It’s funny how very little we know about the Canadian banking system! Be it for a mortgage, car loans or credit card purchases, the banks are literally the back bones to our economy yet on an individual level most of us hardly understand how they work!

Just the other day I was asking my friends a very basic question – “who owns a bank?”  and sadly, none of us could answer with certainty. As serendipity would have it, the next day I came across a speech delivered by 12 year old Victoria.  It’s a short video on how (inefficient) our system works and how we could improve it to give Canadians even more financial stability!

Check it out and be prepared to be blown away by what she has to say!

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Take a drive in downtown Toronto and you’re guaranteed to see two things: cranes and sandwich boards for condos!  Problem is, neither really tell you much about the projects they’re promoting.  Alas, a solution is here!

Homebuyers.com has just rolled out it’s user friendly iPhone and iPad app!  I downloaded the app today and took it for a test run to see how well it works.

The download from the app store was quick, seemless and took seconds to load!  The first step is to either sign-in under your Facebook or Email account.  I started by skipping, but I’d highly suggest doing so as more features are available once logged in.

After asking for your location, a “Google map” based screen loads up with your current location and near by pre construction projects! With a pinch or pull of the screen the user can zoom in or out from the given area. Pink and blue pins represent the different condos.  Each pin has a starting price of remaining units.

Clicking on a pin will take you to the individual listing of the building. It’s a very clean and simple layout that features a rendering of the building, starting price, mortgage caluculator, favorite button, priority registration, info, models (some contain floorplans and some renderings), current promotions, notes and contact button.

When the user clicks the star button the building get’s added to your “favourite list”.  The pin on the main screen is changed to yellow, this helps keep track of what you’ve seen and to narrow down the process.

The mortgage button is a handy addition to the app that gives the user 5 financing scenarios.  You can go into each option and customize the scenario.  Once done, you can email the results!  In future updates, a deposit calculator would also be helpful.

The descriptions of the buildings are short and concise, skipping all the normal broker babble and cutting straight to the goods!

The “models” and “promotions” tabs still require a lot of updating (at time of writting this). For some buildings, the “promotions” tab shows model suites and in others – floorplans.  A tab just for floorplans would be incredibly powerful.  Most promo tabs don’t have any specials listed, but as more builders take note of the app, I could see that changing.

The “My Notes” section does exactly what the name describes!  Users can take and store notes for each building.  You’ll need to have an email account activated in order to use this part of the app.

Lastly is the “contact” tab… users can email the developer directly from the app! The address and (sometimes) phone numbers are also listed under this section.

For an even quicker search you can narrow the criteria by a ton of variables such as location, price, type, bedrooms, square footage, status (coming soon, under construction, move-in now etc) and developer!

I was most impressed with how fast the app loaded.  Typically with map based apps there’s an annoying lag before the user can even start the search.  With the homebuyers.com app, you’re up and running right away! I love that the individual listing pages are so easily shareable through other social media sites like twitter and facebook.  In a time where developers are still creating incredibly hard to navigate websites, this app saves a ton of time getting you the info you want.  There’s even the option to sign up for priority registration… this will notify you when new projects open up to the public!

The only criticism I could offer about the app is that I didn’t really see the point of having a “regular” vs “featured listing” option but hopefully there’s a bigger plan for it down the road. Also, a few of the smaller builders were missing from the list and a couple of projects were not yet available. My small comments aside, For it’s first version I give the app 4 high-rises out of 5!

Download the app here: http://app.homebuyers.com/

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What was once a tiny and dark one bedroom bungalow is now a two level, 3 bedrooms with 3.5 bath dream home. 25 Hanson has been transformed into the perfect family house. The stone veneer facade at the front of the home stands out from the others on the street. A granite driveway and cedar porch complete with security cameras are just a few of the executive upgrades waiting for you.

Inside is a completely open main level. Bamboo floors can be found in all other areas of the main level. In the living/dining room there’s an electric fire place, surrounded with a stone facade and two large columns. A Bay window lets the light shine in. Up top are pot lights with set regions set to dimmers for movie nights.

The kitchen has a unique two toned finish. The lower cabinets and drawers have a wood finish to compliment the floors. The above cabinets have a white finish. Both feature a quite close system meaning you’ll never hear a slammed door again! The Countertops are quartz, with a beautiful sparkle finish to them. A breakfast bar was added to maximize the space. Stainless appliances include a built in dishwasher, stove and microwave (with fan) and double door fridge. The sink is extra deep with an industrial faucet. A built in wine rack completes the kitchen!

A walk-out takes you to your private backyard complete with a newly built fence on each side. A large custom built patio allows for tons of entertaining room. Two flower beds were built using the same stone veneer as at the front of the house to tie the two themes together. The custom built shed with cedar doors and window provide ample storage for all your gardening needs.

In order to keep with the open concept theme, the powder room was placed a short flight down the stairs. The laundry room, electrical panel furnace, central vac equipment and water system are all conveniently placed in the lower level. A separate walk out can be found at the front of the house. Another electric fireplace adds to the warmth of the basement. At the rear a fourth bedroom or office with a private 3 piece bathroom is available.

Take a walk up the oak staircase and you’ll find three well appointed bedrooms. Two sky lights were installed to let the light in from the upper level to the lower. At the peak of the hallway, the ceiling height is approx 12 feet. The shared bathroom at the end of the hallway features a Jacuzzi tub and shower system with jets. Porcelain tiles cover the floors and wall. A mosaic tile accent wall carries from the floor to ceiling!

Each bedroom has wiring for phone, cable, and data and each has its own closet. The master has his and hers closets, a large picture window and a separate skylight. The ensuite bath comes complete with a large two person shower. River rocks accent the floors and ceilings and a therapeutic touch to the experience.

You can view all photos of the home in the gallery below:

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For a walkthough of 25 Hanson, check out this video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Feel free to contact me for your own private tour of 25 Hanson by filling out the form below:

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The Gladstone Hotel is known to many as a popular hipster hotspot on Queen west… but look back only 12 years and you get a story of a much different crowd! In keeping with last weeks post on the 2012 HotDoc Film Fest, I wanted to spotlight a documentary about the Hotels transformation. Last Call At The Gladstone Hotel first screened at HotDocs in 2007. While picking up my tickets for this years festival, the title of the film caught my eye. I did a bit of googling and came across this trailer for the film:

Click here to view the embedded video.

The official write up for the film says: “In 2000, developers purchase the crumbling, century-old Gladstone hotel to turn it from skid row flophouse to arts and music hotspot. They think it’s empty… until they meet Marilyn, the chambermaid with a heart of gold; Shirley Ann, the cynical front desk clerk; and a motley crew of residents, including Maryanne, a sweet ex-bag lady who has turned her room into a toxic zone. Staff and residents—some who have been there for over 30 years—worry they’ll be squeezed out during the hotel’s imminent revitalization.

The developers’ plan— a gradual restoration with staff and residents remaining upstairs, while downstairs the bar serves designer drinks to new, affluent clientele—doesn’t work. When experimental film-maker, Christina Zeidler inherits the mess and forms a “business model that includes social change,” the hotel has the last word. City inspectors demand complete rewiring, the boiler blows up leaving the hotel without heat, ceilings leak, walls are crumbling and Zeidler now has to decide what to do.

Shot over five years in a cinema direct style, Last Call at the Gladstone Hotel is an intimate portrait of the effects of urban renewal on the poor—a compelling tale of urban conflict put under the lens of class, money and social consciousness, chronicling a heart breaking clash of cultures between down at the heels hotel residents, artists and developers. More than a story about haves versus have-nots, this film exposes a pattern of displacement repeated in cities worldwide, and reveals the unintentional roles we often play in the process of gentrification.”

The film is available for purchase at the HotDocs box office (783 Bathurst Street) or can be streamed online in the HotDocs Library - http://www.hotdocslibrary.ca/en/detail.cfm?filmId=11105

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It’s that time of year again…  The birds are chirping, the Leafs aren’t in the playoffs and HotDocs Film-Fest-Fever is taking over my life!

The Festival is in it’s 19th year and is looking like the biggest one yet… at least for me!  In 2009 I some how found my way into the festival while searching for a track by Thelonious Monk. My Google search took me to a link promoting the screening of doc about him and his Jazz Baroness - Pannonica Rothschild.  Being the self-proclaimed ”Doc freak” that I am, I naturally had to buy a ticket for the show.  It was love at first sight… the nostalgia of watching films in some of Toronto’s oldest theatres, to the energy of others partaking in the low key film fest had me hooked!

Since that faithful night, I’ve been coming back year after year and for 2012 it’s no different!  Except this time around I’m seeing even more films!  The festival runs from April 26 – May 6, 2012 and features both Canadian and International content.  Below is a summary of the 5 films I’m watching:

Theo Fleury: Playing With Fire

Click here to view the embedded video.

Theo Fleury achieved every boy’s fantasy of becoming a hockey superstar, raking in the millions, being cheered by countless fans and living the high life with a beautiful woman. Then he blew it all on booze, drugs, gambling and strippers, betraying his game, his colleagues and his family in a flame-out he couldn’t control. In 2009, he published a book that revealed his difficult childhood and years of sexual abuse by his coach, Graham James. Inspired by the book, the film takes the story further through hockey highlights and interviews with coaches, family, ex-friends, Olympic figure skater Jamie Salé and, most of all, with Theo as he hits the road to promote his book and faces the ghosts of his past. A compelling portrait of a great hockey player, a man who won it all, lost it all, faced his demons and is bringing his game up to a whole new level. Lynne Fernie

Fists Of Pride

Click here to view the embedded video.

“Thai children have more money. Burmese children have no money. They are rich. We are poor. That’s all.” This is how 13-year-old Pho Kyaw ‘Panda’ sees the world while training to challenge a Thai boxer at the annual Water Festival along the Burmese-Thai border. If he wins, his family receives prize money from bets placed by his coaches. Losing isn’t an option. For sons of migrant workers, the Thai boxing camp is their best hope to escape the dangerous and impoverished life that otherwise awaits them. The boys’ militaristic training regime and their daily routines reveal their courage and fear as they face the ring. The coaches provide another fascinating layer, as their gambling success determines the boys’ well-being. The film is a powerful allegory for a cultural and political battle that continues to be waged, through the eyes of children who inherited a bruised and battered history. Alex Rogalski

The Queen Of Versailles

Click here to view the embedded video.

Meet Jackie, former Mrs. Florida 1993 and current wife of David Siegel, the self-styled king of a vast timeshare empire. She loves her husband, eight children and shopping. A leggy blond teetering on high heels, Jackie is thrilled to show us her work in progress, the largest single-family home in America. Modeled on the palace of Versailles but arguably more lavish, it features 30 bathrooms and a skating rink. At the same time, David is building the largest timeshare property in Las Vegas, selling average citizens a small piece of the good life for just a little money down. Then the financial crisis of 2008 hits. As the threat of losing it all looms, David’s personality undergoes a marked shift from boastful billionaire to tired old man, but Jackie soldiers on with a bright smile. One wonders what it will take to wake this queen from her American dream.

We Are Legion: The Story Of The Hacktivists

Click here to view the embedded video.

We Are Legion is a guide into the world of Anonymous, the “hacktivist” collective with no defined leadership or structure that’s responsible for numerous acts of a new internet-based civil disobedience. Through interviews with current members and those awaiting trial, as well as with other major online figures, writers and academics, we gain an understanding of motives and what it means to be involved with a group redefining online activism. We hear from a group that began as a forum to share jokes, learning about the development of their ideology and their ability to mobilize thousands worldwide. A history of the internet’s evolution, the film traces the birth of a powerful democratic activism that’s making corporations and governments very nervous. Charlotte Cook

Charles Bradley: Soul Of America

Click here to view the embedded video.

For decades he’s been Black Velvet, a soul singer scraping by in Brooklyn’s projects with small club gigs in the evenings and odd jobs by day. But 62-year-old Charles Bradley has an impossible dream: he wants to make it in the music industry as…himself. As if that weren’t challenge enough, he’s also supporting the mother who abandoned him as a child, struggling to pay his own bills, and, in his spare time, learning to read. When Bradley’s noticed by the soul maestros at Daptone Records, it seems as though he just might have a chance. With lyrics that draw directly from the anguish and hardship of his life, his electrifying performances transform pain and sorrow into an experience of sublime transcendence. When he says to the audience, “I love you, each and every one of you,” he truly means it. It’s a visceral rush to your soul. Gisèle Gordon

For a full list of movies and to purchase tickets, check out http://www.hotdocs.ca/

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Look along our downtown skyline and you’re guaranteed to see two things – cranes and highrises!  It’s beauty to some, but often times sad to me (and no, not because a catastrophic bubble is about to pop).  For you see, once you peel back the glass and concrete cladding… they’re all pretty much the same on the inside!

The formula for developing a condo in Toronto these days is pretty straight forward:
1. Buy downtown lot (bonus points if it’s “steps to” anything.)
2. Select from a one of five “starchitects” to design your glass box.
3. Once you have the outside mapped out, start on the interiors.  Here you choice is even more limited… there’s roughly 3 to select from.  Who you select won’t make much of a difference as they will typically suggest any or all of the following – granite in the kitchens with a  modern or European cabinetry (from what I’ve seen, the words are used interchangeably), some form of hybrid hardwood/laminate concoction in the main living areas and a natural stone tile for the bathrooms.
4.  Now that you’ve got 3 of the main ingredients in play, you’re going to need choose from one of the 2 big name preconstruction brokers.  Both are equally good, it really comes down to who can sell a better story about your project.  They’ll suggest a few marketing firms to bring the “vision” to life – actions words and pretty people are a must for all glossy brochures.
5.  Hold a few VIP releases to the ever busy real estate community, and voila you’ve sold a condo.

I’ve left a few sub steps such as floorplan design, coming up with a price, and my personal favourite - music selection for flash based/non smartphone loading website… but i’m sure you get the (sarcastic) point i’m trying to make!

I recently stopped into the sales centre of 277 Davenport, expecting the same as usual. What I found was anything but!  They used the same formula I described above, but did it soooo well it doesn’t seem wrong at all!

Let’s start with step 1 – Location.  As the name signifies, the condo is being built at 277 Davenport Rd. just a few doors down from Chef Massimo Capra’s Mistura and across the street from Brian Gluckstein’s gorgeous courtyard. The development is being built in a tucked away part of Davenport and the sales centre is almost hidden from plain sight. Panning out, you’ll notice that the project is smack in the middle of 3 of the most sought after neighbourhoods in the City – Casa Loma, Annex and Yorkville.

2.  They went with Hariri Pontarini Architects, who’s company is no stranger to the area and is definitely among  the Cities top “starchitects”.  On an international level their work includes the Bahá’í Temple for South America in Chile and closer to home they’ve designed One Bloor East, Shangri-La and B Street Condos (to name a few)… Except at 277 Davenport you aren’t getting a 60 storey glass box!  Instead, they went with much more appropriate 6 storey low rise containing only 10 condo units.  Now I know as much as the next Realtor that a low rise boutique condo isn’t all that revolutionary or ground breaking but what I particularly like is how it fits in with the other structures in the area.  For the most part, the community is made up of older bay and gable Annex homes.  277 Davenport is a bold contrast from these yet it compliments the curvey Davenport road with its angled balconies. It’s progressive mix of concrete and glass use the same elements of many other downtown condos, but arrange in a way that doesn’t over power the buildings design.  The outside facade isn’t going to blow your socks off or make your snap your neck while driving by, but yet it’s subtle exterior is exactly what I think the target buyer for the project would want to live in!

3. Pick an interior designer. Now here’s were the project really gets interesting… they followed the steps but changed the ingredients and came up with a refreshing twist! Boychuk + Fuller were hired to create a space that would ultimately make or break the success of the project. To be perfectly honest, I’ve never heard of the team before. Even after several google searches all that I came up with was a hompage that features no more than the companies contact info and a link to email them.  Rest assured, what they lack in online presence they make up where it counts the most – designing interiors!  Stunning European-style (really, this kitchen actually is as European as it gets) kitchen cabinetry, cantilevered centre islands for seating and top-of-the-line appliances like; Miele gas ranges, refrigerators and dishwashers with Wolf microwave drawers.

Instead of choosing an “Italian sounding” local team (as is often used for condo kitchen spaces), they went with a true and authentic Italian luxury furniture manufacturer, Poliform.  The companies roots go back to the 40′s, and have since been creating some of the most sought after designs for all different aspects of the house.  If the name Poliform sounds familiar it’s probably from their contributions to prototypes at previous IDS shows in Toronto – the Monk lounge [2010]and the Pod Villa at Templar-Lake on The Mountain [ winner of IDS 2011 best of show].

When I walked into the sales centre, the floors were the first to catch my eyes!  I figured they were being reused from the previous tenants of the building.  The sales rep told me that these were in fact brand new floors and were made of an engineered hardwood that was created to give the image of an older and authentic look!

Like many other condos, the use of natural stone can be found through out the development… where they differ is in the quality and selection of stone purchasers can choose from!

Three standard finishes are available with a forth containing upgrades.  The interweaving pattern seen in the photo above can be done in any of the three flooring selections but comes as an upgrade if done in that design… one i’d definitely take if buying here!

4.  The Burnac Group is the company developing the project.  When it comes to luxury building,  they’re no stranger to the game.  Not only have they built several other notable residential projects in the City (Think Madison Ave Lofts and Park Avenue) they also own and operate Royal de Versailles Jewellers in Yorkville!  With prices starting from $1.65 million and up to $3.3 million , 277 Davenport isn’t for everyone.  I feel as if the development is really geared to a purchaser who’s looking to downsize from their large high-end home.  It’s more for someone who still wants to stay in the City but be away from all the pretentiousness of Yorkville.  Most importantly, it’s for someone with great taste and who knows quality design when they see it!

The marketing (done by LA Ads) skips all the common fluff seen in other condo campaigns.  You won’t find any 6 pack abs or bikini clad woman on any of their pages.  Instead you’ll find well written descriptions of the project details, realistic renderings of what the condo will look like, and a great summary of the “it” places near by.  It’s simple, straight to the point and very effective.  The whole experience from walking into the sales centre to speaking with the sales reps was very low pressure and informative instead of pushy and annoying!

5.  No fancy shmancy line-ups here!  With only 10 units available, they’re selling on a first-come first-serve basis.  And with a project of this caliber, you can still customize the look and feel of the interior space!  I’ve included the remaining floorplans below.

In my opinion, 277 Davenport is a prime example of taste trumping luxury.  The project is a perfect buy for the down-sizer looking to maintain a stylish resident with out having to settle for the everyday finishes found in many other condos downtown!  I currently have prices and floorplans for the remaining units.  If you’d like to live at 277 Davenport, fill out the form below

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Rising on Burnhamthorpe Road West at Duke of York Boulevard across from Mississauga City Hall, Citygate One is a magnificent 35-storey tower, with its striking symmetry to its Sister-Tower, Citygate Two, and articulated cascade design – virtually all glass – makes a distinctive addition to the city skyline.

I’ve just listed one of the largest penthouses at the Citygate community! Approximately 1800 sqft create the space for this 2 storey Penthouse that overlooks Mississaugas City Centre and Square One Shopping Mall. A natural stone foyer greets visitors when they enter the condo.  A storage closet and powder room are conveniently positioned off to the side.  The layout then opens up to a spacious array of living, dining and kitchen space.  The main level feels even larger with its 10ft ceilings and crown moldings above and hardwood flooring in main areas. When the firework celebrations go off below, you get the best seat in the house in front of your private fire place that elegantly rises from the floor to ceiling and overlooks the public square.  The balcony comes equipped with a natural gas hook up for bbq’s!

The kitchen is well appointed with a roomy layout and tons of space for cooking.  Slabs of granite make up the counter tops and island with stainless steel appliances and a wine cooler accompanying it’s high end finishes.

On the second level is where you’ll find a second office, play area (which can be converted) and two bedrooms.  The laundry area has it’s own room with storage.  The master bedroom features his and hers closets, an ensuite bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and tons of natural light!  There is a second 4 piece bathroom on the upper level as well.

Parking and locker are also included in the purchase price! Maintenance only $.56/sqft AND hydro is included, in many new buildings hydro is extra! Unique to Citygate, residents also have use of a shuttle service to the Cooksville GO station. Check out a video from inside the penthouse below:

Click here to view the embedded video.

This building is centrally located in Mississauga and is only a short walk to local strip plazas, schools, parks and other amenities. It’s located close to the city’s centre, where residents can enjoy visiting the Square One Shopping Centre, with over 350 specialty shops and services, the Mississauga Civic Centre and the Central Library and community centre, all within a single mile’s radius.

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Citygate One offers luxurious facilities such as gym, swimming pool, beautiful kept gardens, BBQ facilities billiards, party room Building features include:
- Daily shuttle bus service back and forth to GO train station. great for people who work downtown
- Gym
- Wellness Centre
- Swimming pool
- Two Guest Suites
- Party room
- Movie room
- Board/meeting room
- Pool table
- 5th floor BBQ and terrace area, including mini-putt golf and children`s play area
- 24×7 concierge security
- Convenient access to all amenities, mall, library, YMCA.
- Close to major highways, 401, 403

To book a private tour of the penthouse, please contact me below:

As more units sell, prices and specifications are subject to change without notice.

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