Sunday 25 January 2015

Give your home a winter warm-up

(NC)
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The cold temperatures are here to stay – so as you take cover indoors, it's the perfect time to put home improvement projects on your to-do list. Here are a few ideas to make your home feel and look fabulous very quickly:
From Boring to Bold
The bathroom is a great place to start improvements, so if yours is boring, basic, or just outdated, it's time to make a change – even on a budget.
Faucets are a simple and affordable way to instantly renew the look and functionality of this busy room. For example, the Darcy bathroom collection from Moen includes transitionally styled faucets that provide a soft-modern look and water-saving benefits to offer the best of form, function, and beauty in no time. The collection is also available in Spot Resist Brushed Nickel finish, so you'll save time cleaning, as it helps resist water spots and fingerprints.
Weather the Winter Wisely
 No one wants to spend money on high energy bills, so be sure your home isn't losing heat through windows and doors that aren't insulated properly. Updates such as weather stripping can keep the cool air out while keeping the warm air inside – all of which will prevent throwing money out the window.
And don't stop there. Simple tasks, such as replacing worn-out caulk, insulating your outlets, and prepping your windows with plastic cling for the winter months can significantly reduce heating bills.
Quick Kitchen Upgrade
 Cold weather keeps us inside with far more cooking and entertaining in the kitchen. Decor advisers at Moen Canada say that the quickest way to update the kitchen, much like the bathroom, is by installing a new faucet. From food preparation to clean-up, the faucet is a major workhorse – as well as a beauty focal point. Pulldown and pullout faucets are a popular choice, such as the company's new Brookshire kitchen faucet, which features decorative touches and classic styling with a pullout design for at-your-fingertips water delivery. It's equipped with the Reflex system, which offers self-retraction of the spray wand, as well as a wide range of motion, generous reach, and secure docking retraction.
Get Fired Up
 Nothing feels better on a cold night than getting cozy by a fire, but is your fireplace prepped for the season? For a wood-burning fireplace, inspect the chimney for nests or cracks. Next, clean it thoroughly to remove creosote (unburned fuel) to prevent unwanted fires. For gas-burning fireplaces, be sure the airways of the pilot and main burners are working properly and the blower is clean. Finally, be sure you have working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, as well as an operational fire extinguisher nearby. Now it's easy to relax and enjoy the warm glow safely.
Focus on Fixtures and Fans
 With shorter winter days, there's less natural light and so you may notice your fixtures a lot more. For added illumination and energy savings, update incandescent bulbs with brighter, Energy Star-rated bulbs which use about 75 percent less energy and last 10 to 25 times longer. Next, take a look at the ceiling fans in your home. Start by cleaning the blades with a gentle detergent and then switch the blades to rotate clockwise. Changing this setting pushes warm air down into the room, making it feel warmer.
Your home will operate more efficiently with these wintertime changes – and as importantly, it will look and feel fabulous.

Wednesday 21 January 2015

How to create a dream kitchen in less time than you think

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NC) An updated kitchen does more than boost the value of your home. It is the central meeting place for most families. So no matter whether you make just a few changes or completely renovate the space, a kitchen that feels new is always refreshing and welcoming. From basic cooking to frequent entertaining, a dream kitchen should always look as good as it functions.
Since the modern kitchen design is ever evolving, so are the products available, say advisors in this field. Skip the fads and include features that are not only aesthetically pleasing but will withstand the test of time. Here are a few easy updates to turn your current space into the one you've been dreaming about:
Go Bold with Fixtures
When remodeling a kitchen, remember to top off the highly used sink area with a fashionable and functional kitchen faucet.
With a great number of faucets on the market, there's a design for everyone. For a sleek, contemporary look at the sink, try the new Tilt kitchen faucet from Moen Canada. It features a distinct, top-mount handle – allowing the faucet to occupy a small horizontal space for the utmost in urban minimalism. The thoughtfully designed faucet also combines the best of style and functionality with its innovative pullout design and integrated swivel ball joint to make it easier to maneuver the wand in and around the sink. 
Be Smart with Appliances
Unlike a rug or lamp, kitchen appliances are not simple to return, so be smart – not flashy –when upgrading these items. Before making a purchase, it's best to work with a professional for guidance, and to weigh all factors, such as who uses the kitchen, how many people are cooking at one time, and how often your family cooks.
If you're an aspiring chef, consider a gas range that allows you to control the flame with precision. If you're a busy mom, electric versions allow you to heat food and boil water faster. It's also important to consider finishes – if the rest of your fixtures are brushed nickel, you may want to opt for a stainless steel range, refrigerator and dishwasher for a coordinated look. 
Add an Island
Whether you're hoping for more storage, seating or cooking space, an island can do it all. Many homeowners choose to build an island within their kitchen as a place for family and friends to gather and socialize. A multi-level design with stools on one side can provide casual seating for guests, leaving the other side available for you to prepare food or serve appetizers.
If you like to cook and entertain, you may also want a design that includes a bar/prep sink and beverage faucet – this will aid in prep and provide fresh drinking water. The Sip beverage faucet from Moen offers a coordinating style for every decorating taste − traditional, transitional or modern. It provides cold, filtered water on demand, and with its high-arc rotating spout it delivers extra convenience when filling pitchers, coffee makers and more.
Amp up Lighting
Merely changing out the decorative lighting fixtures over the breakfast nook or centre island can have a significant visual impact, creating a fresher, more up-to-date design.
For a warm and inviting environment, combine four layers of lighting: task, ambient, accent and decorative. This will help you obtain your desired style while still providing the appropriate light. The ability to adjust light levels is also important. When cooking or cleaning up, a bright punch of illumination makes the job easier. For lingering over a meal and conversation, dimmed lights help create ambiance.
Whether your dream kitchen involves a complete overhaul or a simple spruce up, take the necessary steps, plan accordingly, and make your design dreams become a reality.

Friday 16 January 2015

Condominium Apartment Market Summary Fourth Quarter 2014

NEWS RELEASE









GTA REALTORS® REPORT Q4 RESALE CONDOMINIUM FIGURES

TORONTO, January 16, 2015 -- Toronto Real Estate
Board President Paul Etherington announced that there were 4,975
condominium apartment sales reported through the TorontoMLS system in
the fourth quarter of 2014. This result was up by 8.3 per cent compared
to the fourth quarter of 2013.


“Demand for condominium apartments remained strong in the
fourth quarter of 2014.  While the supply of condominium apartments
listed for sale grew in the fourth quarter, including a large number of
newly completed units, the number of sales grew at a faster pace. 
Competition between buyers increased in the condo market over the past
year,” said Mr. Etherington.


“Interest in ownership housing in the GTA, including demand
from first-time buyers in the condo market, is extremely strong.  The
majority of households understand that a home purchase represents a
quality long-term investment,” said Mr. Etherington.


The average TorontoMLS selling price for a condominium
apartment in the fourth quarter of 2014 was $367,199 – up 3.8 per cent
compared to the average of $353,799 reported for the same period in
2013.


“Despite very strong condominium apartment completions over
the last two years, we have not experienced a glut in inventory.  The
number of buyers has more than kept up with the number of units
available for sale.  This is why we continued to experience
above-inflation average price growth in the condo segment,” said Jason
Mercer, TREB’s Director of Market Analysis.







Condominium Apartment
Market Summary


Fourth Quarter 2014


















2014


2013


Sales

Average Price


Sales

Average Price

Total TREB

4,975

$367,199


4,594

$353,799

Halton Region

138

$395,550


140

$328,846

Peel Region

676

$269,928


657

$260,396

City of Toronto

3,564

$390,989


3,229

$380,997

York Region

488

$346,506


449

$333,474

Durham Region

98

$251,709


111

$236,527

Other Areas

11

$228,191



8

$251,250

Sunday 11 January 2015

6 tips for sensational entertaining

(NC) 
Don't let an upcoming party or get-together stress you out. Follow these quick tips to make entertaining simple and easy: 

• Start early, create a budget, make a list and prepare everything you can in advance. Not only will this reduce stress, it will also give you more time to spend with guests.

• Keep food and drinks simple. Look for recipes that can be made ahead of time. If you want to try something new, make sure to do a trial run first. 

• Use a single serve brewer to easily offer beverages to suit everyone's taste. At the touch of a button, dazzle your guests with restaurant favourites like the sweet and creamy French Vanilla Cappuccino from Tim Hortons, as well as the classic flavour of their Steeped Tea.

• Determine where you would like to serve food and drinks, and double-check the layout of each room. Creating the ideal flow will make it easy for guests to move about and mingle. 

• Set the mood with a great playlist. Create a list ahead of time to last throughout the evening so you can set it and forget it. 
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• Don't rush to clean up. Make sure any leftovers are safely stored in the fridge and consider soaking dirty dishes, but leave the rest of the cleanup until after your guests go home.
Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the evening because your guests definitely will.

Thursday 8 January 2015

Stay cozy and safe with these fireplace tips

(NC)
It goes without saying that last winter was hard to endure. The ice storms that hit Southern Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes last December made it difficult for thousands to stay warm. Some residents found refuge in warming centres, while others decided to hunker down in their cold and dark homes. A few lucky families huddled together into one room that thankfully had a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Hopefully the 2014 Farmer's Almanac is right and this winter won't be as severe. But if your memories from last year still have you thinking about buying a fireplace or wood-burning stove, the experts from Desjardins Insurance have some suggestions on how you can keep everyone safe, warm and protected.


Fire prevention:


• Equip your home with smoke detectors. If they are well located and maintained, they can save your life. Clean them regularly and replace the batteries twice a year, typically in March and November when the clocks are reset. Also consider equipping your home with a fire alarm system connected to a remote monitoring center.


• Place one or more fire extinguishers in locations that all family members can easily access and be sure they know how to use them properly.


• Maintain your furnace and hot water heater on a regular basis. This should also include replacing your furnace filter every 90 days.


• Hire a professional to clean your furnace and/or fireplace chimney regularly to prevent creosote build-up. Also make sure that your flue vents are in good working order.


• If you regularly use a fireplace or stove, only burn well-seasoned wood or special fire logs. Burning other material like cardboard, garbage and plastics will bring chemicals into your home and will create dangerous buildup in your chimney.


• When starting your fire, only use matches and open the damper. This should remain open until your fire is well out and cool.


• While your fire burns, put up a screen to keep kids and pets away from the flame, and to keep the logs and embers in the fireplace.


• Once your fire is out and cooled, keep the ashes in a metal container until they're cold enough to throw out.


CO2 Protection:


• Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colourless gas that is produced by burning fuels. Because it can't be detected by regular means, this gas can make you ill or can kill you.


• As evidenced by the recent ice storm, make sure your home is equipped with a carbon monoxide detector with a battery back-up. These alarms are affordable and can be found in most hardware stores.


• To prevent a CO2 leak, make sure that there is proper air circulation in your home, never use your BBQ inside and if your house has a connected garage, never run your car with the garage door closed.





www.newscanada.com

Friday 19 December 2014

3 clever steps to a much warmer winter

(NC) 
Layer upon layer of bulky winter gear helps Canadians to ward off the season's bite for a time, but there are other ways to keep the persistent cold at bay for the long term. The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) recommends a winter regime of exercise, a hearty and healthy diet, and natural health support to keep you warm, even through the worst of the season.
Regular exercise gets the blood pumping and blood vessels dilating, helping to distribute warmth to our extremities. A good workout also burns calories, a process that produces lasting heat, so keep moving. The rush of endorphins we get from exercising is another important benefit, especially in winter, because they help to balance our mood and combat the “winter blues”, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If the gym is not your thing, try Ashtanga yoga, an activity that teaches special breathing techniques to promote internal body heat, as well as mindfulness to combat stress.
Hearty Diet
What we eat and drink has a lasting effect on our ability to keep warm. In particular, spicy foods help to raise our metabolism, which allows our bodies to produce heat faster. Try using ginger, cayenne pepper, and more garlic when you prepare hearty meals, as well as other nutrient-rich ingredients like tomatoes, leafy greens, and beans. In addition, water is great at retaining heat, so drinking eight to 10 cups of water a day, will keep you hydrated and warm. Drinking herbal teas or infusing your water with seasonal fruits adds nutritional benefits and flavor.
Natural Health Support
Despite our best efforts, it is rare that we are able to get all the nutrients we need from our food alone. Supplementation is a convenient way to fill those nutritional gaps, especially in winter. To start, make sure you get the recommended daily dose of all B vitamins, which helps to increase blood flow and maintain our body's internal temperature. A vitamin D supplement, essential for disease prevention and many of the body's vital functions, is universally recommended for Canadians during the winter months. And, adding a quality omega-3 supplement to your regime not only contributes to heart health, but it has also been associated with reducing the risk of a number of chronic diseases, and helps to keep skin moisturized from the inside out through the cold, dry winter.
It is always a good idea to consult your healthcare provider for more personalized health advice, including the specific supplements and dosages that are right for you. Assistance to find a health food store in your neighborhood is available online at chfa.ca.
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Winter Home Care & Maintenance Tips: Empire Communities

Winter Home Care & Maintenance Tips: Empire Communities


The weather outside isn’t frightful quite yet, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t prepare for when it is. Seasonal maintenance of your home should be a top priority especially at the start of any season, be it summer or winter. Now that we are approaching the winter solstice, here are a few tried and true tips to get your home through the frigid temperatures!
Drain exterior water lines…shut off the hose bibs on the interior, remove hoses and protect exposed water pipes to prevent them from freezing. Before the first winter chill comes, make sure you take the necessary steps to ensure that outdoor pipes and faucets don’t freeze and burst. Another tip is to wrap exposed piping with a weather-resistant, insulated material made to keep them from freezing.
Test and Change the Batteries in Your Smoke and Carbon Dioxide Detectors…The start of winter is a good time to test all smoke and carbon dioxide detectors in your home. These units stop working after 7-10 years, so make sure you’ve got properly working detectors and 
shopping replace any non-working units.
Check and Replace Worn Weather Stripping…Proper weather stripping around doors and windows is important to reduce the amount of cold air that enters your home. At the start of the season check for cracked or worn stripping, and replace with new, more efficient stripping.
Seal Gaps…Take a close look around the exterior of your home and cover any and all gaps you find. Use caulk to seal small gaps near the foundation of your home, or around windows. It’s best to take care of this before the first snowfall hits. If necessary, call a window professional if you’ve got loose frames or cracked panes that need replacing.
General cleanup…A thorough cleaning shouldn’t only be done in the spring. Get rid of any excess at this time of year, such as the accumulation of old newspapers and any leftover hazardous household chemicals. Store flammable materials and poisons in approved, clearly labeled containers. Keep a clear space around heaters, furnaces, and other heat-producing appliances.
Change furnace filter regularly…and clean your ERV (Energy recovery ventilation).
Ensure soffit, eavestroughs and roof vents are clear…and clear excessive snow from roof to prevent ice damming, roof leaks and ice sliding off your roof
Ice and icicles…are a natural occurrence on roofs, they occur when the roof surface is warm enough to melt the snow but the air temperature is cold enough to refreeze the melted water.  Professional removal of build ups of ice and snow can help reduce the likelihood of water leaks.
Concrete Slabs…Do not use salt or de-icers on any concrete surfaces, the salt will eat and deteriorate the concrete.
Air Conditioner…switch off the air conditioner before the winter season and cover the unit on the exterior
Winter Home Care Maintenance
Check that snow has not accumulated…in air intake and exhaust vents of your furnace during heavy snow falls.
Monitor and adjust humidity levels…in the home to minimize window condensation. As a result of new and improved building practices, new homes are tighter, better sealed and better insulated.  However these improvements have the by product of increasing the humidity in your home.  If not controlled, this could lead to mould.  That is why its important to maintain and control the humidity levels as soon as excessive humidity occurs on inside windows surfaces.  Increase ventilation, stove fan, bathroom fan, turn up ERV, purchase a dehumidifier, turn furnace fan “on” not “auto”, open all drapes and blinds to allow air flow and do not keep blinds or heavy drapes closed.  A hygrometer can be purchased at any local hardware stores and kept at around 40 %.
Check exterior electrical GFCI outlets...and reset to make sure they are working before the holiday lights are installed
Apply lubricant…to garage door rollers and tracks
During the first full winter in your new home,http://www.realtorpankajpatel.com the home will settle and dry.  Keeping the home well ventilated during the process will assist in less drywall nail pops and shrinkage.
Prepping your home is a year round task, not just for winter, so start with these tips before we settle into the long winter months ahead.

Tuesday 16 December 2014

Easy 'clean-as-you-go' quick tips for holiday entertaining

(NC) Whether you are hosting the big family event, out-of-town guests or scrambling to entertain unexpected drop-ins, you want to spend time enjoying the season, not fussing about the clean-up.


From making delicious messes in the kitchen to building creative crafting projects in the living room, your home is bound to see a little dirt over the holidays. This year instead of fretting, do it differently. Strategically-timed clean-ups during your favourite mess-making entertaining endeavours alleviates the pressure of hosting duties and allows for maximum time making special memories.


A little pre-planning goes a long way. Keep in mind the following tips to clean as you go:


Keep an all-purpose cleaner in your hall closet: It happens every year. Salt stains dragged in from outdoors. To keep the dirt at bay, an easy-to-use solution like Green Works Naturally-Derived All-Purpose Cleaner can be kept by the front door to remove salt and other unexpected "gifts" family and friends may bring into your home.


Give your bathroom a 60-second touch-up: Make no mistake, your main floor bathroom will see a lot of foot traffic during the holiday season. Pre-plan a 60-second wipe down of bathroom sinks and counters with compostable wipes to prevent messy build ups. Keep them under the sink for handy access.


Build in a per-dinner breather: In that precious gap that exists between cooking and plating your food, use that cooling-off period to give your kitchen surfaces a preliminary wipe down. This will prevent any spills from drying out and make your post-meal clean-up that much easier.


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Monday 15 December 2014

Five Tips for Properly Winterizing Your Home

(NC) Try as you may to ignore it, winter weather is on its way in Ontario, putting your home's energy system to the test.
“Bitter cold temperatures may not be universally welcomed,” says Bob Betts, a spokesperson for the Ontario Natural Gas Alliance. “But homeowners should consider the seasonal change as a good opportunity to think of ways they can keep their home's energy use in-check and performing at an optimal rate.”
The very low natural gas energy prices that we are seeing now can make us complacent and cause us to forget that there are further savings that can be achieved through simple conservation. Betts says keeping just a couple tips in mind can help homeowners save their hard-earned dollars on heating bills this winter by reducing their consumption levels.
1. Furnace fitness
Think of winter as your annual time to take a good check on your furnace, says Betts, who adds that considering a two-stage natural gas furnace is a great way to save. “Two-stage furnaces are smarter because they use less energy to heat your home, automatically using less gas until it determines that 100 per cent of its capacity is needed to maintain the desired temperature. That might only happen a few times each winter, meaning that you effectively are using a smaller furnace for the remainder of the winter.”
2. Let the sun shine in
During daylight hours, pull the curtains back and let the sunshine heat your home. Says Betts: “It's free energy that you can take advantage of to prevent your furnace from coming on as often.”
3. Dial it down if you're not around
Lower your thermostat during the hours that you may not be home and save up to six per cent on the average bill, Betts says.
4. Install a natural gas fireplace
It may not have the same nostalgia as a wood-fired fireplace, but when it's freezing outside, nothing beats the ability to flick a switch and feel the warmth, Betts says. “And there's no need to get hands dirty with chimney dampers and ashes.” Gas fireplaces are proven to be much safer that wood fireplaces and most models can operate when the power goes off, providing emergency heat in prolonged electricity outages.
5. Pipe check 1-2
Betts says that if you're away from
 the home for an extended period of time during the winter, as snowbirds tend to be, it's worth considering wrapping pipes with pre-molded insulation found at most hardware stores. “Aside from the inconvenience, a burst pipe can be expensive to fix. In the event of unexpected temperature issues inside your home, investing in pipe insulation is a cost-effective way to achieve some peace of mind.”


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Thursday 11 December 2014

Before you Invest in a property


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Before  you invest in a  property,
(1)  For new house or condominium, one  must check the developer's/builder's reputation , rating and market share in the particular segment.  Don't rush into buy  condominium, new or resale house  before consulting your real estate agent.
(2) One must check title of the property. It must be free from encumbrance ,lien or any burden.
(3) One must check zoning restriction and please check that it is not belonging to any heritage property otherwise it will affect your future value. One must check it from competent authorities.
(4) Investment property should be generating enough cash flow or capital gain more than current or possible inflation in the market.
(5) Check documentation required at the time of  sale of property and must check  requirement,

conditions or restrictions existed  on title before putting it for sale on that property.
(6) Most important step before searching property is  look for a  real estate agent who can make your dream true by his/her professionalism and his/her team of experts including  surveyor, lawyer, home inspector, mortgage agent, handyman etc.
         Enjoy the  journey of ownership through a expert real estate agent . Writer of article is a real estate agent practicing in Residential, Commercial & Investment properties including Pre construction and Resale Condominiums in Greater Toronto Area.
         Hope this information will help you in real estate investment.
                                

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