Blog

Mortgage Financing

March 31, 2010 - Qualifying for a mortgage is becoming more difficult, interest rates are set to rise, and buyers don't know whether to lock in for the long term or go with a variable financing package. Read more here. ~Steven}
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Kitchen Confidential

March 29, 2010 - Have you ever been in the midst of one project only to be distracted into starting another? In the world of housing and home it's extremely easy to fall victim to this. It just happened to me. With a new season of crocuses and daffodils peeking their way out of the soil, the urge to…
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Bon Jour, Bon Chow in Riverdale’s Chinatown

March 26, 2010 - Batifole 744 Gerrard Street East 416-462 9965 Photo: Batifole Last week my friend Steven and I went out for dinner to celebrate his recent move into Riverdale, the relaxed friendly central east-side neighbourhood that runs south of The Danforth towards Queen Street's newly re-named Riverside Neighbourhood, just east of the Don Valley.…
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Country Sublime

March 24, 2010 - For those of you who dream of waking up in a streamlined modular post and beam glass box overlooking a crystal clear lake, a field of daisies, or a Precambrian rocky outcropping of the Georgian Shield, check out Dan Molenaar's brilliant vacation home site ideal for we Torontonians! I'm drooling!…
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House Poor, Home Pretty

March 22, 2010 - Ok, so I can finally afford to liberate my dependency on garage sales, auctions and Ikea to furnish my home, but I'm not quite ready to leap into the couture furnishing world. I don't know why, but I just can't justify shopping at The Art Shoppe where $10,000 gets you a…
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Goodbye Dizzy, Hello Grazie at Yonge/Eglinton

March 19, 2010 - My friend Sara adores the neighbourhood of Yonge and Eglinton. She sums up the vibe by pointing out there are six Starbucks within walking distance from Yonge 'n Eg, and between each of them are great shops operated by caring personable entrepreneurs. Along squeaky-clean streets (with virtually no cracks in the…
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We Flip Burgers, Not Houses

March 17, 2010 - First, I don't want to label all renovators as 'house flippers' and put them out of business. In fact, I really appreciate the skilled contractor who takes a tired, dated, obsolete crapbox and turns it into quality, renovated, mechanically-sound product for resale. In fact, I fully support the home…
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Feast or Famine at Home and on College Street

March 15, 2010 - Giancarlo's Wine Bar 593 College StreetPhone: 416-533-9619 Last weekend I enjoyed some sparkling conversation and spot-on tasty plates at Giancarlo's Wine Bar on College Street - the renovated storefront with the new contemporary wooden half arched entry and glass door. Have you seen it? It opened last year as the…
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Kiss Me Kensington

March 12, 2010 - Ever since my friend Dafna found the perfect place to purchase in Kensington Lofts in, where else, Kensington Market, we've been checking out the local cafes as a way to keep in touch and expand our culinary horizons. For those unfamiliar with this chock-a-block retail and residential vintage neighbourhood of…
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I See Ya, Ikea

March 10, 2010 - First, I like Ikea and applaud them for bringing smart affordable design to the masses. After all, it sure beats much of the ugly cheap stuff most limited budgets can afford. However, when it comes to real estate return-on-investment, my challenge lies in the Ikea kitchen. Sure they're stylish, of…
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