TORONTOISM: A New Look and a New Name!! - 01/31/09 12:08 PM
Over the next few weeks you are going to see some changes to my Blog site site. The name has been changed to Torontoism: Richard Silver's Downtown Toronto Blog and we are just in the final stages of a new logo, new skin and yes finally, a new updated photo (I know, I know).
I'm sorry if there is some confusion but it is amazing how much you learn quickly about a new project that you start from scratch. I've been having lots of help from Jim Cronin of the Real Estate Tomato. His company focuses on training new bloggers to help them … (2 comments)

REALTORS® Welcome Federal Housing Initiatives In Stimulating Canadian Economy: CREA Says - 01/31/09 12:03 PM
Here is the most recent press release from the Canadian Real Estate Association in reference to today's budget. It looks to be some good news for the Housing sector and first time buyers...
 The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) welcomes the federal government initiatives to stimulate economic growth outlined in the 2009 budget, especially those that will encourage home ownership in Canada. The Association applauds the government for recognizing the economic importance of the housing industry in some of the budget measures.
"The change announced to the popular Home Buyers' Plan will help Canadians who want to own their own home, and … (0 comments)

My Favourite Time of Year!!! Winter…licious!! - 01/31/09 12:00 PM
In reality...growing up in Edmonton was already "cruel and unusual punishment" when it comes to winter weather and although winter in Toronto is much milder than that part of Alberta, by mid-January I have had it. Whoever came up with the idea of Winterlicious should be given the key to the City of Toronto and be made the next Mayor, although THAT might be "cruel and unusual punishment".
Anyway, here is the link to more information and if you read this post and it gets you out to a great culinary experience, think of me...however, if it does not work out...at least … (0 comments)

Cabbagetown Update: January 31, 2009 - 01/31/09 11:56 AM
Cabbagetown is a great place where things are always happening and it is sometimes hard to keep track of. However, that being said the Old Cabbagetown BIA runs a Blogand updates it regularly. Make sure that you check it out or that you subscribe to it.
On today's OCBIA Blog there is a model of the new Building planned for the "Javaville" location at the North East Corner of Carlton and Parliament. Have a look at the model and feel free to comment below.
This week I received a presentation from the Toronto Kiwanis Boys and Girls' Club about a Facility Study. They … (0 comments)

Bank of Canada Cuts Interest Rates! January 2009! - 01/25/09 01:27 PM
Below is a press release from the Canadian Real Estate Association about the Bank of Canada cutting rates. 
Bank of Canada cuts interest rates again in January
Published January 20, 2009
As widely expected, the Bank of Canada lowered its benchmark overnight lending rate by a half of a percentage point to one per cent at its setting on January 20th, 2009. The trend-setting Bank rate, which is set 0.25 percentage points above the overnight lending rate, declined to 1.25 per cent.
The Bank acknowledged the global economy has deteriorated further since it last lowered rates in December 2008, when it announced … (0 comments)

A Great Real Estate Shopping Accessory: HomeZilla.ca - 01/25/09 01:23 PM
Shopping for homes on the Internet is becoming easier and easier with interactive mapping, photos, virtual tours, floor plans, videos and more...and now there is Homezilla.ca. Once you've found your dream home you need to find out about the local Schools, local shopping and of course, the local STARBUCKS.
Homezilla has all the neighborhood details that home shoppers are looking for:
Local transit information Day care services Restaurants & pubs Grocery Stores Fitness centres and gyms Schools It also has information about the Demographics, Election Boundaries, and other interesting information for the real estate client or just for a snoopy neighbor. Check out the Homezilla … (0 comments)

An Idea To Stimulate The Economy!!! - 01/22/09 08:55 AM
I have been thinking seriously about some steps that the Canadian Government could take to really stimulate the Economy, especially now that the Stock Market has gone through a real adjustment and the interest rates are low.  Here's the idea that I would like to float...let Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty know about it,  although I have it on great authority that they read this blog every day....
Canadians are great savers and have, for years, been building their RRSP's. Those RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan or 401K) accounts are making minimal interest and are not generating any movement whatsoever. What … (0 comments)

What’s Happening in the Toronto Real Estate Market? - 01/20/09 06:50 AM
That is the question that I get asked every hour of every day....So How do I answer that one? The Stock Market has definitely had a great effect on market confidence and there is no getting around that. Every media outlet is predicting doom and gloom in all sectors and there is no getting around that either...
However, would you be surprised to know that even with it all, over 5000 properties sold in Toronto last month? Now, of course, that was less than in 2007 but last year at this time we were having a great market with people jumping the … (0 comments)

Toronto Real Estate Board: November 19/2008 Press Release - 01/20/09 06:24 AM
Greater Toronto REALTORS® recorded 1,991 resale transactions during the first half of November 2008 from 3,544 sales recorded during the same period a year ago, Toronto Real Estate Board President Maureen O'Neill announced today.
The Greater Toronto Area year-to-date figures show 70,474 sales in 2008 from 84,994 recorded during the same period in 2007. The year-to-date average price was recorded at $380,470 in 2008 from $374,678 in 2007.
In the 416 area, 830 homes changed hands in the first two weeks of November from 1,643 transactions recorded during the same time frame a year ago. The year-to-date figures show 28,126 compared … (0 comments)

What I Learned at NAR 2008, Orlando… - 01/20/09 06:20 AM
I'm just back from my yearly pilgrimage to NAR (National Association of REALTORS) Conference, this year held in Orlando, Florida. There is usually no need to work out every morning as the venue is so massive and courses are so far between, that the need for daily exercise is totally negated. Two days of 10-12 hour sleeps are definitely what the doctor ordered on return and I am not a party-person (my latest night never passed 11 PM).
It takes a while for all the stimuli to gel into some comprehensive vision so bear with me. It is always interesting to get 20,000 … (7 comments)

Downtown Toronto Real Estate: The Past 30 Years… - 01/20/09 06:18 AM
Here is a quick little synopsis of the last 30 years in Downtown Toronto. The biggest change, apart from prices which have increased almost seven fold, is the number of Condominiums in our marketplace. Since the late 1970's and early 80's, Condominiums which were only 2-5% of real estate sales have increased to just under 50% of the sales activity in 2007.
What is really great however, is that over the past ten and certainly five years, the number of renters converting to home ownership has significantly increased as can be seen in this graph by CMHC. Not only has this drastically changed the … (0 comments)

Downtown Toronto: Cabbagetown- Village in the City! - 01/20/09 06:12 AM

Cabbagetown is a Village in the middle of a big City. One of the many that make Toronto great and one of my favourite areas for its' diversity. You can have a great coffee at the Jet Fuel Cafe and be verbally abused by the owner, lovingly named Johnny Jetfuel. Do not order a non-fat, no-foam Latte in a double cup (my usual Starbucks order) or you'll be told "You'll get it how I make it, with 2%, in one cup, and if you don't like it-see ya!!"  However, if you can be flexible, it's addictive and the Jet Fuel Cafe' … (0 comments)

Downtown Toronto Real Estate: Days on the Market. - 01/20/09 06:10 AM
One of the most important trends to watch in Real Estate is the average number of days on the market. Over the past year there has been an increase in the days on the market from 30 days in the most active market to our recent level of 38 days.
To Sellers this means that expectations have to change and for Buyers this means that there is not the urgency to buy...however do not be surprised when great properties still sell quickly and for good prices. Unusual homes in good locations are not as affected by market conditions..don't get caught sleeping at the switch. You may … (0 comments)

Toronto Real Estate: Getting Ready For Sale!! - 01/20/09 05:53 AM
Before you think of putting your home on the market, call your REALTOR and ask them for a brutally honest discussion of issues that they think should be addressed in your home  before listing. Here are a few tips to keep in mind that might help you on an ongoing basis so pre-listing preparation is kept to a minimum.   
Remove all clutter. Visually simplify each room. Let a purchaser imagine their decor in your home. As well, you limit your market if your home is too strongly decorated.     Check your home for obvious issues like water spots on the ceiling and … (2 comments)

Mortgages and The United States Economy… - 01/20/09 05:45 AM
There is a Big Cow (not an Elephant) in the room when any discussion takes place about the US and its present credit crisis. Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans will touch this Holy Cow; Mortgage Interest Deductibility.
At its conception in the early 1900's it was a great boon for a young growing economy but what it has created is a Society that has flourished on great amounts of debt.
A Canadian will proudly tell you that their Mortgage is paid off, an American will look at the Canadian and wonder why they would do something so foolish. Why not … (0 comments)

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!! - 01/20/09 05:42 AM
When I encounter someone not in my small circle of friends, and they ask how I am, I know that the second question will be "How's the market?"
Without trying to be rude (my first instinct...), I try to point out that it is almost impossible to gauge any statistic that would reflect a world economic crisis as well as Canadian and American elections within a short time frame.
Of course, the Real Estate market will be affected much as it was on and after September 11. That was short-lived and people got passed the paralysis and life moved on.
Let's … (0 comments)

Biking in Downtown Toronto!!! - 01/20/09 05:39 AM
We live in a great City for biking....I really should do more but I love walking...you get to see so much more... and that is the problem.
As I walk through the City though, I find myself getting angrier and angrier at the Bikers. First of all, I am walking on a sidewalk...not a sidebike. What are bikes doing on a sidewalk especially when they are adjacent to bike lanes?  I live next to a street that has bike lanes on it, so what are bicycles doing zooming past me up on the sidewalk, going both ways with little or no respect for the … (0 comments)

The Canadian National Do Not Call Registry. - 01/20/09 05:03 AM
At the end of September 2008, the Government of Canada instituted a "Do Not Call Registry". A $1500 fine plus costs can be levied against a caller in breach and their Company will face a $15,000 fine.
Our business is based on referrals and contacts but all businesses must comply. At Bosley Real Estate Ltd. we have purchased a special software that allows us to keep up-to-date with additions to the registry.
You can get information on the National Do Not Call Registry and register by clicking here. You can register all your phone numbers: home, fax, and cell phone. It seems to have … (0 comments)

Cabbagetown: What Happened at Aberdeen and Parliament? - 01/20/09 05:01 AM
I am a creature of habit. I get up very early, exercise, respond to emails and head to Johnnie Jet Fuel's for a (you'll get it the way I make it!) Latte'.
The early morning music can be a bit too stimulating so I often find myself standing outside and watching the new construction at the south-west corner of Aberdeen and Parliament. Most mornings I end up shaking my head. Sorry, but I don't get it!
In an area full of Victorian peaked roofs and gables, what is that "Square Bunker" doing there? We have an active Cabbagetown Preservation Association and … (0 comments)

 
Richard_silver_mug_big

Richard Silver

Toronto, ON

More about me…

BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.

Address: Toronto, ON, M9B 6L3

Office Phone: (416) 322-8000

Cell Phone: (416) 587-3300

Email Me



Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find ON real estate agents and Toronto real estate on ActiveRain.