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Vacation time and your house is safe!

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Toronto is having a rather mild weather for this time of year, but still, the call of a hot sun down south will have many Torontonians leaving for warmer climes this winter. If you are one of those fortunate souls, be sure to follow the following guidelines to guarantee peace-of-mind while you are away – because nothing can ruin a great vacation like returning to a house that has been burgled.

Did you know that it takes just minutes for someone to break into a home? The best deterrent is the impression that someone is home. And, the way to create this impression is quite simple, so long as you take the necessary steps below:

– Stop your newspaper and get a neighbour to pick up your flyers
– If you don’t have a communal mailbox, ask Canada Post to hold your mail
– Ask a friend or neighbour to shovel your driveway and/or walkway
– Be discreet while loading luggage into your trunk
– Buy timers for your lights that go on at different times in different rooms
– Keep the curtains drawn in rooms where you have valuables
– Don’t talk about your vacation plans on social media

Securing the grounds around your home is also important to keep it safe. So, be sure to remove anything that could be used as a ladder and install motion sensor exterior lights at key points such as entrances and along pathways. If possible eliminate any areas that could be used for hiding.

Next, be sure to lock all doors and windows including doors to the garage and basement windows. Put window stops on the frames of any basement and ground level windows to make it harder for anyone trying to get in. Today you can also invest in smart security cameras that will let you monitor your home via an app while away. Although costly, they are great if you want to be extra secure when on vacation.

As time is of the essence in any burglary, any impediment or obstacle that requires just a little more time, will discourage a burglar from trying. So, even though it might mean a little effort to put these small things into place before your leave, they are well-worth it a happy return from your well-deserved holiday.

Paying down your mortgage quickly

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Toronto real estate prices have been on a pretty steady climb for over a decade now. Even with the slight correction experienced at the end of 2019, prices are very high and it is only normal for couples to wonder how they will ever be able to pay off their mortgage quickly. Believe-it-or-not, there are strategies you can use to get pay down your home far quicker than what your amortization tells you.

1. Buy a home you can easily afford – and, this is definitely much easier said than done in Toronto’s hot property market, but if you smart about what you can afford, you will be able to comfortably meet and exceed your financial obligations on your home. Instead of just trusting that your financial institution will only give you a loan for what you can afford, do the math yourself. Instead of calculating your mortgage affordability based on your gross income, calculate it on what you get after taxes, savings, utilities, communications, food, insurances and your car costs have been deducted. What’s left over is what you can really afford. And, even from that sum you will have to factor in property taxes and maintenance costs. As long as you stick within that figure, you will be fine.

2. Make extra payments. Yes, it seems so straight forward, but making extra payments from the very beginning of your home loan will attack the capital from the start. Reducing your capital will immediately reduce the amount of interest you have to pay back and will also reduce your loan amortization. If you can, make an extra mortgage payment every quarter or round-up the amount you pay.

3. Switch to a bi-weekly payment schedule. When you pay down your debt weekly or bi-weekly, you are effectively making one full extra month’s payment towards your loan. That will eat into your capital and reduce your amortization dramatically.

4. Rent out a room for extra income. If you don’t have the extra cash to put towards your mortgage every month, it might be worth converting an extra room into a space you can rent. The extra income could go entirely towards paying down your mortgage. However, this only works if you have the extra room to spare and if you are willing to share your space with a stranger.

5. Use your tax-refunds and bonuses wisely. Another source of income that could be put to good use is any tax refund you receive or bonuses you get. Instead of taking a big vacation or buying things that depreciate, use that extra money to make a lump sum payment towards your mortgage.

As long as you don’t incur additional consumer debt and if you are focused on paying down your mortgage and follow these simple steps, you can be debt-free quicker than you ever imagined.

To list early or wait

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Welcome to 2020! We hope you enjoyed your holiday season and are refreshed and ready for another year.

As you know the buying season is gearing up and in just a few weeks this year’s market will start to hum. If you are thinking of listing your house this year, then the ideal time to do so is coming up. The spring rush is that perfect time when buyers emerge from their wintery cocoons and hit the realty market in search of their dream home. However, listing your place just ahead of the rush could actually be more advantageous depending on your goals.

There is a distinct lack of inventory in February and March meaning that buyers will appreciate any new listings that hit the market. It also means that if a good property comes up there is more likely to be a bidding war on it than if there is a large supply of homes for buyers to choose from. In fact, March tends to be the best month for home sales for the year.

Buyers who start their search for a home in Toronto in February and March also tend to be more motivated, understand the market and are keen to close a deal. They typically tend to be those who missed the fall rush of the previous year and are motivated. Naturally you will also have those who believe in starting early to scope out what’s available and then decide, however, savvy buyers will understand that to get what they want they need to move fast and come with their best offer.

Listing early is good for buyers as well since they are able to buy and move in by the summer making the move easier than doing so later in the year.

When you are ready to list – whether it is early in the year or at the height of the spring rush, just be sure to choose your Toronto realtor with care. It’s best to hire someone who specializes in your neighbourhood so that they know how to promote your listing and where to find motivated buyers.

Enjoy the holidays with peace of mind!

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The holidays are nearly upon us and Torontonians are busily preparing to celebrate the season with family and friends. Those of you who are hosting at your Toronto home know the work and stress that go into getting ready to receive, but you also know that it is all worth it in the end. Although it might be a little late in the game to get organized for this year, we thought it would be fun to put together a list of ways for you to get prepared well in advance for the holidays next year!

Here are some quick tips to help you avoid the holiday stresses put on time and money.

Create a budget and plan well ahead of time!
As trite as those two elements seem, they are key to enjoying the holiday season instead of dreading it. If you create a realistic budget for your celebrations and start planning well ahead of time, you definitely won’t run into the issue of not enough time or money to get through one of the busiest and most expensive parts of the year.

Shop throughout the year
Instead of shopping for everyone’s gift at the very last minute, if you see something during the year that you think would be perfect for someone, pick-it-up! Creating a list of people you need to shop for and having it handy each time you are in a store will help you stay organized and remember what you purchased for whom. If you want to be even more organized, the moment you get home wrap it and label it. By the time the holidays arrive you will be fully stocked with more than enough presents to fill everyone’s spirits with cheer.

Bake in advance
If you know that you will be hosting, start baking and freezing two-to-three weeks ahead of time so that you are not caught trying to make all of your cakes and cookies at the same time. Most items can easily be frozen and thawed when you are ready to eat.

Lastly, about a month before the holidays you can start cleaning and decluttering your home. Trying to clean the guest bedroom, the basement and the rest of the house in the same day and then cook and bake can be daunting. However, when the tasks are broken up into manageable chunks it is easy to get ready in no time at all.

And on that note, all of us here at Imaginahome would like to wish you and yours a wonderfully festive and joyous holiday season and may your New Year be spectacular! We thank you for your continued support and look forward to answering your realty needs again in 2020.

Please note that our offices will be closed from Monday, December 23, 2019 until Thursday, January 2, 2020.

Condos with purpose

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With Toronto real estate prices for single family homes out of reach for many people looking to buy, condos have become the go-to entry-level property. While condos are still less expensive than a traditional house, the gap in pricing has been getting closer in recent years. Among the reasons for this closing of the gap is the lack of real estate in key areas, the continued upward rise in the price of single-family homes and the rethinking of condos overall. Instead of building condos as mere residential complexes, many new developments are seeing them as self-contained, mini-cities.

Condo complexes offering residents fitness centres, swimming pools and party rooms is not new – these have been around for many years now. What is new is the incorporation of services into the complex – everything from grocery stores to boutiques, restaurants and yoga studios and full-service luxury spas are being included in many of the newer, high-end condo concepts. While these services are convenient and definitely appealing to many buyers, the inclusion of these mixed use spaces do drive the cost of the condos themselves up.

If you are in the market for a condo and like the idea of a complex offering a slew of services, then the best time to buy into such a project is off-plan. Many of the newer building developments are allowing buyers who purchase off-plan to unbundle services – to essentially choose what finishes they want to include, if any. Then they can upgrade later on as the building moves into the construction phase. It is the more affordable way of getting into the housing market if you aren’t already. It is a great way to build equity in a solid investment that will certainly appreciate over time.

If you like the idea of a condo with purpose – a complex where you can meet all of your basic needs, along with some of your wants, then keep an eye out for new developments that will give you the flexibility of enjoying that lifestyle at a price point that fits within your budget. When such a project presents itself, be sure to be among the first to buy while it is still off-plan.

Doorless showers

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If you are looking to renovate the ensuite in your Toronto home and would like to increase its size, open up the flow and give it a stylish look, then consider installing a doorless shower stall. These new-again showers are becoming increasingly popular and with good reason. Not only are doorless shower stalls attractive in any setting, they are also very practical. However, when it comes to installing a doorless shower stall there a certain things to keep in mind.

Unless you want a flooded bathroom, you need to be sure that the floor of your shower is properly sloped towards the drain in the floor. For this reason, installing a doorless shower is not entirely DIY-friendly. It will also require more intricate tile work. However, if you really don’t want the potential of water leaking all over your bathroom, installing a small lip around the shower is a good idea. A half wall or a glass wall are also two very good ways of mitigating water seepage from a doorless shower. Providing ample room as a splash zone is always a good thing, and lastly, choosing the right shower head can mean all the difference between a wet and dry bathroom. A rain head tends to cause less splash and will also give your shower a very spa-inspired look and feel.

Another thing to consider carefully with a doorless shower is the flooring or tile that you choose for the base. It is best to choose something that will provide grip when wet and not be entirely slippery. Also, it is best not to replace all of the bathtubs in your Toronto home with walk-in showers as it will decrease your home’s resale value given that many buyers require at least one tub in a property.

Walk-in showers can give your ensuite a sophisticated look and feel. They are also far more accessible that showers with tubs. Interestingly enough, doorless showers were normal in many parts of the world and are now coming over to North America – and are being embraced for their ease of use, lower maintenance and contemporary look.

With so many pros, a doorless shower might be the perfect solution for your next bathroom reno.

Organizing your garage

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If you have a garage in Toronto, you are among those fortunate enough to have space to park your car. If you are like a large number of families out there, your garage is your dumping ground and rarely used for actually parking your car. However, you can change that with a clear mission of how to use the space you have.

One of the main reasons that people tend to ignore their garages and use them for storage is because they are rarely finished properly. Usually they have drywall up with concrete flooring. Occasionally the walls with be damaged through the years making the whole atmosphere that much more uninviting. Hence the first thing to do in your attempt to organize your garage is to properly finish it. Paint the walls to brighten the space and use an epoxy on the floor to make it easier to clean and maintain.

Next, figure out dedicated spots for everything you need to store in your garage. If you have a lot of bulky, seasonal items such as decorations, outdoor furniture or camping gear, consider getting a storage system that hangs from the ceiling. These systems can usually be accessed either through a pulley system or, with the more expensive kind, an electric system that will lower the shelving automatically. You can also invest in shelving that sits high off the floor to free up floor space. Use hooks for hanging bikes and invest in sturdy shelving to organize tools, garden implements and other items usually found in garages.

If you want a workshop, then consider installing a workbench at the back of the garage along with a worktable and use peg board or some of the more sophisticated mounting systems for hanging tools in easy to access places.

Garages are a blessing and a bane – they provide space and storage and a convenient spot for parking. However, they can also be frustrating when they get cluttered up. By organizing your garage, you will be able to turn your dumping ground into a usable and convenient space that will enhance your quality of life immensely.

Laneway housing: what is it?

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Toronto’s housing market is hot. It has been rising steadily for years now with no signs of slowing down. This situation has created a shortage of affordable housing for people who want to live in the city. Whether looking to buy or rent, the city has few options with many interested parties waiting in line. It is no surprise, therefore, that city authorities have begun allowing the construction of laneway housing.

Laneway housing is a completely self-sufficient, detached housing unit built at the rear of an existing property – and they usually open up into the laneway. Whether to be used as an in-law suite, an apartment for adult children or as a rental suite that can help pay down the mortgage, these structures are already quite popular in Vancouver where the housing affordability has been under tremendous pressure.

Laneway housing in Toronto has 78 approved projects in construction as of April 2019. These projects are among the first sample of these forward-looking trend that has the potential to address many of the issues facing existing homeowners as well as to create affordable new housing for those looking to rent.

While the laneway houses will contribute to the densification of the city, many of the projects are actually being planned smartly and are energy efficient and even include features such as green roofs. Even with the innovative features laneway housing is much are valued much lower than regular housing. Current prices hover between $250 to $500 per square foot, whereas a regular build property ranges from $800 to $1200 a square foot.

Whether you are looking for your first home, want to rent something affordable or have a big mortgage with a big yard that you can use for a laneway house – be sure to keep an eye out for these interesting forms of housing.

Buying appliances

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If you are in the market for new appliances there are a few key things to keep in mind to guarantee that you make the right selections.

1. Know what you want
Although this might seem self-explanatory, it is actually one of the key sticking points when it comes to making a sound appliance decision. There are so many bells-and-whistles available now from smart-home integrated technology to fashionable colours to professional-grade appliances, knowing what you want will help you eliminate those items that might ratchet up the price with little of no use to you. If you want a fridge with an in-door water dispenser and icemaker, be ready to compromise on the available space for storing your food on the inside as many models keep the ice maker where your top shelf would go. If space is definitely something you prize in a fridge then you might be better off with a model that dispenses water indoor but has the ice maker in the freezer section. It is only by knowing what is indispensable to you and what is a nice-to-have, will you be able to quickly zero-in on the appliances that will truly meet all of your needs.

2. Determine your price and stick with it!
Once you know what features you want in your appliances, you have to decide on just how much you are willing to spend. You can get appliances that offer similar features for a range of prices. When we were looking for a refrigerator recently we saw models ranging from $900 all the way to $4000 offering very similar features. The appliance we ultimately chose offered us all of the features we wanted in a price range we were happy with and with the almost five-star reviews to back up the company’s claims of being a good appliance. However, finding the perfect fridge took a long time, which brings us to the next tip.

3. Take your time
Unless your stove stops working and you absolutely need to replace it right away, take your time when appliances shopping. Be sure to visit a number of stores and look at as many models as possible. Compare prices and don’t forget to look online. Oftentimes the virtual version of a store will offer better prices than what you will get in-store. If you do see a price online that you like, print it up and take it with you to see if the store will price match – they almost always do.

4. Don’t forget your tape measure
As silly as this sounds, appliances are constantly evolving and a “standard” size fridge from ten years ago is no longer the “standard” for today. Be sure to measure the space you have for your appliances at home before heading out to the store. When you see an appliance you like, measure it to be sure that it fits into your home before buying it – because many stores won’t take something back because it doesn’t fit.

Getting new appliances is always fun – and seeing them in your kitchen is even better!

Hot Housing Trends

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Toronto’s housing market has been hot since the early 2000s and it doesn’t seem to really be slowing down. However, with the heated real estate scene, many home buyers are turning to alternative housing to meet their domestic needs. Since housing costs per square foot can range anywhere between $747-$839 in Toronto, many folks are seeking options that are more affordable and more eco-friendly for their permanent residence.

Tiny home
They might have started off as a novelty, but tiny homes are very popular and a growing trend. Those who prefer to live mortgage-free and downgrade their housing footprint find tiny homes the perfect fit. They are eco-friendly, far more affordable, can be customized to suit your tastes and lifestyle and are also transportable to wherever you want to live.

Eco homes
The term “eco” can be used to describe a wide variety of homes that meet certain sustainability standards. Whether they are passive homes that minimize their energy requirements, off-grid properties that rely uniquely on sustainable forms of energy or properties built using recycled and repurposed materials, the eco-home trend truly is the way of the future.

Micro apartments
This brand-new trend in North America debuted in Asia where the need for compact living made such accommodations essential in some urban environments. Known for their extremely compact size and clever designs that maximize your storage and living space, they also require a complete rethinking of how you live.

Shipping containers
Shipping container homes are not as popular as other trends, but they are another very good alternative for those wanting to reduce the cost of their home as well as reduce their environmental impact. By reusing shipping containers and turning them into viable living spaces, some people have managed to create exceptional homes. Naturally, such an endeavor would require a good architect and a builder who is familiar with alternative forms of construction.

Regardless of what you prefer, there are a number of ways to make your home as unique and special as you want it to be.