David Pylyp

This past holiday weekend, while many were out BBQ'ing and playing by the water, I was out with a single Mom, looking for a condo in the Michael Power, Islington and Bloor (Kipling) location. We found a suitable unit, prepared an offer for full asking price and proceeded to line up at the offer presentation table.

Our offer was unsuccessful as one was all cash and ours was conditional only on financing for three business days. (The minimum requirement for a CMHC hi ratio approval.) The Buyer was disappointed and we will see in a few days what the unit actually sold for. To bid differently would not have been prudent with this Buyer.
This morning, Tuesday, after the long weekend, I prepared my 11 x 17 inch Tablet Sign, and attended at the condominium complex, to stand at the gauntlet of morning commuters and beg for a opportunity to buy their condo. They stepped around me like David Miller and the garbage strike.
Within the two hour period that I had allotted (starting at 6:45 AM) I had actually spoken to approximately 100 people who exited from the buildings and asked a) If they would like to sell their unit b) if they made eye contact, would they like to check out my websites. Results? Handed out about 40 business cards.
Is this the right way to find business? 100 People said NO to me before 9 AM, and made me feel like a politician on the huskings for your vote. But in reality even after 20 years in the real estate business, and a strong website presence I need to meet and greet fresh new faces. This client wants these specific buildings. I need to meet the residents of Michael Power. Telephone canvassing is no longer a viable choice as people have signed up for do not call lists, but in reality with different home telephone service providers we no longer have a comprehensive telephone listing directory that is cross referenced to address.
Door Knocking inside Condos is strictly forbidden and the security once alerted would quickly SHOO me from the premises. So How best to contact these owners who may wish to sell?
The Michael Power complex fronts onto the Bloor Street, immediately adjacent to the Islington Subway station. Park Royal Place now has the final building under construction. There are 5 municipal address groupings, 5 Michael Power, 7 and 9 Michael Power and 11, 15, 17 Micheal Power Place. Last sold details are available at the website for the previous six month period.
Given the size of the complex. some 6 buildings, there have been only 51 sales in the last 6 month period. Given the malaise that was encountered in the Jan - March timeframe, the lack of inventory is disturbing to many Buyers and causing some price silliness.
If you live here and would like to move, Today I actually DO have a client that is interested.
What would you suggest as the best method to contact condo dwellers? Tomorrow morning weather permitting, I will yet again be in the same place but this time blocking vehicle traffic rather than pedestrians.

Add a fireplace anywhere

Historically the main function of a fireplace was to provide the principal source of heat, and therefore was typically positioned centrally.

Today, fireplaces are less functional and more focal points for a room; they are installed to create a cozy luminescent atmosphere and their design has to be consistent with the overall style of the home. In the last decade fireplaces have evolved in terms of both style and heating mechanisms.

There are infinite styles available, for example wall mounted, freestanding multifunctional coffee table/fireplaces in a variety of materials (stones, wood, steel, glass) and colours. Along with the traditional wood, gas and electric models, the market has introduced new fuels like gel or liquefied ethanol. These new energy sources are great for condos where it often isn't possible to install an exhaust system.

All these and more can be found locally at 360living.ca located in Toronto at Dupont and Avenue Road. I had the pleasure to meet with Christine Denault of 360 Living to discuss the most popular choices and finishes. Christine indicated that there was also strong demand for their outdoor self contained units.

I would encourage you, to seek out the newest technology both for their esthetics and improved visual appeal of your west end condo. The Bonus! You also get the Home Improvement Tax Credit.

As we move into modern times we turn to David Letterman for our inspiration.

Here is our Top Ten list of home staging DO's

1. Sparkle and Shine - Keeping a clean house is paramount to making a positive impression on potential homebuyers. Nothing will turn off homebuyers quicker than a dirty house. In the mind of a homebuyer, a clean house equals a house that has been well taken care of.

2. Clear the Clutter - Take a step back and assess the room and all of its belongings. If they're not adding to the design or function of the room, store them or remove them. This goes for furniture too. Remember the old adage, "less is more", especially when it comes to showing off the space in a room.

3. Tone Down Your Personality - Smart sellers know that the purchase of a home is a very emotional decision, which is then backed up by the rational. Therefore, if homebuyers see too much of "you" in the house, they will not see themselves living there. Potential homebuyers become home buyers when they imagine themselves living in the house. Let them do that by removing personal effects such as photos, degrees, and knickknacks.

4. Clean up the Curb - Sellers often focus on the interior and neglect to focus on the first impression-the outside. How does your home look when you drive by? Are the trees trimmed? Lawn mowed? Weeds picked? Garbage stored away? Windows washed? If potential homebuyers drive by before setting up a viewing (and a LARGE majority WILL drive by) and do not like what they see, they will cross you off their list. Remember to look at curb appeal at night too, as most drive bys will happen in the evening after work!

5. Fix the Faulty - Have you been meaning to replace that burnt out light fixture in the bathroom for awhile, but keep putting it off? Well, now is the time to do all of those "minor" repairs around the house. "Minor" repairs that need to be done will become major problems in the homebuyers' eyes. Moving is stressful enough-the last thing homebuyers want to do when they move in is go around the house replacing burnt out bulbs and fixing cracks in the wall. Fix it before homebuyers eighty-six it!

6. Paint the Town Red, Not Your Walls - Love your red dining room or blue bedroom? While you might, not everyone has the same taste in décor as you do. Although paint colours are just an easy aesthetic change, most homebuyers will not be able to get past them. As well, different colours can conjure up different emotions such as frustration and agitation-not exactly the emotional state you want a homebuyer to be in! Neutral colours not only appeal to the masses, but also create a more calming and relaxed atmosphere-the perfect atmosphere for buying!

7. Warm It Up - Now, after telling you to de-clutter, de-personalize, and neutralize, you're probably thinking your house might look more like a hospital than a home. In addition to these lessons, though, remember that you still want to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Think more hotel than hospital. Warm up the space with fresh flowers, fresh fruit, throws, pillows and rugs.

8. Point Out the Positives - Staging is not about hiding all of the negatives, but about accentuating the positives. Focus on highlighting what made you fall in love with your home when you bought it-Updated kitchen? Spacious family room? Gorgeous garden? Make sure you catch homebuyers' attention in the right rooms.

9. Let the Light Shine In - Now that you've spent all of this time and energy getting the house ready, don't hide it in the dark. Always open your blinds and drapes and turn on the lights before any showings and open houses.

10. Look at Your Objects Objectively - Even after going through the list, you still have to step back, remove yourself from the emotional side of selling your home and go through the list again. Do you really need your DVD collection on display? Remember, you're moving everything eventually, so you might as well get started now! Not ready to part with your green bathroom? Again, you will eventually have to part ways and, really, are you ready to lose a sale over a can of paint? Because of the difficulty separating yourself from the connection you have with your home, many homeowners have found it's much easier to go through the selling preparation process with a staging professional. Staging professionals can help them look at their property objectively and make the changes they need in order to sell quickly and for the most money.

Christine LeLacheur is a Certified Staging Professional (CSP^TM) and has a Masters of Business Administration (MBA). She continually augments her formal education by keeping on top of industry trends and keeping an ear to the ground to ensure she provides homeowners with ideas and layouts that appeal to an array of potential homebuyers.

Christine and her team are committed to making your house looks its best, optimize its value, and add to your pocketbook without leaving any equity on the table! Contact Christine today to learn more about how The Frugal Stager can help you sell your home!

Home Buying Closing Costs Toronto GTA Real Estate

How much are the closing costs? How much money do you need in addition to your deposits. All are answered here with a financial income requirement worksheet.

Calculate Land Transfer Tax

Am I able to get First Time Buyer Rebates?

Home Buying Calculation sheet is generated on each property we are seriously considering during our shopping process. At this point you would have already decided condo or freehold ownership, Fixed or Variable Funding for your mortgage.

The Top Half of the Worksheet describes monthly debt payment calculations

The bottom half describes the Taxes and expenses relative to each purchase.

The new HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) will alter many items.

"For more than 15 days now none of the garbage and recycling units that dot most street corners in Canadas largest city have been emptied.

"Its disgusting, theres garbage flying around everywhere, we have to sweep the patio every 30 minutes just to keep it presentable," said Vicki Rivard, manager at Davids Tea on the street. A block away, street vendor Anthony Vilanova says business is already being hit.

And it is the second time in seven years that garbage pick-up has been disrupted, with the last civic strike in 2002." FROM A US WEBSITE

KUDOS are deserved! I was so proud last week that the Pride Parade organizers had handled their garbage issues in an efficient and productive manner, taking the time and effort to hire private contractors to fill the void left by city employees.

I am not against the Unions, I am not against the City. But what are the real issues? Surely, Not the money. The same money that is being saved now will be spent, plus excess in overtime and back pay, plus the city will need to RETRO pay all the workers to the end of the last contract period.

I am sure someone could provide the details.

CUPE local has their own website and is encouraging the members to Twitter and POST and Participate but they are really working upstream, completely outgunned against the Public Relations Professionals that are the City.

SO who will profit in their profile and reputation from making all these apparent gestures to SAVE the city from the Unions?

Could this be the same CANDIDATE who promised to close a FEDERAL airport on the Toronto Islands outside of their jurisdictionduring the last elections?

Toronto Business Owners are fed up with waste and mismanagement of services by the City and general dismissal of their needs to operate a profitable business. The City has meddled with Transit vis a vis the St Clair closures, the Molson Indy lost sponsorship (now the Honda Indy) will be picketed by the CUPE membership, last year the fight was about GUNS in the City that resulted in the relocation of the Sportmen's Show. That is not the image of the City I want projected on the evening news. We need tourist dollars.

Lets get a few business people elected to run a city properly, efficiently and responsibly. The ONLY reason this strike hasn't been settled is because the temperatures have been moderate. If we had a heat wave and the garbage stank, we would have settled weeks ago. Maybe after they fill High Park and the Sunnyside Pavillion on Lake Shore, so the 905'ers can drive by and TiSK TiSK and shake their heads.

I am embarrassed for the tourists that come to "Toronto the Good" for their week long vacations who cannot stay outside on the outdoor patio's and have a cool beverage because of mounting sidewalk garbage. I am so sorry that children who cannot play nicely with others have ruined it for everyone else.

If we want to be a world class city, Lets start acting and behaving like it.
What are your thoughts?