Canadians are buying American real estate in droves.The rapid descent of the dollar against the loonie (Canadian dollar), combined with the drop in American real estate prices is bringing more and more Canadian investors across our northern border in search of investment riches. From the Globe and Mail: You may want to make that U.S. vacation a regular thing. While Canadian housing prices are inexhaustibly buoyant, the U.S. market is falling hard. The average resale price tumbled 10 per cent across the country in September, and in balmy Phoenix, third-quarter sales of single-family homes were off 23 per cent. A recent report in the Arizona Republic newspaper said one-third of homes on sale in the Phoenix area are sitting empty, many of them owned by investors who need to sell because th... 04/26/2008

Did you happen to catch the local news last Friday evening? If so, you've probably heard about the Toronto home owner who is trying to sell his Toronto Riverdale house that is listed for one dollar. That's right, one dollar. This story caught my amused attention, not because I haven't seen this "list for one dollar, sell for a million" marketing strategy before, but because it's resurfacing in a real estate market that just might give it the cold shoulder.But, you say, this story is generating a buzz! The "list for one dollar" strategy has focused a lot of attention on the sale of this property. There must be some merit to this approach. What's not to love??To continue reading this article, click here. 04/26/2008

Hillcrest Village is located on the ridge of the Davenport escarpment between St Clair and Davenport Road west of Bathurst; it contains many houses that have not been updated in many, many years, as well as many that have been totally updated or restored. The streets around Hillcrest Park are home to houses that cannot be recreated. Houses like the ones on Braemore Gardens, Hillcrest Drive and Bracondale Hill among others only belong with their neighbours. These buildings cannot be reproduced. These homes are also quite different from each other, unlike homes in such neighbourhoods as Leaside or Allenby. Each house, though part of a neighbourhood, was created differently. The best surprise in the area is Wychwood Park, which contains one circular road with a couple of off-shoots hosting... 04/22/2008

I'm sure most of you are familiar with the 'school house' light fixture. I've used it in a number of clients homes as it is so versatile.Even if you don't know it by name, it is no doubt familiar to you.Well, I went for a quick go-see this morning and in the foyer was a similar 'school house' fixture. First words out of my mouth was 'love the light!'. Well, the clients were shocked. The last 'stager'* to come give them a quote told them it had to go! I didn't think to ask what the suggestion was to replace it. Trust me, the fixture is perfect for the market and the owners are more educated than the previous stager to provide a quote.If you check out Universal lighting...home depot...just about anywhere you will find one of the top sellers is the school house. ---------------------------... 04/20/2008

For the last big 2 Hounds Design home staging in Downtown Toronto I broke down and started purchasing large pieces of inventory. A beautiful soft gray transitional sectional as well as a Barcelona Chair & Ottoman (in white!) are the largest investments.I thought I'd introduce you all to my new favorite chair...can you believe I'd never sat in a Barcelona before I got this?Now I'm getting the Isamu Noguchi Coffee Table for a staging in Downtown Toronto. I'm so thrilled to be adding it to our inventory. I don't know how I'll keep these pieces from entering my house. If I'm lucky, I'll keep them in vacants for some time.Or go broke trying!2 Hounds Design is a premier interior decorating and design firmspecializing in helping home owners prepare and stage their properties for the competitiv... 04/20/2008

Excellent opportunity to own a detached starter home in the heart of North York.For full detail, click on the link belowhttp://supportfiles.celestinetech.com/REListingSearch.asp?cc=remaxhallmark&id=564552&type=Search   04/18/2008

For valuable tips, First-Time Buyers visit http://www.thecondolife.com/toronto_condo_first_time_buyers.html. 04/11/2008

In my opinion, resale is the only way to go. Just the idea of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars with only seeing a floor plan is ludicrous. And I speak from experience, as a realtor and a buyer. To get my full opinion, and valuable advice on this matter, visit http://www.thecondolife.com/new_or_resale.html.   04/11/2008

This property will be hitting the MLS in the morning. I am in love with the property it was such a joy to work with! The photo below was taken using the Kodak V705 using the panorama setting. Deb Callander was the brains behind the design in the bedroom. I sourced the decor and fabric, Deb took them and came up with a model that looks pretty much like this. I loved it so much I stayed true to her sketch.   04/08/2008

Barbara and I have exchanged emails...she's such a nice woman!...and I promised I would get a positive post out soon. I just never expected the blogging muse to visit so soon!--------------------------------WHO'S Brand Are You Selling?As Home Stagers we are selling a 'brand'...and I don't mean our business...the clients property is the brand we are selling.'The one essential truth that shines through every (marketing) strategy is that for a product or service to be successful it must start with a good or pleasant experience at the first customer touch point. That experience can be with the actual product or service, or it can be a great experience with the marketing initiatives themselves. The experiences can be external, or something can be designed to trigger a positive internal exper... 03/27/2008

O.K. now that I've got your attention...I've been looking at some of the very recent staging 'gradutates' new websites and their portfolios. This post is not about the training course they have taken as I have no idea what they are taught. They do post their newly purchased Trademark alphabets though, so I do know they have taken the training. This post is about my perception gleaned from perusing these new web sites and the staging on display. I won't be posting examples...it is not my intention to make an example of anyone.  I recently posted on my blog about the Staging Industry being undermined by the practices of individuals and staging training companies with their marketing 'staging' as being something 'anyone can learn'. Well, judging by the portfolios I saw today...that is exac... 03/24/2008

Residents of Canada who purchase Homes, Condominiums, Vacant Land, or other real property in the State of Florida are not penalized nor do they receive higher property tax rates for being Canadian nationals. United States residents and Canadian residents who own property in the State of Florida including those who are primary residents are taxed with the same millage (tax) rates that are set by local governments and other taxing authorities. Canadians who sell real property anywhere in the United States of America are affected by a Federal Law known as the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980.  This law requires that the sellers pay a 10% tax on the gains from the sale of the property.  There are some exemptions that can be researched on the United States Department of th... 03/21/2008

As a decorator who offers staging I have to comment on Fraser Beach's blog post 'Calling Their Fluff': I've been to view houses where it was the Listing Agent who put on the Jazz and put cookies in the oven.I don't do any of that. Tricks, as you call them, are not something commonly happening...when you hire a professional. I tell my clients if they need to update and what provides the best return on investment. The majority of my clients spend anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000 to bring their homes up to standards. I tell them if they are going to ask at the higher range in price that they have to offer the value. I redesign kitchens and baths that are 15 years old and older, install granite, marble, hardwood and top of the line appliances and fixtures as the asking price requires.If I p... 03/12/2008

The Toronto Real Estate Board took a strong position against Toronto's (then proposed) Land Transfer Tax (LTT), regardless of concessions.  Contrary to TREB's position, the Toronto Board of Trade (BoT) flip-flopped, i.e., it reversed its opposition stance and backed the revised LTT proposal.So, what now? Will TREB withdraw its membership from the BoT in protest?What will be the ultimate economic impact of Toronto's LTT?Who'll be shouting, "I told you so!" from the rooftops?All this and more to be revealed.  Stay tuned! 03/05/2008

"The HouseMAXXTM For Sale by Owner Advertising service saves people thousands in real estate fees!"HouseMAXXTM continues to help property owners list and sell their own properties in a professional manner throughout the world. Since starting in 2004, we have helped people save thousands in real estate commissions on each transaction. See what some of our clients are saying about our service ...-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"Our home was advertised for two weeks on HouseMAXXTM - the people that bought our home saw it first on the website and phoned us right away to look at it. We closed within 2 and a half weeks of listing our home on HouseMAXXTM""We knew we could do it ourselves and with HouseMAXXTM is was easy and we saved ours... 02/19/2008

This is the condo I did last month. I updated the kitchen with new counter-tops, backsplash, faucet, sink, flooring, lighting and appliances as well as having the cabinets painted.AFTER The bedroom needed to be rearranged, painted and then was decorated.BeforeAFTER - Sorry...taken from other side of the room. What you can't tell is that I've moved the bed to the opposite wall.Den - BeforeAFTER - room for a desk and a chair to sit back with a drink and read. HMMM seems I need to review my befores prior to staging day to ensure I get photos from the same angles. (Funny, cus' I thought I took from each corner...oh...that's for the befores. OK! From now on I'll take afters from all four corners as well...not just from the best views.) I feel so much better having talked to you all about thi... 02/16/2008

Downtown Toronto's 2 Hounds Design Believes In a Better WorldAt 2 Hounds Design we have a strong sense of responsibility to the well being of the Earth and our clients. Energy + EnvironmentOur servers are 100% Powered by Certified Green Renewable Energy Sources on Toronto's Hostpapa Indoor Air QualityLow VOC Paint by Canada's C2 Natural Stone Countertops CeasarStone Quartz Surfaces Charity FundraisingSick Kids Foundation Ganaraska Forest Centre 02/05/2008

Whether buying a car or a house, people shop with logic then buy on emotion. If you are selling your home or condo in downtown Toronto, your property needs to have both logic and emotion. If your home only has logic to offer (that would be the features - 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 & ½ baths, etc.) it will be a tough sale in the hot downtown Toronto real estate market. It isn't easy selling a house when it has exactly the same features as the rest of the properties up for sale in the neighbourhood. Buyers come to see your home because of its features, staging the benefits, or potential, of your home gives buyers good emotional reasons to buy.                         Don't let your property get ruled out! Call us today to get started. 2 Hounds Design is a full service Decorating Firm specializing... 02/05/2008

I am always relieved when a property I've staged sells. You never know what is going to happen when a property is listed. Everything can be perfect...but nothing. So I was thrilled to get an email this morning saying the Downtown Toronto property had sold.Of course...there were no other details in the email...talk about a tease!Well, it is sold:no conditions (other than the certificate from the condo corporation) - Yippee!for over asking!and blasted through the ceiling of sold pricesfor 1 bdrms! It has sold for only $15,000 less than the 2 bedroom/2 bath...2 doors down the hall, which sold 2 weeks ago (oh, my client' property is a 1 bedroom with 1 bath)Don't let your property get ruled out! Call us today to get started. 2 Hounds Design is a full service Decorating Firm specializing in R... 02/01/2008

Even in the typically slower sales months, Downtown Toronto is anything but typical! The 2008 spring rush to buy Real Estate in Downtown Toronto is on...and it's only January! That's right, new MLS listings for Downtown Toronto are coming on line every hour. Spring comes early in Toronto's Downtown Real Estate Industry. If you are anticipating putting your property up for sale in the Downtown Toronto market you'd better get a move on.There are plenty of business' out there to help you get your property ready for sale, from painters, cleaners, storage lockers and of course don't forget the decorator/home stager to oversee all aspects of preparing your Downtown Toronto property. Todays urban buyers are Internet, real estate and design savvy, have high expectations and a vast selection of ... 01/31/2008