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Renting is increasing among all ages. There is a need for better legal protection—and respect

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Renting is increasing among all ages. There is a need for better legal protection—and respect After decades of reliability, the Canadian dream of homeownership is beginning to look more like a pipe dream. Rising interest rates and stagnant property markets have put a strain on potential purchasers’ budgets, forcing them to look for alternative housing options, such as renting. Despite being a numerical underdog, renters are outpacing homeowners at a rate three times as fast. The tenants may not be who you expect them to be. One thing to keep in mind is that the emergence of the rental country is not limited to urban areas. According to census data highlighted in a report from Royal Bank this month, the growth of renters in smaller cities surpassed that of major urban centres during the past decade. And the rental population is ageing; baby boomers are the fastest-growing segment of renters. The analysis predicts that “demand for rental housing will continue to be driven by these demographic and behavioural trends” in the years to come. An increasing number of people are opting to rent rather than buy, highlighting the need to revamp inadequate financial and legal safeguards and our perception of tenants for the long haul. Owning a property in Canada has traditionally been seen as a symbol of social and economic achievement. Therefore, people who rented were assumed to be low-income or at least just starting out in life. We now know that account was never entirely accurate. And it’s drifted further and further away from the truth. Because of the high cost of living in major cities, a sizable annual income is required to qualify for a lease. Zumper, an apartment search website, reports that the median cost of a two-bedroom in Vancouver is $3,500 per month, meaning that landlords in the city are looking for tenants who can afford to spend no more than 35% of their income on rent. The median rent in Toronto is only $2,950 per month, making it only slightly more affordable. The cost is roughly $2,000 even in Montreal, which has traditionally had a more renter culture. The rental market is already saturated in both Vancouver and Montreal. The majority of Torontonians (around 50%) are renters. Now that there are five million renting households in the United States (up from 4.1 million a decade ago), the issue of rent control is more contentious than ever. Even though there are twice as many home-owning households, renters currently have the upper hand. These people should be treated with the same respect and consideration as everyone else. While this change will not happen overnight, there are steps that may be taken in the correct direction. Ten years after Canadians were allowed to use their mortgage payments to bolster their credit score, many renters still don’t have access to this option. Equifax began partnering with the Landlord Credit Bureau in 2020, allowing for rent payments to be factored into credit scores. However, renters in Quebec are out of luck and those who use Equifax’s main competitor, TransUnion, are out of luck as well. If you make your largest monthly payment on time, month after month, it’s possible that a credit reporting agency will ignore your payment history. This makes no sense. Even if you pay your rent on time every month, you can still lose your home. Landlords in some places can evict renters to move in with their own families. A landlord who wants to increase the rent and find a new tenant could take advantage of this condition. Furthermore, owner-use evictions are on the rise. The Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre in British Columbia reports that 36.3% of eviction-related calls this year are linked to owner use, up from 31.62% in 2020/2021. Tenants should be protected against unlawful eviction by stricter laws. The province of British Columbia is attempting to put a stop to this practise by enacting a provision last year that allows for a fine equal to one year’s rent, payable to the renter, though enforcing this law has proven difficult. Ottawa has increased its annual immigration quota to roughly 500,000. The majority will settle in the country’s urban areas, which will be unable to expand outward to accommodate them. Toronto Mayor John Tory is trying to do this with a housing plan that permits for tiny multi-unit structures everywhere to increase density. It’s also important to put more effort into the rental housing market. Protecting renters will require action from provincial and local authorities. And the rest of us will have to reevaluate how we view renters.

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What does pre-construction assignment sale mean?

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What does pre-construction assignment sale mean? A pre-construction assignment sale occurs when a unit’s initial buyer sells their contract to a new bidder before the original buyer takes ownership of the property. Smith makes the choice to purchase a pre-construction property in Toronto. In light of the fact that neither the building nor the registration for it exists at the time of the signing of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, what he is actually purchasing is the contract for his new home. Smith buys a one-bedroom condo in a new 25-story building that is still under construction. The project is expected to be finished in four years. The developer has included in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale that can sell or transfer the contract for the pre-construction one-bedroom flat to a new buyer before he is required to take possession. Smith meets the woman of his dreams during those four years, and the two of them go on to start a family. He suddenly realised that he doesn’t require the one-bedroom condo in the new condo complex. So, now what? He can also find a new buyer for his condo unit and transfer the contract to them before he moves in. A pre-construction assignment sale is exactly what it sounds like. Smith, the original buyer of the pre-construction contract, is selling it and will find a new buyer, Jane Doe, to buy it from him. All costs and legal obligations associated with the pre-construction one-bedroom condo previously described are now the responsibility of Jane Doe as the new owner. Smith and Jane Doe should consult a real estate agent and a lawyer who is experienced in real estate transactions to help them through the process. Now that the closing costs have been eliminated, Smith will save thousands of dollars, and may even be able to turn a profit on the sale. However, in order for this transaction to go through, Smith will need to pay a small fee back to the developer, as detailed in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. And with that, Jane Doe has become the legal owner of the pre-construction condo unit of her dreams, a one-bedroom unit that has never been lived in before. More high-rise residential buildings have been built in tandem with the continued population growth in Toronto, the GTA, and the neighbouring municipalities Local real estate markets have been propelled by people buying properties in the pre-construction phase. Most prospective homebuyers are drawn to investment properties because of their lower prices and the chance of building equity before moving in.

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Pre-construction assignment sale is ADVANTAGEOUS

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PRE-CONSTRUCTION ASSIGNMENT SALE IS ADVANTAGEOUS Things can shift rapidly in life, for better or worse. The Agreement of Purchase and Sale includes a no-assignment clause for the security of both the original purchaser and the developer. It normally takes about four to five years to finish building a condo from the ground up, and even longer for a high-rise complex. These apartments are put up for sale well in advance of when the building really begins. George, a bachelor of 27 years, has a career in the medical sciences. He has worked hard and saved enough money to put a down payment on an apartment in a new downtown Toronto development that will have 30 stories when it is finally finished four years from now. After putting down a down payment and signing the purchase agreement, George is free to carry on with his single life and thriving profession as a proud future homeowner. Imagine that two years from now, George receives a job offer in a different city, meets a wonderful new person, and envisions a bright future with them both. Or perhaps his financial situation has taken a turn for the worse, and he no longer qualifies for a mortgage and desperately needs the pre-construction condo unit. It’s also possible that George is an investor with extensive knowledge of the local real estate market. He invests in pre-construction unit contracts, then, when the time comes, lists the apartments for sale as assignment sales through real estate agents. Due to the length of time, it has taken to complete the building, the value of the land on which it is situated has increased, increasing the worth of the unit beyond the amount paid for the contract. In the few years it takes to construct a condo complex, a lot can happen in anyone’s life and finances, both for the better and for the worse. These are just a few of the many circumstances that frequently lead to an Agreement of Purchase and Sale assignment in the pre-construction building industry and with developers.

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The Legal Process of an Assignment Sale

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The Legal Process of an Assignment Sale Using the assignment clause to buy or sell a pre-construction apartment requires competent legal advice. The services of a lawyer with experience in this field should be sought out. Three years ago, when Stefan bought his two-bedroom-plus-den condo, he worked with a real estate agent and a lawyer who specialised in pre-construction real estate to help him navigate the process, answer his questions, and make sense of the complex legalese contained in his Agreement of Purchase and Sale. Legally, you can sell a property before building has even begun through a process called an assignment, but it’s a bit more involved than a regular selling because there are now (the assignor original buyer, the developer, and the assignee new buyer). Stefan’s condo’s assignment sale clause was included in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale that he signed with the developer. Stefan is now permitted by law to sell the pre-construction contract for the unit to a third party, provided that the new buyer agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. Yes, the transaction is regarded to be valid if an assignment clause is included in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale and Stefan complies with the terms and conditions specified therein. Although assignment sales are permitted under the law, each pre-construction developer has their own set of rules and regulations that might make each assignment sale different. As the anticipated occupancy date for Stefan’s pre-construction condominium unit approaches, he is considering selling the contract for the apartment. He has decided to engage with the same real estate agent and lawyer to guide him through the assignment sale process and ensure that he complies with all applicable laws and developer regulations. Stefan will need to pay the developer for the assignment sale, which often takes the form of legal and administration fees in order to transfer the contract for the 2-bedroom plus den unit from his name to the new buyer’s name. The Assignment of Purchase and Selling will detail the total price of the pre-construction sale assignment.

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A New Purchaser of a Condo Under Construction

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A New Purchaser of a Condo Under Construction In the pre-construction real estate market, an assignee is the new buyer of a home or condominium who has legally transferred the contract for that property through an assignment sale. A contract for a yet-to-be-built property is being offered for sale or assignment by the original buyer to a potential buyer (or assignee). At this point in time, the buyer assumes full legal responsibility for the contract’s ongoing performance. The seller (assignor) has transferred the contract to the buyer (assignee), who is now legally bound by the terms of the agreement. Consequently, the assignee is the buyer in an assignment sale and, in the end, the legal owner of the house. Catherine wants to find a new place to live just outside of Toronto, where she presently resides and works, so she talks to her real estate agent online about possible pre-construction townhomes in Vaughan. Her real estate agent recommends a new townhouse in the city, one that is convenient to a wide variety of services and transportation alternatives. Free parking is provided, and homeowners association dues are inexpensive. Catherine is in luck because the sale of the unit is an assignment prior to construction, which means she can haggle for a lower price and potentially save a lot of money. The home, neighbourhood, and sales incentives are all appealing to Catherine. She gets an excellent price reduction and signs the contract to buy the new townhouse. In this transaction, Catherine is the new buyer, or assignee, of the pre-construction contract. She takes over the ownership of the pre-construction contract and assumes the assignor‘s rights and obligations under the agreement. To rephrase, once the assignment sale closes, Catherine will be the official owner of a brand-new house.

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Positive Aspects of Making a Pre-Construction Purchase

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Positive Aspects of Making a Pre-Construction Purchase In addition to saving yourself four years or more of waiting for new pre-construction, negotiating the purchase price, and securing a brand-new, never-lived-in home with full Tarion guarantee, there are a number of other advantages to purchasing a pre-construction assignment unit shortly before closing. Laura wants to buy her first home. After landing a job in Toronto this fall, she plans to relocate there. Due to the high demand in the city’s real estate market, most resales result in bidding wars and sell for significantly more than the asking price, and a pre-construction condo is unlikely to be ready for occupation when she needs it to be. Laura’s real estate agent has suggested that she consider purchasing a new home that is listed as a pre-construction assignment. Laura may want to look into purchasing a pre-construction unit if the listing date is several months before the unit is actually ready for occupation. Her real estate agent explains all the advantages of owning an assignment that she can take advantage of. Laura is able to take advantage of the price-negotiating feature. If Laura purchases a condo during the pre-construction assignment period, she will be able to save a lot of money. The current status of the real estate market leaves little room for haggling over the purchase price, whether it be a pre-construction purchase or a resale. Laura can save a lot of money by negotiating a favourable assignment sale directly with the contract’s seller. Laura can save even more money by making an offer below market value, as the initial buyer may be in a hurry to close the deal and be more receptive to counteroffers. Many people in the market for a new or replacement residence know very little about assignment sales. Developer limits on advertising and marketing of the contract make it more difficult to find these transactions. Since fewer people are aware of these listings, Laura’s agent thinks she has a better chance of securing the apartment she wants without having to engage in a competitive bidding war. Without making a purchase during the exclusive “VIP sales” time of a new development project, Laura is treated as if she were a celebrity. When Laura buys the assignment, she will be entitled to all of the perks that were promised to the original buyer, such as free parking, a free locker, appealing dollars, closing credits, and so on. Laura also receives the enormous perk of relocating to a brand-new, never-before-occupied house. Laura is completely at ease with the purchase because no one else has used the bathroom or the appliances and because they normally come with a full Tarion guarantee. And depending on where things stand with the building of her actual unit, she may still be able to go to the design centre and select her own designs, amenities, and finishes, making her new home truly her own. Another perk for Laura is that she can move into her new place earlier if she buys rather than leases, as assignment sales are typically advertised for purchasing closer to interim possession. It typically takes about four to five years from the start of pre-construction until a high-rise building is ready for occupancy. By opting to buy an assignment, Laura’s new house will be ready for her to move into in months rather than years. Get in touch with a Certified Expert immediately if you’re thinking of buying a pre-construction home through an assignment listing, or if you’re just curious about how they work and how they can benefit you in your home search.

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How to Sell a Pre-Construction Condo

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How to sell pre-construction condo It is the obligation of the original buyer to abide by the conditions of the Purchase and Sale Agreement. At the conclusion of a pre-construction assignment sale, the new buyer takes over the obligations. Due to the complexity involved, the process must be closely monitored till completion. For instance, an individual is trying to unload the contract he signed three years ago for a one-bedroom condo in a downtown Toronto building that is nearly ready for occupancy. He decides to consult with a real estate agent who specialises in pre-construction assignment sales as well as a pre-construction attorney who has experience with assignment sales so that he may fully understand his legal obligations before, during, and after the transaction. The concerned person should check with the developer and his purchase and sale agreement before advertising the contract for sale. Next, he must follow the specific guidelines his developer has set down in the contract for assignment sales. His developer has specified in the contract that he must pay the developer’s administrative and/or legal fees if he assigns the pre-construction contract for the unit in dispute. Finding a buyer for the contract is now his responsibility as well. That individual further plans to get the sale advertised on venues where interested parties congregate by engaging the aid of a real estate agent who specialises in pre-construction assignment sales. The seller’s continued participation is essential because he is the one who decides on the selling price (and whether or not he is open to bargaining) and who must approve the final sale price. The person will no longer be the owner of the contract for the unit once the pre-construction assignment sale is finalised and the contract is passed to the new buyer. He is no longer entitled to any of the benefits promised under the contract or the use of the unit in question. The new owner is responsible for all fees associated with the pre-occupancy, closing, and mortgage. However, he needs to be wary because he might be held responsible for the new home’s costs and obligations if the new buyer defaults on the contract. Typically, the individual will collect his earnings once the closing has been completed and the new buyer has obtained the title to the property. Seller’s rights and duties are a significant factor to consider when selling an assignment during pre-construction.

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Testing for Radon: 5 Frequently Asked Questions

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Testing for Radon: 5 Frequently Asked Questions Certainly, you could have heard anything about radon before. You might even be aware that excessive levels of this naturally occurring gas can be harmful to your health if allowed to accumulate within your home. That’s a fantastic place to begin. However, if you’re worried about the security of your home and just know that much, you’re missing out on important information. Radon levels in a home can only be determined by conducting a test. Learn the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding radon testing and take your radon knowledge to the next level. When should one conduct a radon test? Taking a radon test in the fall or winter will give you the most reliable estimate of how high the radon level is in your home. When we close our windows to block out the chilly air, we also reduce the airflow through our homes, which can lead to radon buildup. Therefore, this November is a great opportunity to start planning how you will address the risks posed by radon in your house. how do I run the test? It’s possible to pick from a few alternates. A DIY test kit is available at most hardware and home improvement stores. You might also visit your neighbourhood library (yes, you read that right). Borrowing radon detectors is possible from a wide variety of provincial libraries. Finally, if you opt to have a third party perform the test for you, double-check that they are a member of the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program. If my numbers are higher than the Health Canada threshold, what happens then? Your radon levels should be reduced as quickly as possible if they are higher than Health Canada’s recommended level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre. In a fortunate turn of events, radon mitigation services can be found readily and at a reasonable price. If your home is less than seven years old, the new home warranty will pay up to $50,000 for radon mitigation costs. If you want to know how to receive help from the warranty service for the radon problem, click here. Can I skip the test if I just bought a new house? Yes is the short and straightforward answer. To find out if your new home has high radon levels, you should have the soil tested as soon as possible because radon is more related to the soil underneath your home than the age of your property. If you need to lower radon levels, you’ll be happy to know that many brand-new homes already have rough-ins for mitigation systems. What if my home has low radon levels? You don’t need to take any action to reduce radon if your levels are below the Health Canada limit of 200 becquerels per cubic metre. The key is to keep an eye on them throughout time because of the potential for change. After around five years, experts advise repeating the exam.

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Paperwork requirements for pre-construction homes

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Paperwork requirement for pre-construction homes It takes a significant amount of trust and dedication to purchase a house or condo before construction has even begun. If you’re buying something online without seeing it in person first, you’re putting your faith in the builder to deliver exactly what you ordered. There will, of course, be much paperwork involved with a deal of this size. Even if you haven’t broken ground on your new house or condo yet, it’s still in your best interest to familiarise yourself with these contracts so you can make an educated purchase and safeguard your investment. Your purchase agreement is the most crucial document because it is a legally binding contract between you and the builder. You may feel intimidated by this lengthy document full of legalese if this is your first time purchasing a home. However, there are three essentials you should look for and make sure you fully grasp. Addendum Pre-construction homeowners and condo buyers frequently have worries regarding the completion date of their property and the consequences of any delays in construction. As such, an annex is necessary. Your closing or occupancy date and the maximum amount of time your builder can delay it for are specified in this agreement. With sufficient written notification, your builder is within their rights to push out the closing date for your property based on the sort of closure date agreed upon in the Addendum. Check out Tarion.com for further details on possible compensation and notification periods in the event of delays. You can find out how your deposit will be handled in the event of a purchase agreement termination and what those conditions are in the addendum. Specifications Sheet for Warranties You must be aware of the specifics of your new home warranty in order to safeguard your investment. Newly constructed homes are required, as of February 1, 2021, to include a warranty information page with each sales contract. This sheet is specific to the home being sold, making it easy to understand and read, and informing buyers of the vital coverage to which they are entitled. It briefs buyers on the fundamentals of warranty protection (such as deposit protection and reimbursement for closing or occupancy delays), stresses the significance of the pre-delivery inspection, and points them in the direction of further resources for learning more. Details about Condominiums Brochure An information sheet outlining the pros and cons of purchasing a condominium must be included in any purchase agreement for a condominium unit. For instance, it details early termination circumstances that would allow a builder to cancel a project and the possibility that pre-construction condominium developments may never be finished. Buyers should be informed of the following: The status of the project (e.g., zoning permission, date of commencement of building); Any restrictions on the builder’s land title that may prohibit the project from going forward; A buyer’s right to terminate a sales agreement within 10 days; and, The estimated date when a buyer can take occupancy of their condominium. There’s no denying that there’s a lot of paperwork involved in buying a new-construction house or apartment. However, it is essential that you are an educated purchaser; a competent real estate attorney can walk you through the paperwork and provide you much more assurance and peace of mind.

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New data reveals Canadian rentals exceed $2K for the first time

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New data reveals Canadian rentals exceed $2K for the first time In November, the average rental price in Canada topped $2,000 per month, according to a survey issued on Wednesday. Based on the numbers provided, it appears that renters in Canada are forking over an average of $2,024 monthly to cover their housing costs. This number includes anything from studio units to mansions. That’s a 12.4% increase from the same month a year ago, which is far higher than Canada’s inflation average of 6.9%. Vancouver has the most expensive one and two-bedroom rents in the country, at $2,633 and $3,598 per month. It was the second most expensive to rent in Toronto. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom in the city is now $2,532, up 23% from the same period last year. According to the data, the median monthly rent for a two-bedroom unit is $3,347. Rental costs rose dramatically in other GTA municipalities as well. The cost of living increased by 28% in Brampton and by 19.2% in Mississauga compared to the previous year. Monthly rents in smaller areas west of the GTA also rose, by as much as 27.9% in London and 24.1% in Kitchener. Only one Canadian city, Halifax, had a higher median rent than the cities of British Columbia and Ontario combined. In Burnaby, British Columbia, tenants paid a whopping 32% more for a one-bedroom flat in October 2018 than they did in October 2021. The survey found that rising rental prices have shown no signs of slowing down. Since May, year-over-year increases have been in the double digits, with November’s increase being the largest yet. In a press statement, Urbanation president Shaun Hildebrand said, “Rents in Canada are rising at an extraordinarily fast speed, which is having a dramatic effect on housing affordability as interest rates continue to rise.” “Demand is shifting to more inexpensive locales in regions with rapid population growth,” the article states, because “the most costly cities are experiencing very low supply and the quickest rates of rent increase.” Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island had the fastest annual rate of increase in rental prices, at a combined 31.8%, out of all of Canada’s provinces and territories. There was an average monthly cost of $1,716 for a one-bedroom apartment in Atlantic Canada in the month of November, while $2,032 was the average for a two-bedroom. The survey found that rent rises were slowest in Montreal, despite the fact that it is Canada’s largest rental market. Builders are cancelling ventures, and investors are afraid to put money into future real estate projects because of the high costs of borrowing. “Investment in real estate, especially in the condo area, loses some of its appeal as interest rates rise,” Tal added. So, “if you don’t have those units, that’s another factor pushing up the cost of renting what’s left.” The rising cost of rent is “becoming unaffordable” “We’re getting near to the point when rents are just becoming prohibitive for tenants,” said, Hildebrand. “It appears that a downturn in economic activity may begin sometime in the coming year. It follows that rentals may see a temporary lull in 2023 “the head of Urbania remarked. However, it is very evident that rents will continue to grow higher in the medium to long term due to strong immigration targets and rental building that has been halting recently due to high costs. When the weather turns cold, Hildebrand says renters should start looking elsewhere. There are fewer potential tenants, therefore landlords are often willing to negotiate a lower monthly payment in exchange for your business. Hildebrand argues that governments might introduce incentives to develop purpose-built apartments and make new rental projects more economically feasible, although this won’t help in the immediate term. Rentals.ca’s head of content, Paul Danison, has said that governments need to be more innovative with their zoning policies. One possible use for these buildings is as lofts with amenities like cafes, shops, and galleries. Alternatives he suggests are inclusionary zoning, laneway suites, and infill construction. There are responses to this problem, but governments are moving too slowly.

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