VERSUS    Do you save more by chosing condo or freehold property? One of the common factors which greatly affect Buyer's decision in choosing to purchase a condo or freehold is the cost of monthly condo maintenance fees. In the Toronto real estate market, first time buyers often consider a small condo unit as their gateway to home ownership due to price affordability. Condo is a method of ownership where you only own the unit, and the common elements are shared amongst owners including the utilities for those areas. Condo fees for each unit is calculated based on per square foot cost. So if you are one person who lives in a larger unit, but never use the amenities, you may be interested to compare living in a freehold. Of course, you have to balance the cost with your lifestyle cho... 06/10/2013

The Lack of Affordable housing has been problematic in Toronto for decades. Metro Housing is in decay and has a huge backlog of repairs in addition to a long waiting list of applicants.   Rent geared to income housing is a small portion of the rental pool and in the last 20 years individual investors have purchased units for rental purposes and placed them in the secondary markets   It's not that a landlord has a tough time finding tenants;  The Residential Tenancies Act provides free legal services to Tenants in addition access to Duty Counsel at Hearings.  The Landlord must now be represented by a licensed Paralegal or Lawyer, unless they are experienced in the process.   The Human Rights Tribunal has decided that Credit Bureau's and Beacon Scores can not be used to determine the app... 06/05/2013

More Advertising!   Higher Penetration!   More focused Message?  We need to question the savants, guru's and Ninja's that are leading our marketing and contact programs. The question we need to ask is; How can we better help our customers? Our competition for FRESH eyes is everything that is online.  Being LOUDER doesn't make hype. How can I cut through that noise?  How Can I become useful? How can I help you? If I help you and befriend you I have made a customer for life. I'm ready for your call today. I am reminded that 20 years ago I was taught we are in the people's needs filling business. We forget that sometimes when we are just selling houses. http://ar.gy/YoutilityTrailer      Maybe its time to read up on "it" 06/05/2013

The Massey Tower Condos & offices at 197 Yonge & 333 King E.     The Massey Tower Condominiums proposal has been given the green light by the Community Council. This proposal includes the redevelopment of the current landmark, Canadian Bank of Commerce building at 197 Yonge St. and the Toronto Sun site at 333 King St. E. The 60-storey project will rise just behind the historic 1905-built Canadian Bank of Commerce building and will keep the current heritage façade and the Bank building to serve as the entrance to the condominium.  While two office buildings of 17 storeys and 12 storeys will be built at the Toronto Sun site. Massey Tower has won the Project of the Year Award and is slated to be one of the most successful condominium projects in downtown Toronto. http://www.youtube.com/wat... 06/03/2013

Everyone deserves their own place. We all want to own our own home;  Its an emotional issue.  Belonging.  Stability. Your refuge.  Your own lawn or Balcony away from the world.   The New dynamic of Contract Employment and Now YOUR responsibility to remit taxes is creating a strata of Strong Income Earners who are paying very high rents to live in Toronto, [ yes albeit in modern clean well appointed new condo developments,] that may have missed a payment or two, missed a filing deadline, still have a student loan, become divorced or simply had a reversal of fortune that dramatically changed their circumstances and the CREDIT BUREAU report.      Lets Get your credit repaired and Go Buy you, your own place, so you can stop feeling like you are throwing your money away on rent. If you are i... 05/27/2013

Liz Manore, from the Company of Organizers, does a wonderful job to repurpose your existing contents when staging a home but sometimes you plainly need to make hard dollar improvements prior to listing the house for sale.  With this in mind we contacted a well known flooring company. In my ongoing efforts to provide you with value added service I have joined forces with Roman Mamalyga of Canadian Floor Coverings for an exceptional offer. Roman has been providing quality flooring solutions and professional sales, service and installations in the greater GTA for over 25 years. They are recognized as a leader in the flooring industry in both the residential and commercial applications. We are pleased to offer an additional 25% off all flooring products PLUS an additional 25% off all servic... 05/25/2013

To many buyers kitchens are one of the most important rooms of the home.  The kitchen is the hub of the home; it is seen as a room for entertaining, food preparation and socializing.  Canadians spend a large part of their day in the kitchen and for that reason a kitchen can make or break the sale of any house.  As many real estate agents will concur, when a kitchen has cutting edge equipment and a luxurious feel it beckons to buyer to “buy me”.  The goal is to make sure your kitchen is in good working order, clean and up to modern standards.  Below are a few tips to prepare your kitchen to list.  1.  Make Sure Your Kitchen Is In Good Working Order.  Make sure all of the appliances are working and the taps and sink/s are in good working order.  If the sink is leaking, get it repaired.  N... 05/25/2013

Before meeting someone in person, today's Home Sellers have the advantage of interviewing applicants online.  Your Video Post card arrives. What was previously a print package including samples of past sales crusades and puffery about past achievements, why I was the Best Agent at My Mother's Kitchen Table [*only my Mother was surveyed] Like everything in life that looks so easy...  It takes some skill and practice to avoid unknown and unexpected pitfalls.  Planning and Preparation is essential. I'm close by...   Call me 05/25/2013

  All to often I see sellers overlook the value impact an up-to-date and tastefully renovated bathroom can have on the sale of their home.  Bathrooms can be one of the biggest selling features sending buyers into a frenzy to write an offer.  With that being said, a worn out and dated bathroom can actually be a huge deterant sending buyers packing in pursuit of a less exhaustive home.     So what can you do if you are trying to sell a home with an outdated bathroom?       1.  You can hire a contractor, gut and give your bathroom a face-lift.   This option is fine if you have the budget and you will get the return on your investment when you sell, otherwise you may want to consider option 2.  Option 2 you can still bring in a "handyman" but many of these items you can "do-it-yourself".   ... 05/23/2013

Day Trip from Toronto, ON Last weekend was Victoria Day long-weekend. Took a day-trip to Kelso Conservation Area, from Toronto, ON. On the way, passed through Milton, ON. Looks like Milton had a housing boom in recent years; saw many constructions sites, so the town is still growing ........ just like the growth of condo construction in the City of Toronto, ON. The Kelso Conservation Area is a great place for a day-trip from Toronto. You can walk, hike, boat etc.   .             05/21/2013

Real estate sales in the Toronto market has been anything but predictable and have thrown most agents and home owners for a loop this spring.  A number of things have taken place that have contributed to the market shift.  Recent government policies as many of you know always can have a huge impact on real estate sales and for the Toronto area it has. A late spring has kept buyers at home sheltering from the cold and less inclined to venture into the market, with sellers reluctant to go to market.  Another predictor however that is gaining momentum and many people have not stopped to consider is the impact of immigration on the real estate market. For the last 15 - 20 years 60% of immigration into Canada has been derived from Asia and the two dominating countries that continue to have t... 05/18/2013

For those who are concerned about a "bubble" there needs there needs to be an excess of inventory that causes Toronto condominium to go vacant ( without a tenant ). There seems to be a continuing population growth in Toronto, Ontario that IMHO is summed up as safe have and educational / vocational opportunity. This is borne out by many years of competitive markets not only for condominium purchasers but also renters.  New buildings  ( mini communities IE Beyond the Sea, Windermere by the Lake or Eau de Soliel ) are attracting buyers worldwide. Stable and Low Mortgage Rates are just feeding the buying. The rental market in Toronto condominiums is heating up, with increasing numbers of units being leased rather than sold and rents continuing to rise in the first quarter of 2013, an analy... 05/15/2013

    How do we rank as a Country compared to others? Where do the wealthiest want to live in Toronto?   Ahh   That is a good question.  Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2013/may/08/cities-top-millionaires-billionaires Lets find that perfect home for you.   Call me. 05/14/2013

There is a misconception that Modern Condo Living is boring, lacks outdoor space, culturally homogeneous, and unsociable. It's not uncommon these days for high density condo developments to include in their common elements a good size lounge and party room, outdoor cabanas and bbq space for spill over entertainment to accomodate large crowds, lap pools, movie rooms, sophisticated fitness rooms, yoga and pilates. studio etc. High density community living allows residents to easily find like-minded neighbours to set up interest groups and promote healthy active living. A few Toronto top developers do keep this in mind when designing innovative living in vertical highrises so it's not just another box in the sky. For this particular boutique condo known as One Park West Condominium in Rege... 05/07/2013

I have to post this entry because as someone who previously sold real estate and has chosen to pursue home staging full-time, I have to give the utmost respect to home stagers because when it comes to a lack of performance on a property everyone always quickly blames the home stager. I recently staged a home for which sold for more than the neighbourhood or surrounding market would honestly bare, but I was criticized because the home didn't receive multiple offers.  The question is:  Was the home priced to receive "multiple offers"? How do I know this?  It is simple.   1.  This particular neighbourhood is not the most desirable neighbourhood in Toronto simply because it not located within a premium school district, it is located NEXT to the most desirable school in Toronto's school boun... 05/04/2013

The Mortgage is up for renewal.The average mortgage is Toronto is just under 300K.  Source.  While watching current rates offered to new borrowers we received our Offer to Renew. I was shocked to see that as a new Buyer my Trusted Mortgage Advisor could obtain 3.0%  (a few basis points below) fixed for 5 years. Why was I being offered 4.4% for the same term? Had I missed any payments? Had I been problematic? Was it in collections? Values dropping and they want out? Advance to Value declining? Here are the hard numbers...The lending institution is gambling that you will not spend a thousand to $1,500 to refinance and move your business elsewhere. We contacted another lender who waived their appraisal and application fees, needed only redocumented legals and a registration on title (lawye... 04/25/2013

There are a number of ways a real estate agent can sell ALL the features of a listing.  The challenge is how do you sell a HIDDEN feature of a listing.  For example, I just was called out to a listing and the home owners had a patio and the retaining wall was bowing, the concrete for the patio was all broken.  It was dangerous to even consider stepping out on this patio.  The listing agent told me the sellers were not willing to rectify this sitation to list so the agent was going to lay a plastic tarp over the patio to hide it. This got me thinking and I thought I would throw this situation out to the forum and let other professionals comment. At the end of the day, real estate agents really do have their work cut out for them.  So what are the options and what do you do? Is there anyt... 04/25/2013

We are here. READY. You're the customer. We strive not only for your happiness but for your long term success Does this mean giving you everything for Free? Not at all.       To make you happy in the long term; we need to survive in the short term, otherwise we're out of business, No one will be here to fill any of your needs.    I'm here to answer your questions and provide context. What kind of ride are you on? 04/25/2013

I went out last week to join the first soccer meet in Regent Park, a newly revitalized Toronto neighbourhood in Downtown East. The renewed Regent Park is a neighbourhood-in-the-change, where condo owners co-exist with rent-geared-to-income residents. Residents come together at community gatherings such as yoga, soccer, swimming, basketball, comedy and indie music nights, as well as arts and cultural events. Enjoy the first photos of our soccer meet up every Wednesday to jump start Spring! 04/23/2013

Do you believe "ITS" better on the other side? When you are looking for a condo; what is the criteria?   Display and presentation?  The ostentatious lobby and double foyer.   But the suites tend to be smallish and less with upgrades. Older is larger.   Maintenance is a concern. Is it the front lawn and the landscaping.  A Buyer's First Impression that pleases the eyes? Once you are inside that perfect detached home, is their styling exactly as you wish your future home to be? Before you start comparing features and benefits of homes lets take a moment and discuss  neighbourhoods, transit, schools, a house or worship and distance to your community.   A wise gentlemen told me yesterday, "The Landscapers charge $2,500 per year to look after the grass trimming, spring and fall clean ups.  ... 04/22/2013