March 14, 2021
Cryptocurrency has once again been in the spotlight thanks to a massive increase in the value of Bitcoin. Introduced in 2009, Bitcoin has transformed our understanding of digital currency. The underlying technology called blockchain has been shown to have implications far beyond the scope of monetary exchange. This article offers a brief introduction to the topic of cryptocurrency. After reviewing its origin and operation, it will consider the various applications of its core technology, blockchain. By the end of the article, the reader will understand why this new digital system is being introduced across various industries.
February 15, 2021
They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and so, when COVID-19 landed on us in the busiest real estate market in decades, we realized some changes would need to be made.
February 15, 2021
When it comes to saving money, there are a lot of little things you can do that add up to make a big difference! Here are 10 of my favourite money-saving tips:
February 15, 2021
People acquire real estate for a number of different reasons. The end user, for example, which in the case of residential real estate would usually be the home owner, buys a property as a place to live. Whether it be a first time buyer, someone transferring in or out of the area, a move up buyer wishing to accommodate a growing family, or an empty nester looking for a home more suited to his current lifestyle.
February 15, 2021
If there were any questions or doubts about whether the market would regain its hectic pace after the Christmas break, those doubts were quickly dissolved with the arrival of the sales figures for the month of January 2021.
February 15, 2021
The most important issue for the legal industry is removing barriers for individuals who are seeking legal guidance and solutions. Whether the issue is contractual in nature, such as purchasing or selling real estate, or a question about a civil or family matter, almost half of the population of Canada experiences a legally relevant situation in any given three-year period.
January 15, 2021
My boss, Wayne Quirk, our Corporate Administrator and myself put our heads together in meeting after meeting on what to get our agents for Christmas. No party, no gathering of more than 10 inside our office, no music even. A gift card to a local restaurant was suggested but that was quickly turned down by Wayne, as he felt it was too “cold” of a gift. No real thought or meaning was involved. At our final meeting a plan for a holiday gathering solidified, thanks again to our commander in charge.
January 15, 2021
Whenever an individual gifts their property – whether it land, a boat, or money for instance – the intention of the donor is crucial. Sometimes this intention is not clear, and this can lead to litigation. This article considers gifts that are made while the donor is living, rather than gifts that are made under a will. After reviewing some of the essential features of gift giving, it explores a few cases where gift giving has resulted in a legal battle.
January 15, 2021
The sales figures are in for December and they are truly remarkable, both in number of units sold and also in average sale price across Niagara. Normally we would see a significant slowdown in sales activity over the month of December. Things really slow by mid December and then pretty well shut down over the Christmas season. And while sales did definitely slow in December when compared to the previous month, that slowdown was not nearly as drastic as one might expect. Across the region we saw a total of 591 sales recorded in December. When compared to the 739 registered in November, that represents a reduction of 148 units or 20.03%. However, when we compare it to December 2019 where 375 sales were recorded, we see this years December sales are actually up by 57.6% year over year. That is truly remarkable. And it speaks to the underlying strength in the marketplace and the pent up demand that continues to drive the market upward.