News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 11, 2012) - Spring marks the busiest real estate season in Canada and with many Canadians weighing their options, a variety of trends are emerging in markets across the country.

Canadian housing activity began 2012 on a solid footing, with building activity supported by mild weather, healthy sales, and rising prices. While there continues to be speculation about a housing bubble in Canada - with Vancouver sales falling almost 30 per cent from a year-ago and both Edmonton and Victoria also posting declines - the story is far from uniform across the country. Regional differences abound; with Toronto remaining strong and sales gains of 12 per cent in Ottawa and Calgary.

With this in mind, experts from BMO, RE/MAX and Sotheby's will discuss findings from the new BMO Spring Housing Report, the real estate environment in Canada, and what prospective buyers and sellers need to keep in mind.

Panellists will discuss the following topics:

• What is in store for the Canadian housing market over the coming months?
• What is different from last year for Canadian homeowners looking to buy or sell their house or condo?
• What key trends are emerging in Canadian real estate, including in Toronto's high-end property market?
• The financial ins-and-outs of purchasing a home, including the importance of home inspections and pre-approvals
• Additional insights and commentary