Latest news with #RealEstateServices
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Georgian-style house quickly sells due to Humber River location
12 Queen Marys Dr., Toronto Asking price: $3.95-million (May, 2025) Selling price: $3.8-million (May, 2025) Previous selling price: Not available Taxes: $13,025 (2024) Days on the market: Five Listing agent: Luke Dalinda, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd. There were several barriers to selling this original, four-bedroom house on a 50- by 154-foot lot this spring. Those included high levels of inventory on the west side of the Humber River and a shrinking pool of buyers interested in renovation projects. Its price under $4-million pulled in only six people to view the property, yet three were interested in owning it. 'Usually in this market, you'll see five to 10 listings at most, and right now that number, as of today, is closer to 24, so it's a challenge,' said agent Luke Dalinda. 'There are buyers who aren't prepared to do the work, but the buyers that were interested, they saw it as an opportunity to create their dream home.' The final sale price was $3.8-million, largely on account of its locale between Kingsway Crescent and Prince Edward Drive. 'This sale demonstrates that even in tough markets, a prime location remains a steadfast guardian of value,' said Mr. Dalinda. 'Overall, people coming from other neighbourhoods love the Kingsway and all that the Kingsway offers, like the schools, restaurants and safety. It's quite a nice neighbourhood.' In the 1930s, this two-storey house was designed with a centre-hall plan, complete with a formal dining room and traditional eat-in kitchen. In the 1980s, it was expanded to offer a total of 3,019 square feet of living space, including a third entertaining area with a fireplace on the main floor. There are also fireplaces in a recreation area downstairs and the primary bedroom upstairs. The latter also encompasses a sitting area, a walk-through closet and one of three bathrooms. 'The notable lot is a rare 154-feet deep and completely private,' said Mr. Dalinda. 'The property also features a double, private drive with a built-in garage.'
IOL News
30-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Choosing Between New and Secondhand Homes: Essential Insights for Buyers
A decision whether to buy a new property or a second-hand one requires you to get your ducks in a row. Image: Freepik One of the biggest decisions buyers face is whether to invest in a new development or opt for a secondhand home when purchasing a property. Last month, the Absa Homeowner Sentiment Index, a barometer of consumer confidence across six key metrics in the country's housing market, showed that consumer confidence in South African real estate soared to the highest level in a decade. South African consumers were feeling upbeat with their confidence in the future of residential property climbing to 87% in the final quarter of 2024. This was the highest level recorded in a decade, with the dominance of first-time buyers in the market relative to other segments an ongoing trend. Sentiment to buy and invest in property returned strong results in Q4 2024, while confidence to sell surpassed the 50% mark after trailing below this midpoint for the last two years – good news for the future of property stock levels in the market. Giovanni Gaggia, CEO of Real Estate Services, says one of the standout advantages of buying in a new development is that the property is brand new-often accompanied by developer guarantees and warranty coverage, offering peace of mind. 'New developments typically feature modern, energy-efficient designs built to the latest standards. They come with developer guarantees that protect your investment and reduce unexpected repair costs,' Gaggia said. In February, Nondumiso Ncapai, the managing executive at Absa Home Loans, said first-time homebuyers tended to prioritise secure complexes and estates offering amenities like backup power, fibre internet, and water security. She said greater support for property developers and collaborations with banks and the government would assist in providing environmentally sustainable homes for this market at more affordable prices. The CEO said another big benefit is security, as new developments are usually designed with safety as a priority - think access-controlled gates, CCTV, electric fencing, and often 24-hour security patrols. 'In most cases, these security features are already included in your monthly levies. That means buyers don't have to factor in additional costs for private security. '
IOL News
30-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
New development vs secondhand home: what every property buyer needs to know
A decision whether to buy a new property or a second-hand one requires you to get your ducks in a row. Image: Freepik One of the biggest decisions buyers face is whether to invest in a new development or opt for a secondhand home, when purchasing a property. Last month, the Absa Homeowner Sentiment Index, a barometer of consumer confidence across six key metrics in the country's housing market, showed that consumer confidence in South African real estate soared to the highest level in a decade. South African consumers were feeling upbeat with their confidence in the future of residential property climbing to 87% in the final quarter of 2024. This was the highest level recorded in a decade, with the dominance of first-time buyers in the market relative to other segments an ongoing trend. Sentiment to buy and invest in property returned strong results in Q4 2024, while confidence to sell surpassed the 50% mark after trailing below this midpoint for the last two years – good news for the future of property stock levels in the market. Giovanni Gaggia, CEO of Real Estate Services, says one of the standout advantages of buying in a new development is that the property is brand new-often accompanied by developer guarantees and warranty coverage, offering peace of mind. 'New developments typically feature modern, energy-efficient designs built to the latest standards. They come with developer guarantees that protect your investment and reduce unexpected repair costs,' Gaggia said. In February, Nondumiso Ncapai, the managing executive at Absa Home Loans, said first-time homebuyers tended to prioritise secure complexes and estates offering amenities like backup power, fibre internet, and water security. She said greater support for property developers and collaborations with banks and the government would assist in providing environmentally sustainable homes for this market at more affordable prices. The CEO said another big benefit is security, as new developments are usually designed with safety as a priority - think access-controlled gates, CCTV, electric fencing, and often 24-hour security patrols. 'In most cases, these security features are already included in your monthly levies. That means buyers don't have to factor in additional costs for private security. '
