GTA Housing Market Conditions Remain Healthy in SeptemberOctober 5, 2010 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 6,310 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in September 2010. This represented a 23 per cent decrease compared to the 8,196 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. Through the first nine months of the year, sales amounted to 69,069 - up four per cent compared to the first three quarters of 2009."The level of sales in the second half of 2010 has been lower, representing a balancing out period following record levels of sales in the latter half of 2009 and first few months of 2010. We remain on track for one of the best years in history for existing home transactions in the GTA," said Toronto Real Estate Board President Bill Johnston.The average price for Sep... 10/10/2010

This weekend we stop and give thanks for all the blessings we have.... Time to celebrate with our families and friends, and to be truly thankful we live in such a great country where we enjoy the many freedoms  others do not, that we take for granted. We celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving in October, and as a long standing tradition, much like our American friends, most of us will enjoy a turkey dinner. Here are some tips on how to prepare your turkey. •1.      That the frozen turkey in the refrigerator, not on the counter. This may take a day or two so remember to take it out of the freezer a day or two beforehand. •2.      To prepare your turkey for roasting, remove all the wrappings and the packing containing the heart, liver etc.  Remove the neck and rinse the turkey thoroughly, both i... 10/09/2010

You should always ask questions before giving to a charity so you can feel confident about your decision to donate. Therefore, when a charity calls or comes to your door, you may want to ask some or all of the following questions: What is the full name of the charity? Is the charity a "registered charity"? If so, what is the charity's registration number? Will I get a receipt for income tax purposes for my donation? What is the mission and goal of the charity? What activities does the charity do? Can you send me more information before I donate? Does the charity have a mailing list or newsletter to which I can subscribe Mailing lists and newsletters are great ways to keep up to date on the charity's accomplishments and programs and to see how your support can make a difference. You shou... 10/08/2010

I recently inherited a very unique vehicle, a 1963 Dodge 330 with a rare, electronic push button transmission. It belonged to my twin aunts, and I recall driving it many, many  years ago when I visited with them.. I would often run errands for them, or take them out shopping...  It was quite the car!!! It still has the original plastic on the seats, and an incredible mileage of 26,000 MILES! I had it restored recently, and re-painted in its original colour.... and had all the mechanical work done.... plus those dazzling 2" white walls! I even have the original receipt when it was purchased.... way back in 1962... for an incredible $3,800 So, now.. I wonder what to do with it?  ......Shall I keep it? ..... Shall I sell it?  If so, where would I advertise a classic car like this?  Would a... 10/06/2010

In order for it to Rain Actively, you must be a Rain Maker? Did anyone else get approached by someone from Active rain trying to get you to buy into the "Rain Maker" for approx. $40/month? I was asked persistently about giving them my credit card information and she insisted that this was an essential piece to my Real Estate practice. I was confused at the time, heard about other agents using active rain so not knowing any better, I joined. What do you get with this price? I was told that if I bought into this "Rain Maker" that someone would get in touch with me and show me how to make use of Active rain, build my profile, so I can start using this website to its full potential. It's been 3 months now and I haven't heard from them. I've been playing around with this site, not really und... 10/04/2010

A few thoughts for this beautiful Friday.... to get your mind thinking... "The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark."  ..... Michelangelo "Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."  .... Lou Holts "Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal." .... E. Joseph Cossman "The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure." .... Sven Goran "We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations." ... Charles R. Swindoll "I am easily satisfied with the very best." .... Winston Churchill "We are masters of the unsaid words, but slaves of thos... 10/01/2010

                                                This is the grand unveiling of a uniquely designed home, sitting on a 2.5 acre lot. Serene country setting, yet minutes to major highways. This is a brand new build, with many quality upgrades both in the construction and finishings. Masterfully concealed bulkheads, curved walls for added charm and character, had crafted walnut flloors set on the diagonal, beautiful gourmet kitchen with granite counters, wine cooler, and all SS appliancaes. Main floor family room surrounded by windows offers a spectacular view. Wake up in your master bedroom to million dollar view of the property from a large expanse of windows. Capture the beauty of natue from every vantage point from an abunance of windows throught the house. 10" poured concrete foundati... 09/23/2010

Buy Brand New Limelight Condominiums at Mississauga City Centre (Square One) before general public Limelight Condominiums is a brand new Condo project being launched in Mississauga. Limelight Condos will be a welcome edition to the Daniels Master Planned neighborhood at City Centre, offering a three-acre park along with a pedestrian friendly mews to enjoy evening walks, cycling, and sports. Limelight Condos is located in the heart of Mississauga City Centre near Square One Mall, Mississauga Transit, Theatres, the YMCA, City Hall, Living Arts Centre, Highway 403-407, Go Transit and the new Sheridan College Campus set to be built for 2013. A One day VIP Broker event for Limelight Condos will take place on Tuesday, September 21, 2010, prior to the general public release where units will be... 09/18/2010

I had a buyer seraching for manual of Noma make thermostat. He had tough time searching on the internet. Here is a qiuck link which I found just today: http://www.upm-marketing.com/images/productID_16/THM501_Manual_Downloads.pdf 09/17/2010

I wish the media would start reporting more factual information about the real estate market.  They love reporting doom and gloom (naturally as it sells more papers) and most people believe what they read.  Granted, there are some areas that are still having difficulty, particularly in the U.S., but I'm referring more to the Canadian market, which is far from "soft." I've always maintained that if a home is priced correctly, competitively, and has other components necessary, i.e. great curb appeal, and shows well, it will sell. I listed a home last Friday in a wonderful upscale neighbourhood in Streetsville.  I had two registered offers, with one backing out at the last moment.  The house sold conditional that night... in ONE DAY..and firmd up yesterday.  Granted, I did have very co-ope... 09/17/2010

I often get asked this question, particularly from first time home buyers.  Understanding the process is something buyers need to know in advance, and I always take the time to ensure they fully understand the meaning of all the clauses contained in the Offer. I always educate them too on the primary purpose of the inspection, and that is to look for major structural defaults, cracks in the foundation, whether the shingles are in dire need or replacaing, whether the furnace is on it last leg, etc.  Small items like a leaky faucet or an outlet that doesn't work are not reasons to back out of a deal. After the Offer is accepted, and the home inspection has been completed, then what? Buyers have 4 options after the inspection has been completed.  1.   If the  Buyers feel there are too many... 09/10/2010

Courtesy If a Seller has made a final decision to list with someone else, respect and reinforce that decision. A professional attitude will create more business than will making negative comments about the competition. Speak respectfully about your competition. It will enhance your reputation as a professional. Arrive on time -- don't waste anyone's time. If you are running late or have to cancel an appointment, advise the other party in a polite manner. Always request an appointment to show a property through the listing Firm or Salesperson. Don't call the owner unless the listing Firm has given prior permission. Be timely when picking-up or dropping-off courtesy keys. Return any key you have to the listing/courtesy office promptly after a showing. Face a problem situation promptly an... 09/09/2010

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 6,232 salesthrough the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in August 2010.This represented a 22 per cent decrease compared to the 8,035 sales recorded duringthe same period in 2009. New listings decreased by one per cent year-over-year to10,488. 09/07/2010

Condo For Sale near Highway 10 and Bristol Overview Maps Photos Features Description Neighborhood $205,000 CondominiumFor Sale Main Features 2 Bedrooms1 Bathroom Location 35 Trailwood Dr1413Mississauga, ON L4Z 3L6Canada To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below: Sham Pathania Homelife/United Realty Inc. Brokerage9056721234sham.pat@hotmail.comhttp://www.greatgtahomes.com Listed by: Homelife/United Realty Inc. Brokerage Our recent listings From Tridel ! Condo For SaleCondo For Sale near Highway 10 and Bristol Subscribe to our listing feed See more Mississauga, ON real estate for sale 09/04/2010

Is your computer slow ? Screen Frozen ? Do you get the message, Internet explorer not responding ! You click on an icon and nothing happens. After sometime you have multiple windows opened up ! You go to Tools !!. Delete all the web history, passwords and  bla bla bla.. Or Type msconfig on the start up !!! and try to stop the programs running behind the screen ! Can you do more than that ! yeah,. shut it down and restart ! Is there a better way to manage our desk top !! All this does happen. I was just wondering how to keep our machine tuned perfact to enable all of us to save time.     09/02/2010

THIS IS AWESOME, IT' S FREE AND WORKS!! Google 411 --- Google has developed yet another great tool for we agents on the move, or just plain busy people!!!  AND its Free!!! Program this number in you speed dial on both your cell and home phones:  1-800-goog411 or 1-800-466-4411. I am driving along in my car and I need to make a call and I don't know the number. I hit the speed dial for information that I have programmed (1-800-466-4411). The voice at the other end says, "Say the name of the business and the City & Province." I say, "Credit Valley Hospital" , Mississauga, Ontario  He says, "Credit Valley Hospital on Eglinton Avenue - Connecting" and Credit Valley Hospital answers the phone. How great is that? This is nationwide, Canada & US, and it is absolutely free! Works on cell and la... 09/01/2010

Buyers and Sellers have evolved into savvy people thanks to our ever changing industry, and thanks to the internet which give us information at our fingertips at a click of a button. When I first got into real estate back in 1987, house inspections were rarely perforned, at least where I was living.  It was very rare to even see a lockbox on the property, and I had to get each key for the houses I was showing from the listing brokerage office, and then return it when it was finished showing the property. The Board issued books once a week with listings to review and show our clients.. Of course, no interior photos, just a black and white of the front exterior of the house and a very brief description.  How things have changed! Now with colour photos of the interior, and virtual tours, p... 09/01/2010

Here is an excerpt from my Seller's Booklet I give to each client... some useful information on how they can help me to  get their home sold faster. Setting Up  Showings My office will call you to request an appointment when an agent has a prospective Buyer that would like to see your home. If you are not available, a message is left on your answering machine if you have one, or depending upon arrangements made, we will grant the request and provide access to your home with a lockbox. Make Your Home  Accessible Having your home accessible to prospective Buyers as much as possible, is critical in the sale of your home.  Agents try to give as much notice as possible for requests to show your home, but there are times when last minute requests do occur.  Granting requests as much as possib... 08/24/2010

The real estate industry sometimes uses language that appears at first glance to be clear, but do you as a consumer know what some terms really mean? At first glance, the words "Client" and "Customer" seem pretty clear-cut, but they mean completely different things to a REALTOR®. It also means a tremendous difference in how seriously you are taken as a Buyer. Think we're splitting hairs? The words "Client" and "Customer" and the way they relate to the REALTOR® as individuals make a tremendous difference in the types and level of service you receive. After you read why, you'll know absolutely whether you want to be one or the other. First, let's start with a little history. REALTORS® have always worked with home Sellers to list their homes for sale on the market. Along with this service ... 08/24/2010

I was surfing around the internet this morning.... its a rather gloomy and dull day.. raining, and I was feeling a little down... when I came across this. It really moved and inspired me, and actually lifted me out of my doldrums and made me stop feeling sorry for myself! Playing in the background was John Lennon's "Imagine" which literally gave me "goose bumps" listening to him sing that... It is truly one of THE most beautiful songs I think he has ever composed and sang, or that I have ever heard. The quotes were very inspring... not heavy stuff.. just things that make us stop and think. I hope you will find them inspiring too! Enjoy!! Inspirational Quotes 08/22/2010