Richard Silver

The Canadian Real Estate Market: Consumer confidence in Canada ends on a stronger footing in 2009

Below is a great article from the Canadian Real Estate Association  about the levels in Consumer Confidence  as one moves across Canada: National consumer confidence ended the year 2009 on a stronger footing compared to pre-recession levels, despite having edged down slightly the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter.  According to the Conference Board of Canada’s  index of consumer confidence, confidence eased slightly in the fourth quarter for the first time in three quarterly periods.  The decrease in confidence reflects weakening sentiment...Continue Reading...

Impressions of REBarCampNYC and Inman Connect NYC 2010!

So I have been home a week and trying to make sense of all the information that I gleaned in the four hectic days of meetings in New York City. Instead of the usual "Blow by Blow" and who said what, I will just give you some of my impressions: First and foremost, the four days were all about Social Media . Like it or not, just the way we used to say that Realtors with Technology will replace Realtors without it, now,...Continue Reading...

Canadian Real Estate Association – 2009 Resale Housing Market Ends On a High Note.

Existing home sales activity reached the highest level ever for the month of December, according to statistics released by The Canadian Real Estate Association . Strong demand in the second half of 2009, especially in the fourth quarter, pushed annual sales above 2008 levels. Residential sales activity via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) of Canadian real estate boards numbered 27,744 units in December 2009. This stands 72 per cent above activity in December 2008, when activity dropped to the lowest level in...Continue Reading...

The Kindle is Coming! The Kindle is Coming!!!

Over the past six months, I have been lucky enough to be part of a "Kindle Group" of 6 people. That means that the six of us can share whatever books are downloaded to the Kindle Account that we have access to...thanks to our friend Teri, who lives in the US. For copyright reasons, the Amazon Kindle has not been available on the Amazon.ca web site but we have been lucky enough to travel to the United States a couple of...Continue Reading...

Canadian Real Estate Association Releases New Update

Here is the latest market report from the Canadian Real Estate Association. Take a look at the highlighted portion below as it points to a striking lack of inventory for Purchasers...but means it is a great time for Sellers to put their homes on the market. From my understanding, in a "Normal" market the inventory is about six months. OTTAWA – October 15th, 2009 – National resale housing activity climbed to the highest level of any third quarter on record. Actual (not...Continue Reading...

The Canadian National Do Not Call Registry.

At the end of September 2008, the Government of Canada instituted a "Do Not Call Registry". A $1500 fine plus costs can be levied against a caller in breach and their Company will face a $15,000 fine. Our business is based on referrals and contacts but all businesses must comply. At Bosley Real Estate Ltd. we have purchased a special software that allows us to keep up-to-date with additions to the registry. (more...)Continue Reading...

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!!

When I encounter someone not in my small circle of friends, and they ask how I am, I know that the second question will be "How's the market?" Without trying to be rude (my first instinct...), I try to point out that it is almost impossible to gauge any statistic that would reflect a world economic crisis as well as Canadian and American elections within a short time frame. Of course, the Real Estate market will be affected much as it was...Continue Reading...