Sorry, I don’t believe in “Happy Holidays”…

But while I’m at it, Happy Hanukkah, Amazing Al Hijra & Ashura, Krazy Kwanzaa, and Bad-Ass Bodhi Day!

Thanks to all my readers for their continued support; it’s been an amazing 2009 and I look forward to growing this blog as we move into the next decade.

Making this blog the best real estate blog in the country is a group effort, and I’d like to thank all my frequent commenters: LC, Meh, BobbyV, WEB, DaveyTheJ (you owe me a bottle!), Krupo, Potato, Geoff, PPD, IanC, Fidel (where have you been?), Jess, Aguduser, David Pylyp, Clide, Junk Bug, Frank, Dogbiskit, Chuck Charlton, McBloggert (can you function without Fidel?), Calico Cate, Duncan Scott, Patrick Parkhurst, and of course Earth Mother, who if you haven’t guessed by now is my mommy…

I’m going to try and find some down-time in the next week, so I probably won’t post again till January.  Although if I have any non real estate related thoughts and observations that simply must be shared with the world, then I certainly know where to post them…

Have a safe and happy holiday, everybody!

I don’t mean near the highway, I mean right smack-dab next to the 401.

“Everybody’s gotta live somewhere,” goes the saying, and it’s no surprise that the vacancy rates in Toronto area near all-time lows.

Take a look at the video I shot last week…

YouTube

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I’ve written a lot about pre-construction condominiums in the past few months, and I do so under the assumption that it’s always for investment.

But the reality is - many buyers actually purchase pre-construction condominiums to live in as a primary residence!

I wouldn’t advise it, and here’s why…

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National Lampoon’s: Christmas Vacation was probably played about ten times over the past weekend, so now is as good a time as any to post the video below.

There is a certain house, on a certain street in Toronto that is unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

Imagine being this person’s neighbour… 

YouTube

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First let me say that I really like this new project by Aspen Ridge Homes.

But there is one massive red flag with this development that might cause me to encourage my buyers to look elsewhere; at least in the interim.

I say “maybe” and “might” because I’m not sure what direction they’re going to move in…

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I’ve always maintained that there are deals to be had in the real estate market around Christmas time; it just takes patience and perseverance as a buyer.

Well, I’ve snagged my first great “deal” nine days before Christmas, and I attribute this 100% due to the time of year and the circumstances…

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One of the following statements is true:
a) Developers have no idea when a condominium will be completed.
b) They do, they just don’t care to tell the truth because there are no repercussions.

When was the last time a developer actually quoted a reasonable time period to plan, sell, and construct an entire building?

Contrary to popular belief, it can’t be done in one year…

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My very first video blog!

Concord Developments is at it again, only this time they’re building a new version of CityPlace up at Bayview & Leslie called “Park Place.” 

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I had an interesting debate in my office yesterday about whether or not Toronto should institute a “no car” rule in the downtown core like London, England.

While I agree that the traffic is out of control, and I’d personally LOVE to see less of it, I have another idea.

Bring toll booths to Toronto!

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Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are most houses.  But you’d have to admit that only seventy-four days is quite the quick turn-around for a completely renovated house!

I found this new listing on MLS the other day and I had deja-vu.  I wondered, “Wasn’t this just on the market?”

It was, and the owners have renovated it and are now going to flip it…

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