And Tribute Communities has come out on top. Receiving top ratings and the 2010 New Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Award from JD Power, Tribute has proven to be a top choice among GTA consumers.  Some of their current local projects include Queen and Portland, The Residences on RCMI and 1717 Avenue Road.

If you’re in the market for a new home or condo, take a look at the full ratings here to learn more about the consumer’s choice for top builders.

To learn more about anything you’ve read at www.propertyedge.ca, please contact:

Stephanie Stoute | Co-Founder
Property Edge Real Estate Services Inc., Brokerage
Office: 416-422-EDGE (3343) x222
Email: sstoute@propertyedge.ca
How do you like to stay connected? Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook

The information contained herein has been provided to Property Edge Real Estate Services Inc., Brokerage from sources deemed reliable and correct, however we do not warrant its accuracy or assume any responsibility or liability of any kind whatsoever with respect to the accuracy of the information contained herein. All persons are advised to independently verify the information. The infor mation herein is subject to errors, omissions, change of price, rental or other conditions, prior sale or withdrawal at any time without notice.

We’ve dived into YouTube and have created our very own Property Edge Channel!

Here’s a look at our first entry

There is a lot of common knowledge associated with understanding the pro’s and pro’s (is there a con?) of working with a Realtor.  But, sometimes it’s nice to send out a friendly reminder of what we can do for you.

Earlier this year we outlined some value added services (you can read our blog entries here) such as Leveraging our Professional Relationships; Needs Analysis; Reaching our Network and finally our Commitment to Excellence.

However, putting all of the above aside, not because they are unimportant but because it’s time to move on, a Realtor can act without judgement, set emotion aside while managing your investment, filter through the weeds and execute and co-ordinate all the grunt work that you don’t have time for. 

Can the real estate cycle in the end boil down to guess work or luck?   I hope not! Realtors don’t just follow the news/media outlets.  We follow the stats, we follow the trends and we follow our instinct – the unmistakable and irreplaceable attribute of a top notch sales person.

There’s no wrong choice when choosing between representing yourself or hiring a Realtor.  In the end, you know what’s best for you.  What we strive for is knowledge and education.  We recommend an interview.  An opportunity to outline our value added services, customized to your personal needs.

With the rules of our industry changing it’s time to let the work speak for itself. You can’t just T Y P E words and assume to be hired, you’ve got to do more.

Stephanie Stoute | Co-Founder
Property Edge Real Estate Services Inc., Brokerage
Office: 416-422-EDGE (3343) x222
Email: sstoute@propertyedge.ca
How do you like to network? Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook

Anyone else shocked by this new eco fee that was put into effect July 1st?

Check out The Star for one consumer’s surprise to the added 13-cent charge when shopping for dish soap.

Some products newly effected include:

All aerosol containers, from paint to hairspray.
Rechargeable batteries, as well as non-lead acid motive batteries.
Corrosives and irritants, such as household bleaches, drain cleaners and detergents.
Assorted toxic, flammable and reactive products.
Syringes and needles.
Pharmaceuticals for humans and pets, including prescription medicine, over-the-counter drugs and natural health products.
Fluorescent tubes and bulbs.
Fire extinguishers.

Stephanie Stoute was recently asked by the Toronto Board of Trade the importance of summer networking and how businesses and business owners can benefit from a variety of summer activities the TBoT has to offer.  The summer is often a time for business slow down with most taking advantage of summer travel, however, if you’re staying put this summer you’ve got to take advantage of the networking opportunities in front of you and make it count!

As co-founder of Property Edge Real Estate Services, a boutique Toronto brokerage servicing both commercial and residential clients, Stephanie Stoute says she often finds it hard to fit networking into her schedule during peak business periods. For her, the summer months are the ideal time to leverage this essential business-building activity. “Often times the summer events are more intimate, allowing you more opportunity to engage in thought-provoking conversation while truly learning the business and specialties of the people you are meeting,” she says.

See the full article at this month’s Toronto Board of Trade Bulletin Board

With July 1st, 2010 quickly approaching both the advocates and opponents of the new Harmonized Sales Tax are making headlines. 

This week has shone a bright light on the newly released report by the McGuinty Government as it outlines more than half of the households in Ontario will be paying more in taxes by the year 2012.

Take a read through the Globe and Mail and The Star articles and comments to see the strong opinions Ontario residents have.

The St. Lawrence Market area is getting a new additon to the neighbourhood.  Read more at the Toronto Star.

Toronto’s New Development Project – U Condominiums

Pemberton Group has just released a group of new suites (The King – Two Bedroom) at their project U Condominiums! 

Located at 50 St. Joseph Street, U Condominiums is just steps away from the Bloor-Yorkville community.

Some highlights include:

- Walking distance to world class dining, entertainment, shopping and cultural venues

- Top quality finishes including; custom cabinetry with Corian® countertops throughout, pre-finished engineered wood flooring, incredible stainless steel kitchen appliances, 9’ ceilings in principal rooms, large balcony  (per builder)

- 24-hour concierge service, rooftop party room with terrace and 360 degree city views, library, billiards, exquisite three storey lobby and fitness centre with steam rooms

The King suites are two-bedroom corner suites with 896 square feet of living space and a 277 square foot balcony.  Prices start at $673,000 and include parking, locker and HST.

U Condominiums does still have other suites available ranging from 325 square feet to 1,477 square feet and priced from the mid $200,000′s.

To learn more about U Condominiums, please contact:

Stephanie Stoute | Co-Founder
Property Edge Real Estate Services Inc., Brokerage
Office: 416-422-EDGE (3343) x222
Email: sstoute@propertyedge.ca
How do you like to network? Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook

A weaker than expected start to the year combined with mortgage requirements and interest rate increases has caused the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) to lower it’s forecast of home sales via the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). 

Previous reports from CREA forecasted that sales would continue to elevate in the first have of 2010, with sales leveling off in the later part of the year and into 2011.  This new forecast marks the fourth quarter of 2009 marking the peak of national activity.

The full report can be seen here, including a charted market forecast by province.

The banks key interest rate was raised today from 0.25 to 0.50 in an effort to manage inflation rates.

Recent months have seen below average interest rates to help fight the recession, but with a growing economy (led by housing and consumer spending) comes today’s announcement.

For full details click here to be directed to the Bank of Canada press release.

http://www.propertyedge.ca/mortgages/rates

Bob Aaron is a Real Estate Lawyer and Board Member of Tarion Warranty Corp., and today he brings to attention the monopoly that is the Land Registry System.

Check out his article in The Star

Has anyone noticed the tulips in full bloom on Bloor Street?  They can be yours!

In order to make space for the spectacular summer plantings, the tulip bulbs will be removed and given away.  There are about 10,000 tulips looking for new homes, and they will be made available to you on Friday May 28th, 2010 after 10:30am.

Everyone who is interested is asked to bring themselves, and a bag, to 55 Bloor Street East to collect your bulbs. 

The bulbs will be ready for the taking, on a first come first serve basis.  Plant them this fall and enjoy your own show of colour next spring.

The Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) has reported that transactions in the GTA have exceed 10,0000 for the second consecutive month. 

The report predicts that more properties will be coming to market, which will ultimately help to balance out previous real estate market conditions.

You can learn more about the figures as reported by TREB by clicking here

With the summer now here, the HST creeping up and the interest rates slowly rising it can be unrealistic to pinpoint why many agents, home owners and buyers are seeing a soft shift in the Toronto real estate market.

Albeit there are still a handful of homes and condo units that are selling within days / for over asking, the majority of properties now listed on MLS are removing their offer dates and pricing their homes according to what the market dictates.

A few experts chime in on the subject today in The Globe and Mail – A sharp shift in the market

The famous “Field of Dreams” is currently available for sale!

The 193 acre farm is currently listed at 5.4 million, which will not only get you the farmhouse and baseball diamond, but also the estimated 65,000 tourists that visit the site each year!

Interested?  Click HERE for full property details.

Bloor Street Transformation Update

Yonge Street to Avenue Road:

All the major reconstruction components on the southern portion, of the roadway and sidewalk between Yonge and Bay Streets will be completed today and construction work on the north side of this section of the roadway and boulevard will commence on Monday, May 17, to include excavation of the sidewalk by mid week.   The intersection of Balmuto and Bloor Street is expected to be reopened.  

The installation of granite sidewalk is continuing on the south side, west of Bay Street and excavation work and soil cell installation is being carried out towards Avenue Road.

Church Street to Yonge Street:

Hydro Vault work is near completion at 81 Bloor Street East and continues at 33 Bloor Street East.  Granite installation will occur immediately following completion of the hydro vault work.

Access to all businesses will be maintained and all businesses are open.

Please Note – These construction schedules have been provided by the City and their contractor.  Given the extent and complexity of the project, changes to the schedule may occur.

We are currently updating various features of our site to help better benefit our viewers.  Currently under construction is our Neighbourhood and New Development map, located at http://www.propertyedge.ca/neighbourhoods.

As we work through our upgrades, we’d love to hear your feedback on how it is working and what we can do to make it better!

Thank you for your patience!

An interesting read at The Star:

http://www.yourhome.ca/homes/realestate/article/806963–an-inside-look-at-573-948-toronto-homes

TORONTO, May 5, 2010 – Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 10,898 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in April, representing a 34 per cent increase compared to April 2009.

There were also 20,683 new listings in April – a 59 per cent annual increase. Both the sales and new listings results amounted to new records for the month of April under the current Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) boundaries.

“The GTA resale market is functioning properly. Sales were high as buyers continued to take advantage of affordable home ownership opportunities. Listings grew as home owners reacted to strong sales and price growth,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Tom Lebour.

“More balanced market conditions will result in sustainable rates of annual price growth in the second half of 2010.”

The average price for April transactions was $437,600 – up 13 per cent compared to the average of $385,641 recorded in April 2009.

“Home sales continue to be driven by many different segments of the market, with sales growth for all major home types in both the City of Toronto and surrounding 905 regions,” said

Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “Home sales will remain strong in the second half of 2010, but will slip from the current record pace as borrowing costs rise.”

The Canadian Press – Toronto Star

OTTAWA—The TD Bank says home sales will be significantly lower in the second half of this year and next — and prices are dropping too.

The new outlook is in accord with previous expectations, with the exception that TD now believes the slowdown from the current hot housing market to be sharper.

The bank says with home construction stronger than expected, the added supply will soon begin affecting prices.

The first half of this year has been hotter than expected, and the second half will be cooler, the bank says.

TD says it had expected existing home prices next year to gain a modest 1.6 per cent, but now believes they will actually fall about 2.7 per cent on average.

The bank says prices will drop next year in seven of Canada’s 10 provinces, with the three prairie provinces breaking the trend.

The Federal Government has made a recent announcement of changes to government backed mortgages (mortgages with less than a 20 percent down payment).

All borrowers will be required to meet the standards for a five-year fixed rate mortgage even if they choose a mortgage with a lower interest rate and shorter terms.

Reduced maximum amount that can be withdrawn in refinancing a government-backed insured mortgage to 90 percent from 95 percent of the value of the home.

Require a minimum down payment of 20 percent for government-backed mortgage insurance on non-owner occupied properties purchased for speculation. Borrowers purchasing owner-occupied residential properties will still be able to access government-backed mortgage insurance with a 5 percent down payment.

How does this affect you as a first time home buyer or investor?  Will this change the way we buy?

For more information, visit the Department of Finance at http://www.fin.gc.ca/n10/data/10-011_1-eng.asp

Canadian real estate developers, investors and lenders more attuned to risk.

A new Ernst & Young report reveals that a shifting and vastly different post-recession real estate landscape has executives grappling with lingering challenges.

Focus on capital preservation – Most real estate executives are and will continue to be concerned with stabilizing their organizations and enhancing their ability to access capital and improve the flexibility of their balance sheets. Maintaining liquidity is paramount to capitalizing on future opportunities.

Form strategic alliances and/or partnerships with foreign investors -Partnerships will be formed to acquire assets on a scale never seen before. Expect Canadian companies with strong balance sheets to venture into foreign markets.

Provide more effective risk management and protection of asset values – Real estate companies are revamping their framework to more effectively manage risk. Pricing risk appropriately will define future growth.

Provide an increased focus on tenants – Property owners are becoming  more diligent in evaluating the creditworthiness of tenants to determine who might present a risk. In light of this, underwriting  will become even more stringent.

Evaluate supply chain and contractors – Corporations who hire developers and construction contractors are evaluating the risks of having financially troubled contractors/suppliers who could file for bankruptcy and stop work on a project.

Prepare for increased taxes and government regulation – Companies are preparing for regulatory framework – around private equity investment  funds in particular, as well as arranging for fuller disclosure of investment plans, asset verification and other information of interest to shareholders.

Control costs and streamline operations – Companies are improving their overall performance, with issues such as tying executive compensation to performance resurfacing.

Look at Canada’s relationship with the US – While there are noticeable differences between Canada and the US in terms of macro-economic structure and real estate fundamentals, don’t overlook the influence and effect of our largest trading partner.

Accelerate decision-making – Decisions are being made more quickly to  take advantage of shorter windows of opportunity and to respond more quickly to adverse developments.

Concentrate on long-term growth – Real estate executives are thinking about the future. They’re looking at extending their company’s market reach, building relationships, thinking creatively and strengthening their management capabilities.

Yonge Street to Church Street:  With the completion of the tree planting, on the east portion of Bloor St., the full impact of the project is being noted.  Installation of metal tree pit grates is still pending, but should begin in later December.  Some outstanding granite work, on the north side at Church and Bloor, and on the south side at 33 Bloor St. East and 81 Bloor St. East is due to the work required on the hydro vaults.  This work needs to be carried out by Toronto Hydro and will likely take place in the New Year.  Toronto Hydro has not provided any anticipated dates for the start of this work.

Yonge Street to Avenue Road:  Boulevard and road construction on the western portion of Bloor Street is expected to begin early to mid January 2010.  For the balance of 2009, Toronto Hydro will continue to work in isolated locations between Yonge St. and Avenue Rd.  Their work includes relocating power lines, in order to lower vault lids for road resurfacing, as well as upgrading antiquated lines.  Toronto Hydro will not allow the City contractor to work in this area, at the same time, as their crews.  Pedestrian access to businesses and properties, between Yonge St. and Avenue Road will NOT be interrupted. No major work will be occurring on the boulevards for the month of December.

***Please Note – These construction schedules have been provided to us by the City contractor.  Given the extent and complexity of the project, changes to the schedule may occur***

Property Edge has just learned that our clients will be eligible for a 30% price reduction on available inventory For Sale at the Mosaic House at Blue Mountain!

A Mosaïc home is the perfect place for relaxing with friends and family. Elegant bachelor suites to spacious three-bedroom homes. And a village first: two-storey town homes.

Mosaïc offers stylish boutique hotel-inspired interiors, a dream setting with stone fireplaces and contemporary finishes. These luxurious condominiums are your gateway to the Mosaïc experience of pure indulgence.

Set on a beautifully landscaped street, Mosaïc homes feature private terraces and ground-level entry – a definite convenience for pet owners. Enjoy quick interior access to the four-season pool, the spa, exercise room and our owners-only lounge. You can also enjoy year-round barbecuing (BBQ included with every town home). Inside and out – Mosaïc is your dream home.

With the Village, the foot of the mountain and the ski lift just steps from your door, enjoying resort life is so easy. Mosaïc is located right in the heart of the vibrant Village at Blue with stunning mountain and Millpond views. Enjoy Blue living, day and night, with skiing, shopping, dining, and entertainment – just steps from home.

Please contact Stephanie at sstoute@propertyedge.ca for additional details.

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Whether you are looking for your perfect home, or looking to build your business, Property Edge is your best resource. We provide the latest real estate news and information, allowing you to get the information you are looking for. Do your research and let us help you find exactly what you are looking for.

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