The below write up concentrates on Ontario rules but some elements and principals can be applied anywhere. What is a Status Certificate. Status certificate is a document that provides essential information regarding the financial status of the unit and the condo corporation. What’s included in the Status Certificate. Financial statements, budgets, special assessments, liens, arrears, lawsuits, condo declaration, by-laws, reserve fund study, insurance policy and claims,... [read more]

Selling a condo in GTA. If you want to sell a condo in GTA our first question would be if you must do so, as we have already pointed out in another blog we think the real estate in GTA will do very well over the long period of time, hence if you are able to financially, and want to be a landlord (many people buy a condo as their first property and then move into a freehold as their lifestyle changes) consider keeping your condo as long as it’s a good condo in a good building. If we... [read more]

When looking for your next condo you often see numbers such us 1+1, 2+1, 1+2 where the first number represents the number of bedrooms, and the second number represents a den. We have already discussed what is a bedroom and the alternative solutions often used in condos, now let’s talk about the dens. A den, or the number that comes after “+” as it turns out, and unlike other spaces in your house or a condo is not regulated by the Ontario Building Code and that is why we... [read more]

We have been asked on many occasions about the RRSP Home buyers plan and thought it would be a good idea to explain the details from the beginning to the end of how it works, and what to do. What is Home Buyers Plan. A home buyers plan allows you to withdraw up to $60,000 per person (if you are a couple you can withdraw up to $60,000 each, for a total of up to $120,000) for the purchase of the qualifying home for yourself or for a related person with a disability. You can only withdraw... [read more]

You may have heard of realtors offering a cash back, in this short blog we will explain what it is, and how it works. What is a cash back? Cash back for buyers is an incentive offered by the real estate agents for their buyers. In a typical real estate transaction the sellers signs a contract with the listing agent, in the contract one of the items outlined is a commission, part of the commission is received by the listing agent (agent representing the seller), and part of the commission... [read more]