Toronto Real Estate

About three years ago, my family and I decided to take advantage of Toronto's real estate upswing. We opted to sell our townhome while prices were skyrocketing ending up with a very decent profit. In fact, our profit was so good that it allowed us to pay cash for a large, four-bedroom character home in Winnipeg. Yes, we had decided to relocate to another city, leaving our friends and family behind, setting out for a new life for our family. And the best part? We were mortgage-free!

Our big house is absolutely sprawling and the property boasts a double lot. If our home was located anywhere within the Toronto real estate market, there's no way it would sell for less than $300,000. Fully renovated and depending on the exact location, the selling price could even be close to $500,000. So, how did we manage to land this real estate deal and claim our mortgage-free status? The real estate market in Winnipeg is one of the city's best kept secrets.

We've experienced a 20% increase in our market in the past three years. However, when we bought our home, we paid a measly $65,000 for a three story home in good condition. There are some cosmetic things that needed (and still need) to be done. My husband plans to install brand new hardwood flooring throughout the main living area. But these are minor concerns when considering what a home of this size and character would go for in the Toronto real estate market.

Recently I was browsing Toronto real estate listings, just to keep an eye on how the market is doing. I was shocked to realize that there are virtually no actual houses available for sale, regardless of condition, anywhere in the Toronto real estate market, for less than $250,000! I couldn't believe it. Anyone looking to buy in a lower price range is left to choose from townhomes and condominiums. There are no longer any affordable houses in the City of Toronto, regardless of neighborhood, condition or amenities.

Obviously we're thrilled that we made our move when we did. We no longer battle through gridlock to and from work. Road rage is virtually non-existent in our city. There are tons of actual houses for sale well below $100,000 in a variety of neighborhoods to choose from. Manitoba Hydro offers several incentives for homeowners, so even if you buy a fixer-upper, you have options for installing brand new windows and high efficiency furnaces, without having to worry about high interest rates on your loan payments. And yes, we even have townhomes and condominiums for sale, but the maintenance fees are a fraction of what is demanded in Toronto's real estate market.

Winnipeg truly has something for everyone. Our housing prices blow Toronto real estate costs out of the water... and that's just the beginning. We have now made Winnipeg our home, probably for good. Yes, we miss our friends and family, but we still find ways to keep in touch and see each other on a regular basis. Our family is much happier with our slower pace, the kids love having so much space to run around, and we feel like we've made a smart decision for the long run.