By Nalliah Thayabharan Registered Home Inspector. Member of OAHI & CAHPI-Ontario ASHI certified Inspector. www.expertinspector.com Expert Building Inspections Ltd 905 940 0811 There is no single government authority, which provides written certification that any given basement apartment is legal. Smart real estate agents never list a house as having a legal basement apartment since they do not want to guarantee that the basement apartment complies fully with all the applicable fire codes, building codes, Electrical Safety Authority regulations and zoning and housing standards by-laws. The Ontario Building Code which prescribes minimum requirements for the construction of buildings is a code that applies only when the house was built. The building code changes over the time but for the m... 04/01/2007

A proposed land transfer tax, by the City of Toronto, will undermine affordability and property values.  With the passing of the City of Toronto Act, that gives Toronto more powers to govern the city, many new proposals have been tabled to generate income for the city to cover the costs of services.  One one of these is a land transfer tax of around 0.5% of the purchase price on all properties in Toronto.  This may seem quite reasonable, except that we already pay the Ontario government a land transfer tax on a graduated scale from 0.5% to 2% with the average home being just over 1%.Affordable housing has been a big issue in Toronto (Ontario, Canada) for a long time and this tax will only make things worse.  The average Toronto home ($380,000 in 2006) will have an extra cost of $1,900 i... 03/25/2007

The single most important decision you will make with your Real Estate Agent is to determine the correct asking price for your property.Once you've achieved a realistic asking price, you can should be able to count on your property being professionally marketed and promoted to bring more buyers to your door. You can should also expect to sell your property for the highest possible price in the least amount of time.Why Pricing Right is Important Your property will sell quicker, because it will be exposed to more qualified buyers. Your peoperty doesn't lose its "marketability." The closer to the current market value, the higher the offers will be. A well-priced property can generate competing offers and even over asking price. Real Estate Agents will be more enthusiastic about presenting ... 03/23/2007

WOW! Just wanted to take the time to thank everyone who dropped by over  the past week to view the loft I had listed at 68 Broadview. WOW! There certainly was a lot of you! I know quite a few of you were neighbors just wanting to sneek a peek but I also had a ton (over a hundred people/couples) come through the door looking for the perfect loft to call home. So ... are we running out of original loft and condo spaces in the downtown area? Maybe. The nice thing about the Broadview Lofts (Candy Factory, Tip Top, etc.) is that many units in the building are unique to themselves - no copies. No living in a box! Your own space that no one else can say is exactly like theirs. There is something to be said for that.  A few years ago I was telling people that loft living was just a trend (phase... 03/16/2007

Condominium buyers in Toronto, Canada, have the most choices in home purchases anywhere in the nation. The vast population that calls the city home means that new buildings are constantly going up, and that there are condos suitable to all price ranges throughout the city. Several realtors in Toronto specialize in the sale of luxury condo units near downtown Toronto within easy reach of all amenities and entertainments, as well as to major high-end employers such as those located in the financial district. Here are some of the luxury condo buildings located near downtown Toronto. Financial DistrictBuilt in 1989, the Century Plaza building incorporates architectural beauty that is still popular today. Rounded edges and sheer sides make for a sleekly elegant look that immediately grabs th... 03/13/2007

The dry basin of post-glacial Lake Iroquois is where you will find the Toronto, Canada community fondly known as "the Annex". The community was given its name by Simeon Janes in 1886 when he surveyed the land that would make up the community. Before the Annex was surveyed, it was part of the province of Yorkville which was a municipal village. Due to rising costs of services, the residents of Yorkville agreed to annex to the City of Toronto thus creating the need for surveyors and a new name. While development did occur in the Annex, it was slow in coming since the area was favored as a residential community. High-class residences abounded here and any address located in the Annex was considered to be a prestigious one. Today, the Annex is still favored as a residential area although so... 03/12/2007

Every-time or anytime there is a large investment to infrastructure or transportation, it means to property owner’s in the area new demand, new attraction. Buyers that were not willing before to move so far from the city’s core are now willing to. Homeowners will definitely benefit from this investment and so will the city. Joey Khan, GREATER TORONTA AREA (GTA) REALTOR®  Specializing in Residential and Investment Real Estate Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage Office: (905)-858-3434 ext. 1186 Direct: (416) 918-2912 or visit: http://www.toronto-homes-guide.com/ Or Toll Free 1-800-263-3434 03/10/2007

TREB Members reported 6,772 sales in February, an increase over February 2006 (6,756 sales) and the second best total for this month ever recorded, TREB President Dorothy Mason announced today. "While the weather last month may have been cold, Toronto's resale housing market remained hot," noted Ms. Mason. "And while it is too early to make predictions, it is clear from the start of 2007 that the spring season is likely to produce sales numbers at east comparable to those of the past several years, which have been record or near-record performances." Meanwhile, average prices climbed four per cent over the previous month to $368,687 as sales activity accelerated. They were also up four per cent from the February 2006 figure of $353,928. The average time-on-market was a torrid 35 days. B... 03/08/2007

The Allegro at Opera Place in Toronto is located at on the east side of Bay Street and south of Wellesley.  It is a beautiful building that was built in 2000 with the modern day style in mind.  With its large windows , modern atmosphere and spectacular city views, it is a lovely place to call home.  The building is host to many different condo layouts including bachelor as well as one, two and even three bedroom suites. Ranging from 476 square feet to 1480 square feet (depending on the number of bedrooms), most of the units have balconies, some have patios and the upper suites on the east exposure have a lake view. The selling prices range from $150K to $600K.The building's amenities include an exercise room, a party/meeting room, guest suites, visitor parking, 24-hour concierge service... 03/08/2007

Camden Lofts, west of Spadina and south of Richmond Street, were created with the traditional style of loft in mind.  The building contains lofts with exposed concrete walls of up to 10 ft, sealed concrete floors and concrete ceilings. All 59 units have huge industrial style windows and suspended spiral ducts. A selection of old industrial hardware often serves as light fixtures and door handles for a more authentic feel. There are eight floors in total, with floors 2 to 6 consisting of one and two bedrooms suites ranging from 683 sq. ft to 1200 sq. ft, and floors 7 to 8 having terraces on the front side of the building.The Camden Lofts are located in an area that is becoming a hot spot for new shops, yet it is situated on a quiet side street. It is nearby restaurants, clubs, spas, Chin... 03/08/2007

One of the most tourist friendly locations in Toronto, the Beach district is also a welcoming spot for anyone interested in purchasing real estate. Part of the allure of this stretch along Queen Street East is convenient access to many entertainment amenities, which includes over 60 different restaurants. Whatever your particular taste, there is guaranteed to be a restaurant in the Beach district to suit your mood. In the mood for a casual dinner of pizza or subs? There are several restaurants waiting to fill that empty spot in your stomach, including established chains like Pizza Hut and Mr. Sub as well as independent and well reviewed establishments like Pizza Nova.Those in the mood for different fare can try out some of the casual dining rooms specializing in western fare that dot th... 02/26/2007

The popularity of condominiums has been on the rise over the last decade, as young people are starting families later in life and tending more towards having fewer children than ever before. Condominiums offer the opportunity for a lot less maintenance than would come with a single family stand alone house, and most have features such as recreational facilities and 24 hour security which do more than enough to satisfy the needs of busy people. In addition, condominium complexes are often located right in the heart of the city, so that the commute both for work and for entertainment purposes is cut down to a matter of minutes.  Living in the suburbs of any major city can mean up to two hours of driving, each way, just to get to work and back!As Canada's largest city, Toronto offers all t... 02/24/2007

As per an article in today's Toronto Star, neighbourhoods of Swansea, Roncesvalles and Parkdale enjoyed the highest one-year appreciation among single-detached homes in the Greater Toronto Area in 2006. Homes in those neighbourhoods now hover at $642,000, up by 18 per cent from $544,000 at the end of 2005, making it the best return on investment in the Toronto area.  Offering older, character homes in proximity to the High Park and Old Mill neighbourhoods, the area has benefited enormously from the renovation boom of recent years.  The multimillion-dollar refurbishing of the Drake and the Gladstone hotels - favourites with the modelling and film industries - has been a big part of the Parkdale renaissance. Some buyers end up in Parkdale or Roncesvalles after being priced out of the High... 02/23/2007

If you're thinking of purchasing your first home, you probably have a lot of great ideas about what you'd like - such as several thousand square feet of living space, a two-car garage, large fenced-in lot, one or two fireplaces and a panoramic view. But it may be time for a reality check.  Most first-time buyers want their dream home right away. However, that dream home likely sells for several hundred thousand dollars and the down payment is more than you earn in two years. Not to mention the mortgage payments - which are three times your monthly take-home salary!The best way to deal with this reality is to match your financial capabilities with the home that meets as many of your needs as possible.Many first-time buyers purchase what is commonly known as a "starter home." There's noth... 02/21/2007

When it comes to purchasing a home in a big city, condominiums are the residence of choice for many. The price of a single family dwelling within the limits of large cities is often prohibitive to most buyers. Condominiums can run the gamut of prices as well, and are a popular option among wealthier buyers, but the main buyers of condominiums continue to be middle class singles who do not wish for the long commute from the suburbs to their jobs in the city. Potential buyers in the Toronto area should be aware of the new developments that are available within the city. The West Harbour City project is in phase two of its development, and includes units starting at $229,990. Luxury is the name of the game with this scenically located project at the west end of Toronto. The complex include... 02/20/2007

Loft living is at its finest in Toronto, and the Toronto real estate market is booming. There are literally dozens upon dozens of loft developments under construction in Toronto, and competition is tough. For many people interested in purchasing living space in a new loft development, the search begins early and it is grueling. One thing that makes finding a loft so difficult is that 50 percent of loft developments are sold before the building is listed on the public market. This means that people wishing to buy a loft must do a lot of research and try to secure a loft before construction is completed. If they are successful, there are many rewards. Many lofts in the Toronto area increase in value anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 on the day that they are placed for sale on the public ho... 02/19/2007

Toronto's Harbourfront area offers a unique setting for a fun night out on the town. Located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, the harbourfront is a very popular tourist destination as well as a haven for the hip and rich, many of whom own condominiums in some of the very latest developments around the area. One of the main attractions of Harbourfront is its many restaurants. You can expect these restaurants to be particularly packed in the summer time, when tourist traffic combines with locals seeking the nightlife to make the front a bustling center of activity.As far as dining goes, there are several experiences that Harbourfront offers unique to the area. One restaurant that is extremely popular is the Boathouse Bar & Grill. This is a family restaurant, but there are sections rese... 02/17/2007

The wealthiest neighbourhood in Toronto came into being in 1824, when William Botsford Jarvis bought a portion of a 200 acre land grant made to Captain George Playter for his role in supporting King George in the American Revolution. Jarvis was the sheriff of the home district, and was a staunch supporter of the crown, continuing the family tradition passed on by his father, who like Playter had fought for the Crown during the American Revolution.Jarvis moved to the property with his wife Mary. After their house was completed, Mary named the residence Rosedale because of the many roses that grew in the area. The couple would have five children, and Rosedale itself was one of the centres of concentration for William Lyon MacKenzie's rebellion.  MacKenzie and Jarvis had much ill will towa... 02/17/2007

As reported on my Podcast at http://www.tuneinrealestate.com/ Hi, my name is Jarrett Hunter and I am a downtown Toronto realtor with Royal LePage.  This is the market information for January 2007 for my area which is downtown Toronto - best defined as the area south of Bloor Street to the lake, west of the Don Valley Parkway and east of Dufferin Street. - I like to refer to it as "the Core." The Toronto Real Estate Board reported that this was our best January ever!  Statistics are derived from the Toronto MLS system and reports a 13% increase over January of last year and a 6% increase over sales of January 2002 which was our previous record holder. We had a total of 761 active listings with a total sales volume of 295 of which 233 of these were condominiums. I am expecting that Januar... 02/06/2007

What You Should Know Before Selling Your Home is my new CD available free of charge to Toronto homeowners.  Tons of information, worksheets and tips to prepare and sell your home. You can order it on my home page at http://www.jarrett.ca/.  As one of Toronto's top Realtors®, it is not only my job to get my clients top dollar for their home but also to have a streamlined approach to get from sell ot SOLD.  My clients will now have the ability to have the guidance of a Realtor® when I am not there.  If you are thinking of selling at some point in the future, you will want this CD.    01/29/2007