Blog

The Yucky Part 3 Of Renovation

April 30, 2011 | Renovation

If smarty pants Benjamin Franklin had written in 1789 "Nothing is certain but death, taxes and construction delays", I have an inkling this founding father's legacy as genius polymath might have been elevated to enlightened soothsayer. This alternative quip as common lore could have single handedly slowed down America's quest to build bigger and better, which might have lowered the collective blood pressure, improved relations with their contractors, and…
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Sex Sells!

April 27, 2011 | Real Estate

It's no secret that Sex is used to Sell everything in this day and age. Even real estate. Here's a new video sent to me care of my broker Tom Bosley that is drawing a lot of attention. Made for two snazzy realtors promoting a AUS$6.5 million dollar waterfront estate, this is sure…
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The Power Of Words

April 25, 2011 | Amusing Ads - Globe & Mail, Real Estate

My darling mother sent me this very cool video clip the other day. The message? The power of words can be used to radically change your message and your effect upon the world. Created by U.K.s Purplefeather, a firm that provides powerful, optimised web content to get companies noticed, this video tells a moving story with heart…
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April Prices Up, Sales Down

April 21, 2011 | MediaPress, Real Estate

April has shown a small decline in sales from last year but an increase in prices in the Greater Toronto Area. An article in yesterday's PropertyWire, including a quote by Yours Truly, offers a summary overview. My thoughts? Winter's linger has postponed the arrival of new listings as homeowners'…
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Canadian Vernacular

April 20, 2011 | Architecture

My fab associate Trish Bonguard brought this fantastic Atlantic Canada property to my attention, which was recently posted in ArchDaily.com. This house represents the east coast Canadian vernacular to a tea. Located in Prospect, Nova Scotia, the timber post and beam construction is favoured in isolated locations for its ease of installation,…
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April 2011 Home Of The Month - Bloor Dufferin -

April 18, 2011 | Home Of The Month, Real Estate

When it comes to owning real estate, your first purchase should always be a primary residence. Governmentally driven ownership programs make it a sensible first step. Among these programs are the tax-free withdrawal of cash from RRSP’s (Registered Retirement Savings Plans), which is essentially a self-directed loan for use towards a…
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A Very Royal Wedding

April 15, 2011 | Amusing Ads - Globe & Mail, Real Estate

If you're new to my blog then this is the day you discover I am a lover of crumpets and tea. The spawn of two quintessential immigrant Brits of the nicest sort, I grew up not only with scones, bangers 'n mash, bubbles 'n squeak, and authentic cadbury 'Flake' chocolate, but I'm simply…
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Laneway Housing

April 13, 2011 | Architecture

In my March Home Of The Month Feature (click HERE) I briefly wrote about the city of Toronto's reluctance to allow laneway houses. Whaa! Vancouver offers a lesson to Toronto. In 2009, the City of Vancouver made an effort to increase density in its single-family neighbourhoods by allowing home owners…
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A Riverdale Style Enhancement

April 11, 2011 | Style Enhancement Staging

Did you know in this media-induced hyper-stylized day-and-age of real estate most residences, no matter how recently renovated, decorated or furnished, still require some aspect of modification or 'packaging' before coming to market 'For Sale'? It's crazy but true. With hundreds of shelter magazines, websites, plus the 24/7 rotating loop of 'house porn' television programs constantly bombarding us with images of…
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Slick In NYC

April 08, 2011 | Real Estate, Worthy Websites

Bosley's brilliant Queen West Manager Mark McLean brought this to my attention. It's a fantastic new marketing video for a luxe 57-storey New York condo project at 56 Leonard in Tribeca. The video was made by Tronic Studio, the condominium designed by the Pritzker-prize winning, Beijing Bird Nest-creating Swiss firm…
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