Title: 5 Toronto Condos you NEED to check out!

Toronto’s skyline is adorned with sleek and innovative condominium towers, offering residents a unique blend of luxury, convenience, and urban vibrancy. For those seeking the epitome of modern living in the heart of Canada’s largest city, these five condo towers stand out as paragons of architectural excellence and lifestyle amenities.

The One-Yonge and Bloor -  At a staggering 306 meters tall, The One is not only the tallest residential tower in Canada but also a symbol of luxury living. Designed by renowned architect Norman Foster, The One offers unparalleled views of Lake Ontario and the city skyline. Its prime location at the intersection of Yonge and Bloor places residents in the midst of Toronto’s most vibrant neighborhoods, with world-class shopping, dining, and cultural attractions just steps away. The One boasts an array of amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, spa, indoor pool, and sky lobby with panoramic views.

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Title: Toronto Housing Market Surging Upwards

Following a year of sluggish sales activity, Toronto's housing market is continuing to show signs of rebound as we head into spring, according to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board's (TRREB) latest report. 

GTA home sales and new listings were up on an annual and monthly basis in February 2024, with selling prices also edging upward compared to a year earlier, with population growth continuing to support the overall demand for housing. 

"We have recently seen a resurgence in sales activity compared to last year," said TRREB President Jennifer Pearce........

Title: Housing starts down 7% in March from February: CMHC

The national housing agency says the seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts amounted to 242,195 units in March compared with 260,047 in February.

When looking at year-over-year figures, actual housing starts in large urban centres were up 16 per cent to 17,052 units last month compared with 14,756 units in March 2023. The year-over-year increase was driven by higher multi-unit starts, up 19 per cent, and higher single-detached starts, up two per cent.

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Title: What happens to your FHSA if you don’t buy a home?

The purpose of the FHSA is to enable you to buy your first home. But what happens if you don’t?

Since March 1, 2023, Canadians have been able to contribute to an FHSA. This acronym stands for First Home Savings Account. Contributions to this registered plan are deducted from your income. As a result, they generate a tax refund at the end of the year, just like RRSP contributions.

The money invested in an FHSA then grows tax-free. You can contribute up to $8,000 per year. The lifetime contribution limit is $40,000. Since it’s an individual account, your spouse can also open an FHSA. Together, you can contribute up to $80,000. You can then withdraw that amount and its tax-preferred returns to buy a home, subject to certain conditions......

Title: 10 Things Home Buyers Hate About Your Home

If you're on the hunt for a new home, whether you're seeking more space or downsizing, the first step is to sell your current residence. While one might assume that a sluggish housing market would attract eager buyers, it's not always the case. Presently, prices are holding steady, offering a favorable situation for buyers and potentially for you as well. However, contemporary homebuyers are more discerning and cautious. They are less inclined to rush into decisions and avoid purchasing beyond their means, a behavior that played a role in the previous housing market collapse.

Homes are indeed selling, but the pace largely depends on you, the seller, and your real estate agent. Properties that are appropriately priced tend to attract more attention. Today's buyers are well-informed and meticulous in their research. They prefer turn-key homes that are move-in ready, minimizing the need for immediate adjustments. What they steer clear of are...

Title: Top 2 Rooms you should invest in

Are you getting ready to sell your home? Unsure what homebuyers are looking for? Well if you could invest in any of your spaces to up the value of your home focus on these two!

You will find many reports about the return on your money when you invest in a new kitchen, and those reports provide good guidelines. Since I deal with buyers every day I hear what they say, and for many people, a kitchen that has a serious WOW factor can make the deal. A high percentage of buyers that I work with mention the kitchen in their wish list. For some, it's simply a large kitchen, and for others, it's an updated kitchen that they don't have to improve.

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Title: Old vs. New condos

Trying to decide whether to buy an older condo or a brand-new one? Below I cover some pros and cons of each:

Older Toronto Condos:

Pros: Older Toronto condos often feature historic architecture, character, and unique design elements that give them a distinctive charm.

Cons: Some older condos may require maintenance and renovation to meet modern standards and aesthetic preferences.

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Title: 5 Things To Know When Buying A Condo

IT'S NO SECRET THAT THERE'S AN ONGOING CONDO BOOM IN ONTARIO- just look around you. Our cities are going up vertically, and that means more and more people are enjoying high rise living. So if you are joining the crowd and thinking of buying a condo, here are some tips to make your purchase a smooth one: 

1. PATIENCE IS IMPORTANT. It could be two or three years between the date you sign your purchase agreement and the date you take occupancy of your unit. If construction runs over schedule, it could be even longer. 

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Title: Devron Developments’ announces latest project ‘101 Spadina’

Designed with brick and stone facade, the 38-story tower aims to change the narrative of being ‘just another glass box’.

Devron Developments has released results from a survey of Torontonians conducted among members of the Angus Reid Forum, showing that 90 percent of respondents believe that the city needs better-built condos and that 83 percent agree that the city is starved for good architecture. Conducted in June 2023, the survey gathered insights on the sentiments of current and future homeowners towards the Toronto condo market and condominium developments’ contribution to the city’s skyline.

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Title: Choosing your Condo Finishes

It can be so much fun choosing all of your finishes for your new condo or home! It can also be overwhelming. If you can hire a designer to come with you to help you out, you may find the process to go more smoothly than if you hadn’t, and the results divine!

When choosing your finishes you should try to keep resale in mind. I know you may think that day is a long way off, but the choices you make at the design center could affect your resale value or the time it will take to sell your home. Some attention to this could make you some real cash at the end of the day!

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Title: 10 Reasons Why It's Hard To Downsize

#1 reason older people put a move on hold is stress. Are you getting ready to downsize but finding it difficult? Here are some reasons why this might be:

1) Items hold precious memories. Each possession tells a story, and it is hard for us to let go of that item for fear of losing the "memory' attached to it. 

Title: Mortgage Shopping Checklist

Most homebuyers need a mortgage and it's therefore important to comparison shop. Terms and conditions differ from lender to lender, so do shop around, compare, and select the mortgage that best suits your needs. 

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) - the government agency responsible for overseeing the mortgage brokering industry in the province - suggests taking as much time as needed to understand all your options. When talking to a potential mortgage provider, broker or agent, for example, you may wish to use this checklist to get answers to the most important questions.

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Title: 5 Things to Know When Buying a Condo

IT'S NO SECRET THAT THERE'S AN ONGOING CONDO BOOM IN ONTARIO- just look around you. Our cities are going up vertically, and that means more and more people are enjoying high rise living. So if you are joining the crowd and thinking of buying a condo, here are some tips to make your purchase a smooth one: 

1. PATIENCE IS IMPORTANT

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Title: Freehold vs. Condo

Many Canadians looking to buy property today are considering the purchase of a condominium. Condos can be a great choice for many people, including first-time buyers looking to get into the market and build some equity. A condo unit can be a good starting point since it is usually less expensive to own and carry than a traditional house. Condos can also be the right decision for people making their choice for lifestyle reasons. These buyers primarily choose this type of home because of the freedom from maintenance and upkeep it affords. 

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Title: What you need to know as a landlord

Many people want to become Landlords to be able to afford a property, or so that they can afford a property in a better area, or just to invest for the long term in real estate income properties. I believe in real estate as an investment, but I also believe that it must be done properly or it can become a huge headache.

There is a lot to know about being a Landlord,

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Title: 10 Pros of Moving to Toronto

Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with a rich tapestry of cultures and communities. This diversity fosters a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, making it easy to connect with people from various backgrounds.

Toronto offers a wide range of cultural attractions, including theaters, art galleries, music venues, and festivals. Whether you enjoy live performances, film festivals, or art exhibits, there is always something happening to engage your interests.

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Title: 3 Most Affordable Areas to Live in Toronto

Option1 - Keelesdale–Eglinton West 

Benchmark 2 storey home price: $1,144,000 June 2023

Though Keelesdale–Eglinton West is removed from downtown Toronto, it’s less than an hour away by public transportation and just as bustling — minus the street traffic.......

By: Sandra Rinomato

If you're looking to buy a house for the first time you probably feel overwhelmed by all the different things you need to know and take into consideration to make the transition from renter to owner. Buying your first home should be exciting! Here is a step-by-step guide to a typical home purchase:

By: Sandra Rinomato

Buying a pre­-construction house or condo can be great, especially if you like working with a blank slate. But there are some things to keep in mind:

By: Sandra Rinomato

Looking to buy a new home? You may want to start out by making a list of costs involved, including moving costs, legal fees, and even re-decorating expenses. There may also be additional costs associated with leaving your rental residence or mortgage discharge fees.

By: Sandra Rinomato

Moving to a new location can be daunting, especially if you’re downsizing from your long-term home.