Click here to view the embedded video.

Do you have an extra 80 inches in length and 40 inches in width in that den of yours? If yes, then that’s just enough room for 2 beds! The clip above is from New-York-based Resource Furniture. Watch in awe (as I did) as they demonstrate how a little ingenuity can give a small space a lot of room!

I’ve never been a fan of the 300 sqf studio, be it for living or an investment but as the price of land in Toronto goes up; the spaces we call home are becoming smaller! It’s inevitable as developers try to facilitate as many units possible into their towers to maximize the profit on the project. Even traditional 2 bedroom units are being built with less square footage than their older counter parts.

If you look at a building like The Esplanade, it’s very common to see 1 bedroom units pushing 700 sqf. Compare that with many of the newer buildings going up and the same square footage is now housing 2 bedrooms! Space saving decor like the ones available from Resource Furniture are the key to using every square inch in your condo and making the most out of the limited space available!

…I wonder if there’s a foldable garden available?

Ready to find your own space in one of Toronto’s many condo towers? Give me a call or send me an email… I’d love to help!

This just in…I’m officially addicted to blogging! What started as simple experiment to make my job more exciting, has transformed into a separate job all on its own. My first attempt at blogging started right here at SavelBlogs.com. It very quickly allowed me to talk about the things that interest me…primarily Real Estate related, but also other Torontoish topics. Then came BloorCondos.com , a lifestyle blog geared to the developments in the Yorkville part of town! That’s still a work in progress, but definitely on its way. And now I’m dabbling in getting my PhotoBlog off the ground.

It’s essentially what the name suggests… from Monday-Friday I post pictures from my BlackBerry to the Blog, Facebook and Twitter. With so much happening on a daily basis, it’s impossible for me to write about it all. I highly doubt that anyone would call me up to sell their condo based on the photos…but that’s not its purpose. It’s my way of sharing what I see in the City I sell (or buy, depending on who I’m working with lol).

Check out my PhotoBlog daily for a side of the City you may not see everyday!

The week has just begun, and it’s already looking busier than the line up for beer at a Toronto FC game! I figured, before I get into a week of writing about the glamorous world of real estate, I’d dedicate my Monday post to my beloved Reds! 

The Toronto Football club is about to embark on its 4th year in the MLS (and no not the Multiple Listing Service as some readers may think). TFC has yet to make the playoffs but have definitely scored in getting fans on their side. I dabbled in the cult following but never really became hooked until my first live game…I remember it like it was only a year ago (probably because it was). 

From the Dufferin bus ride down, to the stomping of the ground in the bleachers…it’s an experience every Torontonian must try! I went to several games last year and had the time of my life every time. – Sidenote to any one from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment that may be reading this: They won 5 out of 6 games I attended; I very well may be their lucky charm! I started the season as just another fan wearing whatever red and white I could find in my closet, but I ended the season with a scarf, jersey, t-shirt (both of which I won at that game) and I was even lucky enough to catch the ball! See video below

Click here to view the embedded video.

The team has gone through a lot of changes during the off season, and so has the stadium! We not only have REAL grass to play on, but also additional seats for the North side of the pitch. The Reds start their season Saturday March 27th in Columbus! Check out the full schedule here. 

If you weren’t lucky enough to buy season tickets…you could always buy a liberty village condo as many offer views of the stadium ;) Goooo Reeeeds!

Yes, it’s that simple! Nuwan Fonseka, a Toronto-based mix media artist, reached out to support the group by donating the proceeds from his art to the cause. As I mentioned in a previous post, I too am supporting the Toronto Works for Haiti group by donating a portion of my commission as follows: From January 18 to February 28th 2010 for every $1000 dollars I help buy or sell in resale real estate, 1$ will be donated to one of the 3 charities.  The group now has 28 volunteers all doing there share to contribute to the relief efforts. 

It’s truly a win-win situation as you (the buyer) get to dress your condo walls in vibrant abstract art while supporting the relief effort in Haiti!  You can contact the Toronto Works For Haiti group directly for more info on purchasing the art, or send me an email and i’ll be sure to put you in talks with them! Below are the pieces Nuwan has donated:

In true Toronto fashion, a compassionate group of small business are doing their share to help the people of Haiti. Simply put, “Toronto Works for Haiti” is a group of volunteers offering professional services in exchange for donations to Haiti.

I had the privilege of meeting with the group … and believe be when I say they’re a coooool bunch of people with very diverse offerings. They can help you with everything from Japanese translation/interpretation to style consultation. (fella’s let’s face it, some of us are still rocking the silk ties!) All the service providers who have joined TW4H are providing special packages, and all the proceeds from them will go directly to the charities (Canadian Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders Canada, and The Humanitarian Coalition) with ZERO administration cost! If you have a service you’d like to donate, contact the group with your proposal! They’ve set a very modest goal of $5000 and are pumped about exceeding it.  Everyday they’re updateing their blog on progress the group has made and developments from the ground in Haiti.

I’m supporting the group by donating a portion of my commission as follows: From January 18 to February 28th 2010 for every $1000 dollars I help buy or sell in resale real estate, 1$ will be donated to one of the 3 charities mentioned above. For example, on a $400,000 purchase or sale $400 from my commission will be donated. This is a concept thought up by Andrew la Fleur and supported by Katy Galica and Kenny Shim from Re/Max Condo Plus (contact each Realtor for their exact details)

It’s a great way for Torontonians to continue supporting the relief efforts in Haiti while benefiting from one of the many skilled service providers this City has to offer!

As always…contact me for more info, I’d love to help!

775 King West by Minto has been on the radar for a while, but it looks like 2010 will be the year this one takes off. Almost a year ago to the month, Minto closed the doors at the sales centre and put the project on hold. The general opinion on the project at the time was high prices per square foot, awkward floor plans…. and oh ya, they launched right in the thick of the big bad recession!

Since then Minto has been taking quite a few steps to improve the project. They’ve been getting a lot of public and Realtor opinion on what went wrong. It’s becoming a popular trend (and one I hope we see a lot more of in 2010) to have developers engage the public and incorporate their opinion into the developments they build.

According to their latest Tweet (as of August 30th 2009) “Great news! Minto is moving forward with plans to launch MintoKingWest as early as Feb 2010! New floor plans in the works right now.” This is the second King West project to launch in 2010, the other being DNA3! As always, if you’re looking to live downtown…I’d love to help!

I’m not really a fan of re-posting material, but for this story I’m making an exception.  I had originally wrote this post on BloorCondos.com, and had a lot of people check it out.  Since it’s still a Toronto event and Christmas is fast approaching, I’m sharing the story with my SavelBlogs.com readers as well. Enjoy!!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Holt Renfrew heated up Bloor St with a concert by Canadian singer and song writer Feist.  The evening was hosted by Entertainment Tonight Canada’s Rick Campanelli and Kim D’Eon. Bloor was shut down from Bay ton Yonge and opened up to the public.   They capped off the night with an unveiling of their Holiday Window display… Shopping Season has begun! 

Our favourite display of the night was the Karl Lagerfeld inspired Snow Man window (pictured below). BloorCondoswas there to take in all the festive fun, if you’re ever in the area, you should too!  Holt Renfrew is located at 50 Bloor St West in Toronto.