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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.

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.

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.

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!