• Real Estate Photography, Videos, Tours, Printing & Design - Toronto, GTA & Surrounding Areas

Posts By :

Nisha Muire

2015 GTA Home and Reno Show

 150 150 Nisha Muire
By:
0

Calling all of Toronto’s future, new and past homeowners! The 2015 edition of the GTA Home and Reno Show is about to open its doors to the public for four days of clever concepts, inspired design ideas, professional advice and all of the fun you can handle. From Feb. 13-16 the International Centre in Mississauga will be taken over by real estate celebrities who will give lectures, provide advice and will even meet one-on-one with people who are seeking everything from ways to decorate a small space to personalized and unbiased solutions from participating contractors for your renovation concerns.

The show is a hotly anticipated event that brings together industry professionals from all corners of the property market to create a one-stop-shop for your questions and concerns. Whether you want ideas for your next reno, you want information on advancements in green housing technologies or you want to check out the winter market where local food and culinary products from across the GTA are showcased, this is definitely not a show you want to miss.

One of the highlights of this year’s show is a conference talk given by Johnathan and Drew Scott – better known as The Property Brothers. The winsome duo from the hit W Network television series will be talking about transforming your house into your dream home. Through the use of videos, anecdotes and solid advice, the brothers will answer your question and give you an excellent global – and budget-friendly, view of the steps needed to take your residence from shabby to chic.

Another fun feature, back by popular demand, is Table Scapes. Designers let loose their imaginations to create gorgeous and wondrous table-settings for theme parties. Ranging from classic to eclectic, the ideas will help you create the most memorable settings for your own gatherings.

Regardless of where you are at with your property – you are sure to find something of interest at the show. For more details, go here for a link to the show’s website: //bit.ly/192AfrJ.

Family Living in a Toronto Condo

 150 150 Nisha Muire
By:
0

Toronto, and most big cities, have traditionally been home to singles and couples who enjoy city life and the convenience that it offers them. In the past, singles and couples who decided to have families would move out of the urban environment to the suburbs where they could afford bigger housing and more land. However, the tide is slowly turning as greater numbers of families are deciding to stay put and to raise their children in the city. As single family housing is not only scarce in the city, but also prohibitively expensive for the average person, condos have started to see a rise in the number of children who live there.

The number one reason most families cite for remaining the in the city is the shorter commute to work. Increasingly people are foregoing the long drive in to simply remain close-by. Another big reason for remaining in the city is lifestyle – people aren’t willing to give up the lifestyle they lead when living within walking distance to so many services. If you are considering staying in the city with your family, there are things to keep in mind so that you have an easier time of dealing with the changes that children will bring.

Just as you would when shopping for a home elsewhere – check-out the neighbourhood and surrounding services first. If you want to send your child to a particular school, makes sure that the school will accept children from the neighbourhood in which you plan to live so that you don’t have any surprises later on. Look to see whether there are green spaces or parks nearby where children can play and find out whether there are day care services close by as well.

When it comes to the actual condo, look for complexes that offer:

Party rooms where you can host play dates and birthday parties
Games room for teenagers
Fitness amenities such as pools and/or gyms so that children can burn their extra energy
Green spaces with playgrounds for their littlest residents
Day care centres

Inside your unit you’ll need to ensure:

Versatile spaces that can serve double duty, ie: dining room that can be used as a homework/crafts area
A networking room where all computers can be hooked up for strict monitoring of internet usage
An open concept that maximizes space for moving around
Storage

Some condo townhouses have even opted to start reducing their monthly maintenance fee for families, which is a very attractive incentive for people to stay in the city with their kids.

Once you do find the right condo for your needs, remember that children can be noisy and to ensure friendly relations with your neighbours, keeping noise levels low is essential. A good tip is to lay down carpet on heavily used areas and in children’s rooms to muffle footsteps. Investing in some good over-the-ear headphones for them to use when gaming or watching TV/movies is another good idea.

Despite the perception of what family living might be like in a condo, there are success stories everywhere. As long as you are prepared to give up space for the convenience of a shorter commute, proximity to a large number of services and the improved lifestyle that these elements will bring, you are ready to raise a family in Toronto’s urban core.

Toronto’s Ritziest Neighbourhoods

 150 150 Nisha Muire
By:
0

Luxury living in Toronto is not hard to find. In fact, when it comes to posh places to reside in Canada’s bustling metropolis there are a number of hot spots from which to choose. With the cost of Ontario’s real estate market reaching ever new heights every year, the criteria for luxury living must take into consideration more than just the cost of housing – which could otherwise skew statics. The ritzier communities have an overall higher average household saving and overall higher average wage than in other neighbourhoods. The communities also tend to be closer to the city core and are mature spots that feature country-like environs. Here we will discuss the three most luxurious areas in Toronto according to the average household net worth, the average annual income and the average house price as compiled by Canadian Business Magazine and surveyed by Environics Analytics.

 

  1. York Mills – Windfields

 

Despite its industrial past, the York Mills area is the most affluent neighbourhood in the city. Today, the community boasts businesses and residential properties nesting together in a charming and serene natural setting. The area’s beauty is dissected by the main arteries of both Yonge Street and Bayview Avenue, which lead direct to the city center. Offering easy access to the downtown core, proximity to businesses and lifestyle services, it is clear why York Mills is a magnet for those wanting a suburban lifestyle, but with an easy commute to all that the city has to offer. Here is how the statistics breakdown for this community.

 

Average Household Net Worth: $21.55 million
Average Annual Household Income: $1,212,275
Average House Price: $3.40 million [i]

 

  1. Forest Hill

 

Forest Hill is another very popular area with those who want luxury living. Forest Hill has a long history and plenty of character to go with it. Divided loosely into the upper and lower sections, with the very picturesque Forest Hill Village being located in the upper part of the community, the neighbourhood’s homes are grand manors designed to impress with their custom architectural elements and impeccable landscaping. High-end shopping, fine dining and good schools are all part of the prestigious package found in this elite area.

 

Average Household Net Worth: $10.63 million

Average Annual Household Income: $629,972

Average House Price: $3.18 million[ii]

 

  1. Lawrence Park North

Lawrence Park North does not just earn its rank as the third most prestigious area to live in the GTA because of the wealth it holds, it is also considered one of the best because of the friendliness of the community and supportive atmosphere created by its residents. According to an article published in The Star, the neighbourhood scored a 92.05% on criteria including health, education and walkability[iii]. In the same article, Councillor Jaye Robinson is quoted as saying that the neighbourhood’s sense of community is inspiring to witness.

Average Household Net Worth: $10.44 million

Average Annual Household Income: $906,266

Average House Price: $2.81 million

[i] //bit.ly/1rWMqPe

[ii] //bit.ly/1yU40CT

[iii] //on.thestar.com/1yUe0fC

Ontario’s Real Estate Market & Urbanization

 150 150 Nisha Muire
By:
0

Ontario’s real estate market is still in a very health place. Although many forecasts predict that Canada’s real estate sector is heading towards a softening and a dip in housing prices with a rise in interest rates, one of the variables that will actually help keep prices up is urbanization. With the cost of living rising, the time spent commuting getting longer and the wish for a balanced lifestyle becoming more prevalent, younger buyers are trending towards moving back into the city.

There was a time when Toronto families and first time buyers would automatically ditch their urban digs to scout out a home with a yard and for a quieter existence away from the bustle. Not only were they looking for the dream of white picket fences and a haven away from the work-a-day world, they knew that their real estate investment dollars would go a longer way outside the core. Today’s home buyers, however, are eschewing the path of their parents and are increasingly looking to put down roots in metropolitan areas. Favoring a short commute and easy access to services, the younger demographic is keen on staying close to their workplaces and connected to the lives they already know.

The push towards urbanization means that developers are increasingly looking towards plots for building that are close to urban centers. The trend for such housing has also come to Toronto where growing numbers of young families are choosing to renovate their existing property instead of selling for something bigger; they are choosing location over space.

Such a trend is good news for Toronto’s property market as it means that prices will not flatline or fall as is being widely projected for the Canadian housing market in 2015. Should a rise in interest rates occur, it will impact new homeownership as well as affect those with looking to renew their existing mortgages, which will in turn put pressure on housing prices. However, with low availability in urban markets with mixed high demand for residential units, prices are not expected to drop significantly, if at all.

For those interested in urbanization and emerging trends in Canadian real estate, there is a good article over here //pwc.to/11PsNw2 that covers it in a global way.

Toronto Real Estate

 150 150 Nisha Muire
By:
0

Toronto real estate is one of the hottest commodities in Canada. Despite years of negative predictions from economists as to the sustainability of the Ontario home sale market, housing sales have defied the naysayers and continued their upward trend. With interest rates persisting at record low levels, greater numbers of first home buyers are able to join the ranks of proud home owners. The demand for housing has fueled a thriving and profitable market that continues to expand. Naturally when it comes to home buying and selling, consumers have a lot of questions that need answering and require a lot of guidance – especially if new to the game.

Imaginahome has been an integral part of the Toronto real estate industry for over a decade now. We have watched the housing market grow and change from the inside. We have access to information and professionals who can answer any question you might have. We realized through our daily contact with agents and home buyers and sellers that there is a real need for information regarding Ontario housing and so we have decided to share our knowledge and insight with you.

We will begin by posting bi-weekly articles related to the Ontario real estate market. We will discuss everything from buying your first home to flipping your fifteenth property to creating a realistic budget so that you can easily maintain the lifestyle you desire even after purchasing your residence.

Topics that we will cover include:
– Different Neighbourhoods
– Home Buying
– Home Selling
– Real Estate Trends
– Home Renos
– Creating a Green Home
– Landscaping

And so much more… As we move forward, we will also add a section where you can Ask An Expert; where you will be able to ask a realtor your question and we’ll get a Toronto real estate industry professional to answer for you. We’ll also post interesting news related to the real estate market in Toronto and the rest of Canada. In short, if it affects you – you’ll know about it!

We are excited about sharing what we know with you. We enjoy all things real estate and we are thrilled to be a in a position to help others. So, visit us often for the latest news and articles. Don’t forget to leave us comments so we know what you think and how best to serve your needs.

– The Imaginahome Team