Toronto Events January to December 2009

WinterCity - a 14-day celebration of culture, creativity and cuisine.
January 30 to February 12, 2009

Winterlicious - the ever popular Prix-Fixe promotion & mouth-watering Culinary Events.
January 30 - February 12, 2009

Summer 2009

Fresh Wednesdays - Nathan Phillips Square
July 15 - August 26, 2009
(Farmers Market runs June 3 - October 14, 2009)

Canada Day - Mel Lastman Square
Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Summerlicious - Prix Fixe restaurant promotion
July 3 - 19, 2009

Tasty Thursdays - Nathan Phillips Square
July 16 - August 27, 2009

Scotiabank Nuit Blanche
October 3, 2009
How to Participate in '09 - Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2009

Cavalcade of Lights
November - December, 2009

Cavalcade of Lights First Lighting Celebration
Saturday, November 28, 2009

Cavalcade of Lights Saturday Night Fireworks
December 5, 12 & 19, 2009

Toronto Realtor Diane Plant says Buying a Home-Know the Right Questions to Ask

Buyer Traps and How to Avoid Them

"A systemized approach to the home buying process can help you steer clear of these common traps, allowing you to not only cut costs, but also secure the home that’s best for you."

No matter which way you look at it, buying a home is a major investment. But for many homebuyers, it can be an even more expensive process than it needs to be since they fall prey to at least a few of the many common and costly mistakes which trap them into either:

· paying too much for the home they want, or
· losing their dream home to another buyer or,
· (worse) buying the wrong home for their needs.

A systemized approach to the home buying process can help you steer clear of these common traps, allowing you to not only cut costs, but also secure the home that’s best for you.

9 Buyer Traps

This important report discusses the 9 most common and costly homebuyer traps, how to identify them, and what you can do to avoid them:

1. Bidding Blind

What price should you offer when you bid on a home? Is the seller’s asking price too high, or does it represent a great deal. If you fail to research the market in order to understand what comparable homes are selling for, making your offer would be like bidding blind. Without this knowledge of market value, you could easily bid too much, or fail to make a competitive offer at all on an excellent value.

2. Buying the Wrong Home

What are you looking for in a home? A simple enough question, but the answer can be quite complex. More often than not, buyers have been swept up in the emotion and excitement of the buying process only to find themselves the owner of a home that is either too big or too small. Maybe they’re stuck with a longer than desired commute to work, or a dozen more fix-ups than they really want to deal with now that the excitement has died down. Take the time upfront to clearly define your wants and needs. Put it in writing and then use it as a yard stick with which to measure every home you look at.

3. Unclear Title

Make sure very early on in the negotiation that you will own your new home free and clear by having a title search completed. The last thing you want to discover when you’re in the back stretch of a transaction is that there are encumbrances on the property such as tax liens, undisclosed owners, easements, leases or the like.

4. Inaccurate Survey

Ask your lawyer about requesting a survey to be attached as part of the offer. This might affect title insurance down the road. You can ask for the survey but it does not have to become part of the offer. Always ask for an updated property survey which clearly marks your boundaries and where the house sits on the lot, with all improvements. If the survey is not current, you may find that there are structural changes that are not shown (e.g. additions to the house, a new swimming pool, a neighbor’s new fence which is extending a boundary line, etc.). Be very clear on these issues. A survey and sketch of survey are not the same.

5. Undisclosed Fix-ups

Don’t expect every seller to own up to every physical detail that will need to be attended to. Make sure you or your agent ask the seller specific questions about repairs that have been made, electrical upgrades, the roof, or basement leaking. Ask if they had been planning any repairs to the home. If asked they must disclose. Both you and the seller are out to maximize your investment. Make the offer conditional upon an inspector’s report. Hire an independent inspector who is a member of the Home Inspectors Association, to objectively view the home inside and out. Ensure that you conduct a thorough inspection of the home early in the process. This inspector should be able to give you a report of any item that needs to be fixed with associated, approximate cost.

6. Not Getting Mortgage Pre-approval

Pre-approval is fast, easy and free. When you have a pre-approved mortgage, you can shop for your home with a greater sense of freedom and security, knowing that the money will be there when you find the home of your dreams.

Get an idea of your monthly payments

http://team-plant.com/mortgage_calculator.html

7. Contract Misses

If a seller fails to comply to the letter of the contract by neglecting to attend to some repair issues, or changing the spirit of the agreement in some way, this could delay the final closing and settlement. Make sure your lawyer is aware of items to be repaired prior to closing and if necessary have a set amount to hold back to cover items that the seller fails to follow through on. Prepare a list of agreed issues, walk through them, and check them off one by one. Visit the property 24 hours be closing and go through the house very carefully. Do not hesitate to ask questions.

8. Hidden Costs

Make sure you identify and uncover all costs - large and small - far enough ahead of time. You will need to know fees above the cost of the actual home: such as loan charges, lawyer fees, land transfer tax,

http://torontolandtransfertaxcalculator.com/landtransfertax_calculator.html,

proportionate share of property taxes already paid, etc. Understand these in advance by having your lender and or lawyer project total charges for you in writing.

9. Understand what is in your offer

Take your time during this critical part of the process, and insist on going through the offer carefully before you sign. Make sure this documentation perfectly reflects your understanding of the transaction, and that nothing has been added or subtracted. Make sure it has the closing date you want and any conditions that are necessary. Is everything covered? Don't rush the paperwork.

Canada makes New Homes to be built electrically safer for children.

Child safety features now required for NEW homes to be built with release of CSA's 2009 Canadian Electrical Code.




Canadian Standards Association (CSA) today announced 2009 Canadian Electrical Code. New measures must be taken to help protect children from electrical shocks in the home. All NEW DWELLINGS will be required to include tamper-resistant receptacles that will be affixed in place. These receptacles have a built-in shutter system preventing single pronged items such as pins, keys and nails from touching live electrical wires if inserted into the receptacle slots. These plus will be not impair normal plug insertion, removal or function.

According to a study by the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) on electrical injuries in children, during a six-year period, 365 children were treated in 16 emergency rooms for electrical injuries due to placing a conductive object or finger in an electrical outlet. Of those children injured, 37 per cent needed medical follow-up treatment and 11 per cent required admission to a hospital. During the same time period there was one reported fatality. Two-thirds of all electrical injuries were sustained by children five-years of age or less and 74 per cent of all electrical injuries took place in the child's own home.




A tamper-resistant receptacle with a shutter system behind the faceplate is designed to prevent children from inserting single-pronged objects like pins, keys and nails into electrical outlets. The CSA 2009 Canadian Electrical Code calls for all new dwellings to be fitted with the receptacles. (CNW Group/Canadian Standards Association)

Jan 14, 2009 Central Toronto new listings, pendings and solds

Central Toronto MLS for Toronto is divided into 3 major Districts. The West is sub-divided into 10 areas, the East is sub-divided into 11 areas and the Central core, which is the one I will address daily is sub-divided into 15 areas.

As of last night, here is the snapshot of the home market in Central Toronto only

$300K-$500K

Detached

New listings: 17
Sold: 4
Pending: 1

Semi-detached
New listings: 13
Sold: 1
Pending: 1
*******************************************************
$501K-1 Mil

Detached
New listings: 60
Sold: 3
Pending: 3

Semi-detached
New listings: 22
Sold: 1
Pending: 0


*******************************************************
Over 1 Million

Detached
New listings: 53
Sold detached: 1
Pending: 0

Semi-detached
New listings: 3
Sold: 1
Pending: 0

**************************************************************
**************************************************************

CONDO Apartments

$300K-$500K

New listings: 75
Sold: 2
Pending: 5
*************************************************************
$501K-1 Million

New listings: 27
Sold: 0
Pending: 0
*************************************************************
Over 1 Million

New Listings: 2
Sold: 1
Pending: 0


If you are interested in finding the current market evaluation on your home go to www.team-plant.com and click on Sellers or call me. If you need anything else please feel free to contact me. I am here to help you "PLANT some roots."


Diane Plant, Broker
diane@team-plant.com
416-488-2875
www.team-plant.com

Mini Chairs on Canvas-art exhibit by Diane Plant

Mini Chairs on Canvas-art exhibit by Diane Plant
Real Estate is my full time career. As many of you know, we need to have outside passions. Mine is a hobby in art.

I have a works on canvas called Mini Chairs on Canvas. They are "whimsical, bright and energetic". I have always been intrigued by miniatures and I first fell in love with mini "Adirondack" chairs as they are called in the US or "Muskoka" chairs in Canada. I then starting working with Bar Stools, Windsor chairs, Ladder Backs, Arrow backs and more.

These chairs are painted in happy, bright colours and are arranged on different sized canvases. I then arrange them in whimsical, three dimension formations on each canvas. They pop off the canvas about 3".



My latest exhibit was installed yesterday in Toronto, at a fantastic restaurant called Mashu, Mashu Mediterranean Grill, 387 Spadina Rd. in the heart of the city. http://www.mashumashu.ca/

I hope those of you living in or near Toronto get a chance to come out and see my art as well as take in a fabulous dinner.

Previous exhibits:

St. Clair ARTWALK: juried

Rena Foundation fundraiser

Jan 13, 2009 Central Toronto new listings, pendings and solds

2009 Central Toronto new listings, Jan 13, pendings and solds
Central Toronto MLS for Toronto is divided into 3 major Districts. The West is sub-divided into 10 areas, the East is sub-divided into 11 areas and the Central core, which is the one I will address daily is sub-divided into 15 areas.

Market Update Homes 01-13-09

As of last night, here is the snapshot of the home market in Central Toronto only

$300K-$500K

Detached
New listings: 7
Sold: 1
Pending: 2

Semi-detached
New listings: 7
Sold: 3
Pending: 2
*******************************************************
$501K-1 Mil

Detached
New listings: 23
Sold: 2
Pending: 5

Semi-detached
New listings: 5
Sold: 1
Pending: 0
*******************************************************
Over 1 Million

Detached
New listings: 27
Sold detached: 0
Pending: 0

Semi-detached
New listings:0
Sold: 0
Pending: 0

**************************************************************
**************************************************************

CONDO Apartments

$300K-$500K

New listings: 49
Sold: 6
Pending: 7

*************************************************************
$501K-1 Million

New listings: 14
Sold: 1
Pending: 0
*************************************************************
Over 1 Million

New Listings: 5
Sold: 1
Pending: 0



If you are interested in finding the current market evaluation on your home go to www.team-plant.com and click on Sellers or call me. If you need anything else please feel free to contact me. I am here to help you "PLANT some roots."



Diane Plant, Broker

diane@team-plant.com

416-488-2875

www.team-plant.com

Jan 12, 2009 Central Toronto MLS listings, pending and solds

Central Toronto MLS listings, pending and solds for Jan 12, 2009

Toronto is divided into 3 major Districts. The West is sub-divided into 10 areas, the East is sub-divided into 11 areas and the Central core, which is the one I will address daily is sub-divided into 15 areas.

Market Update Homes 01-12-09

As of this evening, here is the snapshot of the home market in Central Toronto only

from $300-$500K

New listings detached: 14

New listings semi-detached:15

Sold: 3 detached and semi

Condos apts: 81

Pending sales: 7

Sold: 2

Sold last week detached and semi-detached: 11
Sold last week condos: 16

from $501K-1 Mil

New listings detached: 43

New listings semi-detached: 16

Sold: 3 semi-detached and detached

condo apts: 13
condos sold: 2

Total Pending sales: 2

Sold last week detached and semi-detached :12
Sold last week condos: 5

over 1 mil

New listings detached: 65

New listings semi-detached:6

Condo apts: 3

Pending sales: 0

Sold last week detached and semi-detached: 4
Sold last week condos: 0

If you are interested in finding the current market evaluation on your home go to www.team-plant.com and click on Sellers or call me. If you need anything else please feel free to contact me. I am here to help you "PLANT some roots."



Diane Plant, Broker

diane@team-plant.com

416-488-2875

www.team-plant.com

Foody Events in Toronto Jan 9th-15th 2009

Foody Events in Toronto Jan 9th-15th 2009

In the next week, one-of events that are three wine events, plus a Scandinavian food demo and tasting.

Since the week is so quiet, we'd like to draw everyone's attention to "Local Flavour: Eating in Toronto, 1830 to 1955", the fascinating exhibit on Toronto's culinary history which wraps up this weekend at the Toronto Reference Library. Any self-respecting foodie who hasn't been to see it yet should really make a point of getting over there before it's done.

The full list of happenings for the next week follows below, and as always, our Events page has more information on these and many other upcoming events in Toronto and area.


Until Sun, Jan 11, 2009
Local Flavour: Eating in Toronto, 1830 to 1955
Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street
free admission
This exhibit traces 125 years of culinary history in Toronto from the publication of early cookbooks, the development of household appliances, the rise of manufactured and convenience foods, grocery shops, dining out, victory gardens and rationing during the war years and the growing sophistication of an urban palate.


Tue, Jan 13, 2009
Scandinavian Temptations
The Art of Cheese, 925 Kingston Road
7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
$75 (+GST) per person or $140 (+GST) per couple - call 416 850 7639 for reservations or more details
Join Chef Anna Tvinnereim (formerly the Head Chef of the Swedish Consulate – New York) in an exploration of Scandinavian Temptations. From Swedish meatballs to Norwegian Lox to Danish and Finish sweets, you will learn the secrets of Scandinavian cooking. Recipes and information sheets will be provided along with additional course materials, and don't forget to bring your beverage of choice to compliment the culinary experience.
[more info]

Tue, Jan 13, 2009
Society for American Wines Annual Cabernet Tasting
University of Toronto Faculty Club, 41 Willcocks Street
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
$74 for SAW members - $89 for guests
Join the Society for American Wines for the popular annual Cabernet tasting. We will be selecting wines from the 1995 through 1998 vintages to showcase a diversity of styles and regions from California. One of the features will be the 1995 vintage of the Napa Valley Cab from fabled Silver Oak Vineyards, rated 95 by Robert Parker. Light hors d'oeuvres wil be served to accompany the wines.
[more info]

Wed, Jan 14, 2009
French Old World Gems
cafe Taste, 1330 Queen Street West
8:00 PM
$40 - call 416.536.7748 to register
cafe Taste's monthly tasting for January, featuring a selection of French wines.
[more info]

Thu, Jan 15, 2009
Global Wine Tour: Exploring The Wines Of Argentina
Fine Wine Reserve, King Street West and Spadina
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
SOLD OUT
Join one of Canada's foremost wine experts, Steve Thurlow, on a one evening tour of Argentina's most important wine regions. This interactive evening will have you tasting 8 different wines and learning about the different wine producing regions of this very celebrated wine producing nation. Over the course of the evening, you will learn about the unique wine making styles and grape varieties that makes it one of the world's most important wine producing nations. You will also learn about how to match food to the types of wines coming from there. A small sampling of dainty morsels will be provided to assist in the learning of matching food with wine.

The Figures are in-Mayor of Toronto Makes Big Mistake with Toronto 2008 New Land Tranfer Tax

Mayor of Toronto Makes Big Mistake with 2008 New Land Tranfer Tax

The figures are in for Home Sales in The GTA and Toronto 2008. Unit sales are dramatically down from 2007. People who could have afforded to buy homes before the 2008 New Land Transfer Tax was imposed could not come up with those extra thousands. David Miller and his City Councillors have had a huge backlash from the purchaser. City Hall counts on revenue from Land Transfer Tax. Now it does not have any of the money that they would have had on home purchases before the new tax. It has been a lose, lose situation for all. People did not get into the housing market and Toronto Government is going to come up short on tax revenue.

Greater Toronto area(416 & 905)
2,500 Sales in December 2008, 74,000 Total in 2008
4,646 Sales in December 2008 93,193 Total in 2007

For all of 2008 the average was $410,271. In 2007 the comparable figure was $412,48, and in 2006 $378,776.

For The City of Toronto only (416)
1,105 sales in December 2008, 2,302 in December 2007
29,878 Total sales for all of 2008 39,052 Total sales for all of 2007

The average price in the city was $387,482 compared to the $425,842 recorded in
December of 2007.

Let your councillor know that this was a huge mistake.

Open House 49 Hearthstone Cres-Sun 2-4 pm-Diane Plant, Broker

$799,000
Bathurst/Sheppard

MOVE RIGHT IN

Renovated inside and out. Feels like brand new.
3 + 2 bedrooms.
2 kit
Finished basement with separate side entrance.
Close to TTC

For more information call 416-488-2875-ask for Diane Plant
Forest Hill Real Estate, Brokerage
http://www.team-plant.com

Central Toronto MLS listings, pending and solds for Jan 8, 2009

Central Toronto MLS listings, pending and solds for Jan 8, 2009



Toronto is divided into 3 major Districts. The West is sub-divided into 10 areas, the East is sub-divided into 11 areas and the Central core, which is the one I will address daily is sub-divided into 15 areas.

Market Update Homes 01-08-09

As of this evening, here is the snapshot of the home market in Central Toronto only

from $300-$500K

New listings detached: 12

New listings semi-detached:4

Condos apts: 50

Pending sales: 0

Sold last week:10 detached and semi

from $501K-1 Mil

New listings detached: 38

New listings semi-detached: 9

condo apts: 9

Pending sales: 2

Sold last week: 6 detached and semi

over 1 mil

New listings detached: 30

New listings semi-detached:1

Condo apts: 2

Pending sales: 0

Sold last week: 4 detached and semi

If you are interested in finding the current market evaluation on your home go to www.team-plant.com and click on Sellers or call me. If you need anything else please feel free to contact me. I am here to help you "PLANT some roots."



Diane Plant, Broker

diane@team-plant.com

416-488-2875

www.team-plant.com

Central Toronto MLS listings, pending and solds for Jan 7, 2009

Toronto is divided into 3 major Districts. The West is sub-divided into 10 areas, the East is sub-divided into 11 areas and the Central core, which is the one I will address daily is sub-divided into 15 areas.

Market Update Homes 01-07-09

As of this evening, here is the snapshot of the home market in Central Toronto only

from $300-$500K

New listings detached: 7

New listings semi-detached:9

Condos apts: 49

Pending sales: 6

Sold last week:10 detached and semi

from $501K-1 Mil

New listings detached: 44

New listings semi-detached: 17

condo apts: 12

Pending sales: 5

Sold last week: 6 detached and semi

over 1 mil

New listings detached: 46

New listings semi-detached:1

Condo apts: 5

Pending sales: 1

Sold last week: 4 detached and semi

If you are interested in finding the current market evaluation on your home go to www.team-plant.com and click on Sellers or call me. If you need anything else please feel free to contact me. I am here to help you "PLANT some roots."



Diane Plant, Broker

diane@team-plant.com

416-488-2875

www.team-plant.com