Buying a home—whether it’s a condo or a house—is never just about square footage or how many bedrooms you think you need. It’s a lifestyle decision, a maintenance decision, and, for many people, a long-term wealth-building decision.Over the years, working with clients across Toronto and the GTA, I’ve learned that people don’t actually struggle with “condo vs. house.” They struggle with...
Buying a home in Canada involves more than viewing listings and making an offer. It is a regulated financial transaction with legal, contractual, and fiduciary elements. One of the first decisions most buyers face is whether to work with a licensed real estate professional, commonly referred to as a REALTOR® or to navigate the process independently. While there is no legal obligation to hire one,...
Why Choosing the Right REALTOR® Is a Financial Decision — Not Just a Personal OneSelecting a REALTOR® is not a casual preference; it’s a fiduciary partnership that can shift your net worth by tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Every clause negotiated, every condition waived, every pricing strategy chosen influences your financial outcome. Yet, many Canadians still rely on gut feeling or a...
This guide explains what a deposit is, why it matters, how much you can expect to pay, and the rules that govern it across Canada.Defining a Real Estate DepositA real estate deposit is a good-faith payment made by the buyer to show they are serious about purchasing the property. It is not an extra fee because it becomes part of the buyer’s down payment and is credited toward the total purchase price on...
MPORTANT DISCLOSURE: This content is published by PropertyMesh.ca for educational purposes only. It is not legal, financial, tax, or mortgage advice. PropertyMesh.ca is NOT a brokerage or lender. Our real estate content is supervised by licensed broker Faiza Ahmed (RECO #4791581) through International Realty Firm, Inc. Always consult a licensed mortgage professional for personalized loan advice. What is...
TL;DRIn Canada, the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) isn’t one website.It’s a co-operative network of regional databases run by local real estate boards/associations.REALTORS® use these systems to share listings, set up cooperation with other brokerages, and negotiate offers. REALTOR.ca is not an MLS® — it’s a national public portal that displays portions of MLS® listings from across the...
When an Open House is Really Worth ItIn most cases, open houses aren’t your closing strategy — but there’s one clear exception: a hot market with more serious buyers than private showing slots.When inventory is low and buyer demand is surging, private showings can book up in hours. In these conditions, an open house can efficiently funnel dozens of buyers — and their agents — through in a single...
When selling a home, two viewing methods dominate: open houses and private showings.You’ve probably heard that open houses build excitement and private showings close the deal.That’s partly true — but there’s more to the story.This guide covers everything you’ve likely seen in Google search results about the topic, then adds proven research so you can decide which approach works best for your...
Choosing a real estate agent isn’t about picking the friendliest face on a bus bench. It’s a business decision — one that can affect how much you earn (or spend), how quickly you move, and how confidently you navigate the market.Here’s how to evaluate prospects using hard metrics and peer-reviewed insights — not industry marketing. Verify Licensing and Professional StandingStart with the...
In the dynamic landscape of Canadian real estate, one of the most persistent questions for both buyers and sellers is this: What percentage do REALTORS® actually make from a home sale in Canada?You’ll often hear “5%” quoted as a common figure, but commission structures are more nuanced than a single number. Across the country, commission structures are not fixed by law, vary by region, and are...
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