zen life

Now that you know what you want from a new Toronto home, the next thing you need before hitting the market, is finding your mortgage comfort zone. Your comfort zone is what you can easily pay every month without fear of stretching your budget too far. Determining this comfort zone is crucial to buying a home that is as much as you can handle and not more. Too many people find what they think of as their dream home, make an offer and move-in, only to them realize that they are now house-poor. They can pay their mortgage, but that’s it. They can’t afford any extras.
 
So, how do you find out just how much you can comfortably afford? It’s not hard. You just have to create a realistic budget projection based on your after tax take-home pay and all of your fixed expenses. Create an excel sheet where you list all of your monthly income. Only include your after-tax salary. Although banks will approve you at your before tax salary, that gives a false picture of what you can afford. It is always best to work with money you actually have in-hand.
 
Once you have listed your monthly income, next list all of your fixed expenses – these include anything that you cannot change such as rent/mortgage, insurance, debt repayment, car loans, utilities. After that list your moveable expenses such as food, gas, entertainment, restaurants, clothing, etc… You will quickly see what your spending picture is. The key to projecting a realistic budget is to estimate how much your new mortgage would cost every month and by how much your insurance, maintenance and utility bills will increase and include those numbers, as you will then get a much more accurate idea of what your extra overhead will be and how that will impact your monthly bottom line.
 
To find out how much a mortgage will cost, you can use any of the mortgage calculators that are offered online by the big banks. They are relatively accurate and will give you a solid idea of how much you can be expected to pay at different mortgage amounts and at different rates.
 
If you go into your next Toronto home purchase clearly cognizant of what it entails, then you can hit the market with confidence knowing that you can fully support the home you eventually buy.

House hunting in Toronto is always a fun prospect – but it can also be stressful and frustrating. Unless you have a clear idea of what you are looking for in a new home, chances are you will spin your wheels trying to find out while your dream home slips away. The best way to achieve success when looking for a new home is to clearly identify those elements that are “must-haves”, those that are “nice-to-haves” and those that are non-essential. For instance, if you definitely want an ensuite in your master bedroom, then knowing that will automatically eliminate a lot of homes that you would otherwise have visited for no reason. However, bearing this in mind, you should also give some places with potential a chance depending on how much work you are willing to put into a property to make it your own.
 
The best way to figure out what you definitely want in a home is to assess your current needs and list what could be improved in your current home. Do you need more storage space? Do you want an open-concept for entertaining? Do you want a playroom? How many bedrooms do you need? Listing all of those things that you would love to have in a new home will show you all of the possibilities and from there you can narrow them down into essentials and those things that would be just nice to have.
 
For some people, it is essential that all bedrooms be on the same level – for others this is not really a concern and are happy with bedrooms on different levels. Still others insist on ensuites while others are fine with communal facilities. Fireplace are another big draw for some but can put others off a property. If you are having trouble figuring out what is essential and what is not, think about it this way – what items will make your everyday life easier and more comfortable and for your stage of life? For a young family bedrooms on the same level would make more sense than for a family with teenagers or extended family. Others might have needs that extend beyond the home – for instance being close to public transit, walking distance to school or even shops.
 
Once you have a list of all those elements that you want in your home, then you can confidently hit the market with your agent knowing that you will be seeing only those properties that match your criteria most closely – saving you time and frustration. It will also give you a leg up on other house-hunters on the market as you will know immediately when you have found what you want.

Selling your Toronto home is not all that complicated – real estate is in such hot demand that any home will sell, and will sell high. However, if you want top dollar for your place, then there are things you can do to help boost your bottom line. Regardless of whether you are able to fully renovate your home to today’s style standards, the following tips will let your home stand apart from the competition and will help it sell for the most possible.
 
1. Clean up and declutter
No buyer wants to walk into a home full of mementos, curios, pictures and big, bulky furniture. They also don’t want to see a mess. They want to get a sense of how big the home really is and they want to be able to imagine themselves living in it. So, put big furniture into storage to let your rooms breathe. Take family pictures down from the walls, pack off mementos and curios. Leave surfaces uncluttered and clean. In the kitchen, put small appliances away and let everything be spotlessly clean.
 
2. Patch and paint
Once you have decluttered, it’s time to spot the places that need minor repairs and to fix them. If a wall needs to be plastered and painted – do it! If a stair is loose and needs to be fixed – do it! If a window needs caulking – do it! Now is the time to make your home look cared for and well-maintained. Unless you have done these things on a regular basis, it is imperative that you take care of these repair jobs before putting your home on the market.
 
3. Landscaping
The exterior of your home will often make or break your sale. The curb appeal of your property is a very important factor that should never be ignored. Be sure to trim any overgrown hedges, cut your lawn and seed it if it is looking too wee-filled. Patch up your driveway and reseal it if it is older. Wash your windows and doors, clean your gutters, rake up the leaves and change any broken or loose patio stones. If you don’t have any landscaping in your front yard, then you might want to invest in some potted plants to put outside your front door to spruce things up. And, don’t forget about your backyard! The same care should be given to your yard so that it look neat, clean and inviting. If you have an old deck, make sure that it is painted/stained well and swap out old planks for new ones.
 
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get your home ready for the market. You will have to invest a little bit, but simple things can and do go a long way.

Toronto might be in the grip of winter’s deep freeze, but that means it’s the perfect time to start thinking of the upcoming real estate season. Yes, the market might be very slow right now and if you are either looking for a new home or putting your home on the market, you might be getting discouraged at the lack of inventory and buyers out there. However, don’t despair! January is typically the slowest month of the year in terms of home sales. The hottest selling time is always between March and June, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only time to sell or buy and it might not make the most sense for you to do so during that time period.
 
Sometimes, it is best to sell/buy just before or after the peak real estate period. After all, if you are selling and buying, then getting a good price is definitely something you want, but you should also be able to buy something within your price range after you sell. So, sometimes timing your sale and purchase to suit your needs is best. For instance, buying in August or September as opposed to May or June will save you from bidding wars, but then you might consider selling ahead of time in May or June so that your own property will sell at the highest price.
 
Making the market work for you is the best way to maximize your investment and your purchasing power. And, hiring the right real estate agent is the best way to make this happen. A good agent will understand the market in the neighbourhoods in which you are interested and will know when it right to sell and when is right to buy. A good agent will also be able to help you steer the variables of the market properly and can bring in the right buyers.
 
Looking for an agent should take place well before you decide on selling or buying. You should meet with several to get a feel for who might best represent your needs. January, is a great month for putting plans into motion and for preparing for the months ahead.

Happy new year to one and all!
 
With the dawning of 2018, the Toronto real estate market seems to be stuck in first gear. With the introduction of new regulations to stem the tide of soaring housing markets in Toronto and Vancouver in the spring of 2017, both real estate sectors were stopped in their tracks. Although Vancouver has managed to rally, the Toronto housing market is still a relative seller’s market. December slide in sales was not as steep as in the previous five months, but nonetheless, it was not a great showing.
 
What does this mean for you? Well, if you were planning to buy a house this year, then you are in luck. The steady rise of Toronto housing prices has slowed down dramatically and in some areas fallen off slightly, so it can be seen as a buyer’s market. Conversely though, since sellers might not be able to get a higher asking price, they might be less likely to sell. If that happens and there is a shortage of inventory on the market, then housing prices will remain stable and not necessarily fall as most buyers would like.
 
Regardless of what the future holds in 2018 for the Toronto housing market, one thing is certain – we will be here to keep you on top of it all!

When it comes to the holidays in your Toronto home, nothing says festive like a decorated fireplace mantle. Whether you like the minimalist look or go all out hanging stockings with care, the fireplace is usually the focal point of every home and should definitely get the kind of holiday dressing it deserves.
 
Candles
While there are several ways of sprucing up your mantle for the festive season, one of the simplest ways to add a bit of glamour or cheer is through the use of candles. For a homier look you can add more traditional candles but modern, shimmering candles will produce a contemporary elegance.
 
Wreaths
Green wreaths are the more classic look for the holidays and go well with different kinds of ornaments, but if you are going for a more chic appearance then using gold or silver wreaths with colour-coordinated ornaments will add the right zesty look to your fireplace mantle.
 
Stockings
Stockings are among the most commonly used items to decorate mantle places – and with good reason! They are colourful, can be personalized and add a lot of warmth to any holiday setting. Using stocking holders is another way of sprucing up your fireplace. Some holders are very fancy. Made from copper, brass, pewter or wood, some holders are heirlooms that can be passed down through the generations.
 
Snow Globes
Snow globes are a great way to add cheer to any mantle. Whether big or small, these fanciful treasures can depict a variety of festive scenes and are a must-have for any holiday setting.
 
Pictures
Another great way of personalizing your mantle for the holidays is by putting up family pictures of all holidays past.
 
Preparing for the holidays is one of the best ways to get into the festive spirit and adding colour and sparkle to your mantle will enhance your home beautifully.

Toronto winters can be long and shivery. Installing a fireplace is always a popular idea yet many urban municipalities no longer permit wood-burning fireplaces due to the emissions they produce. However, gas fireplaces are a viable alternative, which offer many benefits over the traditional wood models.
 
One of the biggest draws of the gas fireplace is that it is so clean. There are no messy embers to deal with, no yearly cleaning of your chimney and no grate to sweep up and empty periodically.
 
The other very convenient aspect of gas fireplaces is that you can turn them on with one click of a remote or with your thermostat. You don’t have to fiddle with matches or paper to get the fire going and you don’t have to tend it to make sure that it doesn’t go out. You just set it to the temperature that you want and let it do the rest. In fact, you can even program them so that they turn on automatically when the temperature drops below a certain level. And, turning it off is just as easy – one click and it’s done.
 
Installing a gas fireplace is also very simply when compared to installing a wood burning one. As long as they are properly vented outside, you don’t have a build a chimney or any other very complicated infrastructure.
 
Lastly, a gas fireplace in your Toronto home means a constant flame for consistent heat – no fluctuations and a more comfortable environment.
 
The cons of having a gas fireplace are clear: a higher cost than that of buying cords of wood and the warm, cozy feeling of sitting in front of a crackling fire with the smokey smell of burning wood. The atmosphere created by a wood burning fireplace cannot be replicated by a gas fireplace, although it does come very close.

Are you thinking of replacing your Toronto garage door? Deciding between replacing it with a manual or electric garage door can be a tricky decision to make. Although there are clear advantages for one over the other – especially given our cold winters, there are other factors that you might want to consider before deciding.
 
Manual garage doors
 
Pros
Spring-loaded for easy opening
Low maintenance
Relatively inexpensive to install
Still work during a power outage
Not dependent on electricity or technology to open/close
 
Cons
Must get out of your car to open the door
Locking and unlocking is sometimes not possible for both the inside and outside
Loud opening
 
Electric garage doors
 
Pros
Convenient – can be opened/closed from your car with a remote
Quiet operation (more sophisticated models)
Has safety features including sensors that stop the door from closing if someone is in the way
 
Cons
More expensive
Require more maintenance
Remotes require batteries
Don’t work during power failures

Home security in Toronto has gone from neighbourhood watches to super-sophisticated computers and cameras that can detect friends from foes and give you far more control over your private sphere when you are away than ever before.
 
Home security used to consist of neighbours watching out for each other. Then came the home alarm system. Pressure sensors that could detect forced entry at various spots in your home including ground floor windows and doors. These alarm system were/are generally monitored and the alarm company will send public security officers to your home as soon as a signal is detected. Next came laser sensors and cameras. Toronto homes that needed more security could have cameras installed – monitored or not. Just having a camera visible would automatically deter would-be intruders.
 
Security pads instead of keys became popular for a while but didn’t seem to catch on as widely as expected although they are still a secure way of keeping your home safe. Now there are also finger print key pads for your doors that will ensure that only those who have registered fingerprints are allowed inside.
 
Today, these same kind of camera home security systems have become incredibly sophisticated. One of the most advanced is the Nest Cam IQ. The next generation of Nest technology has produced a powerful 4K sensor with a 1080p HD camera offering a 130 degree recording angle that can be zoomed in to capture details. It also comes with the Nest Aware software that enables it to recognize faces so that you don’t have to worry each time a relative or friend comes over.
 
Not only does the Nest Cam IQ come with a revolutionary camera, but is also comes with noise a noise cancelling microphone and extra loud speakers. The speakers can address intruders from beyond your boundary line, while the microphone will pick-up their conversations clearly.
 
The best part? You can monitor it easily from your smart device and it is on 24/7 so you don’t have to be.
 
Home security has certainly come a long way and we are fortunate that we have such powerful tools at our disposal for giving us that peace-of-mind.Another very good resource if you are interested in home security is the Home Alarm Guide published by the consumeraffairs.com website. Check it out for more information!