Should I sell my home During the Holidays?

Here is a great article for those thinking about putting their property on the market during the holiday season!
Enjoy!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324640104578165580618753110.html

10 Tips for Halloween Safety! - From The Fire Guy

Courtesy Canadian Red Cross                            The day that paranormal creatures invade city streets is near.
As your little ones prepare their costumes to trick or treat their way through the night, the Canadian Red Cross has prepared a quick list of 10 tips to make sure everyone gets home safely. You may not need to fear vampires and ghosts knocking on your door, but fire hazards, scrapes and getting lost are potential concerns.

1.     Give your kids a map of their trick or treat route so they can find their way home. Mark the homes of nearby friends and relatives in case they need assistance on their journey. Younger children should be chaperoned by an adult.

2.     Instruct children to walk on the sidewalk not the street - even princesses and fairies have to watch out for motorists!

3.     Prepare for the dark with lighter coloured clothing and reflective surfaces. What better way to decorate a sword or a cape than with magical glowing tape?

4.     Avoid any type of flame by substituting candles with glow sticks. Wigs and costumes are highly flammable and glow sticks are perfect for illuminating Jack-o-lanterns.

5.     Remind your kids to stick with groups of at least four or five - after all, even legendary heroes are stronger as a team (like the Avengers and X-Men!)

6.     Tell them to only visit residences with a porch light on and not to enter a stranger’s home - politely accept candy and promptly leave.

7.     Costumes are meant to embellish - not to hide. Keep hems short to avoid tripping and don’t let masks block the eyes.

8.     Whether you have one eye, two eyes, three eyes or four, always look both ways before crossing the street.

9.     Both mystical creatures and children need to let parents check their candy before eating to remove any potential hazards.

10.   A flashlight is akin to a protective light saber of sorts and makes night-time travelling safer (it also helps you spot a ghost or goblin trying to plan a surprise attack!)

Following these tips on October 31 will help ensure your family has a fun and safe night of trick or treating!

For all your Retrofit needs remember The Fire Guy
 "Who is here protecting you from Fire and Fire Departments"

December 2011 Market Stats - Annual Recap

Night time photos of "Riverwalk Commons"

Some great night time photos of Newmarket's Riverwalk Commons!

Newmarket's Urban Park is taking Shape

Here are a few images taken today of the construction progress of the New Urban Park being Built behind main Street, Newmarket. For more information on the project, CLICK HERE

for more real estate information, go to: www.darcytoombs.com

Know When it's Time to Renovate - TREB President's Toronto Sun Column

Toronto SUN Column (as it appears each Friday in the Toronto Sun)

July 22, 2011 -- Living in Toronto and renovating homes seem to go hand in hand. One of the major ways we build equity in our homes is by adding a new bathroom, kitchen or family room. Families grow, space must be maximized, and keeping parents close to work and children in their favourite schools often means, "Honey, It is time to renovate...again!"

Buying a fixer-upper can be a great way to get into a desirable neighbourhood at an affordable cost. It’s important to recognize though, that all renovations involve some inconvenience and a lot of elbow grease. While you’re rolling up your sleeves, it’s wise to maximize your efforts, go green, and remember that what may no longer suit your lifestyle, might be of use to someone else.

Renovating Benefits Others as Well!

A great way to renovate for you while supporting a charitable cause is to consider your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. This building supply store accepts and resells quality new and used building materials. Funds support Habitat's building programs while reducing the amount of used materials that are headed for overflowing landfills. Check ReStores out online at http://www.habitat.ca/en/community/restores/location.

Regardless of the upgrades you undertake, keep in mind that you can reduce the amount of waste you generate by donating or recycling construction materials. Certainly don’t dismiss the old for the new, if there are items to be reused, refurbishing them can add greater character to your home.

If you are looking for some great tubs and sinks you may have to go no further than your current bathrooms and kitchens. Techniques for resurfacing and countertops made of more recent materials like Caesar Stone, recycled glass, concrete, steel, stones, and the myriad of tiles will give you lots of options for upgrading the look without replacing the whole bathroom or kitchen.

Paint and paint techniques can change the look of a kitchen in a few afternoons, save you money and improve your investment: The Appraisal Institute of Canada says that upgrading kitchens and bathrooms is a smart choice, potentially offering a 75 to 100 per cent return.

Greening your Renovations!

Energy efficient lighting, appliances, faucets, toilets and showerheads are a few of the options for increasing the green factor in these two essential rooms and you can watch your monthly expenses drop.

When it comes to flooring, cork and bamboo are among the greenest options, as they are derived from renewable resources. While bamboo is also an excellent choice for cabinets, wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council of Canada is another responsible option.

Visit the Appraisal Institute of Canada’s RENOVA, an interactive web-based guide to the value of home improvements. RENOVA is designed to give consumers a better idea of the return on investment they can expect for a variety of home improvements.

Household drafts will increase your heating bills and make those lovely spacious rooms an expensive proposition in our colder months. Window and door replacement may offer a more limited return of 50 to 75 per cent, but if your existing units are broken or have been installed for fashion rather than performance, this upgrade should take priority.

When purchasing windows, look for low-E argon-filled units with the Energy Star symbol to achieve the highest thermal efficiency. Note: if you wonder how old your thermo pane windows are, most are stamped with the year and month they were made on the metal piece between the panes of glass.

Similarly, replacing an aging roof may only offer a small return but it’s an upgrade that should not be deferred due to the potential for water damage. Fortunately, roof shingles made from a variety of recycled materials are widely available and sometimes the life expectancy of your new roof is worth paying the extra costs. Housing is a long term investment.

Heating systems can offer a 50 to 75 per cent return, while central air conditioning can deliver 25 to 75 per cent on your investment, but given the extreme temperatures of our climate, these are also wise investments, particularly when you choose models with the Energy Star symbol. We replaced our workable 60 percent efficiency furnace with a high efficiency furnace that, with our new windows and doors keeps us toasty all winter.

While decorating choices may be subject to taste, you’ll find that when it’s time to move again, energy efficient, money-saving upgrades have universal appeal. Renovating can be helpful to you, others, and reduce your carbon footprint all at the same time. Enjoy!

For Greening, Renovating or finding the right home, talk to a Greater Toronto REALTOR® and visit www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com for neighbourhood profiles, open house listings, market updates and more.

Richard Silver is President of the Toronto Real Estate Board, a professional association that represents 31,000 REALTORS® in the Greater Toronto Area.

for more eral estate information, go to www.darcytoombs.com

Know what to Look for in a Condo

Bill Johnston, TREB President
April 22, 2011 -- Condominium transactions (sales of condo apartments and condo townhouses combined) comprise approximately one in every three resale home transactions in the Greater Toronto Area compared to 25 years ago when condominiums comprised 25 per cent of the market.

There are many advantages to condo living including energy efficiency, proximity to amenities and maintenance free living. There is also a wider selection of condominium housing structures than ever before.

Regardless of the structure all condominium owners hold title to their units and share ownership and responsibility of and for the operating costs of the common elements that comprise the balance of the property.

Maintenance fees, which are paid in addition to your mortgage and property taxes, are directly related to the size of each condominium apartment unit.

While the maintenance fees may include the cost of heat, hydro, building insurance and upkeep of common areas, it is important to understand specifically what is covered in the maintenance fees.

Ask your REALTOR® for help in understanding what your fees will include in the particular condominium you're interested in buying.

Condominium townhouses may also involve maintenance fees. In this case, fees are related to common areas outside of the structure like Snow removal and lawn care.

There are a number of details involved in a condominium purchase that are unique to this housing type. As such, it's wise to work with a REALTOR®, regardless of whether you are buying a new or resale unit.

When buying a new condo unit, buyers should request a disclosure statement. It includes a description of the project's most important features, bylaws that govern the corporation, rules that regulate owners' living environments and the condominium corporation's budget for the first year after registration.

When buying a resale condo, buyers should also request a status certificate, which offers similar information and confirms that the owner is current with common expenses. It's important to speak with your REALTOR® and discuss which conditions are best suited for your offer.

The move-in date for a new condominium is referred to as an occupancy closing, which takes place until the condominium corporation is registered. Again, ask your REALTOR® to help you understand exactly what is and can be expected at closing.

A condominium Board of Directors, consisting of at least three Directors, is responsible for ensuring monies are held in trust, funds are properly invested and records are kept.

Owners meanwhile are responsible for ensuring their units are in good repair and must seek approval for structural changes within them.

To be sure that you are clear as to your responsibilities as a condominium buyer, be sure to talk to a Greater Toronto REALTOR® who can help you find a condominium ideally suited to your lifestyle. For more information visit www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com


Bill Johnston is President of the Toronto Real Estate Board, a professional association that represents 31,000 REALTORS® in the Greater Toronto Area

Image Source Page: http://urbanrealtytoronto.com/wordpress/2010/08/18/toronto-hotel-boutique-condos-part-2/

Davis Drive Construction update

Davis Drive Construction Update

Coming Soon to Downtown Newmarket

Click on this link for information on the Newmarket Community Urban Space Project (CUSP) which is currently under construction behind main street

April's Transactions nearly met the Record!

May 14, 2010 -- In April, 10,898 homes changed hands in the Greater Toronto Area, marking two consecutive months in which activity has exceeded 10,000 transactions. While not unprecedented, this pattern has only occurred once before: in May and June of 2007, which finished as the strongest year on record.

Last month’s figure surpassed April 2009’s 8,107 sales, which took place as we were emerging from a short-lived recession. Most significantly, it outpaced April 2008’s 8,762 transactions and even the 9,452 sales that took place in April 2007.

Taking a closer look at last month’s numbers, there were 4,310 sales in the 416 Area and 6,588 transactions in the 905 Region.

The 3,349 condominium purchases that took place comprised nearly 31 per cent of all sales last month. By contrast, at this time a year ago condominiums comprised 28 per cent of transactions. This demonstrates Torontonians’ growing enthusiasm for condominium living.

With respect to prices, the results are also very strong. Currently, the average price of a home in the GTA is $437,600, which represents a nearly 12 per cent increase over the April 2009 average price of $385,641. Growth was nearly equal in both of the regions last month. In the 416 Area, the average price of $479,340 rose nearly 14 per cent from $421,470 a year ago. In the 905 Region, the average price of $410,293 grew more than 13 per cent from April 2009’s average price of $362,009.

Due in part to the extra costs associated with the Harmonized Sales Tax, which takes effect July 1, and anticipated interest rate hikes, activity is brisk. Currently homes are on the market for an average of 21 days before being sold compared to an average of 37 days on market a year ago. As well, there are currently 22,951 homes available for sale throughout the GTA as compared to 23,515 a year ago.

We can expect more properties to become available for sale as we move toward the second half of the year though, as homeowners react favourably to recent months’ activity. This should result in more balanced conditions.

While there’s no question that sales have been robust throughout the past 12 months, the market is functioning as expected. In fact, the flurry of activity during the past two months bodes well for the future of real estate in the GTA, as each new homeowner brings fresh enthusiasm to their new space, undertaking home improvements and thereby contributing to property values in the city as a whole.

Regardless of market conditions, provided you enlist the skills of an astute REALTOR® it can be a favourable time to undertake a transaction at any juncture. To find out more about activity in your specific neighbourhood, talk to a Greater Toronto REALTOR®. They can advise you on recent sales in the area so that you can make informed decisions when planning your next move.

Be sure to visit www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com as well, where you will find GTA listings, plain language explanations of common real estate forms, information on government programs and more.

Follow TREB on www.Twitter.com/TREB_Official, www.facebook.com/TorontoRealEstateBoard and www.youtube.com/TREBChannel .


Tom Lebour is President of the Toronto Real Estate Board, a professional association that represents 29,000 REALTORS® in the Greater Toronto Area.

Mid-April Resale Market Figures

TORONTO, April 16, 2010 – Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,601 sales throughthe Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) during the first two weeks of April.

This represented a 25 per cent increase compared to the 3,681 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. New listings increased by 48 per cent annually to 9,512.

“The fact that annual growth in new listings outstripped growth in sales suggests that the GTA existing home market is becoming better supplied,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Tom Lebour.

"Home owners are reacting to strong sales and price growth by listing their homes in greater numbers. They are confident they will receive offers in line with their asking price."

The average price for April mid-month transactions was $430,271 – up 12 per cent compared to the average of $383,361 recorded during the first 14 days of April 2009.

"The average annual rate of price increase has declined and we are shortly going to see a return to sustainable single-digit rates of growth," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

"As home buyers experience more choice in the marketplace, there will be less upward pressure on the average selling price in the GTA.”

Transit Future Woes - Budget Cut backs could put Road Widening on Hold.

If you were hoping to trade in your car for the region’s new rapid transit service in the next few years, you may want to hold on to your keys.

The budget unveiled by Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan Thursday asks Metrolinx to delay $4 billion in transit spending during the next five years, meaning Viva’s bus lanes, including an extensive project on Newmarket’s Davis Drive, likely won’t open as soon as hoped.

Viva didn’t know about the funding delays until the budget announcement, but will soon meet with the province and Metrolinx, spokesperson Dale Albers said. The province and York Region will work together to deliver programs in a reasonable time frame, he said.

Mr. Albers emphasized the province’s prior commitments to transit and that no projects are cancelled. But with shovels nearly ready to go in the ground in Newmarket, Markham and Richmond Hill, the future is suddenly uncertain.

“It does’t seem sensible to halt the project this far along,” said Newmarket Regional Councillor John Taylor, who began making enquries as soon as he heard about the delay.

Engineering work for Davis Drive’s rapidways is complete and expropriations have proceeded to the point some buildings along the strip are boarded up.

Mr. Taylor said he was very concerned, but spoke with regional chairperson Bill Fisch Friday and is confident Mr. Ficsh and staff, who brought Viva so far already, will ensure things don’t grind to a halt.

“I’m hoping we’ll have a positive outcome. I wouldn’t want to see Davis Drive caught in limbo,” Mr. Taylor said.

The bus line would help free up congestion choking Davis for decades, Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen said, adding Southlake hospital’s new cancer centre will bring even more vehicles to town.

Expropriations are also underway along Hwy. 7 East, so construction can begin this fall. Those lanes were set to open in 2013. Further phases, extending north along Yonge Street to Richmond Hill and through Newmarket and west along Hwy. 7 to Vaughan, were set for 2014 to 2015 openings.

Even further down the road were other Viva segments and plans to extend TTC’s light rail transit on Don Mills road and Jane Street into York Region.

It was almost exactly a year ago Premier Dalton McGuinty came to York celebrating $1.4 billion for Viva, fully funding the construction of the median lanes that allow buses to operate out of mixed traffic.

The premier was following through on the promise of the $11.5 billion Move Ontario 2020 plan unveiled during the 2007 election campaign. He hoped the federal government would step up with money, but that never happened and the original funds for transit projects across the GTA are almost entirely dispersed.

Now, the government is trying to hold off spending the more than one-third of funding already spoken for.

While Viva’s future is up in the air, things are surely more bleak for the unfunded Yonge subway extension, despite strong regional lobbying for the needed $3 billion.
It’s “basically dead”, Thornhill Conservative MPP Peter Shurman said of Move Ontario, but he and other local politicians formed a working group with residents to lobby for the subway and they are kicking around alternate funding ideas.

“Gridlock costs a fortune” in terms of money and quality of life for York residents, Mr. Shurman said.

Vaughan’s Spadina subway is unaffected but Toronto’s plans to construct LRT along Finch Avenue and Eglinton Avenue are also pushed back.

“It makes absolutely no economic sense, it makes no sense from a social policy perspective,” Toronto Mayor David Miller told reporters, describing the decision as “disgraceful” and “thick”.

Both Mr. Miller and the Toronto Board of Trade slammed the move as shortsighted given its job-creation potential.

“This is not a good day for regional transit,” board president and chief executive officer Carol Wilding said.

“Our infrastructure deficit has become the casualty of a fiscal deficit with shorter-term priorities sacrificing the fundamentals of long-term economic growth.”
The transit delays were one of several belt-tightening measures announced by Mr. Duncan, including a freeze on provincial salaries.

“Public servants make a valuable contribution to the health and well-being of this province. They are an important part of our well-educated workforce. That is why we will not propose mandatory days off. That is why we will honour existing collective agreements.”

About 700,000 unionized employees will not see a freeze, at least until their contracts come due. That means it’s business as usual for the unions while other Ontarians are busy making ends meet, Mr. Shurman said.

Mr. Duncan also touted previously announced programs, such as plans to spend $63.5 million on daycare, the introduction of full-day kindergarten in September and the shift to the HST in June.

The harmonized tax is expected bring $1.2 billion to the provincial treasury next year.

Storey from:

http://www.yorkregion.com/news/local/article/657189--transit-future-woes

For more information on the VIVANEXT Project and how it's planned to effect Davis Drive, click here

Daniel Craig comes to Newmarket

On Monday Feb 15 and Tuesday Feb 16, Daniel Craig is coming to town to film a few scenes from his upcoming film.

Dream House, also featuring Naomi Watts, is a thriller that follows a man, portrayed by Mr. Craig, who moves his family to a small town only to discover the house he purchased is haunted by the former owners, who were murdered there.
He will be in town to shoot a scene with Newmarket's own Real Estate Agent, Rav Toor (Homelife Main Street). A scene that will be shot on Feb. 16 will use the local real estate Brokerage office as back drop when Mr. Craig's character accuses the real estate agents of selling the house with the knowledge it being haunted...

Rumour has it that Niaomi Watts will not be in town for the shoot... too bad, but understandably, Main Street is in a BUZZ over the coming Movie Star.