Muddy York: Toronto Real Estate Blog

Buyer Beware: Choose Your Moving Company Carefully

February 9, 2010 · Leave a Comment

By Heather Rose

CBC reported on February 3rd that the moving company with the eye-catching name, Two Small Men with Big Hearts is one of the most complained-about movers across Canada.

With Better Business Bureau ratings of “F” for several locations, 150 lawsuits filed in British Columbia alone as well as pending government charges in Ontario, the company is accused of making misleading statements, renegotiating prices while holding customer’s possessions hostage and exceeding original estimates by more than 10 per cent, which is illegal under Ontario law.

Ontario’s Ministry of Consumer Services offers several tips for protecting ones self when choosing a moving company, including:

  • The phrase “you get what you pay for” holds true in situations like shopping around for moving companies, and cheaper discount movers, while many are reputable, may not be the best choice based on cost alone.
  • Research the company thoroughly, and ask around if any neighbours or friends have used the company before to gauge what their experiences were. The Better Business Bureau and the Ministry of Consumer Services both have online databases and the latter has a “Consumer Beware List”, which will provide a list of the company’s charges, violations, fines, convictions, names of persons charged as well as dates for all of the above.
  • Be aware of Ontario’s laws and regulations with regards to estimates. If the total price exceeds 10 per cent more than the original quote, or the company is obviously dragging through their work while you’re paying by the hour, you’ve got a legitimate complaint on your hands.
  • Always get the final contract in writing beforehand. You should never be forced to sign a new contract while your belongings are still in the possession of the company, and the threat of belongings not being delivered or being put into storage until you pay up should never be used against you.

Heather Rose is a Toronto based Journalist, who is a regular contributor to the Muddy York Real Estate Blog.  Heather website is located at heatherroseportfolio.squarespace.com.

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Bored of dinner-and-a-movie dates? Valentine’s Day in Toronto

February 8, 2010 · 1 Comment

By Sarah Bryant

There’s a lot of activities you and your significant other partake in on Valentine’s Day, which falls on a Sunday this year. Here’s a few date-night ideas.

Go for a romantic skate The public skating rink at Nathan Philips Square is open until 10 p.m. all week, and the night before Valentine’s Day Harbourfront Centre is hosting DJ SK8 Nights, where you and your sweetie can skate for free to some live tunes.  If you’re not the next Kurt Browning or Danielle Goyette, The Harbourfront Centre is also offering skating lessons for all ages every day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. up until and after Valentine’s Day.

Take in a show Toronto’s entertainment district is a hotbed for all kinds of culture. Check out Jersey Boys at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, Little House on the Prairie at the Canon Theatre, Otello at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts or Cloud 9 at the Panasonic Theatre.

Rediscover Toronto Take a tour through the Distillery District, a pedestrian-only heritage shopping village where movies such as X-Men and Chicago have been filmed. Notable art galleries, boutiques and restaurants will round out this charming evening.

One-up Cupid with your own archery skills Casa Loma is not only Toronto’s only castle, it’s one of the city’s top attractions. Casa Loma will be celebrating Valentine’s Day this year with afternoon archery lessons taught by a certified instructor.

Get a new perspective Toronto Helicopter Tours is offering a Romantic Interlude package with a private sunset helicopter tour of the city for couples, along with gifts and photo souvenirs.   Those living the single life won’t find themselves ignored or left out during the festivities, as there are quite a few Valentine’s Day singles events scheduled.

Anti-Valentine’s Day Party At Club XS on February 13th, for 20$ you can attend the city’s largest anti-Valentines day party at this Richmond St. West location.

Singles Valentine’s Day Gala Bid on a date with an eligible bachelor or bachelorette at the Sheraton Toronto on February 13th and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a live DJ. The proceeds from this event go to the Sick Kids Foundation.

Women’s Wellness Yoga Weekend On February 13th and 14th, owner of the Downward Dog Yoga Studio, Diane Bruni, will be offering a yoga workshop for women of all yoga experience levels along with vegetarian and organic refreshments at the Markham Retreat Centre.

Sarah Bryant is a Sales Representative with Royal LePage/Johnston & Daniel Division.  Sarah is a regular contributor to the Toronto’s Muddy York Real Estate Blog.  Sarah’s website is located www.sarahbryant.ca.

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Muddy York Update – TREB Market Update – January 2010

February 7, 2010 · Leave a Comment

The Toronto Real Estate Board released the January 2010 statistics for the GTA. The number of sales for the month of January was 4,986 in the GTA compared to 2,670 in January of 2008, representing an amazing 87% increase.

The number of days on the market decreased from 49 in 2009 to 28 in 2010 – a 43% change.

In the Central District of Toronto in January 2009, the average price was $517,846 and the median price was $385,000.  The average percent to list came in at 101%.  The average number of days on the market was 23 days compared to the GTA average of 28 days.

Overall, over $2,108 Million worth of real estate traded in the central core of Toronto during the month of January.

Source:  Toronto Real Estate Board

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Toronto’s Hungarian Community

February 6, 2010 · 1 Comment

By Krystyna Cap

The Hungarian connection to Canada can be traced back to 1583, when the English explorer Sir Humphrey Gilbert embarked on a search for the Northwest Passage that took him and his crew to the shores of Newfoundland. Enlisted as his chronicler was the well-known sixteenth-century Hungarian poet and humanist Stephen Parmenius of Buda, whose impressions of the New World were committed to posterity before he drowned off the coast of Newfoundland in August of that year.

For the complete article, click on this link.

SOURCE:  Toronto Heritage Organization

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Homes For Her: Poll Indicates Home Ownership Important to Women

February 5, 2010 · 2 Comments

Home ownership is a goal most Canadians strive to reach one day, and a lucky bunch already have. A recent poll for TD Canada Trust has determined that homeownership and the benefits that come with it are more much important to women than they were in 2008. The poll surveyed female homeowners over the age of 18 across Canada, and found that qualities of homeownership such as being able to have a garden and renovate as they pleased were important to Canadian female homeowners more so than in previous years.

When reflecting back on questions they could have asked during the home buying process, the majority of those surveyed said they wished they’d learned more about the overall costs and fees that came with purchasing a home, 32 per cent wished they’d known more about the annual expenses of home ownership, and 30 per cent said they wished they had known more about their mortgage options at the time.

Other highlights from the poll include:

  • In 2008, only 5 per cent of women surveyed said most important part of homeownership was having a garden and backyard, being able to renovate was important to only 14 per cent and finally having their own place was important to 22 per cent.
  • In 2009, these numbers changed dramatically as 34 per cent said having a place of their own was the largest and most important benefit of homeownership, renovating as they pleased was important to 34 per cent and being able to have a backyard and garden were the biggest selling points for 32 per cent of the women surveyed.
  • Financial security was a major high point of home ownership for 44 per cent, up from 23 per cent in 2008. Not paying rent each month or owing other people money has also gone up to 38 per cent from 12 per cent in 2008.
  • The worst part of home ownership according to 29 per cent of the women surveyed was the added cost and financial responsibility.

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Family Day Carnival on Toronto’s Harbourfront

February 4, 2010 · Leave a Comment

The Waterfront BIA is inviting everyone to the Family Day Celebration being held on February 15, 2010 at Toronto’s Waterfront with lots to do for everyone as well as a draw for a family trip for 4 to the Quebec Winter Carnival in 2011!

DATE:   Monday, February 15, 2010
TIME:   11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PLACE:  Toronto Waterfront, Queen’s Quay Terminal, Harbourfront Centre

For more details, please contact:

The Waterfront BIA
Queen’s Quay Terminal, South Atrium
207 Queen’s Quay West, P.O. Box 100
Toronto, ON  M5J 1A7
Tel: 416.596.9821
Email: info@waterfrontbia.com
Web: www.waterfrontbia.com

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Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters – GFCI

February 3, 2010 · Leave a Comment

By Carson & Dunlop Associates

The outlets with the coloured “Test” and “Reset” buttons are specially designed to better protect people than ordinary outlets. GFCI’s have been used in houses since the 1970’s.

Why Are They Used?

GFCI’s are designed to shut power off if there is a very small leak of electricity (a ground fault) which ordinary outlets wouldn’t notice. Normal outlets are shut off by a fuse or breaker if more than 15 amps flows. This prevents fires, but since people can be killed by 1 amp or less, fuses may not protect people from shock. GFCI’s shut off power if a leak as small as .005 amp occurs.

How Do They Work?

A GFCI detects a leak by comparing how much electricity comes back through the white wire to how much was sent in the black wire. When everything is working correctly, the current flow is the same. If a little electricity is leaking out, it may be going through a ground wire or through part of the house. If this happens, the black wire will have more electricity than the white wire. Electricity, like most people, will follow the path of least resistance. If a person touches a leaky electrical system, they may present a better route to ground for electricity, since they may offer very little resistance.

Another way of saying this, is that the person may be a very good conductor or the person may not be well insulated. The electricity will flow through the person, giving them a shock. Without a GFCI, this can be fatal. With a GFCI, the little leak would be detected and the power would be shut off.

Where Are They Used?

In Canada, GFCI’s are now required by Code for outdoor outlets, bathroom outlets and whirlpool outlets. Electrical systems for swimming pools are also GFCI protected. In the United States, kitchen outlets within six feet of the sink must also be GFCI protected.

Can The Outlet Be GFCI Protected If There Is No Button?

Yes, if for example, the circuit breaker back at the panel has a “Test” button, it is a GFCI breaker. This will protect everything on that particular circuit. Any outlets wired downstream of a GFCI outlet are also protected if the GFCI is wired correctly.

Can They Be Added To Older Houses?

Yes, GFCI’s can be added to any electrical system. They are more expensive than regular outlets ($15-$20 vs. $1-$2), but are inexpensive insurance. While they do not replace grounding systems exactly, some Codes do allow GFCI’s in lieu of grounding in some cases. It is safe to say that a circuit protected by a GFCI is better protected than one without.

Carson & Dunlop Associates is a consulting engineering firm which has been devoted exclusively to building inspections since 1978.  Their website is located www.carsondunlop.com and they can be reached at (416) 964-9415.

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The 2010 Prognosis for the Central Toronto Real Estate Market

February 2, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Coming off a record 2009, the Toronto Real Estate Market for all intents and purposes is poised for a very healthy spring and early summer market.  The momentum of the past six months coupled with the low listing inventory has fuelled buyers thirst for quality properties.  Even in this hot market, overpriced properties will stagnate while well priced quality properties are finding willing buyers and even multiple offer scenarios.

The threat of rising interest rates later in the year is propelling many buyers to act now rather than wait out the market.   The Bank of Canada’s commitment to hold the current policy rate until the second quarter of 2010 effectively serves as a catalyst for many prospective buyers.  The subsequent caveat being that the Bank of Canada rate freeze is purely conditional and is subject to change should the economy take an unexpected path.

Historically, the annual real estate market has had two dramatic bell-type curve components – one in the spring and one in the fall.  The summer and winter months, generally fall in the lower areas on the bell curves.  The winter of 2009 wrote a different page in the history books of the Toronto real estate market, as the market did not slowdown.  Multiple offers continue to be prevalent, even during the holiday period and subsequently continued into the early weeks of January 2010.

As we enter January in the Central Toronto market, inventory levels are still quite low; buyers are abundant; there is an ominous Harmonization Sales Tax looming over Ontario in July; and the Renovation Tax Credit is concluding in the weeks ahead.   Some speculate that many sellers have been holding off bringing their properties on the market in order to take advantage of the Renovation Tax credit.    With consumer confidence building in the economy, we should see resale listing inventory levels start to rise in the coming weeks.   The pent-up demand of unsatisfied buyers and the increased inventory should move us towards a more balanced market in the first few months of 2010.

As we experienced with the poorly thought out Toronto Land Transfer Tax, there will be an increased impetus from buyers to purchase before the HST deadline along with some sellers wanting to avoid the increased tax hit.  Post implementation of the HST, we anticipate a cooling down period for a few months as buyers, sellers and real estate professionals rest up before the start of the fall market in September.

The fall market should see a return to more balanced market where supply more closely matches demand, with the only caveat being that if rates do remain low then buyers may deplete the available supply.  The prognosis overall is that the Toronto real estate market is excellent, given the net influx of migrates; the entry of many first time buyers; and the relocating baby boomers.  Toronto’s world class stature will continue to be a haven for people looking to live and work in a safe, vibrant, world class environment and ensure the longevity of a healthy central Toronto real estate market well into 2011.

SOURCE:  Royal LePage/Johnston & Daniel Division

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