Toronto's Two Most Respected Real Estate Researchers Join Forces

TORONTO, Sept. 17, 2014 /CNW/ - Two of the Greater Toronto Area's most respected real estate market research and analysis companies, Urbanation and the Marsh Report, have merged to offer enhanced services and the most comprehensive data available to their clients.

Urbanation, the GTA's foremost authority on condominium research and data, monitors activity in projects that are proposed, in development or have been built, to generate key market metrics such as total sales, listings, unsold inventory, and average prices and rents per square foot.  Urbanation publishes two quarterly reports: the Condominium Market Survey, considered the "industry bible" for stakeholders in the highrise condominium industry, and Urban Rental.

Urbanation has acquired a 50 per cent stake in the Marsh Report, started in 1989 by John Marsh and purchased in 2008 by Yvonne Whyte and John Davies. It is the best source of data and interpretation for major sales in the GTA and produces two quarterly reports:  one that lists land sales in the GTA and one that lists the sale of commercial and institutional buildings. Its subscribers include real estate investment firms, financial institutions, real estate brokers, appraisers and government departments.

"Urbanation has the best market research and analysis of the residential condo and rental market in Toronto," says Eve Lewis, principal/co-founder of Urbanation Inc. and principal and president of the leading condo marketing firm, MarketVision Real Estate Corp. "The Marsh Report has a spectacular reputation, a long history and a lot of market knowledge. It seemed like a perfect complement to Urbanation."

"We have availed each other's services for some time and I always felt it would be a good fit because of the type of research we do," added Marsh Report principal Yvonne Whyte.

Ms. Whyte and Ms. Lewis said by joining forces, Urbanation and the Marsh Report will offer customers complete and seamless market research and tracking, from the time when a parcel of land is initially purchased through to complete development and completion of a site.

Ms. Lewis, who has become involved in retail and office building leasing since she took over her late husband's company, Woodcliffe Landmark Properties, three and a half years ago, could see the appeal for existing and new customers in packaging Urbanation and the Marsh Report services together.

"As we move forward, with apartment buildings and other aspect classes, it (the merger) allows us a lot of synergies and efficiencies and a broader depth of service to our clients, and information they wouldn't normally be able to source," said Ms. Whyte.

"The reports will be the only ones of their kind on the market. Urbanation has made significant investments in computer software to bring more value to clients and will be looking to provide that to the Marsh Report," said Ms. Lewis.

"Together, we have a better platform and a synergy to undertake enhanced services," said Ms. Whyte. 

For interview opportunities with Eve Lewis, please contact Vicbar Marketing at 416-510-0073 or [email protected]

SOURCE: Vicbar Marketing Ltd.

Media Contacts: Vicki Griffiths, Vicbar Marketing Ltd., Ph: 416-510-0073 Cel: 416-432-8785, [email protected]; Jodi Goulart, Vicbar Marketing Ltd., Cel: 647-887-8643, [email protected]