MY TORONTO

The Guide For First-Time Home Buyers Buying a first new home is a big step in anyone's life and the process can initially seem like an extremely daunting task. With all of the information available, advice to be learned from and realtors to choose from, it can certainly seem like an insurmountable mountain of information. While that may initially be true, there are some steps that you can take that will help you cut through all of that and avoid information overload. The new home buying process is an exciting one and while there are certainly many things to think about, they shouldn't detract from the experience. Use The Web Online resources, much like this site, can help you do a great amount of research into a home or area without ever leaving the comfort of your favorite chair. No matter what area you're looking to purchase real estate in, there are undoubtedly many online resources concerning that area. Everything from county governments to local realtors prov...

Luxury Décor Home Ideas MAY 22, 2019  | What embodies a luxurious home? A home that is beautiful to look at, incredibly functional and opulent all at once. This combination is not always easily achieved, but with the help from this collection of luxury décor home ideas you can transform any home into the most lavish one in the neighbourhood. Smart Home Technology Anything that can make your home life more automated is a must-have in a luxurious home. Having a smart thermostat that is programmable by phone is great for the environment as well as the aesthetic of your home. Pair it with smart lightbulbs throughout the home so you have the perfect balance of light in your room no matter what. Other smart home technology to include are smart appliances (fridges that will tell you when you are running low on milk, washing machines that let you pop in a forgotten shirt) and a smart speaker to connect everything to your voice for the times you can’t find your phone. Out...

Globe and Mail: Toronto Housing Market Looks to be Thawing in May MAY 17, 2019  | IN THE PRESS Carolyn Ireland Globe and Mail Published May 16, 2019 Real estate agent Elli Davis of Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd. is seeing a surge in properties for sale in Toronto in May. After a slow start to the year, the real estate market is picking up. Ms. Davis has listed six properties for sale in the past week. One reason for the shift, she says, is that some baby boomers who spend their winter down south are now back in town and preparing to sell their large family homes in favour of smaller houses and condos. “ I think you’re going to see a lot of new listings in May, ” she says. “ The snowbirds are back .” Ms. Davis typically specializes in midtown Toronto, with listings for houses and condo units in the central core between Bloor Street and Eglinton Avenue. But with listings scarce in recent months, she has taken on a new property in the Beaches and during ...

Toronto Real Estate Board's MARKET WATCH - April 2019

85 BURROWS AVENUE, TORONTO 85 BURROWS AVENUE, TORONTO,  ON  M9B 4X2 ASKING $ 2,488,000 Property Details List Price:  $2,488,000 Taxes:  $8,665.12 (2018) Lot Size:  45 ft x 112 ft Bedrooms:  4 +1 Washrooms:  5 Basement:  Finished Heating:  Forced Air / Gas Cooling:  Central Air Drive:  Private Double Drive Square Footage:  Approx. 3,070 Sq Ft + 1,440 Sq Ft Finished Lower Level Parking:  Built-In Garage + 2 Spaces in Drive Possession Date:  90 Days or To Be Arranged Property Description Custom Built Home Exudes Timeless Elegance And Functional Design! Situated On A 45 x 112 Ft. Lot On A Tree Lined Family-Friendly Street, This 4 + 1 Bedroom/5 Bath Home Boasts Approximately 3,070 Sq.Ft + 1,440 Sq.Ft. Finished Lower Level. Formal Living Room With Beautiful Millwork, Stunning Kitchen With Centre Island, Thermador Appliances, But...

Declutter Your Home Checklist MAY 15, 2019  | A cluttered home is a cluttered mind. One day, you look around your space and realize nothing is where it is supposed to be and you don’t know how things got quite so messy. Whether you are looking to clean up your life, or tidy up in preparation for a big move, here is a fantastic declutter your home checklist. Outside The Home The best way to effectively declutter your home is to be methodical. By beginning with the exterior of the home you temper expectations of what’s to come inside. This is the perfect time to ensure that your doorknobs are clean and work well and that your front door is not squeaky. If you have a front yard, make sure to trim any bushes that you have as well as deadhead any spent blossoms. Kitchen A commonly heard mantra is “you are what you eat”. What many often forget is that it is equally important to be aware of the environment that your food is cooked in. Get into your cabinets and org...

ANATOMY OF AN OFFER Although geared to the US market, much of this informative video is true in Canada and specifically in Toronto. For more details and guidance on the offer process, it is always prudent to consult with your real estate lawyer or a licensed real estate sales representative. Also, feel free to review these helpful guides: 1. CMHC HOME BUYER GUIDE ; 2. RECO's HOME BUYING GUIDE ; and, 3. TREB's BUYING & SELLING PROCESS . If you do not have your own representation, then please feel free to contact me, SHAWN VENASSE - Sales Representative , at 416.921.1112 or shawn@ellidavis.com . It will be my pleasure always to be of assistance. ( The content contained herein is solely for information purposes only. Furthermore, this post is not intended to solicit anyone under contract. ) #nitsauc

Substantial year-over-year increase in April sales 9,042 home sales were reported through the Toronto Real Estate Board MLS in April 2019, a jump of 16.8 per cent compared to April 2018. The average selling price for all home types combined was up by 1.9 per cent over the same period – the strongest annual rate of growth so far in 2019. Condos continue to trend as a positive driver of year-over-year price growth. However, active listings for the month dropped below levels seen in April 2018 and new listings are not keeping pace with sales - an environment that supports pricing acceleration. This, in combination with the OSFI mortgage stress test, represents a formidable challenge to the first time home buyer, the root of the real estate market.  A report issued May 3rd by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. citing that there has been “improved alignment overall between house prices and housing market fundamentals” since the stress test was implemented, can be seen as...

TIPS FOR SPEEDING UP YOUR HOME SALE Selling  your home is a huge undertaking to  begin with, but if the process drags on for months and interest trickles in much slower than expected, it can be frustrating and stressful. To avoid this, there are a few steps you can take to prep your home and sell quickly. DECLUTTER .  Survey your home and store any items that are not essential to the décor of the room. This can include personal photos and mementos, excessive throw blankets or pillows, children’s artwork, vases, lamps, knick-knacks, and more. The cleaner you keep counters, shelves, and mantles, the easier it is for potential buyers to picture themselves in your house. PAINT . A  fresh coat of paint on the exterior or interior of your home can go a long way and is one update you can likely do yourself for fairly cheap. Repaint your home with a neutral color, like taupe, cream, or gray, that will allow potential buyers to easily envision adding th...