February 3, 2012 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,567 sales through the TorontoMLS® system in January 2012. This number was 8.8 per cent higher than the 4,199 sales reported in January 2011. Sales growth was strongest for low-rise home types in the regions surrounding the City of Toronto.“A favourable affordability picture bolstered by very low posted fixed mortgage rates has kept home buyers confident in their ability to achieve the Canadian goal of home ownership,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Richard Silver.“The buyer pool remains diverse in the GTA with strong interest in home types across the pricing spectrum,” continued Silver.The average selling price for January 2012 transactions was $463,534 – up by almost nine per cent compared to January 2011.“Low inventory levels have kept competition between buyers strong, resulting in robust annual rates of price growth over the last year. Strong price growth is expected to attract more listings. A better supplied market should result in a slower rate of price growth, especially in the second half of 2012,” said Jason Mercer, the Toronto Real Estate Board’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.
The festive holidays are approaching, and calendars are already filling up. Whether you’re staying with family around the country or taking an extended leave to escape the winter, you may be planning to leave your home vacant for more than a day or two. To ward against coming home to the wrong kind of holiday surprise, here’s what to do before you depart. Cheap Wi-Fi cameras Security equipment might sound high-tech and expensive, but securing your home against potential intrusion doesn’t cost much. For around $30, you should be able to outfit your home with WIFI cameras which are home assistant compatible. Shut the main water off Remember to shut off the main water supply if you plan to be away from your home for more than a day. In the event of a plumbing failure, your home could fall prey to serious water damage. Install smart water sensors in your basement Installing a smart water sensor in your basement can easily save a lot of money and worry. Some models will alert you to leaks a...
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