Empire's "Beyond the Sea" development (near Lakeshore and Parklawn) sold out the phase 1 tower within a few hours, on the first day of a public release in June. Today's release of units in the south tower (phase 2; completion in 2010) has garnered similar interest with buyers or their agents lined up (some camping on lawnchairs) outside the sales office. Update: apparently, some people in the crowd got a little unruly in the evening, and both security and police were called in to ease tensions. Get this: Realtors required to register and wear wristbands to "bid" on units. Source: Dozens line up for chance to bid on condos 07/26/2007

We had a limited budget for decor items but I think the place turned out great. Now we just have to hope it sells!I'm still working on improving my photos. The images where taken using the Kodak v705 ultrawide angle lens. Much of the artwork was sourced from an amazing local artist...I have to find his card so I can fill in his contact info. Due to the low budget for decor items we filled in with a few pieces from the 2 Hounds collection (which is very small). 07/23/2007

We probably won't break the July record (8,084 sales, set in July 2003), but for comparison, the average price is up 8% above the same first half of July 2006 -- a "moderate" increase, according to newly elected TREB president Donald Bentley. 07/19/2007

Facing pressure from industry groups, citizens, and being "outed" (i.e., publicly named for supporting the new taxes), the controversial tax proposals (such as the municipal land transfer tax that duplicates the provincial land transfer tax) have been deferred by city council, until after the fall provincial election. In the hopes of what? What does time buy us? A more sympathetic government facing its own budget crisis? (The revised deficit for 2006-2007 is $0.9 billion, excluding the reserve.) An opportunity to put forth the question to each and every party ("if your party is in power, will the province stop downloading costs XYZ to the city?) and expecting all to push it back? Or quietly passing a vote while the public is pre-occupied with provincial matters? Headlines: Council defer... 07/16/2007

Highlights: Housing starts down from 235,200 in May to 225,500 units Ontario: Urban starts down 19.4%, from 70,000 in May to 56,000 Toronto: starts down from 38,000 in May to 28,000 Most of the decline is being attributed to fewer multi-family units (e.g., condo construction). Headlines: Housing starts slide in June (Toronto Star) Starts slow in June (National Post) 07/14/2007

The Toronto Real Estate Board reports over 1.38 million square feet of commercial/industrial property leased through TorontoMLS system in June, up 39% from May. June Sees Over 1,000,000 Square Feet Traded TorontoMLS highlights: Average for leased commercial space (all size categories) down 2% to $15.41 sfn. Average for leased industrial space (all size categories) down 8% to $6.63 sfn. Average for sold industrial/commercial property (all size categories) at $108.27 per square foot (vs $84.13 per square foot from non-MLS sources). 07/13/2007

CREA is putting a more positive spin on CMHC's news release. Today's headlines read: Home sales remain strong: CREA (National Post) June a record month for Canadian home buying (Toronto Star) South of the border, the headlines are similar: Home sales, prices to slip more this year: NAR (National Post) Reference: Home Prices Expected to Recover in 2008 As Inventories Decline (NAR) Jack Mintz, a professor of economics, weighs in on the controversial Toronto Land Transfer Tax, suggesting the City re-examine its fiscal measures. Land-transfer tax recipe for sprawl (Financial Post: FP Comment) StatsCan reports record investment in non-residential construction. Reference: The Daily: Investment in non-residential building construction (Statistics Canada) More Canadians are composting more and ... 07/11/2007

The Toronto Real Estate Board launched a new web-site that would allow you the public to calculate the cost of the proposed Toronto land transfer tax, and communicate your thoughts to the Mayor and council. To calculate the provincial LTT manually, use the following graduated scale: rateamounts 0.5%up to and including $55,000 +1.0%exceeding $55,000 up to and including $250,000 +1.5%above $250,000 up to and including $400,000 for residential +1.5%in excess of $250,000 for business properties +2.0%in excess of $400,000. [residential only] Toronto's LTT would match the provincial LTT (i.e., doubling the land transfer tax paid by home buyers). First-time buyers who purchase a newly constructed home qualify for a Land Transfer Tax Refund equivalent to the entire amount of tax paid or payable... 07/06/2007

Thank you for your interest in Mortgage Intelligence! As a mortgage consultant with over 14 years of experience in financial services and expertise in mortgage lending, I have access to more than 50 lenders. I can help you find the best fit for your particular situation. As a mortgage consultant, I work in partnership with each of my clients. Your priorities and interests become my priorities and interests. I will ensure that you save time, money and more importantly you will have peace of mind that you received the best possible mortgage solution that meets your individual needs. Also, as a respected Accredited Mortgage Professional, I am dedicated to providing my clients with the highest standard of service. Moreover, providing my clients with a satisfying and positive experience is v... 06/30/2007

Real estate prices are determined by the buyers and Realtors analyze their local markets to determine pricing for listings unfortunately many sellers are deciding their properties value 'be-damned' what the market and their Realtor is telling them. The percentage of double income households hovers around 60% and personal savings rates are at record lows. As well single women are buying real estate at record numbers. There is a direct correlation between these numbers and residential real estate purchases which is being ignored by the majority of home-sellers and not stressed anywhere near enough by many listing Realtors. See where this is going? I'm not talking about the affect these numbers have on price. I'm talking about what buyers expected for the price. We hear it all the time no... 06/27/2007

If you want your house to stand out among the hundreds for sale, or just want to upscale the image of your house, look at the hardware you currently have. Hardware includes: door knobs cabinet/drawer pulls and knobs door bumpers levers faucets hinges push/kick plates hooks switch plates Determine the finish (e.g. bronze, chrome, brass, iron, stainless...) that best complements the house/condo. Ideally you want the finish to be consistent throughout, although some different finishes can complement each other if not overdone. Old pieces can be restored or purchased at architectural salvage shops, or new hardware can be purchased, the point is to make them an upgrade from the norm. Traditional, contemporary, modern...select a style and add that bling! Look here to find a Toronto Decorator/... 06/20/2007

Finding your website in the major search engines (Google, Yahoo and MSN) can be time consuming and boring to say the least. Worst of all, you probably want to find multiple keywords and keyphrases and you probably want to search in more than just one search engine, meaning searching for your real estate website ranking is going to be much more difficult and time consuming. We have just released our website search engine software that can track your website in all the major search engines and rank you against your competitors (as well as track your historical ranking), but for those of you who want to do it the old fashioned way we want to make sure it’s as easy as possible to find your site in the “majors” so we’re including a short tutorial to help you streamline the process. First: G... 06/11/2007

The resale housing market got off to a roaring start in May, with 5,003 sales reported during the first 15 days of the month. This is an 11 per cent increase over the first half of May 2006 and the highest midmonth sales total in TREB's history. "All signs point to a very healthy market for the remainder of the spring," Mrs. Mason said. "In terms of activity, this year is about six per cent ahead of last year's pace, and that's an indication that there's a lot of confidence in this market. Now is an excellent time to get started in the market or make a move." The average price in the first half of May was up two per cent to $377,612 from the $369,543 recorded during the first half of May 2006. Yeartodate prices were nearly five per cent ahead of the same time last year. Meanwhile averag... 05/30/2007

I am sure that most of us by now have some sort of digital camera.  I have 6.0 mega pixal Kodak that I like to use.  It can even shoot video.  But does the fact the camera can take a picture clear enough to blow it up to an 8x10 glossy mean I can do justice to my clients home?  Do I really have what it takes to make the house shine?To my fellow agents, I ask the question.  Is it worth the expense to have a professional photographer shoot the photos for your listing or should you do it yourself?  Even though I have good enough camera to shoot quality photos, I know I don't have the eye to really make them shine, so I leave the photos to the professionals.  Subscribe to Toronto Real Estate | Condos | Listings by Email Loading... 05/22/2007

As we move from spring to summer, the selling season is in full action.  The Toronto Real Estate Board is reporting record transactions to start May the year in general is also up.  With that in mind if you are preparing to sell your home, in the near future, a nice way to warm up your home is with a fresh coat of paint.  Add some nice inviting colours to your home to ad curb appeal.  This will make it easier for potential clients to envision there furniture in your home.  To get some tips on when and how to paint your home, check out this great article from The Globe and Mail newspaper. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070409.re-painting-0409/REStory/RealEstate/ Subscribe to Toronto Real Estate | Condos | Listings by Email Loading... 05/21/2007

The 8th Annual Doors Open Toronto event takes place on May 26 & 27.  This year's focus is on many of the city's greenest buildings, but traditionally celebrates the best historic, architectural and cultural spaces.  Admission is FREE.For more information, the Toronto Star included this article:http://www.thestar.com/article/212877The Doors Open Toronto site is:http://www.toronto.ca/doorsopen/open.htmAnd for other events across Ontario, visit:http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_39_1.html  05/21/2007

Anyone or anything can die of neglect ... the older it is the more likely that will happen.  But it's a sad time for historians and local residents who love the look and feel of an old neighborhood."Conservationists have been predicting the loss of Walnut Hall to "demolition by neglect" for years. As a result of the collapse, the city's last row of 19th century Georgian townhomes will be demolished."It is unfortunate, because these buildings could have easily been converted to some other modern use such as office or retail space.http://www.thestar.com/News/article/215911  05/20/2007

In all of Canada's large cities, condominium real estate is a very hot niche in the market, and Toronto is no exception. Condominium life is very appealing to the lifestyle and work atmosphere of the modern working individual and family for several reasons. Upkeep for a condominium unit is minimal when compared to the many tasks that must be performed regularly on a single family detached home. A condominium complex offers close community living without many of the downsides of spread out neighbourhoods; in fact, condominium complexes can accurately be described as neighbourhoods that are vertical rather than scattered. Most condo complexes also include recreational facilities, and of course one of the main appeals of condominium life is the close proximity of amenities.Because of the v... 05/17/2007

Join the Toronto Community at the University of Toronto to create an action plan for positive change, and voice your opinion on existing developments. I think realtors' input will have an effective impact in this forum.   PEOPLE PLAN TORONTO, a group of representatives from neighbourhood organizations across the City of Toronto, invites you to get involved in a one-day Neighbourhood Planning Summit on Saturday, May 26 to identify problems with the planning process in the City, consider alternative models, and create an action plan for change.The purpose of the day is two-fold: first, to learn from each other and experts about the planning process, its flaws, and potential solutions; and second, to come up with an action plan for change that will engage and involve communities across the... 05/17/2007

Today the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) is reporting the highest mid month total ever with 5003 sales reported.  That is an 11 percent increase of May last year.  Overall the there is about a 5 percent increase this year.  The list price to sell price ratio is excellent at about 99 percent.  Now is a good time to consider selling your home.Steven Campbell, Sales RepresentativeColdwell Banker Terrequity Realty. Brokerage*http://www.stevencampbell.ca/*independently owned and operated.Source (TREB) Subscribe to Toronto Real Estate | Condos | Listings by Email Loading... 05/16/2007