Every Friday the Globe and Mail has their Real Estate section and today' s Home of the Week is 2 Aberdeen Avenue, a property that I listed and sold earlier this week. It is a great article about the history of the house and its different incarnations over the years, with previous owners, each showing the house a lot of love. However, the real story here is one of dreams. The owners of Aberdeen had a dream that included owning a Horse farm close to the city that would allow them quick access to their work...the buyers of Aberdeen had a dream to own a large Victorian on a quiet street.  Sure there were the normal discussion of costs and there were numerous stars that had to align before both could achieve their dream but both parties were encouraged to calmly keep the dream in their minds... 03/20/2009

Greater Toronto Realtors announced 2,565 transactions in the first half of March, compared to 3,183 during the same period last year.  The annual rate of MLS sales decline was the smallest in five months. Mid-month March MLS sales increased, compared to the 2,044 sales experienced in the first half of February. MLS sales follow a recurring seasonal trend, with transactions generally increasing between January and May and then decreasing between June and December. It appears that we are seeing stronger demand for ownership housing in the Greater Toronto Area, as we move into the Spring market.  "Buyers are reacting to the market's strong foundation of affordability", said TREB President, Maureen O'Neill. The average price for MLS sales was $365,499 compared to $385,405 last year. "Afford... 03/19/2009

Toronto Real Estate Board: 2,565 RESALE HOUSING TRANSACTIONS SHOWS RATE OF DECLINE SHRINKING TORONTO, March 19, 2009 -Greater Toronto REALTORS® announced 2,565 transactions in the first half of March compared to 3,183 during the same period last year. The annual rate of MLS® sales decline was the smallest in five months. Mid-month March MLS® sales increased compared to the 2,044 sales experienced in the first half of February. MLS® sales follow a recurring seasonal trend, with transactions generally increasing between January and May and then decreasing between June and December.  "As we move into the spring market, it appears that we are seeing stronger demand for ownership housing in the Greater Toronto Area," said TREB President Maureen O'Neill. "Buyers are reacting to the market's s... 03/19/2009

Garbage Bins Take Over Over Victorian Landscape Downtown! Sunday is one of my favourite mornings. We get up early, get the dog on his lead, grab a few fetch-balls and of course, poop bags, and head over to the Lower Riverdale Park with a quick stop at Jet Fuel Cafe' for our Latte's. Every second week our neighbor Helen and her dog join us and we have a longer walk to the Brickworks or through Riverdale and the Danforth. This last week the three of us could not get over the Garbage containers that have taken over the landscape. Downtown Toronto is full of Victorian Homes which are mostly semi-detached or attached and are on streets that seldom have back alleys and if they do, they are seldom passable with garbage trucks. So now instead of looking at Victorian detail we were busy looking... 03/19/2009

      Gus Design Group   Simple Modern Furniture and Custom Design Left Right Designs   Custom Furnitrue Design and Manufacturing Design Within Reach Urban Mode   Modern Products for Home and Accessories CasaLife  Contemporary Furniture for Condo Living Morba  -Funky Furniture and Design Store for the Design junkies, full of Scandaniavian Mid-Century Modern items and ojects from the Atomic Age. Roll up your sleeves and be ready to dig. Commute Home  Custom sofas, blinds, lighting, tables, shelves and other design accessories Ital Interiors Up Country Herman Miller Machine Age Modern Lifestyle   Custom sofas, blinds, lighting, tables, shelves and other design accessories Modern Living Style Garage InStyle EQ3  Contemporary Furniture and Accents   03/19/2009

You're all invited to Deanna Bowen's new installation project, Shadow on the Prairie, at WARC Gallery (Women's Art Resource Centre), for the 22nd Images Festival.   From Bowen's Media Release:"Shadow on the Prairie is an interdisciplinary installation derives its name and overarching narrative from the National Film Board of Canada¹s 1952 film adaptation of Gweneth Lloyd¹s seminal ballet "Shadow on the Prairie: A Canadian Ballet." Performed by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company in 1952, the dance tells the story of Canada¹s western settlement by means of a tragic tale of a once hopeful woman¹s desperate struggle with the harsh landscape. Isolated by a long bleak winter, the young bride¹s dreams of a new life with her pioneer husband fade away as she descends into a madness that leads to... 03/18/2009

Goddess Alive -  8 Point Wheel of Celebration with Mary Marzo In these times of great shifts and changes, celebrating the ancient Goddess Festivals and honouring the Earth's cycles connects us to an inclusive life-affirming force that aids the process of healing ourselves, each other and Mother Earth.  Come join these safe sacred circles to celebrate the next two points on HER Wheel of Celebration.   The Spring Equinox Quarter Festival  Thursday March 19th 7 - 9:30pm Connecting to the awakening Earth, balance and the springing forth of new life. Celebrating life's fertility and manifestations on all levels.   Mary Marzo - holistic psychotherapist/healer/ritual maker. Creatress of the internationally acclaimed Goddess Healing CDs (Goddess Blessings, Goddess Relaxation & Meditations, God... 03/17/2009

FLEISHMAN GALLERY                                                      MEDIA RELEASE   Leslie Peters'  talismans for the home     March 28th - May 1st  2009   Opening Reception: Saturday March 28th  6 to 9pm Talismans For The Home is a series of small sculptural objects, created from items found and collected within nature and the domestic environment. Each talisman is formed from sacred objects: domestic items imbued with meaning. For example,  the artist's great aunt's spoon collection, her paternal grandmother's silverware, relics collected from her maternal grandmother's abandoned home, objects discarded or lost, found on beaches, in the streets, at the local goodwill and garage sales, gifted items, bits of glass and stones. These contemporary artifacts are combined with other cheri... 03/17/2009

CMHC has a program called Purchase Plus Improvements. The insured mortgage loans cover the purchase price of the home, as well as what you need to pay for immediate major renovations or improvements that have to be made to the property. By borrowing for the purchase price and the improvements at the same time, it eliminates the need to get a second mortgage later, to pay for the renovation.  This way, you end up with ONE mortgage only; one mortgage payment (which means a better interest rate, as second mortgages usually carry a much higher interest rate). The loan will be based on the lower of: - the purchase price plus the real cost of the improvements, or - the 'improved" market value of the property.  Before the approval, Canada Housing & Mortgage Corporation will determine the marke... 03/16/2009

Chicago Home sellers will need to be finger printed   To help combat real estate fraud the city of Chicago is requiring starting June 1st that homesellers provide a fingerprint.With rampant fraud occurring in the city, this is not a bad idea. But being a libertarian, the idea of a government official taking my fingerprint disturbs me. I would like to see that these fingerprints be destroyed after a period of time.Fingerprinting is something we often associate with crime. So the fact that Cook County home sellers will soon have to provide a thumb print left some people shocked."I wouldn't like that at all. I don't think that's necessary," said Chicagoan Donald Hayes."I don't know what I think about that. Not very good, I think, said Jenny Armstrong of Lake Villa.The new law, which is set... 03/15/2009

Price it Right! How do you decide what the right asking price is, for your home?Do you take into consideration what matters to buyers? Most sellers think they can start with the price they paid, then add a large mark-up and then sit back and wait for the many offers to start coming in.  If you are one of these sellers, you may have to adjust your price several times, while your home sits on the market. Try not to be subjective.The memories you hold of your home are only important to you.Remember that buyers will be creating their own memories.  When they look at your house, they will not place a value on any of your memories.  In fact, if you display too many of your memories, you may drive some buyers away. The money you paid for the home and the money you spent upgrading it, will not ... 03/15/2009

The recently announced Home Renovation Tax Credit may be of interest to people considering the renovation or upgrade of their kitchen. The kitchen is not only the focal point for all your family gatherings but is the most identified feature about your property that buyers are looking at when considering your home as a purchase. I recently came across a business, Tango Kitchens, in Woodbridge that is using the Home Renovation Tax Credit to their advantage. They are offering to match the Tax Credit as a rebate to those who are hesitating to spend money to improve their homes. The Rebate is for a limited time only. Tango Kitchen's has a spacious and well displayed showroom if their kitchen cupboards, styles and trim, in addition to many counter top (granite and others) selections. There is... 03/13/2009

A few years back my sister-in-law in Quebec City bought a to-be-built Condo from plans. It was a perfect space for her and her young daughter and we spent a few weekends there helping her decorate, hang pictures and connect new appliances. It was a great apartment and her first-ever home purchase but within a few months of living there, her young child started having problems breathing and was hospitalised a couple of times. At the same time, Patricia noticed that the windows were leaking and the builder was called to do some repairs. Opening up the drywall revealed black mould throughout the apartment and the Quebec City officials quickly condemned the apartment. Patricia and her daughter became homeless and some of their clothes, furniture and possessions were rendered unusable. Almos... 03/13/2009

I have been a "Crackberry" for years...It is so bad that I have a second Blackberry in waiting in case my first one needs fixing... However, I have been going back and forth over the IPhone or the Blackberry Storm (both are the cool touch screen models). While I have really enjoyed my Blackberry Bold, it is not touchscreen and just does not seem to be as cool as a cool techie like me should be using....but here is my reasoning: I send a lot of text messages, emails, SMS's and have even been known to Blog and write articles on my Blackberry Bold. I tried to write an email on a friends IPhone when they first came out. I found it really hard to do and even though I was encouraged that there was a training period for you to establish a bond, I found myself spending more time in spellcheck..... 03/13/2009

The Federal Government gave out grants to be used to insulate over 700 homes across Canada. The substance used, RetroFoam, has been found to contain Urea Formaldehyde and was purchased from the United States. Urea Formaldehyde has been banned in Canada since the early 1980's. The insulation was quite controversial as it is easy to insert but to remove it means that the interior walls will need gutting and chemical washing which is a very expensive procedure to remove. Health Canada has sent out an advisory. There is also a RetroFoam Class Action suit for Homeowners available for sign up online. Of note as well in the United States but it may also cross over the border to Canada is the issue of Chinese Drywall. Noticed originally in Florida it has apparently spread to over 21 States. The... 03/12/2009

Later on today, between 4 and 7 PM there will be a fundraiser for the Cabbagetown Youth Centre to open the new Starbucks at the corner of Aberdeen Avenue and Parliament Street . The Youth Centre is a great cause that the Community has supported for years and needs some help to replace their existing roof and assist in their programs. Today's event in also in aid of the opening of the Starbucks. Let me preface this by telling you that for years, when media has interviewed me about where the next up-and-coming area might be found, it was easy for me to say,"Look where Starbucks is opening and you will have the latest hot spot!" I would not refer to Cabbagetown as up-and-coming...but came. For years we have led the City in renovation and restoration of existing housing stock and sometimes ... 03/12/2009

Congratulations.  You just bought your first home. You moved from the old apartment into your brand 'new' first home .... but wait ... where's the maintenance manager?  He didn't move in with you?????? That means you will have to take care of the home yourself.Are you ready?Do you know what to do? Where is the that thing that turns power on and off? Yes, the fuse box.Ok... you found it.  Are the switches labelled?  No?What do you do now? Start turning switches on and off, and start labelling the box.  You want to do this right away, if it wasn't done by the previous owners.  Be prepared.   Where is the water shut off valve?If you had a home inspection done, the home inspector showed it to you.  If you can't remember where it is, ask your Realtor. He/she will be able to help you.  You ne... 03/11/2009

While everyone is concerned about job losses and the declining number of sales a curious thing is happening.Greater Toronto REALTORS® Reported 4,120 Resale Housing Transactions in FebruaryMarch 05, 2009 -- Toronto Real Estate Board Members reported 4,120 sales in February 2009 compared to 6,015 sales recorded in February 2008. The average home price was $361,305 last month compared to $382,048 during the same month last year.That's not a very long banner.BUT the details are what is interesting;In the West section ( that I serve) Last year Feb 08, we had 7,359 listings with 2,358 sales. A ratio of approximately one in four that sold or 32.04%This Feb. 09, we had 7,944 listings with 2544 sales. A ratio of approximately one in four that sold or 32..02%Complete table for last 14 month perio... 03/11/2009

More than 700 retailers crammed into the Direct Energy Centre at the CNE grounds in Toronto for 10 days of hustling, shopping and inspiration at the National Home Show. It was exhausting but exhilarating at the same time. So many people, so much to see! The casaGURU team was out in full force spreading the gospel of the GURU. It was amazing how many people were used to having their head down to avoid sales pitches. However, as soon as they heard the word “FREE” they seemed to relax and stopped to listen. The look of surprise when they understood the basic principles and how easy it is (did I mentioned they balked at “FREE”?) was exciting. We engaged approximately 600 pros and around 8,000 homeowners (so many, in fact, that we ran out of our nifty postcards not once, but twice). Phew! I... 03/11/2009

Are you planning on buying a home? Why own?You can build equity, enjoy pride of ownership...Owning is a very safe, long term, profitable investment. If you're planning on buying in the near future, preparing ahead can save you time and money.  Do you know what your bottom line is?  This is not just what you're going to pay for the house. It has to do with location, distance to work, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking, etc.Single family home?  Condo?  Townhouse?       Buying a home can be very emotional and you don't want to be making these decisions under pressure, if competing for a particular home.   Do you know what your credit looks like?A lot of people swear they have great credit, but a bill or two paid late, or even wrong information on your credit report, can make things mor... 03/10/2009