Archive for September 2015
Planning Ahead for an Eye-Popping Spring Bulb Garden
Fall is the time to plant spring-blooming bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, crocus and alliums. Before ordering your bulbs, here are a few tips to guarantee great results come spring. 1. Pick a color theme Interior designers often work with a color palette – a selection of colors chosen to give a room or a…
Read MoreBuilder’s Agreements: What You Need To Know
A typical builder’s Agreement of Purchase and Sale is a long and complex document which many buyers sign without the benefit of legal advice. Whether you have bought a brand new condominium or freehold, there are many reasons why the Agreement of Purchase and Sale should be reviewed by an experienced real estate lawyer. With…
Read MoreInterest Rate Hikes: Not if, But When (But Also If)
One headline suggests interest rates are bound to rise soon, the next suggests they may drop to new lows, and a third suggests no changes anytime soon. This has been the case since rates dropped to 50-year record lows in 2009. Many were adamant that rates could go no lower at that point, and yet…
Read MoreGTA Realtors Report Mid September Sales Stats
September 15, 2015 – Toronto Real Estate Board Members reported 3,268 sales through the TREB MLS® System during the first two weeks of September 2015. This result was up by 1.8 per cent year over year. On a GTA-wide basis, annual growth in sales was driven by the townhouse and condominium apartment segments of the…
Read More4 Affordable Ways To Create Spa-Like Panache
Our love of a spa-like bathroom experience continues to be strong, with industry watchers reporting that luxurious touches like freestanding bathtubs, separate vanities and top quality materials remain in demand. But if you’ve delayed renovating your bathroom, thinking that creating the ultimate spa at home won’t fit your space, budget or lifestyle, think again. It’s…
Read MoreFall Home Checklist
As an autumn chill creeps into the days, homeowners should be thinking of getting their homes ready for the winter months ahead. Getting a jump on some of the fall maintenance chores will still leave lots of time for enjoying the remaining days of summer. Here are some of the things that might need to…
Read MoreNeat Ideas To End Kitchen Clutter
There are two approaches to take with a kitchen you’ve outgrown – remodel or make better use of existing space. You might find that organizing cupboards is all it takes to turn your cluttered kitchen into a model of efficiency. The principles of storage are simple: keep items close to where they will be used…
Read MoreSettings Your Expectations
There is no end of headlines citing reports by economists, think tanks, etc., quoting statistics galore about what is happening and will happen with Real Estate values. All of the endless speculation does little to quell the fears of first-time homebuyers, or in many cases, current home-owners. It is worth keeping in mind that the…
Read MoreGTA Realtors® Release August Resale Housing Figures
TORONTO, September 4, 2015 – Toronto Real Estate Board President Mark McLean announced that Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 7,998 residential transactions through the TREB MLS® System in August 2015. This result represented a 5.7 per cent increase compared to 7,568 sales reported in August 2014. On a GTA-wide basis, sales were up for all…
Read MoreDon’t Forget Your Commute When Buying
The metrics of mileage are often overlooked during the home-buying process. With few homebuyers planning to flee city living for the suburbs, making the effort to spend a dark winter’s week purposely practising the actual (new) commute during peak travel times. When reality kicks in it can be quite painful to adjust to. Research performed…
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