Monthly Newsletter: December

The Toronto market continued at a very healthy pace in November, as the Toronto Real Estate Board reported 7,092 residential transactions, up 11% in comparison to November 2010.

The average price in the 416 area climbed to $524,805, up 10% from a year ago. It's a little cheaper in the suburbs, with the average price in the 905 area at $447,371, a jump of 9.7% from November 2010. The average price for November transactions, overall, in the GTA is $480,421 up almost 10% from November 2010.

Semi-detached homes increased 11% from last year at this time to $454,262 on a GTA wide basis, while townhouses were up in price 8% to an average of $367,727.  Condominium apartments prices also rose 8% during the same period to an average of $338,251.

Despite prices continuing to increase, the GTA market remains affordable. Affordability is calculated to be the share of the average household’s income that is dedicated to mortgage principal and interest, property taxes and utilities versus accepted borrowing guidelines.

The big difference in this November versus 2010 is the number of homes for sale going into the December market. Last year the number of homes on the market was 8,642, this year its 15,551 almost double! That means the market is a little more balanced, giving buyers a chance to see several homes before they buy, with less pressure and fewer bidding wars. While prices will continue to rise in 2012, it will probably be more of an average rate of 4% - 6% as opposed to the large gains we have seen in 2011. As Richard Silver, president of TREB, said, "The market has also become better supplied, with annual new listings growth outstripped that of sales. As this trend continues into 2012, we will see more balanced market conditions."

With such a good supply of homes for sale, it really is a good time to buy. If you have considered upgrading your home or know of someone thinking of buying or selling, I would love to help. I am around and working, so please do not hesitate to call.

Here, I leave you with a video which sums up the numbers for November 2011.

Hope you and your family have a safe, happy and healthy Holiday Season, Happy New Year and Best Wishes throughout 2012!

Your friend in real estate,

P.S. I'm never too busy for your referrals
***All information and statistics via the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB)***
***Image via Fresh Home Ideas***

RIP Harley

I have decided to take a few days off from blogging based on yesterday's tragic event. I came home yesterday afternoon with my dog, Harley, and as always he jumped out of the car and went across the street to go to the bathroom. When he finished he wanted to run back across to his mommy, I told him to stay because I saw a car coming, and Harley always listens to me. As some background information, Harley was never walked on a leash, he always listened to my commands and stayed close by. Unfortunately this time he didn't and he went running back across the street and was struck by the car and died instantly as I watched the whole thing happen in front of my eyes.

Although I rushed him to the vet, it was already too late, he was gone, forever! It has been the hardest thing of my life letting him go as not only was he my dog, he was my best friend, my baby and my son. I have never lost anyone this close to me and it hurts so much. I keep replaying the accident over and over again in my head, thinking what could I have done differently and blaming myself. Right now I feel empty and hollow and I keep thinking Harley is coming back, but I have to realize that he's not. I do know one thing for sure, time heals everything and right now all I need is time.

Harley was born on September 20th, 2007 and was the best dog ever. He was very smart, loved me unconditionally, and he was such a character, like a little human. He touched the lives of many and will be missed deeply. I love you Harley, Harls, Harks, Harloush, Harks Scarks Mcgarks, Harkey, Harkskies!

RIP Harley

Baby Harley



Loved chewing our shoes as a baby

My fav picture



Harley`s 4th birthday, we took him out for dinner!






He was my assistant


My little devil- Halloween 2011

Harley`s Friends

Childhood friends- Harley and Loki


Bf`s- Harley and Lucy


New Bf`s- Harley and Harper

Goodbye Harley :(

If there is a heaven, it`s certain our animals are to be there. Their lives become so interwoven with our own, it would take more than an archangel to detangle them. -Pam Brown

New Project!

The time has come to move onto my next project, I was sad to see the last one go as it was my favourite that I have done to date. But not to fear as this house is on the same street, just a bit further up so my awesome neighbours will be close by and I will still be in my neighbourhood, the Junction Triangle.

I will be sharing this project with all of you, step by step, giving you tips, tricks and great finds on materials. I can't wait to finally be done, as living in renovations is not fun at all, it will be like camping in the winter, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

This home is a semi detached featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 washrooms and front pad parking. It is a few feet away from a park and they are just setting up the outdoor skating rink, perfect for a growing family.

Here are the before pictures, renovations begin on Monday!

Before...exterior

Don't you just love that orange brick colour....not!

Before...entryway and stairs

The house has a lot of nice charm and character

Before...living room and dining room

I plan to open this all up, can't wait, it's always the biggest change seeing the walls come down

Before...main floor


Before...kitchen

I'm going all out on this kitchen, as kitchen and bathrooms sell homes, I will replace this island with a more impressive one

Before...kitchen


Love gas stoves!

Before...kitchen cabinets

A brand new custom kitchen will replace this one, with a stone counter top and beautiful faucet that I already bought and featured on my blog previously.

Before...3rd bedroom

This will become my new office

Before...3rd bedroom closet

Is that half a kitchen in my 3rd bedroom closet?

Before...main washroom

I have big plans for this baby!

Before...main washroom


Before...2nd bedroom

This will be my guest bedroom...don't you just love those orange walls, it matches the outside brick

Before...upstairs hallway


Before...master bedroom

Lacking some serious closet space...I'm worried!

Before...stairway to the basement

Scary!

Before...basement

Everything has got to go, I'm lucky that it's a pretty tall basement for such an old house

Before...basement bathroom

Blue tiles...really?

Before...backyard

Going to turn this into a backyard oasis

Park...super close to my house

Skating rink....right inside the park!


I can't wait to get started!

Cool Homes: Colour Wonderland!

This apartment made it to the "Cool Homes" list because this couple was not afraid to use colour mixed with vintage and rustic pieces, it was definitely love at first sight for me. This 1 bedroom apartment is located in England in a fishing village called Leigh-On-Sea, 1 hour east of London and is on the first floor of a white brick townhouse. The great thing about this apartment is that it's located uphill from the ocean, allowing a lot of light to penetrate the space. Gemma Ahern, 36, moved into her boyfriend, Russell Lewis' apartment and decided that everything had to go as it was too much of a bachelor pad and a definite sight for sore eyes. With a measly budget of $10,300, that they both pooled together, Gemma and Russell were able to transform this bachelor apartment into a colour wonderland filled with lots of cool pieces and has been featured in many publications including The New York Times.

Let me know what you think!



Russell, a graphic artist, decorated the hallway with prints by British street artists, looks amazing!


Love how a lead grey colour was used as the backdrop for this apartment with pops of colour




This window seat looks so cozy and that chandelier is to die for...what a great idea hanging it here


I'm head over heels with the following: fireplace, blue chair and antlers, I want!


That clock is on my "want" list


How cool are these?


Russell created a graffiti looking collage in the bedroom by layering spray paint, acrylics and cutouts from newspapers to mimic the tunnels of London's subways...can he do my bedroom wall too?


Here is the collage incorporated with some of the pieces in the bedroom, looks great!


Aside from wanting almost everything in this apartment, I have one more thing to add to my list...those pink handles.

If you have a cool space you would like to me to feature, make sure to contact me

***All images via New York Times***