Move Smartly: The Podcast

Two people knocked on Mr. Bouchard's door. He didn't invite them. They got him to sign documents he says he didn't understand, and left without giving him copies. Then they registered a charge against his house for $30,999.85. Money started leaving his bank account every month. Years later, a notice of sale arrived. To keep his home, he was told to pay $80,711.29. That's a real case, decided this year by the Ontario Superior Court. And according to my guest, it's one of dozens involving the same companies, the same people, and in some cases the same lawyers. David Sterns is a partner at Sotos Class Actions. He's acting without fee, alongside lawyers from the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly, in a case that alleges a pattern of fraudulent and unconscionable mortgages registered against the homes of older Ontarians. We go through how it works, step by step. Who knocks first, who comes back promising to fix it, where the money actually goes, and how a charge ends up on title without the owner knowing. If you own your home, the last part of this conversation is the practical one. What to look for, how to check what's registered against your property, and who to call if you find something you can't explain.

In this week's live, we covered the latest GTA market stats and discussed our latest company announcement as we officially begin a new chapter as Move Smartly. We also looked at our newly published report on the Top 10 Toronto Airbnb Condos where short-term rentals dominate. Move Smartly agents Gus and Davin shared their insights on what they're seeing on the ground and where they think the market is headed. Mortgage expert David Larock shared his take on the Bank of Canada's latest announcement, including its more hawkish tone and the growing expectation that interest rates could rise. Set-up a meeting with John Pasalis and his agents at Move Smartly to discuss your own real estate questions privately: https://www.movesmartly.com/meetjohn Sign up for our email list to be alerted to the next online market update to join our YouTube session live chat and ask your own Qs: https://www.movesmartly.com/monthly-public-webinar We hope you enjoyed this month's update and found it valuable. Thanks for tuning in - we'll see you next month!

This month on the Real Estate Roundtable, I'm joined by Vancouver realtor Steve Saretsky and Toronto mortgage broker David Larock to unpack the latest trends shaping Canada's housing market and economy. We start with a key question: if home prices have fallen significantly from their peak, why do sales remain so weak? While many economists argue that housing has become much more affordable, higher mortgage rates mean the monthly cost of owning hasn't fallen nearly as much as prices suggest. We discuss whether affordability has really improved enough to bring buyers back. We also look at why long-term interest rates are rising around the world, what that could mean for Canadian mortgage rates, and how the ongoing trade war and economic uncertainty could impact Canada's housing market in the months ahead.

In this month's live, we discussed the latest GTA market stats and asked the big question: when will house prices finally bottom out? We also looked at the rental market, where increased selection is giving tenants more choice and more reasonable prices. Mortgage expert David Larock shared his latest insights on where interest rates could be headed, as inflation cools, jobs rise, and Canada's latest GDP numbers point to a stronger economic picture. Set-up a meeting with John Pasalis and his agents at MoveSmartly to discuss your own real estate questions privately: https://www.movesmartly.com/meetjohn Sign up for our email list to be alerted to the next online market update to join our YouTube session live chat and ask your own Qs: https://www.movesmartly.com/monthly-public-webinar We hope you enjoyed this month's update and found it valuable. Thanks for tuning in - we'll see you next month!

Has Canada's housing market finally found a bottom—or is there still further to fall? This month on the Real Estate Roundtable, I'm joined by Vancouver realtor Steve Saretsky and Toronto mortgage broker David Larock to discuss whether the correction in Canadian real estate is nearing its end, or whether home prices still have further to adjust before a sustained recovery begins. We also break down the latest economic data and what it means for interest rates. While inflation in Canada continues to trend lower, stronger-than-expected GDP growth suggests the Bank of Canada is unlikely to cut interest rates anytime soon. We discuss why the Bank appears to be on hold and what that means for borrowers and housing demand. Finally, we examine an increasingly important divergence between Canada and the United States. Long-term bond yields in the U.S. have been climbing sharply, pushing borrowing costs higher, while Canadian long-term yields have remained relatively stable. Why are the two countries moving in different directions, and what does this mean for fixed mortgage rates and the outlook for Canada's housing market? All that and more in this month's Real Estate Roundtable covering housing, interest rates, and the economic forces shaping the Canadian real estate market.