Posts Tagged ‘Toronto Real Estate’

The lack of posts on the blog is directly related to the increase in activity, but not to worry… I’m back, busy, and ready to blog!

By the first week of January appointments on my listings started to really spike and the emails started pouring in from people interested in buying and selling.  I had taken a client of mine into a loft conversion that we’d been eying for some time.  A few hours after the listing went live, I booked us an appointment with the hopes of being the first ones in… 3 others had already previewed the place before us.  My client loved the space so much that within an hour of viewing the unit we had an offer printed and ready to present. Luckily for the both of us we moved fast.  The next day another 7 appointments were booked.  Because I was able to secure the unit for my client the night before we narrowly avoided participating in multiple offers… others weren’t as fortunate.

I’ve seen several new condo listings in the downtown core with the ever famous “Offers if any, reviewed on the xx of January”.  For those not in the biz, this is one of the many signs that it’s a sellers market and that there are more buyers than there are sellers!  When this happens, the negotiating power isn’t heavily the purchasers side BUT I still think it’s worth while to look.  I’m not a fan of paying several thousand dollars more than what a unit is worth, and I’d never suggest a client do that either… but if that dream layout and your desired building does become available, I say go for it just be aware of what comparables have sold for.  If your fair priced offer isn’t accepted don’t loose faith…another one is always out there!  Sellers, instead of waiting for the spring market I’d suggest prepping you’re unit for sale a lot sooner.  It’s only a matter of time before others get word of the increase demand and start listing their places.

On the preconstruciton side of things, 2011 is promising several great launches through out the City.  Projects gearing up for future phased launches and those looking to move last years inventory have started offering a variety of incentives. Throughout the week I’ll be spotlighting a few with great perks!

If you’re looking to live Downtown, I’d love to help!

One of the first preconstruction projects I started promoting on SavelBlogs was 2 Gladstone by Streetcar Developments.  Sales started back in October of 2009  and to this day, I’m still getting emails from interested purchasers on it.  It was one of the few projects to launch in 09 and with only 54 units, it didn’t take long for them to sell. Fast forward to 2011 and 2 Gladstone is back on the blog!

In early 2010 they demolished the existing buildings and by early spring the had dug a hole large enough to pour the foundation. From there it’s been nothing but up as they’ve already surpassed ground level and have started on the second floor! Estimated move-in is scheduled for October 2011 and with only 7 more floors to go, they might just build this one on time!

It’s hard to get a good indication on what the first level looks like as most of it is covered up, but once cladding starts I’ll be back to take some more photos… In the mean time, click on the thumbnails below to see the progress thus far.

While out on Queen West I spotted a few other sites “ripe for development” which is great news if you missed your chance to buy at 2 Gladstone. If Queen West is calling you…call me (or send me and email) and I’ll help you call it home!

(try saying that 5 times fast)

Contrary to what HST stands for…there seems to be nothing harmonious about the tax! Kerry Gold, a writer for MSN money and stationed in BC recently ran a story on how the effects of the tax vary from Province to Province.  I was asked for my experience on how things are handled in Toronto (with regards to pre-construction)! Look for a further post this week elaborating on how taxes are handled in Ontario!

By Kerry Gold, September 28, 2010

It’s not like a couple of years ago, when it was a sellers’ market and the very idea of incentives was like a quaint notion from another era.

With the introduction of the HST in B.C. and Ontario on July 1, developers have had to get savvy when it comes to marketing their product. In Ontario, they started adjusting prices to absorb the new tax a year before it was introduced, which meant buyers hardly felt the pinch. Also in Ontario, developers have made it standard policy to include the new tax in their selling price. In B.C., the HST is just starting to become included in the cost of new homes, rather than passing it along to the buyer. It’s just one of the ways that developers are sucking up the cost of doing business in a tougher market. In some cases, it means a new house is priced cheaper than a resale house.

As one of the top sellers at the Treviso Community, I’m able to offer all purchasers who work with me the following exclusive discounts and bonuses… but only for a limited time!

Get 5% Cash Back ($12,000-$30,000)
AND Free Assignments – Regular $5000
AND $3000 Yorkdale Gift Certificate OR Travel Voucher

Special Deposit Choice for Treviso 1 and 2
$2000 with the Offer
Balance to 5% in 30 Days
5% in 120 Days
$2000 Every 3 Months (for additional 5%)

Or

$2000 with the Offer
Balance to 5% in 30 days
10% BMO Interest Only Loan and Vendor Pays the Interest

FIRST 20 2 & 3 BEDROOM SUITES SOLD AT TREVISO 2 ONLY GET AN ADDITIONAL $10,000 CASH OFF
AND a N’espresso Espresso machine at closing, offered originally and exclusively when I represent you in the purchase of a unit at Treviso! Contact me TODAY!

All cash back offers can be deducted off the purchase price or be adjusted on final closing. Bank of Montreal loan program is subject to approval.  Mortgage pre approvals are required on all sales. Balance to 20% is required on occupancy date for all deposit structures noted above.  All promotions, discounts offers are valid until April 30, 2012.  All promotion offers may be changed and/or cancelled at any time without notice.

I’ve been kinda quite on the blog for past week, but crazy busy at the Treviso Sales Centre!  So many people were interested in purchasing at Treviso, that I had to camp out overnight in the parking lot to secure a spot for my clients.  Thankfully we were all able to get our units before the project sold out. The first phase has 423 units and as of late last week roughly 80% of suites were sold firm!  So why all the interest…

The Toronto Star ran an excellent article on how this project has the potential to solidify this area as middle Italy!  With College and St. Clair to the South and Woodbridge to the North, Dufferin and Lawrence fit’s perfectly inbetween the two ethnic areas.  Although it wasn’t just Italians purchasing at Treviso, majority of people who contacted me via the blog were of Italian decent and lived fairly close to the area. I noticed a split between older purchasers (55+) looking to downsize and many first timers (20-40) looking to still stay close to home yet have their independence with condo living. This is the newest condo to launch in the area and the first to reflect the neighbourhood.

The developers did a excellent job analyzing the demographics of the area and the need to accommodated the changing lifestyles.  The bocce courts, Treviso Piazza and water installation were all nice touches and the feedback from potential purchasers I’ve interviewed resulted in some great ideas for future amenities…how cool would it be if “Cantina’s” were made available for wine making and storing? Or how about a large kitchen area for sausage making and pepper roasting? The open park to the north would make a great soccer field too!

Anyhow, enough on my thoughts…read what The Star’s Yvonne Marton had to stay about the project:

Read the rest of this entry »

Looking for a loft? In a boutique style building? In a transitioning area…I may have just the right thing for you – 707 Lofts by Enrox is looking like the next “soft loft” to launch in Toronto!

The development has been in the works for a few years now, but had yet to finalize due to approvals from the city. Initially the lofts were going to be 8 stories tall. After several meetings with area residents, the project was scaled back to 5.

I was lucky enough get some “insider info” on the areas developments thanks to my grandparents living half a block away. On a recent visit to their house, I discovered that the construction wall has gone up over the existing properties.  Check out the photos below.  Click on the thumbnails for a larger image!

Not much is known above and beyond these pictures.  The developers website is up but doesn’t have any info on finishes or prices.  I do like the initial rendering and how it fits with the area with the red brick and glass.  Units fronting on Dovercourt should get a lot of natural light through the over-sized windows.

The site is located half a block south of Bloor on the West side, next to The Church Lofts.  Send me an email or give me a call if you’d like to be notified when 707 Lofts launch!

As one of the top sellers at the Treviso Community, I’m able to offer all purchasers who work with me the following exclusive discounts and bonuses… but only for a limited time!

Get 5% Cash Back ($12,000-$30,000)
AND Free Assignments – Regular $5000
AND $3000 Yorkdale Gift Certificate OR Travel Voucher 

Special Deposit Choice for Treviso 1 and 2
$2000 with the Offer
Balance to 5% in 30 Days
5% in 120 Days
$2000 Every 3 Months (for additional 5%)

Or

$2000 with the Offer
Balance to 5% in 30 days
10% BMO Interest Only Loan and Vendor Pays the Interest

FIRST 20 2 & 3 BEDROOM SUITES SOLD AT TREVISO 2 ONLY GET AN ADDITIONAL $10,000 CASH OFF
AND a N’espresso Espresso machine at closing, offered originally and exclusively when I represent you in the purchase of a unit at Treviso! Contact me TODAY!

All cash back offers can be deducted off the purchase price or be adjusted on final closing. Bank of Montreal loan program is subject to approval.  Mortgage pre approvals are required on all sales. Balance to 20% is required on occupancy date for all deposit structures noted above.  All promotions, discounts offers are valid until April 30, 2012.  All promotion offers may be changed and/or cancelled at any time without notice.

Lanterra has done a “bellissimo“ job transforming the barren parking lot at Dufferin and Lawrence into it’s Italian inspired sales centre for Treviso Condos!  Over the weekend, the sales centre opened it’s the doors for the first time. On Monday I had the chance to revisit the office and take a closer look at what Treviso will offer!

They have two model suites available, a one bedroom with den and a two bedroom with den.  What I liked about the sales centre was that each unit had standard finishes, so purchasers can get a pretty realistic idea of what finishes will one day look like. All units come with 4 stainless steel front appliance – dishwasher, fridge, stove and microwave.  A clothes washer and dryer are also included!

My collegue Roy Bhandari of AmitandRoy.com was kind enough to share his photos of the sales centre on my blog!  To view the photos, click on the thumnail and a larger image will show.

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If you’d like to call Treviso home, feel free to call or email…I’d love to help!

One King West on the corner of King and Yonge sits the tallest evenidence of Harry Stinsons passion, vision, and non stop ambition!  At 51 stories, One King slices through the sky line as one of the thinnest condos in North America!