REALTORS® continue to advocate for increased housing supply and breaking the barriers of homeownership for all Canadians, especially the younger demographic. So when Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau announced his party’s housing plan, we were pleased to see homeownership as a key focus of their campaign; with a plan that will: Unlock Home Ownership, Build More Homes, and Protect Your Rights.

Their housing plan includes the creation of a Home Buyers Bill of Rights with the intention to ensure the process of buying a home is fair, open, and transparent. This however includes a ban on blind bidding, which prevents bidders from knowing the bids of other prospective buyers, and ultimately drives up home prices – this does not address a lack of housing supply and should be concerning for new homebuyers and homeowners alike.

CREA weighed in on the matter with a statement saying, ”Canadians have the right to choose how they want to transact what is likely the largest purchase of their lives. The proposed banning of blind bidding removes the ability for Canadian homeowners to sell their home the way they want.”

OREA also released a statement saying, “You cannot fix Canada’s housing crisis by denying millions of hardworking families the choice of how to sell their home and by pitting homeowners against buyers. In fact, this plan would have the opposite effect – negatively impacting Canada’s housing market and making homeownership even more unaffordable.”

Increased housing prices and limited new listings and new homes in Ontario is concerning, we agree – however, transactions done entirely through their proposed approach of auctions drive prices higher and dangerously push buyers to make rushed decisions.

For more information, visit https://realideas.ca/ for CREA’s ideas to make homeownership a top priority for all political parties.

Sources:
CREA Statement: https://www.crea.ca/news/banning-blind-bidding-does-not-address-a-lack-of-housing-supply/
OREA Statement: https://www.orea.com/News-and-Events/News-and-Press-Releases/Press-Releases/August-24-2021

It’s no doubt that Local REALTORS® are passionate about real estate and finding your dream home, however, their passion goes beyond buying and selling property. 

Just like us, they care about the well-being of their communities and making a difference in the lives of people where they live and conduct business. For this reason, every month our local REALTORS® contribute to the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation which works to support shelter-related charities in our community.  Right now, these charities need our help more than ever.

For over forty years, the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation has supported shelters and shelter-based charities across Ontario. To continue to provide opportunities to help support this great cause, OREA launched its first-ever Virtual Fundraiser, REALTORS® in Motion, with a fundraising goal of $50,000. REALTORS® choose a ‘motion’ (running, swimming, rollerblading, dancing, etc.), to carry out during October 4th to 10th – all while raising funds for a good cause.  

We encourage you to support this important cause by donating at https://realtorscareontario.ca/rim, or if you know an Ontario REALTOR®, encourage them to sign up and join their team!

Source: https://realtorscareontario.ca/rim

The Southern Georgian Bay local listings on REALTOR.ca are updated roughly every 15 minutes, giving you real-time access to new listings in our area. Our REALTOR® members maintain full local Multiple Listings Service (MLS) data through the Southern Georgian Bay Association of REALTORS – see our active listings here.

REALTOR.ca is the most popular and trusted real estate website in Canada, owned and operated by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). With over 240 million visits each year, REALTOR.ca is your resource for up-to-date and reliable information for residential, commercial, and rental properties across Canada.

Benefits for Consumers:

• Connect with REALTORS® and learn how they can help you through your real estate journey
• Get detailed neighbourhood and demographic information on listings
• Find out what you can afford using the popular mortgage calculator and other financial tools
• Access resources and guides such as the Homebuyers’ Road Map

For REALTORS®:
REALTOR.ca provides the necessary tools to efficiently engage with their listings and leads. They’re able to Live Stream open houses to showcase listings, tour homes, and engage with buyers in real-time. As well as track listing performance, send reports to clients, and respond to leads directly all with the REALTOR.ca Listing Stats App. And those are just to name a few.

Whether you’re buying, selling, or renting, REALTOR.ca provides various tools to guide you through your real estate journey. Start searching today!

Source: www.REALTOR.ca and https://www.crea.ca/realtor-members/realtor-ca-tools/

The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS®, and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service®, and the associated logos are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA.

REALTORS® have the training, knowledge and experience to help you every step of the way – from the moment you think about buying or selling to the time when the business transaction is finalized. 

Not every licensed or registered broker or salesperson is a REALTOR®. To be a REALTOR®, the agent must be a member of The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). And to be a member of CREA, an agent is expected to be:

• Committed to the REALTOR® Code: The code is the accepted standard of conduct for all real estate practitioners who are REALTORS®. It’s your guarantee of professional conduct and the quality service. Read more about the REALTOR® Code.
• Knowledgeable about developments in real estate: A REALTOR® can get you the information needed to make an informed decision: comparable prices, neighborhood trends, housing market conditions, and more.
• Actively updating education: Through courses, workshops, and other professional development, a REALTOR® maintains a high level of current knowledge about real estate.
• Access: REALTORS® have access to Board MLS® Systems, which facilitate the cooperate sale of properties to benefit consumers.

Furthermore, Local REALTORS®:

• are professionally trained and know our local real estate market.
• are knowledgeable about our local politics, environmental issues, new and potential residential and commercial developments.
• are knowledgeable about our local neighbourhoods, schools, and community amenities.
• live, work and play in our area.

Whether buying or selling a home, a REALTOR® is there every step of the way to provide professional advice based on their knowledge about the local market and is committed to serve with integrity and competence.

Source: https://www.crea.ca/buyers-or-sellers/why-a-realtor/ 

New OREA poll shows Ontarians feel housing affordability in the province is getting worse and the future is not looking better for homeownership without greater government action.

The survey was conducted with 2,000 Ontarian adults between the dates of June 1 and 7, 2021.

Key Findings: Non-Homeowners

• Majority (65%) of non-homeowners want to own residential property. Among young people (18-29 years) 80% want to own a home. 
• For many non-homeowners, homeownership is aspirational and important: 56% say they are someone who really wants to own a home. Young people are even more likely to say that it is important. 
• More than half (56%) of non-homeowners have either given up or are very pessimistic about the possibility of buying a home in the community they want to live in. 
• Among those who want to buy a home, 48% are pessimistic and 22% are at least somewhat optimistic. 
• 42% of non-homeowners who want to buy expect to do so in the next 5 years. 
• A single-detached house (56%) is the housing preference for those who do not own. While this is lower than the current housing type of existing owners, it indicates a strong demand for detached housing. 
• All housing types are viewed by non-homeowners as unaffordable, with townhouses and condos only slightly more affordable than detached or semi-detached homes. 
• Affordability and space are the two more important considerations when making a decision about which property to buy.

Key Findings: Current State of Residential Market

• Ontarians clearly understand that it is more difficult (77%) over the past year to buy a residential property where they live. 
• Young and old both share a similar view of the market. Those living in the Northern part of the province are less pessimistic about the housing market. 
• The expectation is that housing prices will increase (55%) over the next year. Only a small segment (14%) think they will decrease. 
• The one-year expectation that prices will rise is linked to general negativity about the future affordability of housing: more than half of Ontarians say that housing prices will be less affordable over the next five years.

“The affordability crisis continues to crush the dream of homeownership for many Ontarians and this has been intensified by the economic impact of the pandemic,” said OREA CEO Tim Hudak. “Governments need to act if we want to create future generations of homeowners and that starts with pro-growth policies that could bring affordability closer to first-time home buyers and address the supply shortage.”

Source: Report: Housing Affordability in Ontario and OREA Press Release

New research shows Ontario’s affordable homeownership crisis worsened by COVID-19 pandemic as buyers look for more space, bigger homes, but detached owners show reluctance to list.

OREA conducted an online survey with 1,421 Ontario residents aged 18+ between March 1 and March 6, 2021, through the Ipsos I-Say panel and compared it against the previous years’ survey conducted pre-pandemic, between January 27th and February 6th, 2020 with a sample of 1,420 Ontario residents.

Key Findings: Buyers and Sellers

• Home buyers say they want more space with 63% interested in purchasing a detached home (63%), +3 points from last year, and more than a quarter of home buyers (28%) saying they plan to buy a home larger than 2,500 sq-ft (+8). 
• Among upgraders, who typically have established equity and a larger budget, 75% (+9) say they are looking for a detached home. 
• By contrast, those who say they plan to sell has decreased one point to 18%, and only 62% of sellers plan to sell a detached home (-4).
• When asked about the pandemic’s impact, most buyers (68%) said the pandemic did not change where they plan to buy; indicating a more marginal shift in preferences as a result of the pandemic, as opposed to a revolution. 
• Among those planning to buy, 37% (+1) still anticipate purchasing in a suburban area, with 24% looking in small cities and towns, and 19% (+3) looking in rural areas. 
• Fewer buyers (one-in-five) say they intend to settle in urban/downtown areas, -4 points from last year. 
• Of those looking at downtown homes, 15% of buyers said they have lost their appeal due to COVID; among Millennials, 2 in 10 say urban areas have lost their appeal. About the same number of homeowners (25%, +1) plan to sell a downtown property.

Key Findings: Use of a REALTOR®

• 88% (+4) of sellers and 89% (+3) of buyers say they plan to use a REALTOR® to help them navigate today’s complex and fast-moving market – expert help when buying or selling property is becoming increasingly important. 
• Use of a REALTOR® is even more prevalent among upgraders (95%), who likely know the value a REALTOR® brings, thanks to their previous experience working with one. 
• Top reasons upgraders cite for using a REALTOR® include helping with paperwork (48%), saving them time (44%), helping navigate the process (38%), and because it simply gives them peace of mind (37%).

Source: OREA’s 2021 Home Buyers and Sellers Report

May 20, 2021, Huntsville and Collingwood, ON — The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® (The Lakelands) and Southern Georgian Bay Association of REALTORS® (SGBAR) are pleased to announce their merger, following an overwhelming membership vote in favour on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at each association’s respective membership meeting. The merger is scheduled to be effective October 1, 2021.

“By merging our two associations to create a membership of over 1,400 REALTORS®, our new association will be in a strong position to represent the small community and recreational property perspective within organized real estate,” offered Chuck Murney, President of The Lakelands. “It will also increase our political clout with the provincial and federal governments since the boundary of our new territory is better aligned with our political boundaries. We are pleased that the Lakelands and SGBAR members saw the benefits of this merger and voted in favour of the motion.”

“Our members will enjoy the cost savings that come through the merger and benefit from reduced member fees to improved programs and services, made possible by having a larger membership base”, offered Matthew Lidbetter, President of SGBAR. “Our members have put our new association in a stronger position to add depth and strength to our many programs and services, many of which exist to enhance the professionalism of our REALTOR® members and better respond to the evolving conditions as the market shifts.”

The proposed name for the new association will be Trillium REALTORS® Association, pending approval from Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) and Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).

About The Lakelands Association of REALTORS®: The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® represents over 850 local REALTOR® members who serve the District of Parry Sound, District Municipality of Muskoka, Haliburton County, and Northern Simcoe County including the City of Orillia.

About The Southern Georgian Bay Association of REALTORS®: The Southern Georgian Bay Association of REALTORS represents over 640 REALTORS® who serve Townships of Clearview, Springwater, Oro-Medonte, Tiny, Tay, Severn and Georgian Bay, as well as Municipality of Meaford and Grey Highlands including The Blue Mountains, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Midland, Penetanguishene.

Many REALTORS® prefer their clients to have a mortgage pre-approval to know that they are a qualified buyer, and to understand their maximum borrowing capacity.

Pre-approvals: What you get
Before you start looking at potential properties, it’s important to know what price-range you’re qualified for. The lender will ask how much you’re prepared to put down and will require various documents to determine your pre-approval amount, including list of assets, income, debts, proof of employment, etc.. And if you’re self-employed, a notice of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency for the past 2 years is required.

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage from Financial Consumer Agency of Canada 

With a pre-approval, you and your REALTOR® have a better understanding of what properties are within your price-range, keeping in mind additional costs are required for closing. A pre-approval allows you to get an estimate on mortgage payments and lock in an interest rate for 60-130 days, depending on the lender.

Pre-approvals: What you don’t get
A pre-approval does not guarantee a mortgage as there are additional items to be considered before transitioning from pre-approved to approved. The lender will require additional information as you start considering a property to purchase. Specific property details such as condo fees, may alter the pre-approval amount. Therefore, it’s important to keep your lender informed as you look at properties and prepare to submit an offer. 

Connect with your lender and REALTOR® early if you’re looking to purchase property to ensure you’re prepared and understand your maximum borrowing capacity. 

Source: https://www.canadianmortgagetrends.com/2021/04/a-pre-approval-does-not-guarantee-a-mortgage-approval/

REALTORS® are one of the biggest supporters of our communities. They advocate with Members of Parliament to address issues that affect homeowners and the REALTOR® community. 

Our Political Affairs Committee, alongside the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), and the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) are responsible for local, provincial, and federal advocacy on behalf of homeowners and ownership.

We’re pleased to see that key issues REALTORS® advocated for were addressed in the 2021 Budget released by the Government of Canada.

• Housing Supply: The 2021 Budget proposes to advance and reallocate $1.3 billion through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund and the Rental Construction Financing Initiative, including for the conversion of vacant commercial property into housing.
  
  
• Affordable Housing: In an effort to end homelessness, the Government responded by announcing $2.5 billion through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
  

• Conditions for the GST New Housing Rebate: Entitles home buyers to recover 36% of the GST paid on the purchase of a new home priced up to $350,000, for a maximum rebate of $6,300.
  

• Build Greener Homes: $4.4 billion investment to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation over five years to help homeowners complete home retrofits through interest-free loans worth up to $40,000.  Examples of deep retrofits include:
  • Replacing oil furnaces or low-efficiency systems with a high-efficiency furnace, air-source heat pump, or geothermal heat pump.
  • Better wall or basement insulation and/or wall or roof panels.
  • Installing a high-efficiency water heater or on-site renewable energy like solar panels
  • Replacing drafty windows and doors.
    

• Flood Maps for Higher-Risk Areas: $63.8 million allocated to Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Public Safety Canada to work with provinces and territories to complete flood maps for higher-risk areas.
  

• Broadband Internet Projects: Increasing broadband investment by $1 billion over six years to the Universal Broadband Fund to help Canada reach its goal of having 98% of the country connected to reliable internet service by 2026.

Sources:
Government of Canada https://www.budget.gc.ca/2021/home-accueil-en.html
OREA https://www.orea.com/News-and-Events/News-and-Press-Releases/Press-Releases/March-24-2021
CREA https://news2me.crea.ca/2021/april-2021/federal-budget-2021-what-you-need-to-know/

Spring is just around the corner, March 20th to be exact. During the winter months, your home has endured the harsh weather, and all that snow, rain, wind, and ice is taking a toll on the health of your home. When the weather starts to warm up, be sure to check for any damage with these quick tips.

Clean your gutters and downspouts
Grab a ladder, put on some gloves, and remove any debris that’s been collecting in your gutters. Use your hose to remove any leftover debris and to ensure water is traveling through the downspouts and away from your foundation. Do a quick check to ensure nothing has come loose or detached from the house.

Inspect your roof
The elements of winter can be damaging to your roof. Start with a visual inspection to check for missing shingles or anything that simply doesn’t look right. Call your local roofing company if repairs are needed.

Check your driveway and walkways
The harsh weather conditions and constant freezing and thawing of snow and ice can be damaging to concrete, asphalt, or other materials. Check for any damage and patch up the areas that allow for a quick fix. Depending on the damage, a professional may be required.

Service your AC unit
It’s important to take care of your AC unit. Just because it’s providing cool air, doesn’t mean it’s working efficiently. It’s recommended to hire a professional to clean and service your air conditioner to keep it running properly.

Other quick maintenance tips:
– Test smoke alarms
– Replace filters (i.e. water, hood range, and air vents)
– Check your hose faucets
– Inspect windows and door – recaulk and replace weather stripping as needed
– Fix or replace torn window screens
– Wash exterior windows
– Clean the BBQ

Keep your home in tip-top shape by doing seasonal checks and maintenance to prepare for the seasons ahead.