Cohousing Spotlight: Prairie Sky, Calgary's Only Cohousing Community
Located in the neighborhood of Winston Heights lies Prairie Sky is Calgary’s only cohousing community. The community was originally built ...
Hi-Lo Hybrid: A Creative Solution In Toronto's Real Estate Market
It’s January of the new year. While there are many things to be optimistic and hopeful about, from a real estate perspective, January is a ...
Why Is The Toronto Real Estate Market So Hot?
Despite a global pandemic and enduring the second wave, Toronto’s real estate market is as competitive and hot as ever. Rents are hitting a ...
Safety Is Still Our Number One Priority In The New Year
Jan 6, 2021
Welcome to 2021! A new year with a plethora of opportunities waiting! Time to start fresh and leave the challenges of 2020 behind, right? Well, yes and no. As we welcome in the new year, it may be tempting to pretend like 2020 never happened. Unfortunately, just because it is a new year does not mean we can slip in our vigilance when it comes to our safety and the safety of others. Real estate is no different. We must continue to put safety as our top priority even when buying and selling houses.
4 Reasons Coliving Can Make The Holidays Better
Dec 30, 2020
This week in celebration of the holidays, we decided to have a look at how co-living could benefit you during this season. This year has been particularly difficult as we head into our second lockdown in Ontario, making seeing and visiting family difficult and in many cases, impossible. However, in a co-ownership and coliving situation, the holidays need not be a damper on the festivities. Here are 4 reasons why coliving can make the holiday season even more festive.
A Turning Of The Tides: Why Multigenerational Living Should Make A Comeback
Dec 24, 2020
We’ve talked before about the crux and social stigma that surrounds our households before in our previous articles about the nuclear family and isolation. Today we wanted to dive deeper into the social stigma that surrounds multigenerational living, particularly the attitudes towards living with your parents when you are single and why living in a multigenerational household needs to make a big comeback as our cultural landscape changes.
Market Spotlight: The Most Competitive Real Estate Markets in Ontario
Dec 18, 2020
December 2020 marks the closing of an unprecedented and unpredictable year. Despite the global pandemic, competition for residential real estate is still as heated as ever in Toronto and the wider Ontario markets. Today we decided to have a look at Ontario’s different real estate markets and see how 2020 fared amidst a tumultuous and challenging year.
SOLD Plant Your Roots In This Wonderful Family Home, 69 Cliffcrest Dr
Dec 11, 2020
Plant your roots and settle into this charming Bluffs home. This multi-split home offers, an incredibly lush and majestic ravine lot, 4 bedrooms, multiple home office opportunities, gas burning fireplace, massive crawl space for storage, coziest lower level walkout studio/rec space and an attached garage. Don’t wait to experience the magic this very special home exudes.
Laneway Houses Are Coming To Toronto
Dec 9, 2020
A new rental trend may be emerging in Toronto. Laneway housing, also known as garden suites, are beginning to make an appearance in the neighbourhoods of Toronto. Since 2018, when Toronto went ahead and approved the by-laws for laneway housing, development began on new suites.
A Shift In Real Estate? Is Commercial The New Residential?
Dec 2, 2020
We are experiencing a transitional time not just in real estate and the workplace but in a broader cultural paradigm. A metamorphosis of sorts. It’s hard to predict what our landscape will look like at the end of all this as it is unlikely to go back to what we perceived as normal. As we look to the future, we can only speculate what the new normal will be.
SOLD Custom Built Perfect For A Cozy Winter, 201 Waverley Rd
Nov 26, 2020
A gorgeous custom-built 3 Bed, 1.5 Bath property complete with wood-burning fireplace!
SOLD Chic & Spacious Condo at the HEART of Downtown, 111 Elizabeth St #1139
Nov 26, 2020
Incredible, scandi-chic 1+1 Bed, 1 Bath with amenities galore with downtown convenience!
Co-Ownership Case Study: The Golden Girls of Port Perry
Nov 25, 2020
Perhaps one of the most famous groups in the world of co-ownership, the ‘Golden Girls’ of Port Perry are now considered the face of co-ownership in Ontario. As Ontario’s government pushes for alternative housing ideas to combat the housing crisis across the province, these four seniors came together and took advantage.
Single Family Homes Are Bad For Our Communities
Nov 18, 2020
Single family homes are a treasured and coveted staple in Toronto’s real estate market. Not only are they a popular abode for families, they are also in massive demand for their investment potential. With high demand, comes high price. Prices for single family homes have continued to skyrocket in Toronto despite the negative aspects that such homes bring. In this article, we’ll go through the rise of the single family home and why, perhaps, it's time for a change.
Property Spotlight: 2374 Gerrard St E
Nov 11, 2020
We’re back again with another property feature on our blog! 2374 Gerrard St E is a multi-unit property that is currently being built. Situated on the east side of Toronto, the property has a close proximity to the Danforth with some of the east side’s best dining and shopping. 2374 Gerrard St E is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.
Nov 4, 2020
The time-honored tradition of going to the cottage is something many Torontonians and Ontarions hold dear. This week we highlight a beautiful property only 1.5 hours from the GTA and just, for a brief moment, imagine the possibilities.
Joint Tenancy Vs Tenants-In-Common
Oct 28, 2020
The process of co-ownership in real estate can be complicated. When it comes to multiple owners who don’t have previous relationships, there can be perceived difficulties when it comes to the legal arrangement of the living situation. In general, the two legal arrangements that are often chosen in real estate are tenants-in-common and joint tenancy. In this article we will discuss these two arrangements and explain why tenants-in-common should be your choice for a co-ownership arrangement.
Cohousing Spotlight: Terra Firma, Ontario's Only Completed Cohousing Community
Oct 21, 2020
Located in the centre of Ottawa lies Ontario’s only completed cohousing community: Terra Firma. Terra Firma began in 1997 and is now home to 12 families. With a large common house and common garden, the residents of Terra Firma fully embrace their community and the true spirit of cohousing.
Combatting Social Isolation For Our Seniors
Oct 14, 2020
Social isolation is becoming one of the most prominent issues facing today’s Canadian seniors. Canada’s population over 65 years of age has exceeded 6 million and is projected to exceed 9.5 million by 2030. In 2016, the number of people over 65 exceeded the number under 15 years of age. As one of the fastest-growing demographics in Canada, seniors face a number of issues that need to be addressed both now and in the future in order to succeed in attaining a satisfactory quality of life. The question is, how can we prevent social isolation from impacting seniors’ quality of life?
What Can A Co-Owned Home Look Like?
Oct 7, 2020
Partnering with Picnic Design, we have a look at some architectural designs for co-ownership homes. One of the great things about co-ownership and cooperative real estate is that there is no single cookie-cutter house. Co-ownership allows you to tailor your home and dwellings to your own desires. Whether you want a single-family home, a multi-residential building or prefer a building where you can make drastic renovations, you can make it work for co-ownership.
Co-Ownership Case Study: Two Millennial Couples
Sep 30, 2020
Co-ownership and cooperative real estate purchases are a great way for people to enter the real estate market. While Toronto’s market is competitive, millennials have found a way by buying together. Take the following case study of two millennial couples who were able to pool their resources together and purchase their first home in the Annex.
Workforce Housing & Toronto's Pivotal Point To Save Itself
Sep 24, 2020
Toronto is at a pivotal point in the year 2020. Actions and policies over the next decade will shape the city. The success or failure by 2030 will depend on how we tackle workforce housing. In this article, we’ll take a look at workforce housing, why it is such a contentious issue and what can be done to ensure Toronto will succeed in the future.
3 Ways To Invest With Co-Ownership
Sep 16, 2020
There are many ways you can be creative about your co-ownership purchase. This includes gearing your ideal home towards investment as well as homeownership. Take a look at 3 ways you can turn your co-operative real estate purchase into a great investment.
What Happens To The Real Estate Market After A Global Pandemic?
Sep 9, 2020
A look into the future of Toronto’s real estate market. With a global pandemic raging across the world, the future is uncertain. In this article, we analyse different sources to predict what may become of Toronto’s real estate market. By no means is it certain, but perhaps its not all doom and gloom.
Steps To Co-Ownership: Step 5: Finding Your Perfect Property
Sep 2, 2020
The final step in our series The Steps to Co-Ownership. In this step, we discuss the strategies for finding your perfect property. The Toronto real estate market can be fierce but GoCo is here to guide you on your way to achieving a successful co-ownership purchase.
Getting-To-Know People with GoCo
Aug 21, 2020
In co-ownership, complete strangers can come together and purchase a home. Whether you’ve known someone for years or only met them yesterday, a co-ownership group needs to foster and build trust to be able to successfully purchase a house together. In this article, we go through some of GoCo’s activities to help groups come together and get on the same page and set them up for success.
A New Reality In A Post-Covid World
Aug 14, 2020
Covid-19 has shed light on many different facets of life that we rarely looked at in normal times. The fact of the matter is that the global pandemic has turned all of our lives upside down and it is time to really look and assess what we need in our lives, particularly how we live and interact with others. Social distancing is the new norm going forward until the world has this contagious virus under control.
Aug 6, 2020
All across Canada, cities are struggling with housing affordability. As we briefly discussed in last week’s article, Housing Affordability in Toronto - A City in Crisis, many middle-income families and residents in Toronto have been unable to enter the real estate market. The missing middle is becoming a topic that all levels of government are beginning to consider as a means of tackling this crisis.
Housing Affordability In Toronto - A City In Crisis
Jul 30, 2020
Toronto’s housing market has been booming but the prices have left middle and lower-income residents outpriced. In this article, we will discuss the different definitions of affordability and why it is has become such a contentious issue in Toronto.
The Steps To Co-Ownership: Step 4: Your Legal Agreement
Jul 22, 2020
We have reached Step 4 in our series on the Steps to Co-Ownership. Previously, we have discussed how to find your partners and creating your group in Step 1, how to create a financial model in Step 2, and how to create house rules in Step 3. In Step 4, we will discuss everything surrounding a co-ownership legal agreement.
Dare To Share: 5 Reasons Why Co-Ownership Beats Living Alone
Jul 15, 2020
We live in a world that idolises the idea of buying a home to live in by yourself. But GoCo proposes a different model that goes against the grain: buying a house with the intention to live with others. Here’s 5 reasons why you should consider co-ownership.
Aging-In-Place: The New Way To Live Life To The Fullest
Jul 8, 2020
As our population continues to age, the question of senior care is often debated. There are many facets to this discussion and it can become quite personal. In this article, we discuss the trend of aging-in-place and how it can benefit an older population.
How To Better Your Life By Finding Your Community
Jun 26, 2020
Intentional communities come in all different shapes and sizes. In this article, we go through the different types of intentional communities that exist in the world and help you take the first steps into forming your own.
The Steps To Co-Ownership: Step 3: Your House Rules
Jun 17, 2020
Step 3 in our series ‘The Steps To Co-Ownership’. In this step, we go through the process of creating Your House Rules and the importance of preparing you and your group for the rewarding experience of co-owning a home and creating your intentional community.
5 Ways You Can Save The Planet With Co-Ownership
Jun 10, 2020
Co-ownership is a great way to create and foster your own community through co-operative real estate. We at GOCO are constantly advocating the versatility and benefits of co-ownership and how you can use it to define and choose your lifestyle in your home. Here are five great ways to live sustainably and have a more green and eco-conscious lifestyle through co-ownership
A Demise of the Nuclear Family Redefines the ‘Household’
Jun 3, 2020
The nuclear family structure is becoming less dominant across the world today. Through a number of different events and factors, “non-traditional” households are on the rise. In this article, we will discuss the rise and fall of the nuclear family and how it has changed household structures today.
The Steps To Co-Ownership: Step Two: Building Your Financial Model
May 27, 2020
Part 2 of our series, the Steps To Co-Ownership. This piece covers the step of building your financial model with your group while exploring what difficulties you can encounter while embarking on the process of obtaining a mortgage.
5 Life-Changing Benefits Of Co-Ownership
May 21, 2020
Co-ownership has many benefits and this article will show you five of the best benefits it has to offer.
The Original City of Toronto Was Once Home to Everyone
May 13, 2020
It might be difficult to envision in the current climate but Toronto’s downtown neighbourhoods were once open to all manner of people looking to purchase their own homes. Unfortunately, the real estate market has changed over the years and numerous factors have led us to the new state of the market. In this blog post, we take a look at Toronto’s history in real estate and how it has changed over the decades.
The Steps To Co-Ownership: Step One: Picking the Perfect Partners
May 5, 2020
Are you thinking of buying a house? Are you dreaming of that perfect home that you and your family will grow and live in, sharing perfect memories together? Are you curious about co-ownership and think it’s a good fit for you? Before you jump straight onto realtor.ca to browse listings and envision your dream property, there are important steps to take especially if you are considering Co-Ownership. This is the first piece in a series where we will break down the co-ownership process into 5 key steps that every group of partners has to go through in order to co-operatively purchase their home. In this article, we’ll take you through the first and most important step of all: finding your partners.
Relegating Seniors to Ontario’s Long Term Care Facilities Is An Unsurprising Death Sentence
Apr 28, 2020
As COVID-19 continues its rampage across Canada, targeting the most vulnerable citizens, it is clear that Ontario’s long-term care facilities have failed its residents. Surely, the government and regulating bodies are taking every precaution to prevent spread across the province? Certainly in Canada there are stringent regulations that demand high-quality care and facilities for seniors? Unfortunately, it seems that that is not the case. The most vulnerable residents, those in aged care and long-term care facilities have been left to hide behind a mottled veil of apathy. And now COVID-19 is ripping that veil off and showing everyone just how broken the system is for the most vulnerable residents who have been left to fester in poorly managed, understaffed and neglected facilities.
How Being Emotionally Intelligent May Help You Own A House
Apr 22, 2020
The coveted milestone of owning a house can seem like an unattainable goal especially in a city like Toronto. Even if you’ve found some good partners to co-own a house, there’s still plenty to do before any of you get your hands on the keys. There’s a thousand and one tips on buying your first home. Everyone knows about having good credit, income and a substantial down payment but what about the lesser-known intangible tips? Something as simple as being positive and emotionally intelligent may just be able to help you afford a house.
Apr 14, 2020
Co-housing, Cooperative, Co-living and Co-ownership are all different terms that are often confused. With many misconceptions and misunderstandings causing the words to blend together, it’s hard to find clarity in the mess of business jargon and legal terms.
Community: A Remedy for Isolation and Loneliness
Apr 8, 2020
Forging ahead in life, putting yourself above others and working away to finally owning a private dwelling is what we call ‘living the dream’ in western culture. It’s been proven over and over that this model of a nuclear family architecture is unsustainable and has adversely affected the mental health of entire generations. Is there anything we can do to turn the tides?
Co-Ownership Case Study: Richard, Paul and Emma
Jun 27, 2018
Three architects decided to buy a property together in downtown Toronto. Four years, multiple renovations, and a baby later, co-ownership enabled them to buy their own homes in the city.
‘Creative Co-Buying: Artists Talking Housing’ Event Spurs Creative Discussion About Co-ownership
Jun 13, 2018
Ontario Election 2018 / Affordable Housing: What are the Political Parties Promising?
Jun 6, 2018