30
01
2009
Detached vs. Semi-Detached
Bungalow vs. 2-Storey
We’re very familiar with detached, 2-story houses; as well as semi-detached, 2-storey homes as well. But what about semi-detached bungalows? They’re pretty rare, and pretty unique too…

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Categories : Development, Houses, Neighbourhoods
29
01
2009
I’ve heard people refer to a University degree as “an eighty-thousand-dollar piece of paper.”
I’d like to think the experience I gained at McMaster could represent more than just that…
But when it comes to buying a condominium during the months leading up to registration, the buyer IS essentially purchasing a $300,000 piece of paper. Let’s examine the pros and cons…
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Categories : Pre-Construction, Development, Business, Condos
27
01
2009
I found the perfect site for a new condo development to pitch to my builder-client, and it’s ripe for the picking.
There’s currently a building on the site, but nothing a wrecking ball won’t fix!
Only one potential problem exists, however: the building is a one-hundred-year-old church…

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Categories : Development, Business, Houses, Condos, Neighbourhoods
26
01
2009
There is a new “strategy” among Realtors that is completely self-serving, and the short-term gain is severely outweighed by detriment created in the long run.
Re-listing a property already listed for sale completely skews all the numbers used to formulate statistics on our real estate market.
And while I’ve always maintained that “you can make numbers say anything you want,” in this case, the numbers do all the talking…

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Categories : Opinion, Business
23
01
2009
Okay, so this has a very loose association with real estate.
But I’ve been having these cynical and comedic thoughts about elevators for the past couple years, and I really feel the urge to share them.
Don’t pretend that you don’t know exactly what I’m talking about…
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Categories : Stories!, Opinion, Condos
22
01
2009
People will do anything for a thrill…
A few weeks back, I read an article in the paper about an incident at a Toronto open house on weekend.
The listing agent, at about 4PM, was closing up the open house, and heard footsteps upstairs. He went to the upper level and found a couple having sex in the upstairs bedroom!
“House Humping” seems to be a growing trend, now that “The Mile High Club” has lost it’s lustre.
Here are my top three sex-related real estate stories…
(reader discretion STRONGLY advised!)
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Categories : Stories!, Houses
21
01
2009
You can’t turn on CNN without hearing the terms “credit crunch,” “sub-prime mortgage,” or “national debt.”
There is a documentary film that everybody and their grandmother MUST see right now. It’s called “Maxed Out,” and it’s on Rogers-On-Demand this month.
You’ll find yourself thinking “This can’t be true” as you watch the film, but it’s all true, and it’s all quite sad…

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Categories : International, Opinion, Business
20
01
2009
Arrrrrgh!
I’m so frustrated right now. Airplanes, airports, stewardesses….er….”flight attendants.”
If only I had some sort of forum to express my current level of discomfort…
WAIT! I have my very own blog!
This may not be about real estate, but here goes anyways…
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Categories : Stories!, International, Opinion
19
01
2009
….of a new real estate agent!
This poor girl just started at our office, and already she’s having a difficult time.
While I sympathize with her trials and tribulations, it makes for a rather funny story…
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Categories : Stories!, Opinion, Business
16
01
2009
I come across many different people during the course of my job, and they come from all walks of life.
Some are nice, some are mean. Some are sincere, and some are simply out to get something for nothing.
But old people are the biggest question mark.
Last week, I met a kind old man who left a rather lasting impression…

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Categories : Stories!, Condos