Dealing with real estate stigma

When I tell people that I specialize in litigation relating to real estate agency and to real estate stigma, even Realtors ask me to explain what I mean by stigma.

Up to 15 EU banks to fail stress test: sources

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Up to one in six European banks is set to fail an EU-wide financial health check, according to euro zone sources close to the stress-testing, as officials scramble to set up backstops for those at risk.

Toronto Stock Exchange opens higher; traders eye Greek vote, rising commodities

TORONTO - The Toronto stock market opened higher Tuesday as commodity prices rebounded while investors kept their eyes on a key Greek parliamentary vote aimed at helping the country avoid a default on its debts.

European second home favourites benefit from boost in buying interest

France, Italy and Germany are all attracting more interest from overseas property buyers, especially areas popular with Brits such as the Dordogne, the latest Rightmove Overseas index shows.

What's driving Vancouver house prices?

The China Daily ran a story which said that "according to Colliers International, a real estate service provider, the proportion of Chinese buyers in Vancouver's property market is on the rise. At the end of the first quarter this year, it increased to 29 per cent of all home buyers."

4 Ways To Value A Real Estate Rental Property

During the first half of the 2000s, investing in real estate became more common for average Americans. With easily available financing and minimal down payment requirements many Americans made handsome profits by flipping homes.

Greek economy can be classified as "mostly underground".

Hours of talks between eurozone finance ministers on the imploding finances of Greece broke up early Monday morning without the ministers signing off on a vital instalment of rescue loans needed to avoid bankruptcy next month.

10 reasons not to panic

The European sovereign debt crisis, a potential hard landing in China, weak U.S. economic data, and the U.S. debt ceiling debate have provided investors with plenty to worry about. Since none of these problems look like they will be resolved in the immediate future, don’t be surprised if global financial markets continue to be in a rough patch for at least a few more weeks.

WHY USE A BROKER?

Imagine that you are in a room with a trusted friend who cares about you and your family and has a great knowledge about mortgages.  Now, imagine others entering the room that are mortgage representatives from the entire major lending institutions in Canada.  They are there to consider your mortgage application.  One by one, they bid on your loan.  Your friend continues to encourage them to improve their rates and terms.  Those who come up with the most attractive rates then begin to explain what is special about their mortgages.

Student debt has heavy price

Rules put in place about 13 years ago under changes to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act put student debt on par with unpaid child support and court settlements based on crimes you may have committed.

Fixing U.S. economy: Nine ideas from around the world

Democrats and Republicans are dug in like soldiers at Verdun over what to do about the sputtering U.S. economy. Exhausted by the political stalemate, they’ve been reduced to magical thinking, hoping that things will eventually get better by themselves. But time isn’t on America’s side.

Canada's jobless rate falls to lowest level in two years

OTTAWA - Canada's unemployment rate fell to its lowest in more than two years as a combination of more self-employed workers and fewer job seekers in May pushed the key economic marker down to 7.4 per cent.

First Home Program in Romania

First Home Owner scheme was introduced by the Romanian government as an incentive for the housing market. The program is partially similar to other schemes previously established in United States, Poland and Australia. 

Canada gets high score on quality of life index: study

Australia is seen as having the best quality of life among industrialized countries, one ranking ahead of second-place Canada, according to a report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Portugal's new government faces bailout pressures

Portugal’s centre-right Social Democrats had little time to savour their return to power on Monday, launching immediately into getting a ruinous debt burden under control despite a shrinking economy.

Homeowner Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program — Homeowner RRAP

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers financial assistance to low-income homeowners for mandatory home repairs that will preserve the quality of affordable housing. The program helps people who live in substandard dwellings and cannot afford to pay for necessary repairs to their home.

Canada’s economy kicked it up a notch in Q1/11

Canada’s economy kicked it up a notch in Q1/11

First-quarter 2011 real GDP grew at a 3.9% annualized pace, the fastest since the first quarter of 2010. The details of the report showed significant reliance on inventory building, minimal support from consumer spending, and external trade acting as a drag on the pace of activity in the quarter.

Is buying a student condo for my child a good investment?

Sometimes a parent decides to buy a place for their children while they hit the books in university or college. It can be a good alternative to paying thousands of dollars toward residence fees or rent. Just look at the math: