http://www.central1.com/newsandevents/displayjob.php?sp=35&type=SB&jid=0

http://www.moneyville.ca/article/903412--gta-housing-market-to-stay-hot-in-2011?bn=1

I'm always a little amazed at how certain projections and forecasts are handled by the main stream media. To be clear, economic forecasts vary from one firm to another, from one analyst to another. 

For instance, you can see that The Toronto Star has covered a forecast from Central 1 Credit Union about the Ontario Housing market for 2011 and 2012. The funny part of all this is that The Toronto Star somehow feels it necessary to input some more negative forecasts from other firms/analysts. Why not just cover each respective forecast as a stand alone forecast? They can find enough reports to cover that are less positive than the one provided here by Central 1 Credit Union. If they happen to cover a forecast that has a negative projection, do they also temper that article with more positive forecasts from other firms? It's always important to be subjective when covering news, but I wonder what benefit there is to impart negative views to a very positive forecast or report. 

Overall, there have been tons of negative forecasts/reports in the last few months. In fact, even with record numbers/statistics for home sales in 2011, The Star and other main stream newspapers choose to dig within those numbers for anything that stands out as possibly negative. How many people have delayed buying a home in the last year or 2 because of negative coverage of the housing market? How much equity have they potentially lost because of these overly negative stances? Interest rates are at record lows, prices continue to increase and all data points towards a very healthy market. We all know that there are corrections in the market over time. If you believed the local papers, that should/would have happened years ago already. 

I prefer to be more balanced in my views, or even try to keep a positive outlook. You really can't time the market. Each individual's choice to purchase a home will depend on many factors. Ultimately it's not timing the market, it's time in the market that matters. 

Darrin Maltais

Sales Representative

Keller Williams Realty Centres, Brokerage

Newmarket, Ontario

Be sure to visit www.DarrinMaltais.com for all of your Real Estate needs including a free search of thousands of homes online. www.DarrinMaltais.com your one stop Real Estate information website.