Monday, May 25, 2009

Greater Toronto Resale Housing Sales Up in First Half of May

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,561 transactions in the
first half of May – an increase of three per cent compared to May 2008.

“Members reported a rise in buying activity this month,” said TREB President Maureen O’Neill. “Many home buyers who were undecided about purchasing a home during the winter months are now proceeding with confidence as a result of the GTA housing market's affordability.”

The average price for MLS® sales was in line with last year, down by less than one-half of one per cent at $399,811.

“More sales and fewer listings resulted in tighter market conditions which pushed the average selling price back up to last year's level,” according to Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “Look for new listings to increase as home owners react to the positive news surrounding home sales and prices.”


Greater Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service. Serving over 28,000 Members in the Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada’s largest real estate board. Greater Toronto Area open house listings are now available on www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com


Source: Toronto Real Estate Board

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Municipal Politicians to Discuss Taxes on Property in the GTA at Toronto Real Estate

A number of prominent municipal politicians, including Mississauga Mayor
Hazel McCallion, will take part in a panel discussion about municipal finances and taxes on property in the Greater Toronto Area on May 6th at the Toronto Real Estate Board’s annual REALTOR® Quest conference and trade show at Toronto Congress Centre.

Moderated by AM640’s morning show host John Oakley, the panel will also include Mayor Frank Scarpitti from the Town of Markham where property taxes were recently frozen and City of Toronto Councillors Denzil Minnan-Wong, Karen Stintz and Michael Thompson.

“TREB has actively lobbied in recent years on a number of key issues that erode affordability for the average homeowner in our city, like the Toronto Land Transfer Tax and proposed harmonization of the GST and PST,” said TREB President Maureen O’Neill. “This is an exciting opportunity to hear from some of the key players on where we are headed with taxes on property in the Greater Toronto Area.”

The discussion takes place May 6th at 2 p.m. on Centre Stage.

The two-day conference also includes a number of other key attractions, like Canada’s most trusted contractor Mike Holmes. He will pay a visit to REALTOR® Quest’s Centre Stage May 7th from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Holmes and his crew recently constructed a sustainable home as part of Brad Pitt’s Make it Right project in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward. Currently, Holmes is developing his first community, Wind Walk in Southwest Alberta, which is expected to set a new standard for residential construction and design with its eco-friendly, sustainable homes.

TREB’s Spring General meeting will take place during REALTOR® Quest on May 6th from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. REALTOR® Quest also features Canada’s largest real estate trade show with up to 250 exhibitors. Given that REALTORS® are required to continuously upgrade their education, the conference also features 30 complimentary Continuing Education courses in seven different streams.

“Greater Toronto REALTORS® look to this conference as a source of information on all of the latest tools and trends in the profession,” said Ms. O’Neill. “Their participation is just one example of REALTORS’® commitment to continuously enhance the professional knowledge and skills they provide to their clients.”


Greater Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service. Serving over 28,000 Members in the Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada’s largest real estate board. Greater Toronto Area open house listings are now available on www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com


Source: Toronto Real Estate Board