10 IDEAS FOR A LONG WEEKEND IN QUARANTINE There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 outbreak is worth your attention. But we’re only human, and we can only sustain this level of worry for so long. This long weekend, if you find yourself needing to come up for air, turn to this... [read more]

Finding yourself home for the Holidays? Here are a few things you can plan for to spend a winter day in Etobicoke. Many of you know how much I love our neighbourhood and that I have been living and enjoying our city for many years now. Each season offers so much to do and the Holidays tend to be a very special time and personally ..one of my favourites. If you are around for the holidays there is no need to hibernate this winter, in this short video I cover a mix of activities you can get up... [read more]

H.S.T. and Residential Real Estate There is much confusion over the applicability of the HST to residential purchase and sale transactions. This column will address this issue. On resale homes, the typical form of Agreement of Purchase and Sale requires the Seller and the Buyer to indicate whether HST is either included in the purchase price or in addition, if applicable. Normally, the sale of residential homes and condominiums are exempt from HST. The Seller will not have to collect... [read more]

My Real Estate Agent has offered me the choice of signing with them either as a client or as a customer. Which one should I choose?   Consumers sometimes use the terms “client” and “customer” interchangeably, but there’s a big difference between the two, and I’m glad you’re asking questions. If you’re relatively inexperienced in buying and selling properties and you want some expert guidance and advice, I strongly recommend signing... [read more]

When you purchase a brand new condo and finally get the keys to your suite, many buyers are surprised to find out that their new home is not theirs yet. Although this is an exciting phase in the new home ownership process, it is actually not the “ownership” phase.  It’s called “interim occupancy” and it allows a builder to finish construction while also organizing an orderly move-in process for what could be hundreds of buyers. And with so many moving parts,... [read more]

Certainly a topic in high demand. After interviewing medical cannabis users and growers and condominium lawyers and insurers, Mark Weisleader at The Real Estate Lawyers has put together the 6 Common Questions Concerning Cannabis Growth In Homes.  1. Why do people have to grow Cannabis when they can buy it now legally? The fact is that if you grow the Cannabis plant safely and economically, it can cost a fraction of the retail price of a gram of Cannabis. For those who have a... [read more]

Buying with an Agent When you’ve decided to buy a home, you might debate on whether or not to hire a specific real estate agent to help you in your search. What an agent can do for you If you don’t know what a buying agent can do for you, here are some key benefits to keep in mind: Full-time support The best houses often sell in a matter of hours—sometimes before they even hit the Realtor.ca system. You might have a busy schedule, but a full-time agent is always... [read more]

Listing Price Strategies There are two predominant pricing strategies when listing your home: price at market value or price below market value. Here’s how to price in each, as well as general concepts regarding the exact figure. Pricing at market value Traditionally, homes are listed at their market value, cognizant of current trends in pricing. As your agent, we will compare the features in your home to similar homes in your area. In a seller’s market, demand for... [read more]

Set Your Savings Goal Having a specific number to work toward will make saving easier. Think about the kind of home you’d like to own and neighbourhoods you’d like to live in, and do some research on prices. Engaging with a realtor at this point can help you get a good idea of what’s available and what the trends are in terms of prices. Once you have an idea of how much you want to spend on a home, you’ll need to decide how much of a down payment to aim for. The... [read more]

So you want to buy a property on the water? Well, I mean there's nothing like vita on the lake (life on the lake) so i don't blame you. Waterfront properties can be found along Lake Ontario right in Toronto, with prestige properties in the Beaches on the East End of Toronto all the way to Etobicoke in commmuities like Long Branch and New Toronto. Certainly they come at a high price tag for this type of view, access and privacy.  You may also find a property on a natural... [read more]

  The Ontario Home Ownership Savings Plan (OHOSP) has already helped more than 250,000 first-time buyers realize their dreams of home ownership. This article explains how an OHOSP can help you save for your first home. It describes the eligibility requirements for opening a plan, OHOSP tax credits and other details about the program. How the Plan Works If you earn less than $ 40,000 (or if you and your spouse have a combined income of less than $ 80,000), you can benefit from... [read more]

When you’re buying or selling a resale condo, reviewing a condo’s status certificate is highly recommended. A similar role of a home inspection, a status certificate will provide an in-depth overview of a condo building’s management policies, financial statements, the general health of the building as well as any particulars for the individual condo unit. Anyone may request a status certificate for a specific unit in the corporation and the corporation must provide the... [read more]

Useful Real Estate Related Links REFERENCE SITES FOR RESIDENTS OF Toronto, AND THE GTA   SERVICES   Canada Post GO Transit Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS   Mississauga Brampton Burlington Caledon Milton Oakville Toronto SCHOOL INFORMATION   Find Your School EQAO Peel District Schools Toronto District School... [read more]

Moving days are always high-adrenaline affairs and stress levels can register off the Richter scale. Prepare for a broken _______, blisters, the most important box to go missing, lost keys and torrential rain. I've changed addresses more than a dozen times without a meltdown thanks to this moving modus operandi. Just remember, when the day is done, you can truly make yourself at home! Before you move any boxes, check these boxes: Create an instant visual inventory of your precious... [read more]

5 tips for anyone considering becoming a landlord: Be clear about your income expectations. You'll have to pay tax on rental income and expect to spend one to two months of rental income on property maintenance and repairs. Invest in the location and condition of your space to attract quality tenants. Understand your legal obligations as a landlord as well as zoning and insurance issues for renting out your space. Be prepared to spend time and energy addressing tenant... [read more]

Finding the perfect home can be challenging, but deciding which neighbourhood to live in is perhaps even more important. After all, you'll never love a house if you don't like your community, right? Your location affects everything from affordability to your quality of life. A great neighbourhood maintains or raises your home's value, making it easier to sell down the line. Here are some of the features to look for during your search for the ideal place to move. Check out the... [read more]

So you've made the decision it's time to move from your current home. Now the million-dollar question presents itself: Should I sell my home first and then buy another property or buy first and then sell? It is not an easy choice to make and it can be a very stressful one for a homeowner. The decision to move is an undertaking in itself and when you're buying and selling at the same time, there are a number of added factors to consider. “Buying and selling a home at... [read more]

Everyone knows staging is an important part of selling your home. You want to make sure it shows off its best assets. Things like: well-managed landscaping, a thoughtful layout, abundant lighting and cleanliness. Photo by Autumn Studio on Unsplash Those first impressions matter but making a great first impression isn't just about preparing a feast for the eyes! Here's how to appeal to prospective buyers' sense of smell to let them know their new dream... [read more]

For first-time homebuyers, navigating the mortgage world can be quite overwhelming. There are a lot of different terms, concepts and options that can be confusing for anyone embarking on the journey of homeownership. It is Always encouraged you speak in person with a specialist in the field. How much are you able to afford? What sort of benefits are you looking for? What do you want to achieve in the end? Based on your needs, your bank can provide different options, he says. Anderson... [read more]

Buying a home is a significant goal for many Ontarians; but the path to homeownership presents many financial hurdles. Saving a sufficient down payment is tough enough on its own and when coupled with rising interest rates and tough qualification rules – which includes a mortgage stress test– affording a home becomes very difficult for some. Luckily, there are plenty of grants available to help you out – especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer in... [read more]

It goes without saying that spring and summer are excellent times to put your house on the market; the weather is warm and potential home buyers are in the mood to window shop. That said, there are also some real advantages that come with listing in the fall and winter. The kids are back in school, people are travelling less and there’s typically less competition to contend with – among other benefits. As we embrace the hygge and cooler weather (and brace... [read more]

Seven Important Things to Know about Mortgages Type and Term: Most common are Closed Mortgages ranging from 6 months to 5 years; a few lenders have terms up to 15 years. Typically, 6-month and 1-year mortgages can be “Open” or “Convertible”. A true open mortgage can be paid in full at any time without penalty, while with a true convertible mortgage this privilege may have no penalty. Commitment Period: This period protects the interest rate in times of... [read more]

Welcome to Long Branch! Long Branch BIA is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario in Southern Toronto. Within Long Branch you will find a multitude of restaurants, retail shops, and parks, all within walking distance of each other. Our website was designed by the Long Branch Business Improvement Area to showcase our facilities, business’, and hospitality. The BIA organizes and supports many special events throughout the year. Please visit us to see all that Long... [read more]

Welcome to Lakeshore Village! The Lakeshore Village BIA (Business Improvement Area) is located on Lakeshore Blvd. from Twelfth Street to the west and Dwight Avenue to the east. There are over one hundred and fifty businesses in the Lakeshore Village Business Improvement Area with an excellent assortment of businesses, restaurants, shops and services that cater to the local community. This secret area of Toronto has recently gone Kaboom! But not price wise regarding commercial... [read more]

Welcome to Mimico by the Lake! The Mimico Village by the Lake BIA established in 1985 is situated on Lakeshore Blvd., between Allen Avenue and Alexander Street. Its mandate is to work with businesses to improve the area, attract residents to shop and to organize events that create and cultivate a community spirit. The BIA and local community organizations have come together over the last couple of years, and have started an annual tree lighting tradition on the Lakeshore.... [read more]

Welcome to Mimico Village! The Mimico Village BIA incorporated in 1997 in the former City of Etobicoke, the BIA has been involved in a variety of streetscape initiatives and community events such as our Annual Tulip Fesitval on the last Tuesday of May which we call “Tulip Tuesday”, and which celebrates the arts and culture within the community. The BIA is a member of the Joint Lakeshore BIAs, which produces a quarterly newspaper and coming soon a joint... [read more]

Empire-Phoenix-Condos Toronto New Condos CondoNow     Empire Phoenix Condos is a New Condo development by Empire located at The Queensway and Park Lawn , Toronto. Stunning waterfront views, minutes from Humber Bay Park and easy access to the Gardiner Expressway are just a few of the perks of living at Empire Phoenix Condos. This 29 and 11-storey project featuring 2-storey suites at ground level will rise in an idyllic location in the heart of beautiful... [read more]

Thinking of buying a new construction home directly from the builder? Here are some tips to buy and what to bring to a new home sales centre! Having worked for a New Home Builder in the GTA for many years I could tell you the whole process, however in this post we will cover the pre-purchase.  Builders will have a sales center that can host either internal sales reps or licensed Realtors. The difference between the two is internal sales reps are employees of the builder and... [read more]

Let your dog run free at these awesome city designated dog parks in Etobicoke!   Humber Bay Park West Address: 2225 LAKE SHORE BLVD W Humber Bay Park West is a narrow park jutting out into the water of Lake Ontario in the City's west end. It's a lovely place to have a picnic, take a walk or let your dog play in the dog off-leash area. It's also an excellent spot for bird watchers hoping to find interesting water fowl and shorebirds. Along the shores of Humber... [read more]