February stays right on track

TORONTO , March 6, 2007 -- Resale housing activity in the month of February was slightly higher than a year ago, Toronto Real Estate Board President Dorothy Mason announced today. A total of 6,772 transactions took place in the month, as compared to 6,756 in February 2006.

“Sales activity has been strong to begin the year,” Mrs. Mason said. “Results from the first two months show that so far 2007 is five per cent ahead of last year's pace.”

“The important thing is that we are seeing strong results on a consistent basis, which speaks volumes about the stability of the market,” Mrs. Mason added. “As we head into the most active part of the year, it's an excellent time to get into the market for the first time or make a switch to a different home.”

In Scarborough Town Centre / Woburn (E09), a jump in sales of detached homes pushed overall activity up 22 per cent compared to February 2006.

Strong condominium apartment sales in Mimico / New Toronto (W06) contributed to a 29 per cent increase in overall transactions compared to a year ago.

Central Toronto 's Davisville neighbourhood (C10) saw 20 per cent more transactions than the same month a year ago, with strong sales among most housing types.

North of Toronto in Newmarket (N07), detached homes were the most popular type as transactions increased 32 per cent compared to last February.

Source: Toronto Real Estate Board

Looking for Mr. Fix-it…..?

Being a homeowner inherently comes with a “to do’ list, whether you are planning to sell or not. I am asked regularly to recommend contractors, painters, and “fix it” people of all kinds. There are several people I recommend with confidence, but availability inevitably becomes an issue, particularly in the busy seasons. A new local web resource with listings and reviews of many home service providers across the GTA may be just what you’ve been looking for, if you are planning to get to your “fix it” list any time soon. HomeStars.ca lists all kinds of services for homeowners, along with testimonials from clients. “Caveat emptor” still applies, even for those with glowing reviews, but the web site is a good starting point for getting help when you need it. Find out more at www.homestars.ca.

Note: If you have a good “Fix-It” person to recommend please let me know and I will add them to my list!

Neighbourhoods to Watch - Regal Heights

One of my current favourite “neighbourhoods to watch” is Regal Heights , a small mature neighbourhood in Central Toronto (C02), located in the area from Davenport in the south to St. Clair West in the north, between Dufferin Street and Oakwood. Regal Heights has many large century homes loaded with traditional character, stained and leaded glass, custom woodwork, and other attractive features. Looking out over the city of Toronto from the higher elevation of the Davenport escarpment, Regal Heights has easy access to downtown and other parts of the city. For value it is hard to beat, with solid, primarily detached homes, good-sized lots, mature trees, good schools and relatively easy access to highways.  You will find a range of housing styles and sizes, with prices typically in the $650,000 to $1 million range, giving a good alternative to Hillcrest, Rathnelly, Casa Loma, Seaton Village or The Annex neighbourhoods.

Remember - Toronto is a huge and rich city with hundreds of neighbourhoods to offer - some of them hidden gems. If you’re curious, call me – I love to explore!

Your Bedroom: Setting Yourself up for Peaceful Slumber

Today, many bedrooms are more like family rooms – centres of activity. Here are some ideas to help you return your bedroom to a place of peace:

Lighting: If you don’t yet have a dimmer switch on your overhead light, make that a priority. Be sure to have sufficient bedside lighting if you do any reading in bed.

Window Treatments: With warmer weather approaching, light will be streaming in the window earlier and earlier each morning. If you like to sleep a little longer, or even nap occasionally, you might want to look at installing blackout blinds or curtains.

Mattress: One good turn deserves another!  Remember to turn your mattress regularly to balance wear. It is recommended every 3 months, but even once or twice a year helps. The lifespan of even the best of mattresses is about ten years, so keep track and replace accordingly – time flies!

Bedding: Bedding is one of the most important elements in your comfort and sleep. Invest in good quality all cotton. If you are a real purist, splurge on the organic cotton. Look for good sales - bedding can be outrageously pricey. If your style of bed allows, include a bed-skirt – it gives a clean, more finished look.  Get decorative throw pillows too, to complete the look.

Pillows: If it has been a while, treat yourself to new pillows. Take time to compare and pick what is most comfortable for you – some people like firm pillows, others prefer soft. We have all heard the stories about mites building up in pillows, so, if you are not buying new ones, wash and dry your old ones to give them a fresh start (read washing instructions first).

Clothes: Check your closets and drawers, and do yet another purge of clothing. You will find that, without even trying hard, you can fill a bag or two for Goodwill. You know the rule - if you haven’t worn it (and loved it) in the last year, toss it. You will feel much better, and someone else can benefit.

Colour: The colour(s) in your bedroom can affect the quality of your sleep. While there are no hard and fast rules, many people find blue to be calming in the bedroom, others prefer neutral earth tones, others like deep colours such as purple. Whatever colour you choose, it should make you feel peaceful.

Minimizing: Keep only what is absolutely necessary in your bedroom. If you like to read in bed, keep only your current reading nearby. If you have a television in your bedroom (and many of us do despite all the advice not to!), you don’t need to keep your DVD collection there too. Keep books and DVDs in another room, and bring only what you are actively using into the bedroom.

Art: The bedroom is a place for pictures and images that make you feel good. Go for flowers, landscapes, or even abstract images that are happy. Remember - what you have on your bedroom walls is the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see at night – choose something you love!

Sweet dreams!

Reserve your FREE National Home Show tickets now!

Once again, I am pleased to offer to you, my friends and clients, free tickets for the Remax-sponsored National Home Show taking place April 13 to 22, 2007 at the National Trade Centre, Exhibition Place (www.nationalhomeshow.com).  If you, or your family, want to check out the latest ideas, trends and sources for everything home-related, just e-mail me at garycrowder@thecrowds.com to request your tickets. Free. What could be easier?

 Reminder - Spring Ahead – EARLY this year!

Surprise! This coming weekend is when we turn the clocks ahead. For the very first time, the change to Daylight Saving Time will take place on the second Sunday of March (the 11^th this year). It used to be the first Sunday in April. If you can, try to get an early night on Saturday to make the adjustment as easy as possible!

March brings the official start of Spring on March 21st. If you have early Spring Fever, and feel the urge to get out, here’s some of what you can find going on around the city this month:

Canada Blooms: The Toronto Flower and Garden Show  - now  to Mar 11
Metro Toronto Convention Centre ( South Building )
Canada Blooms offers stunningly landscaped gardens - in bloom - in March. If you like to shop, Canada Blooms gives you an array of the very best garden retailers, with the hottest garden gadgets, plants and accessories, all in one place. www.canadablooms.com

STOMP - March 13 -18
Elgin Theatre -- 189 Yonge St .
STOMP, the international percussion sensation, makes its return to Toronto ’s Elgin Theatre, for 8 performances only, March 13 – 18, 2007. After playing to sell-out crowds for over twelve seasons, STOMP continues its phenomenal runs with one North American touring company, two productions overseas - a permanent London company and a European tour - and the New York company’s continuous sell-out run at The Orpheum Theatre which celebrates its 13th anniversary in February 2007. From its beginnings as a street performance in the UK , STOMP has grown into an international phenomenon having performed in over 350 cities in 36 countries worldwide. www.stomponline.com

 Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival – now to April 9
The Kortright Kentre and Bruce’s Mill
Did you know that Canada produces about 85 per cent of the world's maple syrup? Find out why people come from all over the world to experience the making of maple syrup.  A Sweet event for the whole family!
www.trca.on.ca/parks_and_culture/activities/sugarbush_festival/

March Break Events – March 10 -18
If you have kids home form school during March Break and are looking for great ways to keep them occupied, check out www.toronto.com for a listing of all kinds of fabulous things going on around the city.