Kavanagh Real Estate Blog

A Canadian study on family finances says the average household debt has climbed to $96,000 in 2009. The number of mortgage payments that were at least 90 days late was up 50 per cent compared with 2008.  There was also a 40 per cent increase in the number of credit card holders who were at least ...

We are now full steam into 2010 and many people are beginning to think about buying or selling real estate.  As you are making your plans, please consider the following points. 1. Interest rates are on the rise Home buying has continued its hot streak from 2009 into 2010.  Interest rates remain l...

Last year ended stronger than expected for Canadian real estate and shed some hope for the industry and the Canadian economy as a whole.  Many in the real estate industry predicted that 2009 would continue to post a decline in both units sold and average prices.  MLS sales for 2009, however, were...

Exceptionally low interest rates, government incentives (rebates, tax breaks and RRSP contributions), the looming HST and a renewed consumer confidence puts Canada as the world leader when it comes to the recovery of the global real estate market. In a recent report on Global Real Estate Trends w...

Canada and more specifically Ontario appears to have avoided any lasting impact from the collapse of the US housing market and the subprime mortgage market meltdown. What we have seen over the past 18 months was fear versus demand and fair market values relative to the true economic environment i...

There's no need for the Ontario government to hold public hearings on its plan to harmonize the provincial sales tax with the GST next July, Premier Dalton McGuinty said Wednesday, adding that voters can pass judgment on the issue in the 2011 provincial election. Basically, McGuinty is telling th...

When people decide to sell their home, often they are uncertain if they should update their home.  If so, what upgrades would bring the greatest return and most importantly, how much money should be spent on those upgrades.  Upgrading before you sell can get out of hand, so set a budget and stick...

Real estate statistics for October remain strong and show we are blasting out of the recession.  Toronto, Oakville, Milton, Burlington and Hamilton markets are all showing significant increases in both units sold and average prices.  Also, houses are staying on the market for shorter periods of ...

Now that you have bought a home and are in need of an inspection, how do you decide on who you are going to hire?  Here is a list of questions that should be asked before you decide on your home inspector.  You want to do everything you can to ensure you hire the best person for the job.  A perso...

Home buyers hire home inspectors to help discover deficiencies in the home they are hoping to purchase.  This inspection should reveal all major issues in the home so the buyer understands the condition of the home before they purchase it.  Problems arise when buyers choose to go with the cheape...