How would it feel to live in a neighborhood without a name?  One Toronto area resident has had to do just that since the Junction Triangle fell by the wayside. Reading this article (Toronto Star, March 8 2009) made me realize just how many different neighborhoods exist within the GTA.  Some I had not even heard of ... and I grew up in Toronto, and lived there until recently. An interesting read ... http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/598502   03/09/2009

The Toronto Real Estate Board reported 4120 sales in February, compared to 6015 at the same time last year.  The average price last year was $382,048, compared to $361,305 this year. Sales and average prices were above January levels (2,670 and $343,632).  Traditionally, sales and average prices climb to their highest in late Spring, and start easing off around July and onward. The housing market is resting on a very solid foundation.  The home prices and mortgages rates make this a very affordable market. This is a great time to buy. Have you been pre-approved for a mortgage?How much can you afford?Do you have a great credit rating/score?Are you a first time home buyer?  (If so...) Did you know you can use up to $25,000 from your RRSP, for the purchase of your home (tax free)?Contact y... 03/06/2009

Greater Toronto REALTORS® Reported 4,120 Resale Housing Transactions in February TORONTO, March 5, 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.  "A considerable number of transactions continued to take place in February 2009. Motivated buyers and sellers, who were aware that market conditions changed over the past few months, were able to negotiate transactions acceptable to both parties," said Toronto Real Estate Board President Maureen O'Neill.  On a month-over-month basis, sales and average price were above January levels of 2,670 and $343,632 respectively. The housing market is seasonal. Traditionall... 03/06/2009

The Ontario Government has recently had first reading of Bill 150, The Green Energy Act. Although, I applaud the decision to bring forward GREEN Issues at this time but I have some concerns: 1) At present, the dust has not settled on who will be the group to set levels of energy efficiency. There are a number of groups fighting to make their "seal of approval" the acceptable level. I think that will be easier said than done but this should not be rushed into to be fashionably GREEN. 2) With somewhere just over 400 Registered Building Inspectors in the Province as yet untrained in this newer area, how the Government expects to make this new law mandatory on the sale of property is beyond reality. 3) At present the Ontario Government does not mandate Building Inspections or Seller Proper... 03/06/2009

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... 03/06/2009

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... 03/05/2009

This topic is gaining a readership of its own. Please feel free to add or share your stories to the comments section below. I would appreciate hearing from you. Stan Gelman is a local lawyer for Etobicoke and Mississauga. Stan can be reached at 905 270 5110 or through his website http://WiseLawyer.ca sgelman.sglaw@rogers.com 03/05/2009

Are you looking for a place to call home?   Have you decided where you want to live? Ready to settle in Toronto?  Did you know that Toronto is Canada's largest city? Toronto is also the heart of Canada's financial, commercial and industrial, not to mention cultural life. It is one of the world's most diverse centres.   Over 21 million people visit Toronto every year. After New York and London, Toronto has the largest English language theatre centre in the world. We are home to the world's tallest building (The CN Tower). We have the world's longest street (Yonge Street). We are as far South as the French Riviera (but we won't talk about the weather right now). :)  Toronto is home to over 2.5 million people and about 5 million in the Greater Toronto Area.... which means about half of the... 03/04/2009

Today the Bank of Canada announced it was slashing interest rates by half a percentage point to 3.5 per cent. The bank also signaled more rate cuts are likely as it seeks to protect the Canadian economy from a slowdown in the U.S. The cut is welcome news to Canadians hoping to buy a home, as analysts anticipate a cut in mortgage interest rates also. "Overall,  today's move from the Bank of Canada suggests that although domestic demand in Canada remains incredibly healthy, they're increasingly concerned about spillover effects from the slumping U.S. economy," said Jacqui Douglas, economics strategist at TD Securities. On a daily basis, as I monitor the Toronto real estate market, I wonder whether these interest rate cuts will only add fuel to the fires and serve to bring back the biddin... 03/04/2009

So many people have bought condos that are not yet built, and are trying to flip them by assuming they can merely assign the contract from the builder. Yes, there may be an assignment fee but there are other considerations. Stan Gelman is a local lawyer for Etobicoke and Mississauga. Stan can be reached at 905 270 5110 or through his website http://WiseLawyer.ca sgelman.sglaw@rogers.com I welcome your comments and questions. 03/03/2009

Great! Now you have possession of that condo. You will be paying phantom rent (Mortgage) until the unit is registered, so you are considering placing a tenant into the property for a few years to pay it down. That seems easy enough, but there are some other practical and legal considerations. Stan Gelman is a local lawyer for Etobicoke and Mississauga. Stan can be reached at 905 270 5110 or through his website http://WiseLawyer.ca sgelman.sglaw@rogers.com Your comments and remarks are appreciated and respected. 03/03/2009

The deadline to file a Request for Reconsideration with MPAC is MARCH 31, 2009. The Current Value Assessment represents an estimated market value, or the amount that the property would sell for, in an open market, arm's length sale between a willing seller and a willing buyer at a specific point in time. The question to ask yourself is:Could you have sold your property for the assessed value on the assessment date? (January 1, 2008) How does MPAC determine the assessed value (CVA) of my property? MPAC has a database of properties with similar features, type and size in an area; and they come up with a median valuation. They then adjusts the value of your property up or down by looking at other variables: Location, Lot Size (Sq'), Living Area (Sq'), Age of Property, Quality of Construct... 03/03/2009

This is my favorite photo of Darrell Kent. It was taken only minutes before he died, 20 years ago. He was on holiday in Brazil, had a drink in one hand, a cigarette in the other and minutes later had a massive aneurysm that took his life. He had been living with a Brain tumour for the preceding two years and knew that an unpleasant time was awaiting him as the tumour grew. It was so appropriate of Darrell who loved a good time, had a boisterous laugh and at the same time was one of the most Community oriented people you would ever meet. He loved Cabbagetown and since the early seventies had been a force in the Community, renovating houses, working as a Realtor, and then leading a brokerage firm that stretched from Cabbagetown, to the Beach, to Bloor West Village and Bloor/Bathurst. He h... 02/28/2009

This morning at the Toronto Condo Network meeting our guest was Dana Senagama, Senior Market Analyst for Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation who presented a report on the GTA  Housing Market 2009/10 . Please pardon the point form but here are some of the notes that I took on issues discussed: Resale Market: CMHC is predicting a 20% decline from last year to 60,000 Units. However, the historical average is 62,000. Fewer full time jobs in 2009. Forecast of unemployment in the 8% range however in the last housing recession was over 11%. Rates heading still lower whereas in the last downturn the rates were up. No interest rate hikes soon as well as lots of money being pushed into the economy. Long term mortgage rate history is just above the lows of the 1950's. If you have a job and i... 02/28/2009

There is a recently updated site by Toronto Community Housing with all the information you would like to know and are asking about Regent Park . There is a lot of information so enjoy spending some time getting the scoop. Here is the link to the Condominium project by Daniels at Dundas and Parliament called One Cole. Related Posts: Cabbagetown: Darrell Kent Remembered Cabbagetown: Laurier Avenue Goes Green Cabbagetown: Dog Stolen From In Front Of The Cabbagetown Butcher Shop. Reposted from: http://torontoism.com/2009/02/24/cabbagetown-the-latest-news-from-regent-park/ 02/28/2009

With a few spring like days, we have already been teased out of our winter slumber. I took the opportunity to visit with a friend in Bloor west Village, Manuel Choi who is preparing for a busy sidewalk, people watching season. People are always out and about in this vibrant community. Take a moment to savour the day by actually enjoying the sunshine and stop by Manuel's patio, Timothy's at Kennedy and Bloor in the Heart of Bloor west. For information about homes in this neighbourhood, feel free to contact David Pylyp at 647 218 2414 or email 02/26/2009

The Toronto Zoo:  One of my son's favourite places to visit (even now that he's all grown up). Did you know the Toronto Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world?Did you know the Toronto Zoo is a leader in education programs, conservation & research?Did you know there are over 5,000 animals at the zoo? Will you be visiting during March Break?   There are many tropical pavillions to visit; lots of different trees and plants; and some of these familiar faces:             Enjoy beautiful Spring flowers and free flying butterflies in the Malayan Woods pavillion...     If none of the above appeal, maybe you just want to grab a hot chocolate and enjoy one of the many Extended Keeper Talks.  Below is a short list of some of the subjects: - Siberian Tigers:  11 a.m. - Lions; 11:30 and 1:30 p.... 02/25/2009

Do you want to keep your children entertained during March Break?Have you thought about our Historical Museums throughout the City?They hold March Break (and Summer) Camps for our young children. Unfortunately, the Colborne Lodge and Central High Park Camps are already sold out, but you may still be able to get a spot, at one of the following Camps. Central - St. Clair & Davenport Area SPADINA MUSEUM: HISTORIC HOUSE & GARDENSThis is a Victorian country estate/mansion, located on Spadina Road, south of St. Clair (near Casa Loma).416-392-6910spadina@toronto.ca Ages 6 to 8 Special Investigations Team: March Break Camp at SpadinaMarch 16 to 20 - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can become a detective in this great mansion.  Each day you will have a different investigation... enjoy fun and games and dai... 02/25/2009

In his February 19 Toronto Star opinion-editorial piece, TD Chief Economist Don Drummond tackles four prevailing myths about Canadian banks. Chances are, you've heard one or more of the following statements over the past few months: · Canadian banks aren't lending; · Banks are hoarding cash; · Banks have been bailed out with taxpayers' money and • the Pursuit of bank profits is a detriment to the economy.   If you subscribe to the idea that there's a grain of truth in every myth, Don Drummond offers an explanation for how these perceptions turn to beliefs, along with a rebuttal fit for any dinner table conversation. "When something is said often enough, it has a way of becoming an accepted fact. My intent with this article was to set the record straight on a number of issues currently b... 02/24/2009

 ".... One of the 25 Best Food Markets in the World" ....   Did you know that our very own St. Lawrence Market, located in Old Toronto (at the corner of Front & Jarvis), is considered to be one of the 25 Best Markets in the world, according to Food and Wine Magazine? I didn't know ... I just knew it was great, and I love going there - for breakfast and to look at antiques, if nothing else (but no matter how hard I try, at least some cheese comes home with me). The market was established in 1803 and houses more than 120 vendors. The South Market has a variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, baked goods...     The North Market is very popular or its Saturday Farmers' Market... the Southern Ontario farmers bring all their seasonal produce to sell in the City. The No... 02/24/2009