It was the best of times; it was the worst of times, so starts "A Tale of Two Cities", the classic story of the French revolution written in 1859 by Charles Dickens, the British author. That's exactly how it is today in the stock market as well as the real estate market. There is no question that the media and their expert analysts, (a different bunch from the ones who predicted oil going to $200 per barrel and Obama losing the election) have had their desired effect, that of selling advertising. Unfortunately they have scared a lot of people needlessly, and many individuals are caught like deer in the headlights, not knowing what to do.

Here are some facts. Unemployment across the whole of Canada is at about 6%. That means that 94% of people are employed! By the way, employment was never at 0%. It fluctuates between 3% -5 %. Canadian immigration continues at all time high levels with 300,000 new immigrants arriving annually with at least half coming to the GTA. As jobs are lost in Alberta and other provinces, there will be more movement into the GTA. That is good news for the economy and for real estate in Scarborough, Pickering, Ajax and other areas throughout Toronto and the GTA. Those people will require housing, restaurants, transportation, etc, earning money as well as spending it. With the Government pledging $30 BILLION to stimulate the economy, I believe that there will be many opportunities for all of us to prosper.

So, it's the worst of times for those who believe it is. It's the best of times for others who are using this opportunity to buy good stocks at lower prices and homes that they could not qualify for last year. In December, the Toronto Real Estate Board reported the sale of 2,577 homes. Yes it's less than the previous December but a lot more than the Zero, the media was having people expect. In 2009, there will be about 75,000 homes sold, and economists feel that Canada will start moving out of the recession by the third quarter of 2009.

I truly believe it is the right time to buy real estate, both as a personal residence and as an investment opportunity. No, I am not optimistic because I want to make a sale, it's because Toronto homes are so cheap compared to the rest of the world. As immigration, growth and demand forced prices up in London, New York and Tokyo, those same factors are working in Toronto, and prices will continue to increase as the years go by.

Note: The latest market news can also be obtained through my weblink at www.fergussharpe.com/realestatenews

Fergus