Times are tough and some people have become unemployed. If you know someone who needs a job, forward this information to them. Many companies will be hiring on May 20th and 21st, at Centennial College. TORONTO - CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE CENTRE TIME: 10:00AM - 3:00PM DATE: Wed. May 20, 2009 & Thurs. May 21, 2009 PLACE: 940 Progress Ave, Toronto, ON For more information call 905-832-8953. Registration is now open and you can register at the NAPP Canada website. There will be over 80 companies each day, hiring.You should plan on attending both days. Don't be late. It starts at 10 a.m.   Good luck.           Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, BrokerSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage    416-966-0300sconde@sutton.comwww.sylvieconde.com~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~... 05/08/2009

If you want to do something special for your Mom, you should make reservations now, for your hands-on cooking class. The St. Lawrence Market has a new cooking school - the Market Kitchen.   You can celebrate with your Mom - take her to the Market Kitchen for a wonderful brunch of scones, lemon curds and poaches eggs - all prepared by you. The fee for the event is $40 and you must register. Mom will love it and you will get a cooking lesson from the best. http://www.stlawrencemarket.com/reslink/kitchen/index.html   HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! For additional information and to register, call 416-392-0028. The Market Kitchen is located at: St. Lawrence Market - West Mezzanine93 Front Street East(at Jarvis)Toronto   http://www.stlawrencemarket.com/   Don't miss their celebrity chef series!       T... 05/08/2009

I love Chines food! I have travelled through many great cities in the USA and have visited Chinatown in those cities. I really don't want to brag-but I must. Toronto's Chinatown is filled GREAT restaurants (better than PF Chang), with such cultural history,  shops and people. Right now every US $ gives you 1.16 Canadian Dollars. Many visitors and locals head here for the fine restaurants, which serve everything from dim sum to amazing multi-course dinners that compete with those of the finest restaurants in the city. You’ll also enjoy the amazing array of shops peddling silk kimonos, Chinese herbs, porcelain, jewelry, and even kitschy souvenirs. If you’re lucky, you’ll land in Chinatown during one of their many festivals, including – of course – Chinese New Year. Weekends can be wild he... 05/08/2009

Wychwood Barns used to house streetcars until approximately 1985.Then they lay abandoned for years. In 1998, the City of Toronto took over ownership of the site.   WYCHWOOD TTC BARNS then .... Old Photos courtesy of City of Toronto archives In 2004 the City gave approval for Artscape to begin rezoning and RESTORING the buildings, and make the space into what it is today - a park, art studio and live/work spaces; a greenhouse; a dog park; a place to sit and read a book; a farmer's market .... WORK IN PROGRESS AT THE BARNS....(construction in progress @ August 2008 - Copyright Sylvie Conde) (August 2008) Instead of street cars, the Barns now house 13 not-for-profit organizations, 15 artist studios and 26 live/work spaces.  It also provides the general public with access to arts and cultur... 05/07/2009

REALTORS CARE FOUNDATION holds its fourth annual REALTOR ride for Charity. The trip will take place from July 8 to July 10 around Ontario.There will be several stops along the way, and you can choose to ride only for a couple of days, or take the entire trip. Day 1 of the trip starts in Brampton, at the local Real Estate Board, and heads west. This is a great cause.  If you enjoy riding, and want to help this great cause, please register; or at minimum, make a donation. You can email realtorscareontario@orea.com  or go to  www.realtorscareontario.ca All proceeds to go REALTORS Care Foundation. Riders are responsible for all their expenses and travel insurance.           Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, BrokerSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage    416-966-0300sconde@sutton... 05/06/2009

Stone Soup - Duck Soup -  a MOVIE - Saturday, May 30th, at 6 p.m. After the successful movie night at the Cedarvale Ravine in 2008, Joe Mihevc will kick off the 2009 Outdoor Movie Night at Wychwood Barns; and "Duck Soup" with Groucho and Harpo Marx, will be shown at 7:30.  For $5 per person or $10 per family, you can be treated to a great meal (Stone Soup Supper), prepared by neighbourhood volunteers.  You can bring bread, cheese or dessert to share. The first community meal at Wychwood Barns on February 7, 2009 had more than 400 neighbours arrive for a home cooked meal. Mihevc will be showing movies in the parks in our Ward (21) throughout the Summer.  Live music will kick off the evening.  All outdoor movies are free.   For additional information on Movie Night at the Barns, call the ... 05/06/2009

Unique Urban Homes : Toronto Real Estate APRIL 25, 2009. TORONTO REAL ESTATE AND TORONTO HOMES FOR SALE. Something Exciting is Going on…. Let’s put aside the statistics for a moment. Forget the sudden comeback of multiple offers and the endless debate  about emerging neighbourhoods (although if you’re interested, the finest resource of late has been the Globe and Mail’s property map). Toronto is literally buzzing with changes that suggest excitement. From the larger scale initiatives to more modest community-centric investments, there’s a palpable and consequential change out there. Zip along Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway and there’s still a sea of cranes - finishing the Bay Richmond Centre, breaking ground on the much anticipated M5V,  swinging bits into Midtown’s Burano and transform... 05/06/2009

I will begin posting some how to's over the next little while! From simple DIY issues to get your house show ready and increase it's value substantially: - like leveling your cupboard doors in the kitchen to - putting a permanent end to the squeaky doors As well, I will show you the tricks I've learned along the way: - stripping popcorn ceilings - wallpapering - tiling - replacing a ceiling fixture - replacing a light switch for a dimmer switch And for those who like to watch the design process: - decision making: when you really want something but it is labour intensive and therefore cuts in to budget - but it will look Freak'n Amazing!! Should you or shouldn't you? You will watch as I begin what should be a simple update of my front entrance. Currently builder basic from over 2 decade... 05/05/2009

In case you missed Part I    Moving on: Location. Location location location. Yes it is important to the buyer but also relevant to price. They are tied to one another. 2 identical houses, one on a quiet court the other on a busy street, are not going to be valued the same.  Bottom line with location is to make sure the price takes the location in to consideration. Every property sells even those with less desirable locations...say one with an abattoir behind it or train tracks...whatever the 'pink elephant' is.  Condition. Look around yourself but through the eyes of your Mother-In-Law. Then remind yourself the saying goes 'if it isn't broken don't fix it' and NOT 'if it's broken don't fix it...sell it'. Totally wrong. Myself, before the days of self-cleaning ovens my personal motto wa... 05/04/2009

If you are reading this post chances are you are sitting in your home researching, pulling your hair out looking for some intangibles that will help jump start the stale listing you are sitting in. There are a number of reasons a property does not sell. For the most part you are able to control whether or not your house sells but there are always the uncontrolable like a metiorite, tornado or some other 'act' of god. Since we can't do anything about these...and they are the 'exception' lets assume this is not the problem with moving your &@#$ house and move on to the posibilities you have some control over shall we? In no particular order: Price. Good rule of thumb for price on a new listing: If you've had 10 different mortgageable showings come through with no offer...drop your price. ... 05/04/2009

The dollar value of homes sold this week in the east, west and north are down down approximately 2%. The dollar value of homes sold in the central area is up 2% from week endin April 16. The average price of all homes has decreased approximately 1/2%. The numbers of homes sold have increased however. East up 36%, West up 24%, Central up 35% and North up 36%. The increase in total is up 31%. April 30, 2009 Region Area Sales Av. Price East 469 $299,374 West 765 $368,865 Central 388 $495,639 North 442 $405,070 Total 2,064 $384,659 NOTE: Please note these are preliminary figures. Minor adjustments may be required at month's end. ********************************************************************************** I proudly server buyers and sellers in the Toronto Neighbourhoods of: Forest Hill... 05/04/2009

I just took some photos of my dead backyard tree to send to the City, so they can allow me to take it down. It breaks my heart to see it go, but we have to cut it down, before it comes down on its own, maybe on top of someone's garage. It was sick a couple of years ago, and this year, it just wouldn't come alive.I had an arborist check it, and sure enough, it has to come down. The tree was great.  I have a table and chairs under it, and loved sitting there in the Spring and Summer.  I will miss it, but I will miss the birds and squirrels more.  Even today, I watched two squirrels chase each other for a long time, on the dead tree.  They will miss it too.I will miss the privacy it provided me with. Today I was calling the City about it (we need permission and a permit to cut down protect... 05/04/2009

    Well, Toast Springtime in Paris ... in Toronto ...    is an annual event to support the Canadian Cancer Society.      You can taste food and beverages, while raising money for cancer research.    There will be live entertainment and an auction.    Some of Toronto's best restaurants will provide sweet and savoury treats throughout the night. Tickets are $85 at the door, or $75 in advance, and they include all food and beverage. If you would like to purchase a ticket, or need additional information, you can contactLinsay Michael, Manager, Premier Events at (416) 323-7145.   "Toast Springtime in Paris" will take place on May 7th, from 6:30 to 9:30, at: The Fermenting CellarDistillery District55 Mill StreetBuildings 6 & 7Parliament Street & Mill StreetToronto     Toronto Real Estate by ... 05/04/2009

You have finally decided on the neighbourhood that your Dream Homewill be built. Is it in Eatonville, or Princess Margaret?   Will you decide to be near the Humberview Plaza at Royal York and Dundas or closer to the subway access at Islington or Kipling? The house that you purchased was repainted and staged for sale, a bit of waste and shame given that the old house will be levelled and rebuilt with your Dream Home.  When you commited to the purchase you didn't even go inside, you walked the property and looked at the majestic oak trees in the backyard and wondered if it would survive the reconstruction. Will the yard allow you that outside fireplace as the family gathering point on chilly evenings or entertaining? You already have plans in mind and have been in conversations with the C... 05/04/2009

If you're interested in Feng Shui, a course is being offered on May 9th - and it will also give you continuing education credits (6).    You are welcome, however, to invite your friends, neighbours or spouses (they will let the general public in). The cost for the course is $90 and it will be held at Weiss Realty on Marlee Avenue.The course will be taught by Sharon Hay, Director, Canadian Schools of Feng Shui. Here is a short list of some of the things you will learn: - Contemporary Western Feng Shui (mapping your home to suit your goals) - Compass Feng Shui Defined - How to Combine the Techniques for blended communities - Balancing the 5 Elements through the home/office - How to use colours, shapes and textures to balance each room - Personal Power Directions (which direction you shoul... 05/04/2009

Do you have a wet basement? Basement floods, unfortunately, are very common.Basement flooding insurance claims in Canada can be as high as $140 million; and that's only for those cases which are reported.  A lot of people never report minor floods or leaks. If your basement is constantly getting wet, it can become a health hazard. Over the long term, it can also cause damage to the building and this may not always be covered by insurance.  Insurance companies expect you to keep up the maintenance in your home. Your insurance rates may go up, with repeat claims, and your property value may also decrease, if there is evidence of a problem. Your basement can get wet because of: - cracks in the foundation - cracks in walls - poor drainage - overflowing eavestroughs - plugged downspouts - ba... 05/04/2009

© Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.All photos are copyrighted property of Sylvie Conde.  Do not reproduce or reprint without the express written permission of Sylvie Conde.       Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, BrokerSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage        416-966-0300(Independently Owned & Operated)358 Davenport RoadToronto, Ontario, M5R 1K6416-966-0300 Office416-564-7431 Directsconde@sutton.comwww.sylvieconde.com  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~     05/03/2009

When you have children, you know how most of your days go.  You're constantly worried, you want to make sure they're okay...Do they have everything they need?Do they have enough to eat?Are they healthy?Are they happy? As they grow up, it doesn't get any better.When they are little, we have "little" worries (looking back now, that's what they were). When they grow up, everything is so magnified.Hanging out with the friends....Wanting to come home later....After another birthday, a little bit later...(sigh) You argue, because you can't compromise on a time that is fair to him, so you don't compromise.  "I'm your Mother.  This is my job.  You'll be home by X time."(bigger sigh from him) Anyway, yesterday I got a lovely card from him, for no reason at all.I was shocked.I usually get one for... 05/02/2009

Saturday in the city! Up and out bright and early this morning, Steve: and I were on the road by 11:30! Ok, not so bright and early but we were bright eyed and bushy tailed! ;) I'd dragged Steve out of bed 2 weeks ago thinking it was...today...May 2nd...bright and early. I was excited to the hit the city. Kimberley Seldon holds an annual 'Paris Flea Market' in Toronto's Distillery District. This year the market is held May 2nd and 3rd. Although we didn't buy anything today I did completely molest a grey mohair velvet ottoman for a good 5 minutes so I was not *too* disappointed to be leaving empty handed. Next year I will get the dates straight and be standing in line when the market doors open. Lesson's learned! The market is on again tomorrow (Sunday May 3) for those of you who are thi... 05/02/2009

Had the need to slip into the old stomping grounds in Roncesvalles Village on Saturday morning. The pedestrian traffic was incredible at noon.  People out with their strollers, carrying purchases and seemingly on a mission. The Fruit Market was just bustling! I was parked at the corner of Wright and Roncesvalles and expertly avoided the Green Hornets that seem to hide behind trees it would seem to trap traffic violators at every opportunity.  I wonder how this will effect the Roncesvalles sidewalk expansion planned for later this year. The busiest store that I could see was the West Side Cycle  between Fermanagh and Wright Avenues. They were just bustling with people in and out with their bicycles in for spring tuning and wheel straightening after our long hard winter.  There were a few... 05/02/2009