Zakiya Kassam

Toronto

Writer and Journalist at Freelance

Writer at STOREYS

indoor cat, associate editor @storeyspub

Articles

Don Kottick Resigns As President & CEO of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada

1 week ago | storeys.com | Zakiya Kassam

After six years in the role, Don Kottick has resigned as President and CEO of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, effective April 23.
Bank Of Canada Holds Interest Rate For First Time In A Year

1 week ago | storeys.com | Zakiya Kassam

On Wednesday morning, the Bank of Canada (BoC) announced an interest rate hold for their April decision — the third of 2025 — keeping the policy rate steady at 2.75%. This marks the first rate pause since April 2024, and follows a 25-basis-point cut from mid-March. “Inflation was 2.3% in March, lower than in February but still higher than 1.8% at the time of the January MPR.
“Tariff Turmoil” Pulls Canadian Home Sales Down 20% Since November

1 week ago | storeys.com | Zakiya Kassam

We may be seven (soon to be eight?) Bank of Canada interest rate cuts in, but “tariff turmoil” has kept buyers on the sidelines and put Canadian home sales on a months-long downtrend. The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) reported on Tuesday that sales fell 4.8% month over month in March, and have slipped 20% from their “recent high” in November. Without adjusting for seasonal effects, national sales also fell 9.3% year over year and had the slowest March on record since 2009.
Where Every Big Bank Stands On Wednesday's Interest Rate Announcement

1 week ago | storeys.com | South D Street |Zakiya Kassam

Amidst the incessant flurry of tariff talk, this week will bring the third interest rate announcement of 2025. Since June, the Bank of Canada (BoC) has eased the policy rate seven straight times, and the last cut (25 basis points) on March 12 landed it at 2.75%. Leading up to the March meeting, economists were in agreement that the Bank had every reason to hold the policy rate steady at 3% — if not for the tariff curveball.
In A Slow Market, What Does It Take For A House To Sell Over Asking?

2 weeks ago | storeys.com | South D Street |Zakiya Kassam

In early March, a two-storey semi at 87 Berkshire Avenue sold for $286,000 over the asking price after spending about 24 hours on the market. Listing agents Shane Little and Jenny Simon tell STOREYS that they had 30 showings booked for the property in South Riverdale, but ultimately went with a bully offer of $1,435,000. The success of 87 Berkshire isn’t unheard of, but it’s also not representative of what’s happening throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
‘People Are Paralyzed’: The GTA Just Had Its Slowest March For Home Sales Since The '90s

2 weeks ago | storeys.com | Zakiya Kassam

With just 5,011 transactions on the books, last month was the worst March for Greater Toronto Area home sales since 1998, according to the latest statistics from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB), released last Thursday amidst an ever-evolving landscape of trade dynamics. Mind you, 27 years ago, the expectation for home sales was vastly different, and the 5,005 transactions reported at the time was considered a stand-out level.
‘Elegant’ 56-Storey Rental Proposed Minutes From Eglinton Station

2 weeks ago | storeys.com | Zakiya Kassam

Near the intersection of Soudan and Redpath avenues, a four-storey co-ownership building with sun-faded yellow brick is poised to be replaced with a sleek, 56-storey counterpart. In March, Official Plan Amendment and Site Plan Approval applications were filed with the City of Toronto in respect of 148 and 158 Soudan Avenue, which is additionally occupied by a detached owner-occupied home.
Kilmer-Tricon File Plans For 16, 43 Storeys For Site Of Toronto Coach Terminal

3 weeks ago | storeys.com | Zakiya Kassam

Just over four months after the proponents were unveiled for the redevelopment of the decommissioned Toronto Coach Terminal at 604-610 Bay and 130 Elizabeth streets, Kilmer Group and Tricon Residential have filed plans for the City-owned site. The proposed redevelopment, which falls under the CreateTO's ModernTO initiative and includes a sizeable affordable housing component, will see the site improved with a 43-storey mixed-use tower and 16-storey mid-rise.
Toronto Home Sales Slide 23% In March As Listings Pool On The Market

3 weeks ago | storeys.com | Zakiya Kassam

After a long road of interest rates hikes, the Bank of Canada has brought its policy rate down by a total of 225 basis points since June, but the tariff curveball has prevented lower rates from reviving the Greater Toronto Area’s housing market. The latest report from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB), released Thursday, shows that there were just 5,011 home sales in March, marking a 23.1% decrease over last year’s level.
Over Half Of Purpose-Built Rental Sites In GTHA Have Infill Potential

3 weeks ago | storeys.com | Zakiya Kassam

In ten years’ time, demand in Ontario’s rental market is expected to outstrip supply by almost double, according to a new study from the Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario (FRPO). Prepared in collaboration with research and consultancy firm Urbanation, the study forecasts that rental demand will increase by a total of 418,000 units by 2034, while purpose-built and condominium rental supply will increase by just 211,000 units.