Bring on the sunshine!

If April showers bring May flowers, then let it rain! If you're like me you're ready for warmth and sunshine. It's not just the change in the weather that makes the Spring so welcome and cheery - it's also the social aspect of the new season. Have you noticed that already people are out and about more? Neighbours we have hardly seen since November are emerging - at least one on our street with a new baby buggy in tow! And for those of you who are buying or selling a house, this is a great time. There's more daylight for evening showings (especially after this weekend when we "spring forward"), and there's a peak number of properties available to make a more dynamic and interesting marketplace. So if Spring gets you thinking about a change of address, call me. I can have your house sold for TOP dollar (preparation and marketing!) and you can be living in a great new home by summer!

March on Pace for 9,000 Sales

TORONTO, March 17, 2005 -- With 3,702 sales recorded over the first 15 days of March, the market is up 10 per cent over last year at this time TREB President Ron Abraham announced today.

"By the end of the month, we are likely to approach the 9,076 sales recorded in March 2004, which was a record for the month," he said.

The President went on to note that sales are up 27 per cent over the 2,924 recorded over the first two weeks of February.

"The increase in sales from February to March is historically about 25 per cent, so the 2005 spring market looks to have even more strength to it than usual."

Parts of York Region and Central Toronto have outperformed the overall Greater Toronto Area market so far in March. Sales in the North region are up 29 per cent over February. Central Richmond Hill has been particularly active, with 61 sales recorded to date. Within Toronto, Forest Hill and The Annex have nearly doubled their February sales pace, with 33 and 50 sales respectively.

Other areas with notable sales increases over last month include the West Agincourt area of Scarborough (E-5) with 55 sales, Ajax (E-14) with 72 sales, and the Lorne Park area of Mississauga (W-13) with 48 sales.

On the pricing front, the current average cost of a home in the GTA is $335,697, up one per cent over the first two weeks of February and up nine per cent over the $307,155 recorded at the end of March 2004.

"Overall, conditions remain quite healthy. It continues to be a good time for people to get into the market or move up from their current home," Mr. Abraham said.

Serving more than 21,000 REALTORS throughout the Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada's largest real estate board.

* Please note that TREB counts by business or sales days. In a 30 day month, there will usually be about 20 sales days, depending on when the weekends fall, holidays, and so on.

(Source: The Toronto Real Estate Board)

Planning home improvements? Get ideas at The National Home Show!

There are so many new ideas, trends, materials and suppliers out there that it can be exciting planning home improvements - or daunting. To make it easier for you, there's the National Home Show coming up April 8 -17 (presented by RE/MAX) where you can see a lot of new things at once. If you plan to go, call me - I have a number of tickets I am giving to clients and friends. Call me while my supply lasts!

Home Insurance - ask the questions before you need the answers!

We all hope never to be in the situation of making an insurance claim but, if we are, it's best to be prepared. Check with your home insurance provider periodically to verify exactly what coverage you have. Find out what details and documentation the insurance company would require in case of a claim for fire or theft, or other damage. Do you have the protection you think you do?

Here a few tips:

• Make an inventory list of all your possessions, and ideally take photos of valuable items. Keep a copy of your list and your insurance policy in a safety deposit box or in another secure place off-premises.

• Get appraisals or keep receipts for jewelry, art and antiques and other items where it's appropriate. Most of us don't realize what we have, and what it would cost to replace.

Other questions to ask your insurer:

• Do you need special coverage if you have a home office?

• Do you have loss-of-use coverage for your home in case of fire?

• Do you get a break on premiums for having a home security system?

• Are there any exclusions or maximum liabilities that you are not aware of?

• Do you have sufficient replacement insurance?

• Do you have the required number of smoke detectors?

Even the best of insurance policies has a lot of fine print. Be sure to know what yours says - in advance.

Spring water patrol....

And speaking of home insurance.....now is a time of year to be on the lookout for water in your basement, particularly with the Spring rain. If you see signs of water coming into your basement, have the problem fixed right away to avoid serious damage. Common causes of water entry into the basement are improper drainage (ground levels should always steer water away from your house), a leak in the basement wall, damaged weeping tiles (foundation drains) or overflowing eavestroughs or leaking/plugged downspouts. Catch any problems at the very first sign - when it comes to water damage, a stitch in time saves nine thousand!

Saturday, April 16th - "There's No Place Like Home" - Please come!

If you don't already have your tickets for "There's No Place Like Home" come out to this great fundraiser for Trinity Home Hospice*. The event is April 16th at the elegant and historic St. Lawrence Hall on King St. at Jarvis. You can buy a ticket through www.thh.on.ca (ticket order form under "Events") or call 416-364-0556 ext 30. Not only will your ticket help to raise money for the hospice (tickets a bargain at $100 - includes food & refreshments), it will give you a fun social evening and the chance to bid in an outstanding silent auction (really - you'll be impressed). Hope to see you there!

*Trinity Home Hospice is a charitable volunteer-based organization that offers compassionate care to people with terminal illnesses who choose to die at home.

Since we've said that April is a time to get out and about, here are a few things to note on your calendar:

Blue Jays Home Opener - Friday, April 8th at 7:07 p.m.
at Rogers Centre (formerly Skydome)
Okay sports fans - it's not hockey, but the Jays open their home season on April 8th against the Boston Red Sox. Wouldn't it be nice if we gave them a home town cheer of support? To order your tickets click here.

National Home Show - April 8 to April 17, 2005
at the National Trade Centre, Exhibition Place
This is the show mentioned earlier - presented by RE/MAX - a comprehensive shopping opportunity for homeowners looking at renovating, decorating and landscaping products. Click here for more details.

Community Clean-Up Day - Saturday, April 23, 2005
Now in its seventh year, Toronto's Saturday clean-up event is back by popular demand! Show you care about the city by picking up litter in your neighbourhood. Get together with friends and neighbours to clean up an alley or park near you. Over 14,000 people participated in 2004 and the city is hoping that even more will get out in 2005. On April 23, get out and do your part to help make Toronto a greener, more beautiful city!

Other ideas - for easy access to information on all the cultural and culinary experiences that Toronto has to offer, check out http://www.toronto.com.

A friend of yours is a potential client of mine!

Many of my new business contacts come through friends and clients - people like you! One easy way for you to make an introduction is through this newsletter. If you know someone, friend, family or colleague, you think might enjoy getting this newsletter, sign them up, or suggest they sign up directly - it takes just a few seconds at www.torontomoves.ca. It doesn't need to be someone who is actively looking at moving, it might be someone who is simply curious for the future and who would enjoy getting the newsletter. Who do you know that I might like to know? It is a small world, after all.

Thank you for your feedback!

Thanks so much for all of your positive comments about this newsletter - it's great to know you're enjoying it. If there is anything you would like to see in future issues, please send along your suggestions and ideas.