"Eyes on the Road - Hands on the Wheel" or hand over $500 - 04/29/09 04:04 PM
Effective (most likely) this Fall, we will have to get off the phone, stop texting, and stop emailing, while driving.
Although I try to pull over every time the phone rings, sometimes it isn't possible - well ... it wasn't possible.  I'm going to have to make it possible.  Otherwise I may not earn enough money to pay the fines.  :/
We will be allowed:
- hands-free devices: earpiece, bluetooth
- 911 calls
- GPS units, as long as they're mounted on the dashboard

So, if you're usually attached to your cell phone, or iPod, your videogame, your MP3 player, or … (11 comments)

How To Prepare Your Home For The Market - 04/29/09 02:38 PM
 
Greg has some great tips that I thought I'd pass on.They apply, regardless of where you live.
 
Via R. Greg Osmond Realtor St. John's Newfoundland Beautiful Homes (Sutton Group-Capital Realty Ltd.):
If you want to maximize the value of your home when you sell, you will need to put energy into preparing your home for the market. Depending on how much time you have spent on keeping the property in top shape, there will be a varying number of things needed to make your home show its best. Here is a to do list for the inside of your home … (2 comments)

Wine & Food Festival - Toronto - May 8, 2009 - 04/26/09 04:51 PM
As I sipped a glass of one of my favourite red wines last night, I thought how great it would be, if I could go back to the same place where I originally got this bottle.
You wouldn't think so, but Canada makes great wines.  In fact, this wine I'm talking about is from Nova Scotia (Jost Vineyards).    This particular bottle was about 9 years old.  Yes, was ... I should have bought more.   I also bought a bottle of Canadian Port (imagine that).  I'll let you know what it tastes like one of these days. :)

 
Before that, … (6 comments)

JUICY FRIDAYS at Wonderworks - 04/23/09 07:56 PM

 
The highly successful Juicy Fridays series continues with the following Spring programme. All Juicy Fridays are free events presented by Wonderworks and invited guests, featuring an eclectic range of spiritually related topics and celebrations. Call or email Wonderworks to register. All Juicy Fridays begin at 7pm.
Friday April 24th  Earth Day Celebration & Early Music Concert
An Early Music performance featuring works from the Llibre Vermell, Cantigas de Santa Maria and Hildegard von Bingen.  
Many of these songs are stories about and for pilgrims walking in Mediaeval Spain with the theme of mother/virgin and miracles.  Some are … (0 comments)

Peaceful, lazy day at the Lake - 04/22/09 07:45 PM

© Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.All photos are copyrighted property of Sylvie Conde.  Do not reproduce or reprint without the express written permission of Sylvie Conde.
 
 
 
Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, BrokerSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage        416-966-0300(Independently Owned & Operated)358 Davenport RoadToronto, Ontario, M5R 1K6416-966-0300 Office416-564-7431 Directsconde@sutton.comwww.sylvieconde.com
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What the neighbors got for their home, is not what your house is worth. - 04/22/09 07:17 PM
So, you're ready to sell your home. You're going to call your REALTOR and tell them exactly how much you want to list the property for.
You were very careful to do your research in the area, and you know exactly how much the neighbor got for their house.  You know your house is worth more, because you've lived in it for so long, and you have wonderful memories, and these are so very valuable to you ... no buyer can ever imagine how much that's worth to you .....
There are factors that affect the asking price - and then there … (7 comments)

Different Architecture - Same Street Corner - Toronto - 04/22/09 04:07 PM
 

 
 
 

 
© Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.All photos are copyrighted property of Sylvie Conde.  Do not reproduce or reprint without the express written permission of Sylvie Conde.
 
 
 
Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, BrokerSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage        416-966-0300(Independently Owned & Operated)358 Davenport RoadToronto, Ontario, M5R 1K6416-966-0300 Office416-564-7431 Directsconde@sutton.comwww.sylvieconde.com
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Over 2,500 steps to the sky pod - 04/22/09 03:52 PM

© Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.All photos are copyrighted property of Sylvie Conde.  Do not reproduce or reprint without the express written permission of Sylvie Conde.
 
 
 
Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, BrokerSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage        416-966-0300(Independently Owned & Operated)358 Davenport RoadToronto, Ontario, M5R 1K6416-966-0300 Office416-564-7431 Directsconde@sutton.comwww.sylvieconde.com
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Earth Day - How are you participating? - 04/21/09 10:55 PM
Are you personally, or is your organization participating in an Earth Day event?
If you haven't decided what to do, there are many events taking place in the City of Toronto, tomorrow, and over the rest of the week.
Shoppers Drug Mart is holding an Awareness Day on environmentally friendly products.This will be held at their head office on Consumers Road.
Rona will be holding their Eco responsible day by cleaning up High Park and then having a picnic afterwards.  This may be something you want to be part of.  High Park is a beautiful place to spend the day.
The … (3 comments)

How do you feel about the market? Do you still think it's a falling market? - 04/20/09 11:09 PM
If you want to feel better about the market, you have to stop listening to negative people and negative news.
I have a client who has been waiting for a couple of years for the prices to drop, so she can buy a house.  Now, that the prices are low, and interest rates are ridiculously low, she still thinks the prices still have a LONG, LONG way to go, before they hit rock bottom.
If you wait for the day when someone says "NOW the prices have hit rock bottom", you will wait forever.
Concentrate on what is GREAT right now: 
-- … (6 comments)

Are you Reducing - Re-using - Recycling? - 04/20/09 08:11 PM
Today I called the City of Toronto.
I told them that my blue/recycling bin is no longer big enough.(I have already called them twice since they brought them out.)

I asked them to exchange my current bin for the EXTRA LARGE HUGE one.
 
I try so hard to reduce waste, and try so hard to recycle, yet I find myself out of space every single week, because of the PACKAGING in a lot of the food I buy.
 
I know Toronto is taking action and trying to get packaging reduced, but when will this happen?
 
 
Soon, … (6 comments)

Have you planned for an emergency? - 04/20/09 06:50 PM
Today's weather got me searching around the house for candles.
It was dark and cold all day.  The wind is whistling and the tree in backyard is threatening to fall in pieces (or at least, it looks that way).
My electricity went out for a few minutes, and that's why I started looking for candles.
Then it dawned on me that I don't even know where my emergency kit is (work at the house, boxes everywhere, and nothing is where it should be).
Do you have an emergency or disaster kit or box?
This isn't just about candles - which is all … (2 comments)

Trinity Bellwoods Park at Crawford Street - a Little History - 04/19/09 04:14 PM

 


 

 
 

 
© Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.All photos are copyrighted property of Sylvie Conde.  Do not reproduce or reprint without the express written permission of Sylvie Conde.
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UPDATE (no longer speechless):  Some people can't read what the photo says and asked me to paste it here, so here it is:
Crawford Street passes through Trinity Bellwoods Park over a graceful triple-span concrete bridge which still exists, but is now buried beneath the street.  The bridge once crossed a ravine carved by Garrison Creek as it flowed from North of St. Clair … (7 comments)

Birds of a feather .... - 04/19/09 03:40 PM
 
 
© Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.All photos are copyrighted property of Sylvie Conde.  Do not reproduce or reprint without the express written permission of Sylvie Conde.
 
 
 
Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, BrokerSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage        416-966-0300(Independently Owned & Operated)358 Davenport RoadToronto, Ontario, M5R 1K6416-966-0300 Office416-564-7431 Directsconde@sutton.comwww.sylvieconde.com
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… (6 comments)

Which Toronto neighbourhood will you call home? - 04/18/09 08:55 PM
Toronto has many different, popular neighbourhoods, which reflect our multiculturalism.
Have you thought about where you want to live?
Here are some neighbourhoods - all within 10-25 minutes of downtown...
Ready to start looking?
 









 









 

 



 
Let me know what you're looking for.  I can help you find a place to call home, in our great City.
© Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.All photos are copyrighted property of Sylvie Conde.  Do not reproduce or reprint without … (4 comments)

25th Annual Walk of Life - April 26th, Exhibition Place - 04/17/09 09:09 PM
The Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada presents the 25th Annual Walk of Life ...
April 26th, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. -
Rsidents will participate in the annual event that will hopefully raise $400,000 for the Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada.
Families can choose 3 km, 5 km and 7 km routes.
There will be a King and Queen of Hearts kids' drawing contests, interactive displays, heart healthy fair, Kidsport, funzone, teletoon, prize draws and more.
8:30 a.m.; sign-in (there will be entertainment and children's activities)
10:00 a.m.; opening ceremonies; 25th anniversary tribute and kids' contest
10:30 a.m., the walk begins
… (2 comments)

New Home Warranty (Tarion) Protection for Buyers - 04/17/09 12:05 PM
A consumer asked a question on Active Rain today, about our new home warranty program.
Apparently, someone was under the impression that builders can opt out of the program, if they are building a home for a private person.  In other words, you buy a piece of land, and you get different builders to bid on building your dream home (rather than buying one of the builder's own homes).
I wanted to make sure I gave out the correct information, so I called Tarion and asked them the question.Tarion tells me that builders CANNOT opt out for any reason.  It is … (3 comments)

Advice For Sellers - Relisting? Don't Repeat Past Mistakes - 04/15/09 09:26 PM
Sharon provides some great information below, for Sellers.
 
 
Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie CondeSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc, Brokerage   416-966-0300sconde@sutton.comwww.sylvieconde.com~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 

Via Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations):
If you are one of the many sellers who took their house off the market this past winter with the intent to relist in the Spring, you are probably in the process of preparing to relist.  One very important thing to keep in mind is that you don't want to repeat your past mistakes.  Learn from your experience of last winter and make some changes in your approach to … (7 comments)

All the little creatures come out to play, on a beautiful sunny day - 04/15/09 01:22 PM

 

 

 
 
© Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.All photos are copyrighted property of Sylvie Conde.  Do not reproduce or reprint without the express written permission of Sylvie Conde.
 
 
 
Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, BrokerSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage        416-966-0300(Independently Owned & Operated)358 Davenport RoadToronto, Ontario, M5R 1K6416-966-0300 Office416-564-7431 Directsconde@sutton.comwww.sylvieconde.com
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Steep Walk to Lake Huron - 04/14/09 11:44 PM


 
© Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.All photos are copyrighted property of Sylvie Conde.  Do not reproduce or reprint without the express written permission of Sylvie Conde.
 
 
 
Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, BrokerSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage        416-966-0300(Independently Owned & Operated)358 Davenport RoadToronto, Ontario, M5R 1K6416-966-0300 Office416-564-7431 Directsconde@sutton.comwww.sylvieconde.com
 
… (9 comments)

Low Tide - 04/14/09 11:14 PM

 

(Part of this beach is sheltered by amazing cliffs)
© Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.All photos are copyrighted property of Sylvie Conde.  Do not reproduce or reprint without the express written permission of Sylvie Conde.
 
 
 
Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, BrokerSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage    416-966-0300358 Davenport RoadToronto, Ontario, M5R 1K6sconde@sutton.comwww.sylvieconde.com
 
… (5 comments)

HAPPY EASTER - for some - NO EASTER for those less fortunate. - 04/10/09 05:54 PM
It's Easter weekend.How will you be spending it?Are you having friends and family over?Maybe just spending it at home, quietly, with the closest family?Going out, for a big party?
Have you thought that a lot of people won't be having an Easter meal, let alone a big celebration?
When you're out doing your Easter shopping, don't forget to buy a few more items and put them in a bag for the local food bank.
There are a lot of people out there who no longer have jobs, and have families to feed, and we can help to make their Easter better, … (10 comments)

Are you having trouble paying your rent? - 04/09/09 10:44 PM
If you're having trouble paying your rent, and you want to move to more affordable housing, there is an Emergency Rental Deposit Loan Program to assist you.
If you're having trouble coming up with first and last month's rent, in this tough economy, you may qualify for this program.
Some homeowners who are facing foreclosure and need to move, may also qualify.
Note:  If you are receiving Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support payments, you are not eligible.
Are you eligible?
- you must be experiencing housing problems as a direct result of the recession (you lost your job, or your … (7 comments)

Is now the time to buy? You decide. - 04/09/09 08:39 PM
- Toronto's March MLS sales = 6171; compared to 6631 for March of 2008.
- Not a significant difference.
- The average price is also down only about 5% from this time last year.
- The 'days on the market' fell from February to March (45 days to 39 days).
- Things are picking up.
- The market bottomed out in December of 2008, and has been picking up ever since.
- Prices are only down slightly from last year, and the interest rates are historically low.
- Interest rates can only go up from here.
- Is this a good … (4 comments)

Want to Attract Motivated Buyers? Become a Motivated Seller! - 04/09/09 11:52 AM
Vivan wrote a great post, definitely worth sharing.
If you're a seller, and any of these things ring true, maybe it's time to get more motivated.If you need help, just give me a call. :)
Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, BrokerSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage   416-966-0300sconde@sutton.comwww.sylvieconde.com~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

Via Vivian De Winter (Kaleidoscope Home Staging & Redesign):
The more open houses we attend in our area, the more I get the impression that home owners are not very motivated to sell.
 
These three homes have amazing potential, but fall short for various reasons:
 
House #1
plastic hair clips … (0 comments)

Toronto's Waterfront - South of High Park - 04/08/09 09:23 PM
  Off of Lake Shore Blvd., - boardwalk, South of High Park, Toronto
 
© Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.All photos are copyrighted property of Sylvie Conde.  Do not reproduce or reprint without express written permission of Sylvie Conde.
 
 
 
Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, BrokerSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage    416-966-0300358 Davenport Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1K6sconde@sutton.comwww.sylvieconde.com
 
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Easter Brunch at Casa Loma - 04/08/09 08:13 PM
An Easter to remember - at Casa Loma.


Want to feel like royalty?Why don't you do something special on a very special day, and take your family for a tour of Toronto's castle, Casa Loma, and have Easter brunch in the beautiful library?
Casa Loma is serving brunch on April 12th, at 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m.
You must book your seating ahead of time.
The price includes the meal and lets you explore the castle. 
This is a mini holiday the whole family will enjoy.
The price is $43.35 for adults (which includes gratuities) and $21.60 for … (6 comments)

Spring has Sprung @ Casa Loma, Toronto - 04/08/09 07:30 PM
I know, I know ... it's Spring, but you'd never know it, with our current temperatures, and snow still on the ground, but .... by April 18th, I'm sure it will be warmer, and the snow will be gone, and you can get your hands dirty by joining a gardening workshop at Casa Loma.
 
 

 
There is a tour on April 18th, starting at 10:30 a.m., and a SpringSational hands-on workshop.
You can assemble a container of spring bulbs to take home.
The cost is $45.00 and it includes the materials to take home, as well as coffee … (3 comments)

Taking in the View from the Bridge - 04/08/09 11:23 AM
                


Cedarvale Park and Cedarvale Ravine
 
© Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.All photos are copyrighted property of Sylvie Conde.  Do not reproduce or reprint without express written permission of Sylvie Conde.
 
 
 
Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, BrokerSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage    416-966-0300358 Davenport Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1K6sconde@sutton.comwww.sylvieconde.com
 
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Little money - big impact Kitchen Make-over - 04/07/09 09:43 AM
A recession is a great time to update your kitchen.
This is a time when people are choosing to stay in their home.They are choosing to make more meals at home, instead of going to the restaurant.They are choosing to spend more time at home with family and friends.They are choosing to have friends over more often, and choosing to go to friends' homes; instead of going for a night out on the town, which can be costly.
If you're going to be entertaining more at home, you probably want to freshen up kitchen - the heart of the home - … (15 comments)

Again I wonder...Where the hell is your agent??? - 04/06/09 03:03 PM
I think John said it very well, and I think this is worth sharing with everyone.Read carefully.  When making the biggest purchase of your life, it may not be the best idea in the world, to start looking on your own .... where is your agent???
 
Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, BrokerSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage   416-966-0300sconde@sutton.comwww.sylvieconde.com~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Via John MacArthur Branch Manager (Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc.):

This business of being a real estate agent is ever changing. There are more styles in this profession than any other. Agents not only come in all shapes and sizes....they … (0 comments)

5 Reasons You Don't Need A Buyer's Agent - 04/05/09 09:41 PM
Definitely worth sharing.  I know there are other "Walters" out there.Maybe someone else who is planning on buying from the internet can find some useful information here.
 
 
Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, BrokerSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage     416-966-0300sconde@sutton.comwww.sylvieconde.com~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Via Kristina Pratt, Realtor - JustDuckyHomes.com (St. Louis' Illinois Suburbs - Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors):
I spent yesterday hanging out with a lot of my husband's friends from work.  One friend, we'll call him "Walter", decided to inform me that one day buyer's agents will be obsolete.  When I asked him why, he told me that whatever an agent can do … (4 comments)

Speechless Sunday - a walk in the Park - 04/05/09 05:08 PM

Cedarvale Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
© Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.All photos are copyrighted property of Sylvie Conde.  Do not reproduce or reprint without express written permission of Sylvie Conde.
 
 
 
Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, BrokerSutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage    416-966-0300358 Davenport Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1K6sconde@sutton.comwww.sylvieconde.com
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Looking to buy a Home? Here's what the insurance company is looking for... - 04/04/09 10:09 AM
Insurance companies are making it harder and harder for first time buyers - who have never been insured before, or who have a history of too many claims, or late payments - to get home insurance.
Companies care about the condition of the house, the mechanicals, the age and type of electrical, plumbing, heating and structure.  They also care about whether the home is owner occupied, tenanted, or left vacant for long periods of time.
However, these days, insurance companies are more concerned about who is applying for the coverage.  How many claims did you report in the past?  How many … (3 comments)

Keep your cool! - 04/02/09 10:57 PM
The 'Keep Cool' Program is coming back.
 
 
Customers who have an old air conditioner at home, and want to trade it in for a more energy efficient model, can go to any of the participating Home Depot Stores, drop it off, and receive a $25 gift card.
The old a/c units will be recycled for free.
This year, there will also be a collection for old dehumidifiers - for which you will get a $10 gift card.
This program will run on June 6 and 7; June 13 and 14; and June 20 and 21.

 
This program … (2 comments)

 
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Sylvie Conde, Broker | Toronto Real Estate

Toronto, ON

More about me…

Sutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage

Address: www.sylvieconde.com, Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated, Toronto, ON, M5R 1K6

Office Phone: (416) 966-0300

Cell Phone: (416) 564-7431

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