an increase in sales compared to July 2023. While this is positive news, buyers continue to have more options due to a significant rise in new listings. As a […]
Market Update

After 10 Interest Rates Increases, We now are on our 2nd decrease to 4.50%

Monetary Policy Decision The Bank of Canada today lowered its policy interest rate by 25 basis points. The overnight rate target is now 4½%, with the Bank Rate at 4¾% and the deposit rate at 4½%. The Bank will continue to normalize its balance sheet. Global Economy Global economic growth is projected to remain steady […]

Market Update The Ultimate Hedge Against Inflation Here are some stats on the benefits of home ownership. For example, let’s say you have a $500,000 30-year mortgage with an 8% interest rate. Your monthly payment would be approximately $3,700 a month. Making one extra payment of $3,700 a year would cut your mortgage by 7 years and save you up to $220,000 […]

Market Update Is Your Home the Right Size for You? It’s rare for most people to remain in the same home throughout their adult lives. Sometimes, a growing family needs a larger home. Or it could be kids moving out on their own, leaving parents with a space that’s too big for their lifestyle. Choosing to upsize — or downsize — can be an emotional, […]

Market Update GTA Home Sales Up in July, but Buyers Still Benefit from Increased Choice Get an Instant FREE Home Value Estimate in 10 seconds at QuickHomeValues.ca TORONTO, ONTARIO, August 6, 2024 – The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) housing market saw an increase in sales compared to July 2023. While this is positive news, buyers continue to have more options due to a significant rise in new listings. As a […]

Market Update After 10 Interest Rates Increases, We now are on our 2nd decrease to 4.50% Monetary Policy Decision The Bank of Canada today lowered its policy interest rate by 25 basis points. The overnight rate target is now 4½%, with the Bank Rate at 4¾% and the deposit rate at 4½%. The Bank will continue to normalize its balance sheet. Global Economy Global economic growth is projected to remain steady […]

Market Update June 2024 Market Statistics – GGH (Greater Golden Horseshoe) Greater Golden Horseshoe Real Estate Report by Gerald Lawrence

Industry Update Changes To The Canadian Capital Gains Tax This summary is for informational purposes only and should not be considered tax or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions based on this information. Key Federal Budget Capital Gains Measures Change: Effective June 25, 2024, the capital gains inclusion rate will increase from 50% to 66.67% for trusts and corporations. […]

Market Update Home Buyers Experience Less Competition in May The Toronto real estate market continued to see lower home sales in May 2024 compared to the previous year. This comes after a brief market upswing in the spring of 2023. Potential buyers are waiting for mortgage rates to come down before entering the market. There’s some optimism, however. The number of new listings has […]

Market Update 1st Interest Rate Cut by the Bank Of Canada in 4 Years Bank of Canada reduces policy rate by 25 basis points FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Relations Ottawa, Ontario June 5, 2024 The Bank of Canada today reduced its target for the overnight rate to 4¾%, with the Bank Rate at 5% and the deposit rate at 4¾%. The Bank is continuing its policy of balance sheet […]

General Info Proposed Homeowner Protection Act, 2024 (Ontario, Canada) Ontario Homeowners’ Protection Act 2024: Strengthening Consumer Protections and Preserving Heritage The Ontario government is taking significant steps to bolster consumer protections for homeowners and homebuyers through a series of legislative measures aimed at curbing harmful business practices. In addition to ensuring that homebuyers can make well-informed decisions, the province is also focusing on preserving […]

Market Update Selling Prices Up in March and Set to Accelerate This Spring TORONTO, ONTARIO, April 3, 2024 – The latest report on March 2024 home sales, facilitated through TRREB’s MLS® System, reveals a slight dip compared to the same period in 2023. This decrease can be attributed in part to the timing of the statutory holiday Good Friday, which fell in March this year as opposed […]

Market Update York Region Market Update – February 2024

Market Update Township Of Uxbridge Market Update – February 2024

Market Update Durham Region Market Update For February 2024

Market Update Buyers Re-Enter the GTA Housing Market in February TORONTO, ONTARIO, March 5, 2024 – Greater Toronto Area (GTA) home sales and new listings were up on an annual and monthly basis in February 2024. Selling prices also edged upward compared to a year earlier. Population growth and a resilient regional economy continued to support the overall demand for housing. Higher borrowing costs kept […]

General Info News Update: CMHC To End First-Time Homebuyer Incentive Program IMPORTANT – February 29, 2024 The First-Time Home Buyer Incentive has been discontinued. The deadline for new or updated submissions for the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive is midnight ET on March 21, 2024. For new and resubmitted First-Time Home Buyer Incentive applications All new applications and resubmissions for previously cancelled or declined applications must reach […]

Property Update SOLD! – 12 Village Green Lane SOLD Property courtesy of YorkDurhamHomes

Property Update Just Listed – Kawartha Lakes Waterfront Property Design by Gerald Lawrence

Property Update New Listings Alert! Design by Gerald Lawrence

General Info Enter February’s VIP Gift Card giveaway! A Chilly February VIP Giveaway! February VIP Club – Giving Away $25 to the place of your choosing! You’re A VIP … You’re eligible for my monthly giveaways, real estate news and info. There’s no catch; I want to show my appreciation to past, present, and future clients like you. This month’s VIP […]

General Info The Significance of the Kitchen in Homebuying Decisions In the intricate dance of real estate transactions, where myriad factors influence the choice of a new abode, one element consistently emerges as a critical determinant: the kitchen. Often hailed as the heart of the home, the kitchen holds sway over buyers’ minds and hearts, transcending its traditional role as a mere cooking space. In […]