Predictions of a Housing Boom in Toronto and Vancouver in 2018 Reports Forecasts Predictions Canadian Housing Market

Will 2018 Bring Another Housing Boom in Toronto and Vancouver?

Are the Vancouver real estate market or Toronto housing market going to crash , lift off, or coast in 2018/2019? Has all the negative press made you believe the end is near?

Bankers and politicians keep trash talkin the housing markets. However, as you’ll read here, there is more reason to believe in strong growth arising from a healthy economy, high immigration, demand from 25 to 33 year old Millennials, low mortgage rates, a growing housing crisis and more.

Demand is high, supply is being strangled.

Wynne, Trudeau, and the bankers feel pretty certain they can crush this market (okay, they’ve persisted but will the Canadian economy and stock markets crash in 2019? But this beast isn’t going to die. It’s driven by dreams and expectations about how we’re supposed to live.

Here’s my outrageous forecast: The demand is so high, they will have to completely reverse course and begin supporting construction and development and enabling purchases. Otherwise, as the election nears, they’re gone.

They’ll look like hypocrites, but the public will forgive because housing is a bigger issue that’s causing serious social troubles. As investors focus on rental properties, such as apartments in Toronto, even rents will skyrocket in Toronto. Toronto property management firms are headed for their own boomtimes.

As spring approaches, we’re going to see intense price pressure driven by a lack of supply. Royal Lepage just released its market forecast survey and they’re predicting Toronto houses prices will rise 6.8%. That aligns nicely with this whole notion of boom times ahead.

And it turns out, construction is already booming. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reported that the pace of housing starts picked up in November nearing the highest levels since 2008. Given that we just went through a boom, that’s remarkable. CMHC believes construction of multiple-unit projects in Toronto has been a driving force behind the trend.

Benjamin Tal is also suggesting a boom in Toronto and Vancouver and it would restart in 2018. You can read more below. Should you buy now or in the spring? Take a good look at the Toronto real estate forecast and the further reading below.

Breaking News: Trudeau to bring in one million new immigrants in next 3 years. Question: where will they live?

Despite government negativity, statistics, the underlying fundamentals of demand along with the ongoing strength of the economy are suggesting an improvement. That means a prison riot might be coming soon. You’ll find a list of credible reasons why the Canadian housing markets might surge again below.

The experts have been forecasting a Toronto or Vancouver crash now for many years. Hasn’t happened, so perhaps we need to think for ourselves? The market continues with confidence and optimism overpowering persistent negativity the politicians keep pushing out.

How is the US housing market doing? Nervous but very good. Post hurricanes and fires and political upheaval, the markets in Miami, Boston, New York, Houston and Los Angeles are healthy. And 2018 stock market predictions are positive for several years.

Let’s take a look at the factors and the two opponents: our politicians vs strong growing economies. Only one will win.

Let the Housing Good Times Roll!

The IMF and OECD seem to agree, saying Canada’s economy is the best looking in the G20. The case for a Canadian housing boom has some wind in its sails. If political suppression of the Toronto and Vancouver housing markets were to end, the rest of Canada would awaken.

What we don’t know is whether the government will attack the momentum or let it power the economy further. Currently they’re riding a wave of populism driven by angry renters in Vancouver and Toronto.

But what if that voice faded and the exact opposite public opinion appeared? Justin Trudeau’s popularity has dropped to 25%, Wynne’s pushing towards zero, and that means they may have to reverse course to stay in office. Don’t believe they would do it? Never say never.

Politicians Crushing the Housing Market

Currently however, Wynne, Trudeau and Horgan are holding their own private “let the good times roll” party. Their unwise meddling in the housing market is a threat to the Canadian, BC, and Ontario economies as explained below.

And it’s all for political points that may soon be worth nothing because when you cater to a small select crowd, eventually everyone else wants you out. In truth, only the prices of million dollar estates have dropped a little and the rest of Canada is hurting.

Demand for housing is relentless and Millennials don’t want their dreams dashed. The larger voice will be heard in 2018.

People want homes and these 3 politicans will be booted out of office because of it. The only ones voting for them are those in Toronto and Vancouver cities. The rest of the country wants to see lower mortgage rates and an improved economy.

A good number of Canadians are weighed down by thoughts of the last recession rollercoaster and don’t really want to go back there. Business people and investors want growth. They’ve got a lot on the line.

And the politicians they’ve discouraged the builders now. So, although everything is in place for a continued housing boom in Canada, these politicians could push us into a mess.

“At this point we do not see any real relief. In fact, the opposite is the case,” writes Tal. “Without significant changes to land and rental policies alongside a dramatic change to housing preference among buyers, those centers will become even less affordable.” – Benjamin Tal in an interview with Yahoo Finance.

Key Factors Supporting a Housing Boom in Canada

global economic winds are positive
Trump will rekindle trade with Canada (he has to)
oil prices rising a little
wages will begin to rise
too many millennials need to move out of the parent’s places
bank of mom and dad has plenty of funds ready
supply is low and builders and construction workers are waiting to build again
the rest of Canada is tried of being kicked around
Trudeau and Wynne severely disliked
China is liberalizing trade and investment with the world
Canada’s economy is going gangbusters (3.6% growth forecasts)
lumber producers would rather sell their lumber here
mortgage rates still low (and there’s no real reason to raise them)

Video: Greg Bonnell of BNN Explains How Housing Prices Can’t Go Down

Strong Economy Usually Means Boom Times

Benjamin Tal may have meant a price boom is imminent because of severe shortages in the Vancouver housing market and the Toronto housing market. And if prices rise, we may see construction starts also slowly rise and a juiced up housing market would in turn lift the Canadian economy higher.

A synchronized global recovery and rising global trade volumes are backstopping the growth, along with the bottoming out of the oil shock in western Canada and soaring home prices in Toronto and Vancouver — from a report in the Toronto Star.

And prices of oil have climbed, meaning Calgary’s real estate market and those in Edmonton, Saskatoon and Regina might return as well. Fears are that OPEC is solidifying and a war between the 2 biggest producers could erupt. That would bring an immediate boom to Calgary.

Screencapture courtesy of BNN

This is a screenshot below is of historic oil consumption from Doug Rowatt’s post on the greaterfool.ca. The price is forever upward. Is the time time oil shoots toward $100 a barrel? Some are predicting it.

Forecasters like Oil: “Open interest in $100 call options for December 2018 has tripled in one week to exceed 30,000 lots, according to Reuters. The $100 December 2018 options is the largest strike for all of 2018.” — from USA today report.

Condo starts have been strong and look to continue. The Toronto condo market and Vancouver condo market will be driven by property investors according to reports.

BNN’s Greg Bonnell Interviews Bryan Yu, Senior Economist at Central 1 Credit Union regarding Vancouver’s perpetual positive market in a past interview. What stands out about the conversation is that Yu says affordability won’t affect prices, and that only an external factor, such as a Chinese implosion would create a Vancouver slowdown. At this point, with Trump’s visit to China, that the Chinese are adapting to global business and are welcoming foreign investment. No reason for a China problem. Vancouver looks great.

What makes Toronto’s condos an attractive long-term bet is the city’s low vacancy rate, which has fueled bidding wars among renters and driven monthly condo rents to an average of $2,074 in the second quarter, up 7.2 per cent from $1,935 a year ago, according to market research firm Urbanation. — from a report by Bnn.ca.

Severe shortages are likely to drive home prices high. Most forecasts and expert predictions are for a flat market for 2018. Yet the economy is strong and looks to get stronger so a flat market is really about sales volume. Prices are so high no can afford to buy houses in Vancouver or Toronto and soon for condos.

It’s Still a Seller’s Market

It’s a seller’s market in 2017 and 2018, and with rent controls suppressing new construction, the pressure will build to create higher prices of resale homes and condos. As wild as Benjamin Tal’s prediction is, it jives with what’s going on in the economy.

Douglas Porter believes the market will heat up too, but his view is that it will end with a housing market crash.

If NAFTA talks go well, which they likely will, the North American and global economies will both grow. That doesn’t fit with some bankers and politicians wishful prognosis of stagnant or reduced prices in 2018/2019.

The latest numbers from Novembers mid month report by ZooCasa shows a surge of listings this month. This rapid rise in listings in houses and townhouses tells us sellers might be too desperate, overestimating the effect of mortgage stress test changes, and clearly not of the view that the market will climb in spring.

In TREB’s monthly price charts, prices in the core districts of Toronto haven’t fallen. The demand for homes within commuting distance of jobs is high and buyers will likely pay any price. Home prices in the 905 area code have fallen (York Region, Mississauga), but perhaps that’s ready to heat up in 2018. There are still bidding wars and lots of over asking sales happening.

Let’s not forget that many renters and some homeowners will have to leave their current homes, and they will be exposed to a zero vacancy market you normally associate with New York City or San Francisco.

Does This Fall Season Foretell of 2018?

The fall season has been strong, and while the new mortgage rules will suppress demand for more expensive homes, and condos, those under $600,000 will be high demand. That will push prices up. So although some homeowners are pannicking and dumping their houses on the market, demand in 2018 will gobble them all up. Let’s not be distracted by the $3+ million dollar homes in Forest Hill and Mount Pleasant.

The Toronto condo market is sizzling hot and they’re running out of condos.

It’s a simple matter of supply versus demand in Toronto and Vancouver. The only solution is to end anti-development legislation. Vancouver and Toronto have been designated high growth super cities with large numbers of immigrants with visas and foreign students arriving every month. How can that be stopped now?

Government Manipulation Could Create an Economic Slide

If Trudeau and Wynne try to counter rising prices and demand for homes brought on by demographic and economic factors, via policy changes, it may create a bubble and then housing crash in Toronto and Vancouver, cascading right across the country.

In fact, it’s likely that they’ll both be run over be the economic train neither had any part in creating. For Trudeau, it is hypocritical to recruit a million new immigrants and then not help withh the housing crisis. I think he’ll come around because of this. However, it still leaves the BC and Ontario premiers left blockading the housing highway.

For those who don’t want to live in these modern mega cities, there are other areas of Canada to live. The north is undeveloped, but as more babyboomers tire of the congestion of the city, they’ll be looking for homes, at least for 6 months of the year, in Canada. They may have to go north to find one, if anyone’s building up there.

And they won’t find much relief in Muskoka, Niagara Falls, Kelowna, or Victoria. Prices are up in most retirement cities and they’re rising in Costa Rica, Mexico, Florida and Arizona. Too many people bidding on too few properties. Simple math that seems to befuddle politicians.

Before buying a home or investing in rental income property, get some advice on maximizing your investment. The path you take might be surprising. Expand your search for homes for sale with an intelligent strategy that does more than calling a Realtor.

Before you sell, consider advanced selling tactics that can capture the full interest in your home. The demand for your home or condo is out there in the real marketplace. They just aren’t aware of your property. Marketing is worth many times what you pay for it. Consider the exposure of your property on Google, Google adwords, Facebook ads, in addition to your MLS listing. Don’t be timid. Power it up!

October 10, 2017March 8, 2018

Canadian Economic Forecast 2018: IMF and OECD Gives Canadian Economy Two Thumbs Up!

The Canadian Economic Forecast

The International Monetary Fund says Canada is the leading G7 Country

How odd is it in 2018, that a country on the verge of trade wars, real estate collapse in its major cities, flat wage growth, mediocre job growth, merciless consumer debt, and a sagging national housing market would be cited as the G7’s darling child?

In a new report just released, the IMF likes Canada’s economic situation and they’ve forecasted some lofty economic growth rates. Quite a rosy prediction for 2018 and beyond

Their confidence could impact the Toronto real estate forecast, | Calgary Housing Market Forecast and the Vancouver real estate forecast for 2018. And it could end the talk of a real estate market crash and begin to attract foreign investment into Canada once again.

Growth of 3.6% to 3.7% Predicted

For entrepreneurs, mortgage agents, realtors, manufacturers, retailers, builders, renovators, homebuyers and banks, this is a positive signal about growth ahead. Trump is looking to renegotiate NAFTA which doesn’t mean shutting out Canada. The negative media hype is ridiculous. Even with renegotiation, Canadian small business has a good opportunity. If Trump has an issue, it’s likely with the multinationals who continue to rule everything including politics.

Despite sluggish growth for its major trading partner, the IMF believes Canada is poised for growth of 3.6% this year and 3.7% in 2018. That has to sound good for job hunters, real estate agents, mortgage agents, house buyers, and business development managers alike.

Underpinning all the optimism is the IMF’s belief in a broad-based global economic upswing. Does this mean the world has adjusted to US trade protectionism, or is Trump actaully unable to do anything about the US situation? The IMF points to Trump’s inability to get new tax laws passed and to the level of optimism globally. With Trump’s new tax bill passed, the US stock market could boom for at least one more year, and that’s good news for the Canadian economy.

This might come as quite a surprise to most of us who haven’t heard such a rosy forecast for the world as a whole. However, much of the uncertainty of housing and stock markets was of a global nature and it may be subsiding.

An earlier report from the OECD set Canada’s growth rate at 3.2% for 2018. Strangely, although Canada is believed to be the leader, overall global growth is set for 3.7%, a half percent above Canada’s forecast rate of growth.

The OECD is also calling on Canada to ease foreign investment restrictions and ease the Toronto/Vancouver housing crisis. Given that Canada is mired in the lowest levels of foreign investment ever, it would be healthy for the Vancouver and Toronto housing and condo markets along with the TSX stock market if such investment was allowed to flow.

The OECD also cites Canada’s lack of productivity as a big concern, however it appears the country has been able to make use of its assets to generate growth.

A BNN poll found that most viewers believe tax rates and the NAFTA deal are the key worries about the Canadian economy.

Canada’s Economic Facts

growth in 2nd quarter of 2017 was 5%
household spending was up 4.6% in June (YoY)
job growth was 186,000 over the first half of 2017
exports expanded 9.6%
central bank only expected to raise interest rate slightly
national trade deficit increased to $3.4 billion in August

September 1, 2017February 4, 2018

Best Auto Insurance Quote Los Angeles – Compare Lowest Rates in LA

The Lowest Car Insurance Quotes in Los Angeles

Savings of $10,000 for Some Drivers

According to recent auto insurance quote surveys, California and Los Angeles are one of the highest cost zones for car insurance coverage. And that’s not just luxury car insurance.

The nature of LA itself where population density, road congestion, and time pressures make for higher than average risk of accidents and claims. But when driver’s automatically and blindly succumb to the belief that everyone has to pay higher auto insurance, they’re going to lose their money.

Whatever area of Los Angeles you live in, having some perseverance in your auto insurance search will pay off. It’s not that insurance company quotes are high and intentionally designed cheat you, it’s that you, your family, and friends don’t try to get the best rates.

And if your family and friends aren’t searching, send them to this post on saving on car insurance. That’s what this post is about, saving mone on auto insurance in Los Angeles County. By searching, you’re making it less likely you’ll get cheated on car insurance quotes.

caranddriverhonda — Photo Courtesy of Caranddrivercom – New Car Reviews

If you do a search for car insurance rates on a comparison site or an Los Angeles broker’s website, you’ll see how the yearly auto policy rates can vary more than $2000! How long does it take you to earn $2000?

Quest for the Lowest Auto Rate

Google search should always be the starting point of any product or service search. For auto insurance, homes for sale, finding a realtor, finding a mortgage agent, car loan, or home reno contractors in Los Angeles, Google should be bookmarked.

Through Google and the advertisements on this post, you’ll find a number of insurance companies and brokers. The more you check out, the bigger your savings. Don’t give all your money to the big insurance companies. Vary how you search so you don’t get railroaded by online marketing strategists either.

Believe me, I know how they trick you into obsessing about an unimportant issue or your zip code or something else that distracts you from searching for what you want — low auto insurance rates in Los Angeles.

From most insurance providers in Los Angeles, car insurance is a commodity so why should you pay more than you have to? Learn more about saving on car insurance here.

Find the lowest insurance rates in your city: LA auto insurance, Boston auto insurance, Phoenix car insurance, San Francisco car insurance, San Diego boat insurance, Seattle truck insurance, New York car insurance, Indianapolis SUV insurance, Detroit SUV insurance, Indianapolis Car Insurance Quote online, Toronto car insurance quote, or Chicago car insurance.

Searching for Car Insurance Quotes

Insurance rate quotes vary by zip code, age, gender, type of vehicle, and driving records of course. Read my previous post about how vehicle choice affects auto insurance rates.

My Car Insurance Quote

This car insurance quote comparison chart below is a perfect example of the range of premiums and yearly costs. There’s a big difference.

Why does it pay to Shop Around for Insurance Coverage?

The status quo hurts. Your current auto insurance company in LA isn’t going to lower your rates or keep you up do date on savings. They make more money by keeping quiet. As you can see in the above graphic, insurance company rate quotes vary significantly and they’re not going to tell you why. That’s their right. All you can do is shop around for lower car insurance rates in LA specifically, and avoid these nasty realities:

your current insurance provider keeps raising your rates and you’ve done nothing wrong
some auto insurance companies actually use FICO insurance credit scores to raise your premiums even though your credit score has nothing to do with your driving record or risk
uninsured or young drivers living in your home – they feel their presence and possibility of driving your car or truck is a big liability
your type of vehicle may be deemed more risk to them (ISO’s Vehicle Series Rating) because it’s more expensive to repair in your area
your zip code is considered more high risk by many insurers even though you live on the edge of the zip code
they assess the risk of your specific moving violations and total violations differently
some insurance underwriters believe that you’re male so you’re guilty before you put the key in the ignition
your insurance company may not lower your rates even though you’re now 10 to 15 years older and deserve a better rate because of your lower risk and better driving record
you may have forgotten to tell them that your situation has changed, your commute has shortened, and children have left home.

The fastest way to eliminate these car insurance problems is to search for alternate providers because your current provider has no incentive to cut your auto insurance premiums. Chances are high that you’ll just stick with them.

Los Angeles Auto Insurance Agents

Northstate Auto Insurance Services Inc
455 W Florence Ave,
Los Angeles, CA 90003, USA
323-751-9800

Fiesta Auto Insurance Agency
Address: 611 E Imperial Hwy #102,
Los Angeles, CA 90059, United States
323-776-1096

Cost-U-Less Insurance Center
4301 South Figueroa Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90037, United States
323-345-6347

Shop around for the cheapest car insurance rates online. Rates vary in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Seattle, Chicago, Boston, New York, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, St Louis, Minneapolis, Green Bay, Charlotte, Tampa, Miami, Orlando, Toronto, Anaheim, Beverly Hills, Malibu, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Fresno, Santa Clara, Sacramento, Mountainview, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Salt Lake City, Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga, Costa Mesa, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Raleigh, Albuquerque, Glendale, Oceanside, Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Carlsbad, Santa Clarita, Temecula, Kirkland, Redmond, Kansas City, St Louis, Stockton, Scottsdale, Palm Springs, Indianapolis, Chula Vista, Escondido, or Santa Monica.

Car Insurance in Los Angeles County California

Serving the communities of Anaheim, Beverly Hills, Malibu, San Bernardino, Riverside, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Lakewood, Glendale, Simi Valley, Torra, Chino, El Monte, Huntington Beach, Fullerton, Pasadena, Torrance, Irvince, Thousand Oaks, Pomon, Ontario, Downey, Yorba Linda, Lakewood, and Downtown LA.

May 3, 2017November 4, 2017

New TREB Report Shows Foreign Buyers Have Minimal Effect on Toronto Housing Market

Foreign Buyers Not Driving Up Prices in Toronto

A new Toronto Real Estate Board investigation has concluded that foreign buyers play a minimal role in Toronto house prices and availability. 3 key findings counter the Wynne government’s insistence that Foreign buyers and house flippers are ruining the housing market.

The report may indicate how government officials haven’t been honest to the public about the cause of high home prices in Toronto — government tax greed and ideology of privilege.

April TREB market report: a growth of 33.6% in home listings in the TREB’s MLS® System in April 2017, at 21,630. Prices rose too.

Tired of Ontario Taxes? Investigate a Costa Rica retirement.

This new finding shows the Foreign Buyers Tax in Toronto (an old school knuckle dragging approach) was a knee jerk reaction by desperate politicians. The sad part is that it could cripple the development of new homes and condos in 2018 and 2019 which would have eased the housing crisis.

It remains to be seen how Toronto condominium developers will react to the Ontario government buyers tax. Currently, the Toronto condo market is alive and healthy. But the housing crisis is unfortunately a sad reality for many Ontarians.

What happened in April 2017?

The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Composite Benchmark Price was up by 31.7 per cent year-over-year in April 2017. Similarly, the average selling price for all home types combined was up by 24.5 per cent to $920,791. — from report from TREBhome.com

Homeowners are Finally Selling!

On a positive note, and further to the real point of the study, TREB reported that home sellers appear to be loosening their grip on their homes and are putting them up for sale. The long awaited “Great Home Release” is happening now this spring 2017 in a Toronto neighbourhood near you. tTREB’s Jason Mercer added in the published statement that it will take a long time for the pent up demand to be fulfilled in the GTA area. from the new May report from TREB.

“It was encouraging to see a very strong year-over-year increase in new listings. If new listings growth continues to outpace sales growth moving forward, we will start to see more balanced market conditions. It will likely take a number of months to unwind the substantial pent-up demand that has built over the past two years. Expect annual rates of price growth to remain well-above the rate of inflation as we move through the spring and summer months,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Director of Market Analysis.

“TREB strongly believes that public policy decisions with regard to the housing market should be evidence-based and supported by empirical data.”

3 Key Findings that Debunk the Foreign Influence Myth

TREB’s Report summarized these 3 key findings, that debunk the Ontario government’s insistence that foreign buyers and quick investment flips are driving the Toronto housing crisis:

The number of buyers with a mailing address outside of Canada is well-below 1%
Between 2008 and April 2017, the average share of foreign buyers in the Golden Horseshoe area was 2.3%
The majority of foreign buyers – 87% to 90%– purchased their home as a place to live, not as a tax evasion or speculative venture (homes that were bought/sold within a short period of time – within one year of the original transaction by domestic or foreign buyers accounted for a very small share — less than 5% in 2016 and 7% between January and April 2017) of total transactions).

With the above information in hand, what is your opinion of the Ontario government and Mayor John Tory’s stated preference for the Toronto Foreign Buyers Tax? What do you believe is the real purpose of the tax? Will the incoming Ontario government simply get rid of it? Do you consider the Toronto land transfer tax a fair tax? Do you feel the government is creating the problem with one hand and justifying its role with the other?

Get the full view of the Toronto Real Estate market, along with the Newmarket housing report, and Mississauga housing market report and forecasts.

Should you sell your house fast or for a high price? In the past 3 months Americans have been selling their home for an average $336,000 more than they paid for it. It’s one more reminder that real estate is where the real money is. And if you’ve been reading my posts, you’ll see that government red tape and land restriction is the real driver of high real estate prices. So if you’re renting, gaining no equity, while your life passes, and can’t come up with hundreds of thousands for a down payment, now you know why. It’s time to speak with your local government representatives about opening up land for development. The alternative is pay the future home prices which could rise another 30% in 2018 (depending on the economy and how well J Trudeau gets along with you know who).

Latest year over year Toronto region home prices (April 2016 to 2017):

April 24, 2017March 25, 2018

Ontario Foreign Buyer Tax Short Sighted and Harmful to Economy

Foreign Buyer Tax Doesn’t Help Housing Crisis

As Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced the new Foreign Buyers Tax in Toronto recently, she ignored recent stats that showed Vancouver’s use of the money grabbing tax was wearing off.

And she ignored discussion of housing supply and support of builders, and how housing investment creates jobs and helps pay off our massive provincial debt.

With Wynne’s 14% approval rate, not many of you believe in her and the liberals any longer. They are involved for only one more year yet they can do some damage during that time. The foreign buyer tax, rent controls, and the 14 other housing hacks to suppress Toronto home and condo prices which she’s announced, could have grave long term effects for us all — suppressing investment, drying up rental availability, and raising GTA home prices to ridiculous levels. It’s actually an alarming situation that makes people more concerned about a housing bubble.

Screen cap courtesy of the Globe and Mail

The real problem: Toronto doesn’t have enough housing, people are going homeless or must pay exorbitant rental rates and they can never hope to own a home. Those who want to sell, have nowhere to go. I think it’s obvious, Wynne is the culprit and the reason why home prices are so high. Wynne takes voters for granted, and takes the tenuous Ontario economy for granted, and she could ruin that too. There’s no time for professional administrators with weird agendas in government anymore. Rent controls have been studied before and pronounced as failures. We need creative entrepreneurs, smart small business people with lots of ideas.

New development in Aurora built on several hectares of scrubland is making home buyers very happy. See ore about new home development in Aurora, Newmarket, and Bradford.

The Solution: we need investment money to build new homes and we need Ontario scrubland freed up for new home development. There’s lots of it – miles of empty vacant land that’s not even good enough for farming. And as I explain in this post, moving investment outside of Toronto is good for everyone.

The so called speculator-fueled housing price fire she blames, is actually fueled by a lack of housing supply in Toronto, which she created and big multidimensional demand from buyers. Speculators know Toronto is desperate for housing and will be for some time. Still investors believe Toronto is a great place to invest. Not so says Wynne, who pushed her regressive 16 point housing hack. Not freeing up land for housing is a dangerous ploy that could contribute to a recession and make finding a rental unit impossible for millions of house and condo renters.

Quite the contrary to what Wynne stated, real estate investors, house flippers, and land developers contribute a great deal to the economy.

More commentary on the Foreign buyer tax:

ANALYSIS: Beware unintended consequences http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-realestate-future-uncertainty-1.4079431

BC foreign buyer tax: https://renx.ca/british-columbia-foreign-buyer-tax-house-prices/

Ontario Minister tight lipped: http://www.citynews.ca/2017/04/21/minister-cant-say-foreign-buyer-tax-will-affect-housing-market/

Will investment money move out west to Calgary? http://www.660news.com/2017/04/20/foreign-buyers-tax-boost-calgary-real-estate/

Impact of B.C.'s foreign buyer tax wanes as March sales surge almost 50 per cent

I like how one writer called Wynne’s housing plan a Potpouri of Politics seemingly to lower rents and ward off a housing crash – destined to failure. And the growing homeless will see no relief.

The problem will never go away, because Toronto is hot. It’s an International mega city and nothing can stop that. Her government’s perversely named Places to Grow legislation — artificially limits housing supply which raises prices. And the new Toronto foreign buyers tax also increases Toronto housing prices since sellers will just add the tax cost to their selling price.

The question really needs to be asked: “Who pushed Wynne to support this ideology of stopping urban growth around Toronto?” Why aren’t the media questioning her ideology and who is behind it?

Currently, real estate is the only sector bringing investment money into Canada and Ontario. Shooting the Golden Goose just seems like a bad idea. If homelessness and lack of hope are a problem now, it’s going to be worse in 2 years.

We don’t need data to know that Foreign investors contribute to our economy.

Toronto is Where the Jobs Are

And Toronto is where Millennials aged home buyers (and new immigrant buyers) are and work. Whether they choose to live in Toronto condos or detached homes in the GTA, they want to live within commuting distance. Wynne doesn’t represent this generation’s quest for the life they want. She’s got an “alternate lifestyle” for all of us featuring poverty, big mortgages, and higher taxes.

Let’s face it, if Kathleen Wynne was your doctor, her special medicine that would shoot your blood pressure to 1000 / 860. After your head explodes she’d prescribe ice packs. The Liberal’s housing hacks are going to stifle investment and lead to higher prices by 2019. But then, she and her government won’t be around to experience the consequences. They’re the most unpopular government ever and will be heading out in the coming election next year.

Som Seif Speaks with Catherine Murray of BNN about Toronto’s future:

Lack of Housing Supply Will Keep Prices High

People have to live somewhere. Hundreds of thousands of new immigrants arrive in Toronto every year looking for homes. They’re not speculators. They want to live here and have their kids educated here. Think about how valuable a North American education is to these new foreign migrants. It’s life changing and gives their kids a big life advantage — perhaps bigger than native Torontonian kids (the forgotten).

Who Will Pay Ontario’s Whopping Debt of $318 Billion?

One way to help pay the whopping Ontario debt would be to graciously approve of foreign investment. Foreign real estate investors are already being taxed and are helping grow our economy by buying in the Ontario housing market.

Wynne also announced a new Mincome program to test out a minimum level guaranteed income for a few select Ontarians. This is probably due to her sponsor’s belief that the future looks grim for Ontarians. Her Apocalypse plan is to contain the Zombie’s within the GTA. Why not build a fence like Donald Trump is?

Unfortunately with poor Free Trade deals, the picture for our youth is troubling, low waged, insecure, and poverty is growing visibly here in Ontario. With the exception of marijuana and tattoo shops, we have little to brag about. And with tight credit and NAFTA issues looming, you’d have to wonder how Ontario will create jobs.

Wynne’s support of the controversial Places to Grow program is at the bottom of rocketing Toronto home prices. Without land to build on, our thirst for “Places to Live” will never be quenched and prices will keep pushing upward. So her list 16 anti-investment tactics is wrapped within a failing overall strategy that will actually cost Ontario future growth and lead to higher prices.

The Toronto Housing Market Solution is Simple

Freeing up land around Toronto is the solution. There’s tens thousands of hectares of scrubland available for new housing developments (and it’s happening in Bradford, Vaughan, East Gwillimbury, and south of Barrie).

Wynne could create a new program to decentralize the economy away from Toronto and send jobs and good fortune to areas that need it.

The one good thing about the Toronto housing market boom is that money is being pushed outward to places such as Oshawa, Guelph and Barrie infusing those communities with new money. Prices in Barrie have risen 44% in the last year and this migration of investment money is giving Barrie something it rarely gets — investment and hope.

Solving the Housing Crisis

In a previous post I covered 10 ways the Toronto housing crash could be avoided and that Wynne’s government is forcing this housing crisis. The gist of the solution is to use this housing crisis as a reason to encourage investment in smaller communities outside the GTA. Instead of the current housing price spillover effect, why not actively move investment money and jobs outward to places like Barrie, Orillia, Orangeville, North Bay, Sudbury, Belleville, Gelph, Waterloo, London, Sarnia and Windsor?

The Liberal’s “Places to Stop Growth“ plunges these communities into poverty and unwisely pushes intensification in places that don’t need it. These places are intensifying are their own.

Toronto Canada is in demand and the Investment money is already parked here. Toronto and new incoming millennials intend to get married and start families, and new immigrants will keep adding price pressure. The 16 measures she took won’t work and in fact could stunt Ontario’s economic growth. Soon we will be battling higher rents, higher taxes, higher utilities (if we can find a place to live).

How would you rate the Wynne government’s support of small business? What are the key features of her small business growth support plan?

The foreign buyers tax was used in Vancouver which is much more Asian buyer influenced, and prices are already starting to rise again. They know how it’s all a matter of supply and demand.

April 7, 2017March 25, 2018

10 Ways to Avert a Toronto Housing Market Crash

How to Avert a Toronto Housing Market Crash?

Toronto’s real estate market overheated in 2017 due to housing availability problems. The possibility of an economy damaging housing market crash is very real in Toronto now because NAFTA is in jeopardy.

Why is an impending Toronto housing crash a disaster for us? The economy may crash creating unemployment and mortgage defaults, scare off investors, and ruin the home building trend that’s finally taking off.

Here’s 11 solutions below that don’t require housing development on the most ecologically sensitive areas near Milton, Mississauga, or Oak Ridges Moraine near Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and Newmarket.

The Bubble is Spreading Outside the GTA

The heat from the Toronto market is spreading outward into Niagara region, Cambridge and Waterloo/Guelph and up into Barrie. The problem with all of these pressure valves is that the Ontario government’s Evil places to grow legislation is preventing growth in those areas too.

The core problem in the market isn’t out of control demand for housing, because demand for homes by Ontarians has always been present. The government’s arrogance toward people’s need for housing is seen in rising rents, home prices, hopelessness, and homelessness. The Liberal government in particular, is politically opposed to developed. The dreaded conservatives who will form the next Ontario government, may have a different outlook, at least enough to get them voted in.

The US Housing Marketing has never been better for real estate marketing and real estate investing.

The Lack of Housing Stock is Killing Ontario

The crux of the housing bubble in Toronto is lack of housing stock. Building and housing development have been suppressed and unsupported in the GTA region such that any increase in demand, foreign or domestic, would create a home price crisis. It’s our government who have funneled all demand at a limited amount of homes and this creates inflation in the economy (which makes for more short term tax revenue).

Anyway you cut the pie, the government wants to own, control it, and take the biggest piece.

The current attitude of government as you can see in this 2nd video below is irresponsible. Tax manipulation isn’t a solution nor is mortgage manipulation. Only a positive support of new home building will work. Millennials will not forego their family building years and will buy single detached homes or townhouses to live in.

Foreigners will continue moving here and how can the government prevent them from buying homes or condos. Demand is booming and many are saying that a housing crash can’t occur because of that unending demand. But these people have forgotten completely about how much harm government can do as the begin making new policies to solve their previous mistakes.

Demand and Prices Highest in 8 Years: CBC Video

And here’s John Tory from 5 years ago warming how government is driving a problem in the Toronto market, but he goes on to blame foreign investment for high home prices and high condo prices. Tory still believes in rent controls which would discourage new housing.

It’s a big picture problem driven by government’s desperation for tax revenues which they then squander on pet projects that only make the problem worse. Now that we’re more sure of the origin of the problem, we can begin brainstorming some last minute solutions to ward off a Toronto housing crash.

11 Good Ways to Avert the Toronto Real Estate Bubble and Crash

The Toronto housing bubble is underway and heading toward an explosive burst. Here’s some solutions:

Cancel the Places to Grow legislation
penalty/fee for empty condos or homes
severely restrict or disable the Ontario Municipal Board and change their mandate to support development not to prevent it
give home builders generous new incentives and tax breaks for building outside of Toronto
push builders and developers out into towns outside of the GTA
provide tax incentives for businesses to relocate to communities outside of the GTA
raise taxes on land gobbling monster homes and private estates
lower taxes on townhouses and low rise condos
cancel all land transfer taxes for the immediate future
provide tax incentives for real estate investment in new projects
tax break for home sellers to move onto retirement and moving to lower cost regions

These incentives and actions would encourage mobilization of government and money to create new homes and take the pressure off the Toronto and Mississauga areas.

Chime in on how you would solve the Toronto housing bubble pressure and avert a crash that’s looming.

January 23, 2017February 21, 2018

US Buyers Guide to Canadian Real Estate

Canadian Real Estate Buyers Guide!

Buy or sell when the market is moving. With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Bill, the US economy is surging. Tax cuts mean Americans will have more money, yet the US real estate market isn’t as attractive anymore.

US real estate prices may fall while the US dollar is falling in value. Investors are looking for better investments, and although the Toronto and Vancouver markets are stagnating at present, they will likely start to surge in June.

With the prices of oil and Canadian interest rates up, the Canadian dollar is rising (now over 81 cents US). That makes Canadian real estate a worthy in investment, particularly as a rental income property in markets where rental units are shrinking.

The fall of the US housing market and Canadian housing market have been heading in opposite directions as we enter into 2018. With the US dollar forecast to fall, Americans may improve their capital gains in the Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver markets.

The 25 cent bonus on the USD/CAD exchange rate at a time when home prices are in a temporary lull could give US property buyers a 30% premium or more when purchasing homes or condos for sale in Canada.

That’s not all. Right now in early 2018, outside of the Vancouver and Toronto regions, in cities such as Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon and St Johns, real estate values are very low, giving you even more purchasing power. Experts are suggesting prices will go much higher due the housing crisis. Homes and Condos are in short supply and are bought quickly.

A 25% Bonus: It’s a very positive environment for investors and well worth learning more about.

If the Canadian economy grows alongside of the US economy, we could see very ideal conditions for buying Canadian homes, condos and cottages, and even rental property during the next 6 months in Canada.

You may never have such amazing purchasing power for your money again. It’s worth it to contact a realtor here in Canada and inquire about homes for sale.

Prices are rising moderately in Toronto, but there are homes for sale in all regions. You can check now for new homes for sale in Toronto, Mississauga, new homes in Vaughan, new homes in Newmarket, and Bradford just outside of Toronto. Why Toronto?

Do you know anyone looking for a safe investment with a 30% ROI that’s growing? Make sure they see this!

Vancouver has a foreign buyers tax which will erode your return and wealth. Vancouver is discouraging further investment. They don’t want your money. Toronto on the other hand is open to such investment and has a huge number of Toronto condos being constructed.

There are huge housing developments such as in Vaughan and Bradford where thousands of new homes are being built. If you prefer new properties to rent out, as an income investment, this might be a good target for you. The hot ticket for investors right now is rental property investment.

Your Guide to Real Estate Investment Opportunities Here in Canada

The purpose of this guide is to make you aware, and give you some information on how to go about investing in real estate in Canada.

Liberal Foreign Ownership in Canada

Canada is a politically stable, low risk and safe place to invest and it is open to foreign investment. While some provinces have limits on foreign ownership of land, Canada is for the most part wide open to foreign real estate investors. There are no taxes on buying property in Canada, however you will be taxed when you sell. With Canadian mortgage rates so low right, and with not much increase expected, it may be wise to use a Canadian mortgage financing company to purchase your property. However, you could use your own bank.

To understand all the legal requirements necessary to buy property in Canada and obtain mortgage financing, it is wise to contact a licensed Realtor in Canada.

Best Places Buy Homes in Canada

The investment landscape is always changing and certain regions of Canada are amidst different circumstances. Vancouver has just gone through a real estate boom and the local government has imposed taxes to discourage foreign investment.

Toronto is a very hot real estate market and low housing availability and other conditions will keep prices high for sometime. Prices in the greater Vancouver and Toronto regions are high.

Canadian government policies have sought to restrict first time buyers who may lack the financial resources and be carrying too much debt to buy a home. This is a precautionary measure and may impact your attempt to obtain financing from a Canadian bank or mortgage company.

Kelowna BC is not impacted by a foreign buyers tax and is currently in high demand. Calgary and Edmonton’s real estate market is flat and could represent an ideal purchase. However, the oil and gas sector may not return to health for many years. Areas and towns outside of Toronto have not seen the huge price increases, thus may offer better ROI than a condo in downtown Toronto.

Finding a Good Realtor

There are tens of thousands of Realtors to choose from in BC, Alberta and Ontario, however most are inexperienced agents without connections, expertise, market knowledge, or marketing power, and other are near retirement with insufficient motivation to work hard for you. To find a good real estate agent, you’ll want to review their online presence. Do they have at least one website and social pages where you can get to know them? Transparency and marketing effort are important.
You can search for a Canadian realtor line via google.ca, or through realtor.ca, or reco.on.ca. Ontario realtors are licensed and governed by RECO or the Real Estate Council of Ontario. You can get answers to a lot of questions on the RECO website, however, you’d be better advised to speak to a Realtor to save some time on your information search and avoid becoming confused and demotivated.

Your interest in buying Canadian real estate is wise. Keep your intent alive by speaking to a real, licensed Toronto area Realtor right now.

Realtor™ and Legal Fees

There are negotiable and set fees when buying real estate via a Realtor™. The realtor will typically be paid up to 2.5% of the sale price of the property. The buying agent and selling agent will split up to a 6% transaction fee. However, there is no limit on Realtor™ fees. It may be wise to avoid a Realtor™ who charges low fees, as they may be reluctant to put a good effort in for you. That lack of time and resources could translate to poor buying decisions. Given the massive return on investment possible during these times, it’s wise to pay a Realtor™ their normal fee so you receive their full attention and support.

Other Fees

When you purchase a home or condo, new or old, you may be required to pay a deposit, appraisal fees, home inspection fee, survey or certificate of location cost, title insurance, land registration fees, water test, septic tests, Estoppel Certificate fees, and condo or strata fees, property taxes. This is why hiring a knowledgeable Realtor™ is wise. No purchase of real estate is without risk.

Financing

If you need financing to buy a property in Canada, you can obtain it via Canadian banks or what’s called the secondary mortgage market. Banks or mortgage brokers are a good choice depending on your credit situation. These lenders are more amenable to lending when the property is located in Canada. Secondary mortgage lenders may require more collateral and charge higher mortgage rates and fees, while banks may not lend you money if you are considered to much of a risk. You will need to provide documents related to your financial wealth, income and credit worthiness when you apply for a mortgage in Canada.

You can also use US banks for financing and the advantage is that you have a credit rating in the US, which US lenders might have more respect for. However, legal agreements between the US and Canada, give lenders the ability to collect on debts, so don’t think that because the property is in Canada, that it’s an issue. The lenders know they can foreclose on the property if you’re in default of payments.

You may have to pay a down payment of up to 35% of the property. It’s important to remember that is hard to verify credit worthiness of a foreign buyer and more challenging to collect on money’s owed. You can expect to pay higher rates because of the increased risk.

Canada’s CMHC offers mortgage insurance for home buyers who can’t pay the normal downpayment requirement of 20%.

Housing and Capital Gains Taxes

On purchase, you don’t have to pay taxes on property. Taxes such as the Ontario land transfer tax, Toronto land transfer tax, and British Columbia’s foreign buyer tax are payable by the seller. However, they do raise your purchase price since the charge will be passed onto you as part of the purchase price.

Non-Resident Income Tax: You will be subject to a non-resident withholding tax of 25% of the gross sales price. You can request to have the non-resident tax withheld on the net capital gain on the disposition instead of the gross sales price. You can fill out the required forms with the Canada Revenue Agency and also obtain a Certificate of Compliance. You must notify RCA within 10 days of selling the property.

Canadian Mortgage Insurance

If you finance your home and need to take out an extra loan to help with the downpayent, you are required to purchase homebuyers mortgage default insurance. Canada’s CMHC provides mortgage loan insurance that enables you to buy a home with a minimum down payment starting at 5% of purchase price. Find out more at CMHC.

If you finance the purchase, your mortgage provider will require you to carry homeowners insurance to protect the value of the home or condo.

Putting an Offer on a Property

To find a good home, condo or property to buy, read the homes for sale tips page to whet your appetite and gauge the prices and types of homes available here in Canada. Areas such as Toronto, Mississauga, Newmarket and Vaughan are ones you may feel safer in investing in. Visit the pages covering new homes in Newmarket, new homes in Bradford, and new homes in Vaughan to learn more about housing developers here.

An offer is a formal, legal proposal to purchase a property. You can put forward a written offer to purchase with it may be a conditional one or unconditional one. Conditional ones have to do with on approved financing or the repair of certain features of the property before title transfer.

Your purchase offer, created and reviewed by your Realtor™ and real estate lawyer will often include:

your name, the name of the person selling the home and the address of the house or condo
the price you are offering to purchase
any items in the home that you want to have included in the purchase price and repairs that must be completed
financial details, such as the amount of the deposit you are including, any payable interest on that deposit, and whether you’re paying a straight, all cash payment
the details of your mortgage financing
the closing date for the sale and the date of possession of the property (normally 30 to 90 days from the date of the signed agreement)
a request to the seller for a copy of a current land survey
the expiry date (the date the offer ends any conditions you demand such as passing a home inspection

Accepting the Offer

The buyer can and often will make a counter offer to yours. The market in Toronto and Vancouver is scarce giving buyers the ability to demand a higher price. If the seller accepts your offer, then on closing day (date you take possession), your lender will forward the moneis to your lawyer or notary all the money from your mortgage. You will also provide to your lawyers, your down payment usually with a certified cheque. The lawyer or notary will then pay all the fees and other costs for you, and send all the money to the seller’s lawyer. Your lawyer or notary will then register the property in your name, and send the deed and keys to you.

The property is now yours and you are considered the title owner of the property (as governed by the Ontario land titles system), registered in the specific province where you bought the property.

The Buyer’s Guide to Buying Canadian real estate is presented as a helper to give you an overview of how to buy property in Canada. For accurate advice and legal counsel on purchasing property, please speak with a licensed realtor or real estate lawyer.

Best Cities to Invest In Canada?

Please do Share the US Buyers Guide to Canadian Real Estate on Facebook, Twitter, or Linkedin. Sharing is Healthy!

Learn more about the 2 hottest housing markets: The Toronto Real Estate Market and the Mississauga Real Estate Market.

The above information is not intended as professional advice to buy or sell property, but only as an encouragement to seek out the assistance of a licensed Realtor, Canadian investment advisor, mortgage broker or other professional for you to explore current opportunities. Political, legal, currency and other factors may reduce the return you receive on your real estate investment.

July 22, 2016November 2, 2017

More Aurora Luxury Homes

Demand for Luxury Properties in Aurora Still Strong

Welcome to another gallery of Aurora’s most beautiful million dollar homes. As I pointed out in my previous post on Aurora luxury homes, demand for homes new or old in this town is extreme. The region is home to a growing number of extremely wealthy people with a taste for luxury.

The DOM for Aurora listings on the MLS is up a little in late 2017 from 10 days, but homes sell quick. My friend sold his townhouse just recently and it sold in less than a week. Buyers are that hungry.

With such high prices in the Toronto region, we know there’s more potential buyers appearing, but with a severely short supply in Aurora, frustration and disappointment will be high. If you’re thinking of moving to this amazing community, be prepared to come in at 10% above asking, and pay in cash. There are homes here with owners who are timing their purchase to get the maximum price.

If you can’t find a home in Aurora, have a good look at homes for sale in Newmarket, and Bradford real estate.

Gallery of Aurora Homes

Aurora’s upscale neighbourhoods generate a special feeling that is both relaxing and inspiring. Something you’ll take away from buying a luxury home in Aurora is a sense of how good life can be. It’s not a town for those without means. Aurora has always been a town for the wealthy since the Magna Auto Parts giant moved their head office here. The parks, facilities, restaurants, shops and safe neighbourhoods make it a truly special place to live.

March 7, 2016November 10, 2017

Digital Marketing Services Newmarket – Digital Strategist Gord Collins

Complete Digital Marketing Services for Newmarket Companies

Skilled digital marketing experts aren’t all living and working in downtown Toronto, Boston, or Los Angeles. And some digital marketing strategists have a broad skillset that provides the results you need at a fraction of the price of a Toronto agency, or a local one here in the Aurora, Richmond Hill, Markham and Newmarket areas.

I’m a freelance digital marketing strategist living in Newmarket. I’d be delighted to assist you with planning, strategizing and executing a high ranking, high traffic digital marketing effort. My experience includes 18 years of digital marketing in my own company and with 4 agencies in Canada and the US. Many of my clientele are major firms in the US, UK, China and Canada.

Please select any or all of these digital marketing services branded under my company, Bay Street SEO:

Content Development
Content Marketing
Content Strategy
SEO and Link Building
Adwords PPC
Blogging
Copywriting

These are the 7 core services that make a digital marketing effort soar. You’ll be very pleased at my low prices. Any business in Newmarket can have its cake and eat it too!

Call Gord now at 416 998 6246

I serve the entire York region area including Bradford, Newmarket, Aurora, Stouffville, Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughn.

October 10, 2015

Real Estate Market Forecast Housing Outlook Vancouver 2016

There’s Cause for Optimism in Vancouver and the Rest of BC

The irony of it all. BC is now Canada’s economic darling and yet some are complaining (justifiably, those who can’t pay the high rents). The question is whether politicians will try do something negative to spoil this growth.

The BC economy is expected to expand nicely at 2.9% to 3.1% next year. BC exports are growing as new liberal international trade deals are increased and as our loonie keeps falling to .75US.

CMHC believes there will be 30,000 more households in BC next year, and that will support sales of rising new homes being built. Mortgage and borrowing rates will stay low, energy prices will stay low so it’s a superb business situation for BC companies who need the investment money.

bcexportsgraph — Exports to China strong. Growing trade will make Vancouver the key city in Canada in the next 5 years.

BC’s latest jobs report is pretty good too. BC is leading the country with 12,400 jobs added, while the rest of Canada lost jobs. And 2016 has a nice look to it — supporting a healthy real estate sector.

The big controversy is the influx of Chinese investment money into the BC commercial and residential real estate sector. If the Asian markets continue sliding, more rich Chinese will be seeking to park their money in Vancouver and Toronto property. This is a short term financial anomaly that won’t continue so why bother trying to kill it?

September report from RBC paints a rosy picture of BC's growing economic power — September report from RBC paints a rosy picture of BC’s growing economic power

A Better way to Manage the Influx of Billions

Chinese investing in Vancouver — Chinese buyers surfing the Net to find Canadian Properties

There are those who want to end the infusion of investment from Chinese property buyers.

Rather than making these investors use devious ways to buy property here, we could make it easier for them to buy in the Okanagan, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Toronto tax-free, since this investment money could go elsewhere instead. We could lose it all.

If Asian buyers can’t buy here, they will choose the US to park their cash. San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Miami and New York are very attractive too. But Vancouver’s better.

A report in the Globe and Mail states:

Dan Scarrow, vice-president of corporate strategy at Macdonald Realty Ltd., estimates that 16 per cent of his firm’s 1,500 sales of detached houses, condos and townhouses within the city of Vancouver last year went to buyers from China. Of his firm’s 544 sales of detached homes in Vancouver proper last year, 150 of the purchasers were from China, or 27.5 per cent.

Another Globe and mail report suggests Chinese sales are aided by a tax loophole that allows them to avoid tax by listing the purchase in the name of a relative. 33% of all these purchases are bought under these circumstances. If this loophole is closed, it could send a shockwave through the real estate market.

Big Sales but fewer Homeowners are Selling

The G&M report also revealed that number of listings in Vancouver has dropped 27% from last year.

In Vancouver, housing starts are expected to grow from 9500 in 2015 to 9600 next year. Resale home sales will rise from $820,000 in 2015 to $835,000 in 2016. According the BC real estate association, the average price of a single detached home will rise from $885,000 currently to $920,000 next year. That’s up more than $100k from 2014.

The GVREB HPI index price for a detached property rose to nearly $1.41 million in Sept 201, up 11.5% from last September.

If the Liberals win the October 19th election, which is very likely, we could see a boost in the economy with them increasing spending. The latest jobs report is a rise of 73k part time jobs and a drop of 62k in full time jobs.