MY TORONTO

FURTHER READINGS : " Why Experts Predict 2021 Is The Year To Buy A Home, Despite Coronavirus " -  HuffPost Canada " Buying A House In 2021: What Homebuyers Should Know " -  Point2Homes " Buying A House In 2021 - What To Expect " -  NerdWallet " How To Buy A House In 2021 " -  BankRate " COVID-19: Should You Buy A Home Now Or Wait " -  Money Sense

A much-repeated investment strategy is to buy low and sell high.   Some people who purchased around the financial crisis of 2010-2012 are poised to make considerable profits. The median home price in America is now $295,300 up from $155,600 in February 2012 which calculates close to an 8% annual increase.   The median equity that homeowners have earned during the same period is $140,000. Inventory is in short supply while demand is high which has caused prices to increase.   Factors that continue to contribute to the lower number of homes on the market are record low mortgage rates and housing starts have not met expectations since the Great Recession.   This year, people spending more time at home due to the pandemic has caused some people to rethink their current living space which has added to the demand. Some experts believe that a significant portion of the workforce will continue to work from home after the pandemic has passed making the motivation for a ...

PANTONE 2021 COLOURS OF THE YEAR : ILLUMINATING YELLOW   and  ULTIMATE GREY FROM PANTONE : “The selection of two independent colors highlight how different elements come together to express a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting, conveying the idea that it’s not about one color or one person, it’s about more than one. The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted, this is essential to the human spirit.”

  Toronto is full of beautiful neighbourhoods that you can call home. However, when you belong to a young family you need to consider more than just lovely architecture and your commute to work. You need something that is close to good schools, that provides the space you need to raise a family and possibly green spaces for you and your family to play in. Here are, in my opinion, some of the best neighbourhoods in Toronto for families.  BLOOR WEST VILLAGE If you love space but still want to be within a stone’s throw to Toronto’s downtown core, Bloor West Village is the neighbourhood for you. Many of the homes were built in the 1920s and are of the Craftsman style with large front porches. There is also a fair amount of custom-built modern homes for those who like a more unique style in their homes. Families will love Beresford Park’s playground, wading pool and outdoor ice-skating rink. There are some very reputable daycares and doggie daycares, and public schools all loca...

775 KING STREET WEST - SUITE #1005 Asking $650,000 This one bedroom condo with den features approx. 670 sq.ft. of delightful interior space including high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, open concept galley-style kitchen with stainless steel appliances, double mirrored closets in bedroom and a walkout to a large balcony with unobstructed views west and south to the lake. This condo also features excellent amenities such as: 24-hour Security/Concierge, exercise room, media room, outdoor lounge & BBQ area, party/meeting room, guest Suite and bike storage. This stunning unit includes one car underground parking spot & a locker and is perfectly situated on the King Street 504 Streetcar line with easy access to buses and subways leading to all points throughout the City. 775 KING STREET WEST  is situated in the heart of one of Toronto’s trendiest, up & coming neighbourhoods and is close to The Fashion District, Liberty Village, Ossington & West Queen West, Rogers Cen...

  Once you have found the right home and applied for a mortgage, there are some key things to keep in mind before you close. You are undoubtedly excited about the opportunity to decorate your new place, but before you make any large purchases, move your money around, or make any major life changes, consult your lender – someone who is qualified to tell you how your financial decisions may impact your home loan. Below is a list of things you should not do after applying for a mortgage. They are all important to know – or simply just good reminders – for the process. 1. Do not Deposit Cash into Your Bank Accounts Before Speaking with Your Bank or Lender.  Lenders need to source your money, and cash is not easily traceable. Before you deposit any amount of cash into your accounts, discuss the proper way to document your transactions with your loan officer. 2. Do not Make Any Large Purchases Like a New Car or Furniture for Your New Home .  New debt comes with new monthl...

Debt-to-Income ratio is a tool that lenders use to qualify buyers for a mortgage and is an important factor in determining loan approval.   It provides an indication of the amount of debt that a potential borrower is obligated to in relation to how much income they have. Total monthly debts are determined by adding the normal and recurring monthly debt payments such as monthly housing costs, car payments, minimum credit card payments, personal loan payments, student loans, child support, alimony, and other things. By dividing the monthly income into the monthly debt, you arrive at a percentage of the monthly income.   Lenders actually look at two different ratios commonly called the front-end and the back-end. The front-end ratio is the proposed total house payment including principal, interest, taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance if required, and homeowner association fees.   Lenders generally don't want these expenses to be more than 28% of the monthly gross inco...

  When the weather outside is frightful, a fire can be so delightful. That is what the song says, anyway. But loads of homeowners tend to agree with the sentiment, so surely, they cannot all be wrong. Adding a fireplace to your home can seem like a big undertaking, but there are several options for homeowners looking to add a little snap, crackle, and pop to their living spaces. Fireplaces: Beyond the Chimney Long, long ago, there was only one way to have a fire indoors: you had to have a brick chimney to contain the flames and keep everybody safe. However, that was back then; today there are lots of options for adding fireplaces to your home without having to also add a new chimney or repair an old one that is no longer in use. This is great news, especially if you really want a fireplace for ambiance, rather than to be used as a primary heating or cooking source. While wood-burning, masonry fireplaces have a sort of rustic, nostalgic appeal, today’s modern ventless options ...

 

THE QUEENS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SPEECH - 25TH DECEMBER 2020