New Mortgage Rules: How They Affect Property Investors & The Rental Market

You may be unaware of the recently introduced and much stricter mortgage qualification rules. The Federal government has ordered these new rules in an attempt to begin stabilizing the Canadian real estate market and reduce the amount of debt Canadians (and our financial institutions) are burdened with.

Five Steps to Finding the Perfect Rental Home

With housing and property prices constantly rising, renting is becoming an increasingly popular option for singles, couples, and families. Many members of the younger demographic prefer renting for its lack of permanency. Short-term leases are the perfect option for people who are not sure how long they’ll want to live in a specific location due to changing employment and relationships.

Ontario’s New Lease Agreements

As of April 30th, 2018 it has become a legal obligation for most residential landlords to use a standardized lease agreement. According to the Financial Post, this 13-page document intends to “level a very unbalanced playing field for tenants and landlords, and close a gap in negotiating power between the two parties.” Here’s what you need to know

5 Photography Tips to Improve Your Rental Listings

Taking high-quality images of a property has become a key aspect of property management. Few of us were born with a professional photographer’s eye, but a few tricks can make your photos and property stand out!

How to Efficiently Market Vacant Properties for Rent

Time is a precious resource in property management, especially when you have a vacant property on your hands. You want to make sure to market your properties as efficiently as you can, generating top-quality leads to fill the spot quickly. Here’s how…

Social Media as a Property Management Tool

Social media is more than just an app on your phone or a way to stay in touch with friends and family, it is a powerful business tool. Property management as an industry has been around for a long time. To be successful you can’t just adapt, you have to lead the way. Today, that means embracing social media as a property management tool.

How To Solve Difficult Problems with Tenants

No matter how great a judge of character you are or how thorough you are when screening lease candidates, a landlord is bound to run across at least one bad tenant in their time. The best way to pursue any issue is with a calm demeanour, stay within legal parameters and get professional help if you need it.

Legalized Marijuana & Ontario Landlords

Many landlords are worried about the adverse effects this legislation may have on condo laws and rental units. Not only are landlords worried about their tenants smoking marijuana more frequently and openly, they are also worried about the possibility of tenants growing it in their homes. To navigate these changes, it is important to truly understand them.
 

Tenant Surveys: Why They’re Important

Property management can be a demanding and stressful field of work. Tenants have high expectations and a diverse array of wants and needs. Using tenant surveys is an extremely valuable property management tool to gain feedback and more accurately gauge the needs and wants of your tenants.

Are You Ready For 2018’s New Condo Rules?

From reflections of years past to new goals and ultimately, resolutions for improvement as we begin another New Year we are faced with change. The world of property management is certainly no exception, which is why the Condominium Authority of Ontario (CAO) has introduced new condo rules that have taken effect in 2018.

Rental Property 101: Who’s Responsible for Snow Removal?

When winter arrives, it can come aggressively and unexpectedly. Winter weather is unpredictable and snowfall is often heavy. If you are renting a place you may feel relieved you don’t have to deal with shovelling snow or salting walkways to maintain your property. But are you sure your property management company is responsible for snow removal?

Top 5 Tenant Complaints & How to Handle Them

Property management is about balancing the needs of different stakeholders. Tenants are a member of this agreement, and as property managers, it is your responsibility to make sure their needs are met thoroughly and efficiently.

Top Tips For Condo Board Members

Top Tips For Condo Board Members

Condo board members hold a lot of property management responsibility. They play a large role in ensuring that their residents enjoy a great lifestyle by providing effective leadership, guaranteeing financial stability and fostering a sense of community. These helpful tips for condominium board members will help your board take on all responsibility without feeling overwhelmed or stressed.

Condo Replacement Reserves: How to Budget Preventative Maintenance

Some people believe you should only fix a problem when there is one. But, this type of thinking often creates more difficulties and challenges when issues are compounded over time. It’s better to build up the motivation and be  proactive by investing in preventative maintenance for your condominium. Creating a budget for preventative maintenance will save your team time, money and stress in the long run.

How to Build a Strong Resident Communication Platform

A key part of property management lies in developing a sense of trust and community among building staff and residents. Building a resident communication platform that resonates with all building members helps foster long-term relationships and resident retention. Here are our top tips for building a strong resident communication platform:

Condo Directors: New Four-Step Training for Success

Property management is a growing and crucial field in Canada. Ensuring that property management is done well is critical to keeping residents happy, not to mention in helping property owners improve bottom lines and achieve greater financial success. With home prices escalating across metropolitan areas, trends have shown that increased numbers of people are moving into condominiums (including families), which raises the need for strong property management at these locations.