Entries by Mahyar Rezapour

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Bank of Canada battles coronavirus fallout with third rate cut

In an emergency announcement today, Canada’s central bank cut its market-shaping overnight rate by 50 basis points to 0.25 percent in response to the coronavirus pandemic’s dramatic impact on the Canadian economy and financial system. This move was the third rate cut in the span of a month and the second emergency announcement the Bank […]

RBC accused of using COVID-19 to acquire assets at low cost

A real estate investment trust has alleged that RBC has used the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak to acquire real estate assets at rock-bottom prices. According to a Bloomberg report, a subsidiary of AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc. claims that on March 23, RBC contacted it and said that the REIT’s mortgage-backed securities had seen a drastic […]

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Toronto home sells for $330k over asking amid coronavirus chaos

It’s an uncertain time for many. Amid the coronavirus crisis, borders have shut, flights have been downed and workplaces around the world are learning to adapt to empty desks as employees work from home. This week was so different from the last, and as new information flows in every minute, businesses have their eyes fixed […]

Seventeen offers for compact Theatre District condo

Across from Roy Thomson Hall, one-bedroom suites at Theatre Park sold for $568,000 and $590,000 in June and July respectively. Months passed before a similar model – this 450-square-foot unit – was again available for sale and 140 potential buyers toured the property prior to the scheduled offer night early December. “I sold the exact […]

Can the Tech Industry Help Save Toronto From its Housing Crisis?

Finding a stable, affordable and comfortable place to live is what Torontonians are after, Toronto’s Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão tells Toronto Storeys. Bailão, who is also the city councillor of Ward 9, says “Housing affordability and affordable supply are the issues that concern Toronto residents the most.” And while Bailão says there isn’t a mandatory […]

Housing market still set for a “big year” despite gloom

Lower interest rates will throw more fuel onto the fire that is Canada’s housing market and lead to a strong increase in resale home prices and residential investment this year, despite an economy that looks to be on the brink of a recession. A report from The Conference Board of Canada warned that the Canadian […]

Canada’s largest banks slash prime lending rates

Following the Bank of Canada’s surprise announcement last week that it is lowering interest rates by 50 basis points to 0.75%, the country’s largest banks cut their prime lending rates to 2.95% from 3.45%. RBC Royal Bank, BMO Bank of Montreal, Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD Bank), Scotiabank, and CIBC slashed their prime rates – which underpins […]

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Bank of Canada cuts overnight rate again

Beginning today, the Bank of Canada is lowering its target for the overnight rate by 50 basis points to 0.75%. The Bank Rate is correspondingly 1 percent and the deposit rate is 0.50 percent. The unscheduled rate decision is the second in as many weeks. In a statement, the central bank stated this was “a […]

Rent for 1-Bedroom in Toronto Dips Back Below $2300 in February

Torontonians struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic have gotten some respite for their housing concerns: last week, the province suspended evictions, and now, it looks like rental rates in the city are finally starting to drop. According to the latest monthly rental report from Rentals.ca, the average 1-bedroom apartment in Toronto has […]

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Toronto urges landlords to protect their tenants

Landlords should support tenants who become unemployed as a result from the coronavirus outbreak, the City of Toronto said Tuesday. Mayor John Tory announced the City is taking action to help Toronto’s most vulnerable tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and, while it has no power to direct landlords, he said that all property owners […]

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8 REASONS THE CORONAVIRUS WON’T CRASH THE HOUSING MARKET

It’s all you hear on the news, it’s all you read in the papers, and it’s all you see on social media. The coronavirus is everywhere, and it’s safe to say that everyone is scared, both of the disease itself and the potential economic implications of the whole country going into a temporary quarantine. Echos […]

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33 Avenue Road Condo Tower Proposal Changes in New Design

A proposal to redevelop the northeast corner of Avenue Road and Yorkville Avenue first appeared on UrbanToronto’s front page in 2012, and after another change to the project’s team, a new version of the proposal has appeared in a new rezoning application. Before we dive into what’s being proposed by developers First Capital and Greybrook […]

Canada’s home market expected to overcome slowing market

A WEEK into a pandemic that has forced a swath of Canada’s economy to shut down and wiped hundreds of billions of dollars off the nation’s stock market, a Vancouver mansion sold for C$150,000 (S$150,000) over the asking price. As the coronavirus upends the real estate business, along with everything else, the country’s indefatigable buyers […]

Toronto Residents Granted 60-Day Grace Period to Pay Utility Bills

To alleviate some of the hardships Torontonians are facing due to the spread of COVID-19, Mayor John Tory has announced a 60-day grace period for several City utility bills. Mayor Tory announced the 60-day grace period Friday morning, which will cover City of Toronto property tax, water and solid waste utility bill payments for all […]