Own In Toronto Toronto Real Estate

The
Blog

Market insights, buying and selling tips, and expert guidance on navigating Toronto real estate, from someone who lives and breathes this city.

Whether you're a first-time buyer, a seasoned investor, or simply keeping an eye on the market, this is your go-to resource for honest, practical insights on Toronto real estate.

Buyers Guide Buying in Toronto
Buyers Guide

Renting vs. Owning in Toronto

A numbers-first breakdown of what owning really costs vs. renting, with real scenarios for a $650K condo and $1.2M detached, plus an interactive calculator to run your own numbers.

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Buyers Guide

5 Common Mistakes First Time Homebuyers Make in Toronto

Buying your first home in Toronto is exciting, but costly missteps are easy to make without the right guidance. Here are the five mistakes Dave sees most often.

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Buyers Guide

Land Transfer Tax in Toronto

How to calculate land transfer tax in Ontario, what you'll owe, and what rebates may be available to you as a first-time buyer.

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Buyers Guide

Down Payment and Deposit

Two terms that often get confused. Here's a clear breakdown of the difference between a deposit and a down payment when buying a home in Toronto.

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Buyers Guide

"Sold Conditionally": What Does It Mean in Real Estate?

You've seen it on listings, but what does "sold conditionally" actually mean, and what does it mean for buyers and sellers in Toronto?

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Buyers Guide

Intro to Assignment Sales

What is an assignment sale? A clear explainer on how assignment transactions work in Ontario's pre-construction market, and what buyers need to know.

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Buyers Guide

Kitec Plumbing in Toronto

Buying a condo built between 1995 and 2007? Here's everything you need to know about Kitec plumbing: what it is, why it fails, what replacement costs, and which buildings are affected.

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Buyers Guide

Condo Maintenance Fees in Toronto

What condo maintenance fees actually cover, what drives them up, and how to evaluate whether a building's fees are reasonable before you make an offer.

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Buyers Guide

Buying a Condo in Toronto

What to know before buying a condo in Toronto: status certificates, reserve funds, maintenance fees, condo rules, and how to evaluate a building before making an offer.

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Sellers Guide Selling in Toronto
Sellers Guide

Selling Your Home in Toronto: The Complete Guide

Complete Guide

Everything a Toronto seller needs to know, from pre-listing decisions and preparation through pricing, offer night, and what you'll actually take home after closing. Start here.

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Sellers Guide

Staging Your Home for Sale in Toronto

Staged homes sell faster and for more. Here's what professional staging actually involves, what it costs, and how to prepare your home before photos are taken.

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Sellers Guide

Pricing Your Toronto Home and Navigating the Selling Process

How to set the right price, read the market, and manage the process from listing agreement to closing, step by step.

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Sellers Guide

What Does a Seller Actually Take Home?

Every cost that comes off your sale price, including commission, mortgage, legal fees, plus an interactive net proceeds calculator to run your own numbers.

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Sellers Guide

Should You Buy or Sell First? A Guide for Homeowners

One of the most common dilemmas for homeowners on the move. A practical guide to help you decide which order makes sense for your situation.

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Homeowners Guide Owning in Toronto
Homeowners Guide

Owning a Home in Toronto: The Complete Guide

Complete Guide

Everything Toronto homeowners need in one place: what to do after closing, seasonal maintenance, renovating with permits, finding a good contractor, and building long-term equity. Start here.

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Homeowners Guide

Permit vs. No Permit: What Work Requires a Permit in Toronto

What renovation work requires a building permit in Toronto, what doesn't, and why unpermitted work can create real problems when you sell your home.

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Homeowners Guide

Finding a Contractor in Toronto

How to find, vet, and hire a reliable contractor in Toronto: where to look, what to ask, red flags to walk away from, and what every contract must include.

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Homeowners Guide

What to Do After Closing on Your Toronto Home

You have the keys. A practical first-30-days timeline covering locks, utilities, address changes, property tax registration, and your RRSP Home Buyers' Plan repayment.

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Homeowners Guide

Home Improvement Incentives in Toronto

A guide to grants, rebates, and financing programs available to Toronto homeowners for renovations, energy upgrades, and accessibility improvements.

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Homeowners Guide

Laneway Suites in Toronto

What is a laneway suite, can your property support one, and does it make financial sense? Everything Toronto homeowners need to know about building a secondary unit.

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Homeowners Guide

House Maintenance and Seasonal Guide

A practical seasonal checklist for Toronto homeowners, covering what to inspect, maintain, and address each quarter to protect your investment year-round.

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Investing & Renting The Toronto Rental Market
Investors Guide

Investing in Real Estate

An introduction to investment properties in the GTA, covering what to consider, how to evaluate a deal, and how Dave can help you get started.

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Landlords & Tenants

Rent Guideline Rate for 2026

The Province of Ontario has set the Residential Rental Increase Guideline for 2026. Here's what landlords and tenants need to know.

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Landlords & Tenants

The RTA Explained: Key Rules Every Toronto Landlord and Tenant Should Know

A plain-English guide to the RTA: what it covers, landlord and tenant obligations, rent control rules, and how the eviction process actually works.

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Landlords & Tenants

How to Prepare for Renting in Toronto

What landlords need to do before listing a rental unit: from preparing the lease and setting the right rent to screening tenants and understanding your obligations under the RTA.

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Have a Question About the Toronto Market?

Every situation is different. If you'd like personalized advice on buying, selling, or investing in Toronto real estate, Dave is always happy to connect.

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