Insider Advice
Heat Wave Could a two-dose summer mean a red-hot housing market? Your dream home is still within reach. Richards Group agent, Bram Goldman is known for making it happen for his buyers, so we turned to him for insider advice.
AS THE PANDEMIC TOOK HOLD in the spring of 2020, experts predicted housing prices would drop after the economy shut down. But instead, Toronto home prices soared 33 percent this April compared to a year before, according to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board. This summer and fall, increased vaccination rates could prompt another boom as borders reopen and Torontonians feel more comfortable leaving home to house-hunt. “These days, our homes are more than just a place to eat and sleep,” says Goldman, “Your home is not just working double-duty as a workspace, and a safe haven. With the ability to entertain in sight, and many realizing that working from home is a long term situation, many people are finding that their home just isn’t meeting their needs anymore.” Even as prices rise, it’s still possible to upgrade to the home you really want, says Goldman. Interest rates remain low, and borrowing has never been more affordable. Meanwhile, you can maximize the selling price and profit from your current home through strategic design and staging. The leap to your next home may not be as big as you thought — consulting with experts can give you more insight into your options. Perhaps the most important factor is who you work with, and in a market with limited inventory, you need someone with inside knowledge. More than ever, properties are selling without ever making it to MLS — in the industry, they’re called pocket listings. “When you’re the agency that sells the most homes in one market, you have access to the most homes off-market,” says Goldman. “Your agent’s deep knowledge of the area makes them privy
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EastTO Magazine
