Last year ended stronger than expected for Canadian real estate and shed some hope for the industry and the Canadian economy as a whole. Many in the real estate industry predicted that 2009 would continue to post a decline in both units sold and average prices. MLS sales for 2009, however, were reported at approximately 465,000 which represents a 7% increase over 2008 and the average housing ...
Posted by Sean Kavanagh
on January 22, 2010
Canada and more specifically Ontario appears to have avoided any lasting impact from the collapse of the US housing market and the subprime mortgage market meltdown. What we have seen over the past 18 months was fear versus demand and fair market values relative to the true economic environment in Ontario. From the price stability we have seen, I would say we are on great footing going forward. The ...
Posted by Sean Kavanagh
on January 14, 2010
There's no need for the Ontario government to hold public hearings on its plan to harmonize the provincial sales tax with the GST next July, Premier Dalton McGuinty said Wednesday, adding that voters can pass judgment on the issue in the 2011 provincial election.
Basically, McGuinty is telling the public he plans to ram this tax down your throat whether you like it or not and it doesn’t matter ...
Posted by Sean Kavanagh
on November 18, 2009
Effective July 1, 2010, home buyers and sellers will pay 8 per cent more on legal fees, appraisals, real estate commissions, home inspection fees, and moving costs, adding about $1,500 in new taxes to the average residential real estate transaction in Ontario.
For homeowners the HST will also add hundreds of dollars in additional tax on utility bills, such as gas, electricity and home heating fuel, ...
Posted by Sean Kavanagh
on November 16, 2009