Title: Living in Toronto

Girls Just wanna have fun? or Security?

Published on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:03:00

Home is where her heart is: 3rd annual TD Canada Trust Women and Home Ownership Poll reveals the growing importance of having a place to call your own Although financial security continues to top the list of home ownership benefits, the comforts of home are increasingly important to Canadian women. According to the third annual TD Canada Trust Women and Home Ownership Poll, which surveyed women who have purchased a home independently, key features of home ownership, including being able t read more..

Did we jump prices by 25% Toronto?

Published on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:04:00

While the Toronto Real Estate Board reported 4,986 transactions through the Multiple Listing Service in January 2010, Lets Look directly at the west end statistics. There were 4,614 available for sale, of which 3,800 were new listings It is from this number 1,979 sold. This is continuing an absorption rate near 50%. The average price of a home moved to $409,000k. While the figure quoted (19%) a double digit increase over January last year the reality is a little different. Lets look back at la read more..

Is the Sky Falling? Real Estate update

Published on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:47:00

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,986 transactions through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) in January 2010. This result represented a large increase over the 2,670 sales in January 2009 when the home sales were in a recessionary trough. Last month’s sales were slightly higher than the January average in the five years preceding 2009.“The GTA housing market has rebounded well from the lows in sales experienced at the beginning of 2009. Sales climbed back to healthy levels across the read more..

Gently used Government building could be yours

Published on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:15:00

It was my pleasure to interview the past Mayor of Etobicoke, currently sitting Toronto Councillor Doug Holyday. This destinguished gentleman has served a long term in the public sector.In attending the offices at the Etobicoke Civic Center, my consideration was what a fabulous location on and off the highway that would better serve as high rise high density mixed use being a combination of retail commercial with residential above. [Hard not to be a realtor]This became one of our conversational p read more..

A moment with Tom Adams Oakville

Published on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:24:00

I recently had the distinct pleasure to meet and interview Tom Adams Councillor Ward 6 of the town of Oakville.The gentlemen is well spoken, informed, reserved and deserves to be where he is. This conversation lead me to a better understanding of the intricate nature of services provided by the local municipal government and the people that they serve.This goes further than the Community Recreation Center and when will they allow equal hockey ice time to all (recently a news item in Toronto) bu read more..

Buy a house at the Grocery Store

Published on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:19:00

Attention Kmart Shoppers Blue Light Special on Aisle 5 NEW and improved? Shopping for your home in a grocery store?Some consumers will now be able to go to their local supermarket and pick up a more substantial purchase than dinner -- a house. RE/MAX of New England is teaming up with a large supermarket chain to open "micro" real estate offices in grocery stores, the franchise real estate brokerage announced this week. http://tinyurl.com/ycw4lgbThe company has signed an exclusive, five-year a read more..

Dirty Secrets - Online Evaluations

Published on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:17:00

So everyone wants to give you a free market evaluation.You found an online evaluation site that you clicked. You completed the sign in data on a "squeeze Page" and expected something to arrive in your email inbox of your home's value.This prospect lead was sold through a string of companies to the "local" Realtor that will pay the most for that particular postal code. The company is not selling credibility. They are selling your name and your phone phone number to the highest bidder. This has n read more..

Dirty Secrets Over Pricing Your Home

Published on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:27:00

Real Estates dirty little secrets; Agents entensively use and are trained to Over price listings in their presentations. By providing you the highest value at the listing table they appeal to normal human nature and your greed. They flatter you. They tell you how marvelous your house shows. You could have an extra 10 or 15% in your pocket. They will "TRY"But that's not the reality it seems.Instead of being sold in 15 to 21 days, you are still making the beds, cleaning the dishes, tidying after read more..

Realtor reveals How to Beat a FSBO everytime!

Published on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:17:00

Now you can beat a for sale by owner everytime. An experienced negotiator will track down the meaningful and important details of a real estate transaction. You need to ask all the Big "D" questions. Are they selling because of death, divorce, debt or some type of disaster.You need to ask as many WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY HOW questions as possible without revealing your own position. These questions should include;WHY is the vendor selling?HAVE they bought another property?WHAT possession is most read more..

Toronto's New Waterfront Development

Published on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:46:00

Waterfront enhancements along the Don Lands; Toronto Waterfront's newest community. I would be very excited about this. Living near the Toronto waterfront amidst transit, walking paths, mixed use residential and commercial space.The initiative; Join Waterfront Toronto as we unveil the details behind Parkside — the first private sector development in East Bayfront. Great Gulf Group of Companies, the developer selected to lead Parkside, plans to build a major mixed-use complex designed by worl read more..

Managing Your Money

Published on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:03:00

Making the right investment choices?One of the essential fundamentals of any financial plan is an investment portfolio. But given the many investment options available to you, how do you make the right investment choices –choices that will support your short- and long-term financial goals? People generally can plan for months for a 2 week vacation, but retirement will be the longest vacation they’ve ever had. They never get around to thinking about it and continue to avoid putting any consid read more..

Turner vs Stinson Bulls or Bears

Published on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:33:00

Sorry to burst your bubble Toronto By Harry Stinson When a major realtor releases a “market report” you can be sure the conclusion will be that prices are stable and/or improving (otherwise the report is staying under wraps). Nevertheless, I would agree that Canadian real estate will continue to be seen by most people as a good place to invest their money, but not necessarily because of any sophisticated economic insights. 1. In an increasingly erratic world (in terms of politics, eco read more..

Connect with me

Published on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:53:00

So here we are it’s a new decade 2K10 It’s a new decade and you have found a best way on the internet to find an experienced professional tech savvy realtor in the Toronto GTA serving Etobicoke Mississauga and Oakville.I could talk to you about;What sold on that street or neighbourhoodHow much per square foot in that condo complexHow many days was it on the marketHow will you deal with Mom & Dad’s Housing needsFirst Time Buyer rebates and Land transfer TaxesSecuring and Booking your read more..

Full Time or Part Time Do you care?

Published on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:13:00

Dear RE/MAX Sales Associates, Broker-Owners and Managers:Taking back the industry2009 proved to be a defining year for real estate, creating two very separate and distinct categories of realtor.Experienced professionals, who stayed the course, adjusting to new conditions and adhering to solid business plans, were ideally positioned for the turnaround and emerged victorious from the downturn. The fair-weather realtors who were ill-prepared and panicked, who chose to bury their heads in the sand, read more..

Could this be your Shopportunity 2k10

Published on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:14:00

Welcome to the Toronto Real Estate Boards stats for mid January 2k10. We have entered into a very unusual market. We are starting this year firmly as a seller’s market. With an absorption rate in excess of 50%, on a monthly basis, multiple offers will continue on the most demanded products namely starter entry level homes and smaller condos.The real story continues to be the reduced number of homes for sale coupled with a continued demand from nervous buyers looking for that first gre read more..

Hurry before we change our minds

Published on Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:57:00

Is that next months advertising caption? As house prices are increasing in the regional Toronto GTA market (Etobicoke, Mississauga, Oakville) Buyers are continuing to chase the available listing inventory and prices are being pushed ever farther upwards.There will be interest rate increases in 2k10 that are related to income tax and RRSP savings accounts.US borrowing has been unabated.We are in the Firm GRIP of a Seller's Market.Investors are still coming to Canada because we are a safe haven.CM read more..

Bought the Condo Now Pay GST

Published on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:39:00

You knew when you purchased the condo that you were going to "flip it" or "rent it" so it should not be a surprise when you get handed a bill for the GST on your purchase. Lets recap; Some years ago you committed to purchase of X Dollars with a 15% down payment paid over a 90 day period. That condominium unit was in Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville. Now the building is built and ready for occupancy. The builder has notified you, in writing, that on date Y your unit is available for final inspect read more..

Home Renovation Tax Credit - Hurry!

Published on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:44:00

There are only a few weeks left for the Home Renovation Tax Credit. This program is scheduled to end Feb 01, 2k10 and does not appear slated for renewal. You are eligible to a rebate maximum of $1350 on an expenditure of $10,000 spent on a home improvement.Go and shop for the materials that you will need for the HRTC and have the work actually done at a later date. Take that additional rebate that is being offered from Vendors and Trades people during this period to commit. Tango Kitchens read more..

No Pants Subway Ride 2010

Published on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:42:00

Date:Sunday, January 10, 2010Time:3:00pm - 6:00pmLocation:Queens Park - Giant Horseman Statue.DescriptionEveryone is invited to participate in Toronto’s 3rd Annual No Pants! Subway Ride. The event will take place at 3:00 PM on Sunday, January 10. Everything you need to know is below. Please read it carefully!Last years No Pants Subway Ride:http://improvintoronto.com/2009/01/24/no-pants-2k9/Requirments For Participation:1) Willing to take pants off on subway2) Able to keep a straight face about read more..

Managing Your Money

Published on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 03:05:00

It is basic – an RRSP is good for youWhen it comes to investing and saving on taxes, you have options. Within your financial planning process, you should look at all of them and select those that work best for your unique situation. But there is one investment option that’s a no-brainer. The Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), since being introduced 53 years ago, has become the basic foundation of almost every financial plan. RRSPs have stood the test of time as the best tax- read more..

Flash Reporting to Catch your eye

Published on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:18:00

Fasten your seatbelts, home buyers $('#lead-photo').hover(function() { $('#lead-caption').slideDown(300); }, function() { $('#lead-caption').slideUp(300); }); Interest rates are about to start rocketing higher. Savers, get readyThats the headline from the Globe and Mail; http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/fasten-your-seatbelts-home-buyers/article1419098/Is this accurate? Possibly; Interest rates do seem poised to increase with continued demand.Will Interest read more..

Year end Wrap up Toronto 2009

Published on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:44:00

At this time, we would like to send each and everyone, our very best wishes for abundant health, wealth, and success for 2010. It's hard to believe that another year has come and gone so quickly and now here we are now in facing a brand new decade and a fresh start for 2010. The theme for the overall energy of this year is to be one of self-empowerment. In case you haven’t seen it Re/Max is predicting a 2 % price increase nationally for 2010 Click Here The serious lack of homes an read more..

Everywhere but Roncesvalles Village

Published on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:12:00

Recently, BlogTO posted an article on how Roncesvalles businesses are struggling during the reconstruction, a reminder of the importance of supporting local businesses during the holiday season. I urge all Roncesvalles residents, please, to brave the occasional dust blast (and chilly breeze), and drop by your local shops, services and restaurants. We need you now more than ever! The article mentions a few business closures. However, it is not clear that all these closures were due to th read more..

Unsolicited Real Estate Advice Toronto

Published on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:45:00

of⋅fi⋅cious  [uh-fish-uhs] – adjective 1. objectionably aggressive in offering one's unrequested and unwanted services, help, or advice; meddlesome: an officious person. 2. marked by or proceeding from such forwardness: officious interference. It is Not anyone's business;If you spend more than you need toIf you are unprepared for Land Transfer TaxesIf your lawyer explains you need an extra $12,000 to closeIf you are uninformed about Development and Levy ChargesIf you are unawa read more..

Marketing your home Online

Published on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:37:00

Here are Marketing Questions To Ask The Real Estate Agent Who Is Offering To List Your Property For Sale. With almost 90% of property buyers searching online for real estate, you'll likely be best served by an agent who understands modern Real Estate web marketing techniques.Can you create a single property website for my property? Will it be syndicated? Will this site include a video of the property? Will the video be on Youtube? How about some other video sharing sites? How often will you r read more..