Our Urbaneer Insider

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…

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…

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…

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…

According to the March figures released for the Greater Toronto Area, March 2011 was the second strongest March on record! Seems like this real estate pundit called it right with my Spring Fever predictions! Click HERE for a hot off the press article published moments ago in PropertyWire.ca quoting Yours Truly!…

With a History Degree as part of my multi-disciplinary education on Housing, I’ve always been fascinated with Toronto’s past. In fact, my undergraduate research included exploring the migration patterns of different cultural groups from 1860-1970 as they influenced Toronto’s housing market. Certainly if there’s one aspect that makes Toronto unique when compared to other urban centres, it’s…

As a man of duality, while you’ll often hear me celebrate the crisp clean lines of contemporary architecture, I’m also a huge fan of thoughtfully-crafted well-executed traditional dwellings. Especially when they’re so small they could fit in your pocket! Here’s a terrific example from Southern California, owned by a religious hermit with great…

The Ontario  Real Estate Association, in partnership with Ontario Revenue Minister Sophia Aggelonitis, have released a video to clarify the rules for those looking to purchase a home and to eliminate confusion around HST as it applies to new and resale home purchases. The short ‘n sweet of it is HST is…