RealEstate Inside: November 2018 News Report

Welcome back, everyone! This month, we've put together a full lesson plan to boost your real estate smarts. How real estate savvy are you? Looking to increase that pesky credit score, or become an Air BnB? We have some invaluable reads to help you on your way.

“Proficient in Microsoft Excel” used to be a skill every employer wanted to see on a resume, but nowadays it's expected—some would say required. Those not familiar with the many functions and shortcuts of Excel could save themselves a lot of time and effort by learning these handy functions, and this article is the perfect place to start! >>

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Nightmare tenants are a tale as old as landlord time. There are steps we have gone over to ensure good tenants, but sometimes you're just unlucky! There's no such thing as too much information when getting tips on picking good tenants, so be sure to read this story of nightmare tenants and what this landlord learned during the process! >>

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POP QUIZ TIME! How up to date are you on the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)? It began November first and this 20 question quiz could help you understand some of the changes a little better! >>

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Would you want the contents of your offer on a house to be public knowledge? Some people think it should be! Read this article on the auction style bidding process and let us know your thoughts! >>

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Thinking of buying your first home? This article might help to understand some of the monthly costs to expect outside of your mortgage payments to help you get prepared! >>

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Putting your rental properties into a holding corporation could be a good or a bad idea—it all depends on your overall objectives and your regions tax rules. Read this article to find the right questions to ask during your next meeting with your accountant! >>

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Condo or single family house? This is a question many people tend to have when deciding to make a real estate purchase. Things like lifestyle and goals are only some considerations when making your decision. Read this article for some advantages and disadvantages of buying a condo to help you decide! >>

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Cities with a high “walkability score” tend to have higher property values. Is your city walkable? If not, is your city planning geared towards making owning a car optional? This article explains the reasons why “walkability” is an important aspect for future economic growth, and why it should be one of your city planner’s top priorities.  >>

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Do you have a lower credit score as a result of past mistakes but want to get back on track? This article has great tips on how to repair a bruised credit score. >>

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Should you use your rental property as an Airbnb or a long term rental? This article lists both pros and cons to Airbnb and what to consider before becoming a part of the sweeping trend. >>

Real Estate Insider: September 2018 News Report

Welcome back, Real Estate Insiders! This month we have a solid list of topics ranging from finding the perfect tenant to the latest craze of remodelling. We hope you have a cup of coffee and are ready for some of the most informative reads we've ever found. Enjoy!

Title insurance is a closing cost that everyone seems to question, but do you really need it? Well the short answer... is YES! Read how title insurance can save you from financial and personal stress.

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While not everyone might know what “Sequence Risk” is, it affects everyone the same. This is why you need to eliminate as much sequence risk as possible! Real Estate is a great way to significantly reduce this risk and this article explains why.

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Are you buying a new home or condo? Make sure to be caught up on the HST rebate rules so you don’t miss out on huge savings!

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True or False: Windsor is the most affordable city to buy a house in all of Canada. Find out the answer here!

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Remodelling is a rising trend among homeowners that doesn’t seem to be slowing down! But there are negative effects not shown on HGTV. Read them here.

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Cannabis is being legalized in less a month! Here are 5 things you should know now to stay informed.

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In trial separations it is sometimes unclear how the real estate is going to be divided among the family. This article can help with that part!

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Making sure you have good Tenants can make or break a rental property, so don’t leave anything to chance! Read the ultimate screening process here so picking good Tenants can be easy.

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The first year of anything you do usually has the biggest learning curve, so this article of 5 Lessons that Chris Mamula learned in his first year as a Landlord should help ease that curve! 

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Real Estate Investing isn’t only for the rich! Read here for an example of how to invest in a rental property with little to no down payment.

Real Estate Insider: May 2018 News Report

Hello there, Real Estate Insiders! Get ready for some of the most important topics we've discovered yet. Why you need a lawyer if you're selling your house, the best way to approach mortgage renewal, and why it's harder for Millennials to buy are just a few of the reads we have in store for you. 

There’s a lot of things you can do to save some money, but skipping out on a Real Estate lawyer when buying a home should NEVER be one of them! Read why it can end up costing you way more than the legal fees if you decide to buy a home without a lawyer. >>

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While owning a condominium in Toronto and renting it out may seem like a great investment, it appears nearly half aren’t getting enough rent to cover their costs. Is it still worth it? >>

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If you sold your home after 2016 and didn’t report it to CRA, you might be looking at hefty fine! Read here to stay updated on all the forms and necessary steps to avoid an unwanted call from the CRA. >>

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If you own a rental property with more than two people, tax season can be tricky! Be sure to know how to split these taxes fairly, and you can start by reading this article! >>

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If you are thinking of investing in your first rental property, this article is for you. Be better prepared to make this decision. Should it be a house or condo? Duplex? Where are you living now? This article has all the right questions you might not have thought to ask! >>

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“My mortgage comes up for renewal this year.” If you are in the same boat as these authors then you should definitely read their mortgage renewal strategy to help with your own! >>

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Think that if you can afford the down payment and the mortgage payments you can afford a house? Think again! There are a lot of costs involved in buying a home and we want to make sure you are financially prepared for all of them. Read this list so there are no surprises on closing day! >>

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Real Estate Lawyers discuss the "5 Things to Know about Government Standard Lease Form”. >>

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The 2018 OSFI stress test has cut Millennial purchasing power by over $40,000! What does that mean for first time home buyers? >>

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With a lot of things now being done online, should dealing with a mortgage broker be one of them? Read the pros and cons of going online for a mortgage. >>

Real Estate Insider: March 2018 News Report

Should you teach your old house new tricks? Want the best mortgage rate? Are you misusing your Line of Credit? Read all this and more in our latest edition of the Real Estate Insider!


A properly calculated CAP rate can be a very useful tool, but there are many other factors people should be looking into when buying or selling income properties. Are you aware of them? Find out here. >>

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“Smart Homes” are taking the world by storm, but is the value added really worth the investment in older homes? It depends! Find out more here. >> 

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Are you buying a new home? Here are a few things you should know to make sure you’re protected! >>

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If you own or are thinking of getting a heat pump, routine manual cleaning may not be enough! Deep cleaning and regular filter changes are almost a necessity! Read why here. >>

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Divorce is an unfortunate yet very common part of today’s society. To make sure you are protected through this process, here are 6 myths about divorce that everyone should know. >>

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Are you getting the most out of your line of credit? It can be one of the most useful tools to building wealth and financial freedom, but only if used correctly! Read here to get tips on using your LOC to your advantage. >>

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Real Estate > Stocks. Here’s why. >>

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AirBNB is an easy way to make money if you’ve got an empty property and are willing to put in the work. Here are some tips and tricks everyone should know before venturing into this market. >>

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Everyone is talking about the new standard residential lease form in Ontario, this article should help with explaining everything you must know about this controversial topic. >>

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CALLING ALL DEAL HUNTERS! Here are the three top ways to ensure you are getting the best rate on your next mortgage. >>

Attention Landlords and Tenants in Ontario – Ontario Standard Leases Are Coming

Are you a landlord or tenant in Ontario? If you are, or are considering becoming one in the near future, we have a timely post for you today.  Mandatory changes are coming to residential lease agreements in the province, and here is what you need to know.

What is Happening With Residential Leases In Ontario?

Landlords of most private residential units in Ontario must start using the standard lease template for all new leases.

When Is This Starting?

These standard leases must be used in Ontario starting April 30, 2018.

Who Decided This?

The Ontario Liberal Government – through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs/Ministry of Housing.

Where Can I Find a Copy of this Standard Lease?

Visit the Central Forms Repository on the Government of Ontario website to download the form.

What is the Purpose of this Standard Lease?

Three primary reasons are stated:

1. To help landlords and tenants understand their rights.
2. Reduce illegal terms in leases and misunderstandings regarding verbal agreements.
3. Reduce the need for Landlord Tenant Board (LTB) hearings to resolves disputes.

What Else Should I Know About Standard Leases?

In the leases, there are mandatory terms (that must be completed and cannot be altered), there are optional additional terms (which allow for unique terms to be agreed to by landlord/tenant) and general information on rights and responsibilities (Ie. subletting, pets, guests, etc).

What Are Our Thoughts On This Issue?

Whether we like it out not it, this will soon be the law. So we will have to deal with it and adapt. First impression is that it will further swing the pendulum towards tenant rights more so than it already is. But fingers crossed that if it doesn’t work the way it is expected to, or if it causes specific problems related to clauses, etc., the government will listen to feedback from the industry and amend this standard lease to get it right.

What are your thoughts on the Standard Lease? We’d love to hear from your landlord/tenant perspective.

Real Estate Insider: January 2018 News Report

Will your next home be in a mall? Who pays for what in a domestic relationship? Thinking about doing some renovating this Spring? We cover all that and more in this month's Real Estate Insider, including the latest real estate developments in Canada this month—plus we might even help you save some serious cash.

Thinking of investing in Real Estate? Capitalization Rates can be one of the easiest and most common methods of valuation used in the market today! Learn about Cap Rates and why they are so important for investors! >>

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Whether you are a Buyer or a Seller, you need to know the difference between Patent and Latent Defects. This video covers what they are, and what needs to be disclosed when selling a home. >>

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Don’t get hit with sticker shock when doing your first kitchen renovation! This article will help you understand the costs and how much to budget so you can be safe rather than sorry! >>

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If there’s one thing you should be it’s efficient. Read these simple tips and tricks to stay cozy and be energy efficient this winter! >>

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Moving in with your partner can be an exciting and confusing experience, with one of the most common questions being “Who pays for what?” Read this article for some steps to take when pooling assets together with your significant other. >>

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Watch this video to learn “5 things to know when selling a home occupied by a Tenant”: >>

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With the announcement of another interest rate hike, be sure to keep informed with some of the key takeaways and what this and future rate hikes mean for the Canadian economy. >>

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When one door closes, another opens! With the struggling retail market in Canada leaving large vacancies, Canadian mall owners are seeking to convert these prime spaces into condos in some of the largest most vacant land deficient cities in Canada. >>

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Now that everyone is familiar with the new mortgage “Stress Test”, here are 5 things that will happen in response to this new mortgage policy. >>

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Personal Loan Vs Line of Credit: read this article to learn the pros and cons of each. >>

Real Estate Insider: November 2017 News Report

Wow, did we find some articles you won't want to pass up! This edition, we cover tax evasion, living with your parents, "jingle mail", and much more.

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Have an RRSP? Thinking about buying a home? Make sure you are up to date on the provisions of the Home Buyers Plan to make sure you are saving as much as possible! >>

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Watch this great video if you’re considering becoming a Landlord! Be sure to know all the tips and tricks before you make the big investment! >>

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There are many different ways to invest your RRSP; one of the lesser-known ways is to invest it in Real Estate! Learn how you can use your RRSP to your advantage when investing for your future. >>

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Buy or Rent? An age-old question associated mostly with cars and houses, but what about water heaters? Learn the pros and cons of buying versus renting a water heater for your home. >>

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Want to learn more about the upcoming stress test? Read these 10 ways that it will change the lending market. >>

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Tax Evaders beware! BC and Ontario to consider registry of pre-construction condo sales. >>

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Whether you are a Landlord or a Tenant, make sure you are up to date with the changes to Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act so you can stay informed and protected! >>

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Still living with your parents? You’re not alone! Multi-generational households are becoming more common due to price growth and it is changing the way developers are planning for the future. >>

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American Real Estate Company “Zillow” to start showing Canadian Listings with goals to expose American buyers to affordable housing in Canada, mainly in big cities and vacation areas. >>

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“Think Canadians couldn’t abandon their mortgages like Americans did in 2008? Think again.” >>

Real Estate Insider: September 2017 News Report

Welcome back to the Lalovich Real Estate Insider! We've been busy reading a tonne of topics and wanted to share the best finds with you. How much do you need to make to buy a house in Toronto? How did a multi-million dollar home street sell for less than $100k in California? What does the end of the Canadian housing bubble market mean for you? Find out the answers and much more in this edition. Enjoy!

Don’t be tricked by ‘buzz words’; make sure you know your options when applying for insurance. >>

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Looking at the house price-to-rent index, to balance out from the recent spike in housing prices, value either needs to go down or rent needs to come up. Based on this, the OECD predicts a 28% decline in home prices by 2020. Read more here >>

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The Ontario Real Estate Association is stepping up to become the self proclaimed “watch dog” for the industry’s regulatory body. This transformation is catalyzed by the fact that as of 2020, they will no longer be providing real estate education. Read more about the transformation here >>

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Thinking of becoming a landlord? Here are 10 tips to follow to make your rental property a successful one. >>

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A change of heart ended up costing this buyer $360,000! Learn why walking away from a deal could cost you more than just your deposit. >>

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While the housing boom drew thousands into the Real Estate career, the inevitable slowdown is expected to decimate the ranks of the inexperienced realtors. >>

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A private street in San Francisco with 35 Mega-Million Dollar mansions was sold to a couple for $90,100… all because of a $994 unpaid tax bill. Read why here >>

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Are you getting the best rates on your mortgage? Experts say people need to start comparing mortgage rates the same way they do when booking flights or hotels. Read the startling facts here >>

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Thinking of moving to Toronto? A recent study has found that to afford the average detached home, residents need an average income close to $200,000. >>

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Deciding what to do with your rental properties? Considering entering the rental property market? Be sure to read this list of every indicator to consider when selling an investment property. >> 

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Going with traditional: a new mixed commercial/residential building is planned for an empty Walkerville area lot, becoming one of the first buildings of its type built there in a long time. >>

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Learning from past mistakes: it seems as though Canada’s housing market bubble is officially over, without the notoriously feared “pop”. >>

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Buyer's remorse: people are scrambling to close after the recent cool down of the housing market. >>

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The real estate association believes it's time to increase the penalty for unethical behaviour in the real estate profession and is lobbying for stricter regulations due to the fact that the current regulations are close to 15 years old. >>

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Feel like you're paying too much for your mortgage? It's likely you've made one of the top five costly homeowner financial mistakes. Find out here >>