So what are condo fees? these are the funds that are required for the building’s operation, such as maintenance, security, waste management, cleaning, water, power to common elements, boilers, etc. For a typical 800 sq. ft. condo expect to pay approx $400/mo. in condo fees, and remember that in most cases, the larger the complex [...]
Entries from August 2007
Condo Fees #103: Why Boutique Condos can make for Lousy Investment
August 30th, 2007 · Comments Off
Tags: Investing
Bigger is Better? Condo Fees #102
August 29th, 2007 · Comments Off
Here is a little secret: right about now, most buildings in the city will run you about 50 cents per foot for your condo fees. So say for example your condo is 750 square feet, your condo fees would come in at $375/mo. more or less. Parking and Locker also carry a maintenance charge, if [...]
Tags: Investing
Condo Fees 101: The Ballad of Poor Nick Clayton
August 28th, 2007 · Comments Off
When it comes to condos, ignorance is risk. Take, for example, Nick Clayton quoted in Eye Weekly’s Unreal Estate article, who in my opinion, is naive and was not given professional advice: “Now I understand what the maintenance fees are for”.Poor Nick got himself a house he could barely afford, forgetting that ALL EXPENSES, REPAIRS [...]
How to Lose $28 Million in Real Estate
August 27th, 2007 · Comments Off
Sapphire Tower cost investors $28 million dollars in bad debts. Sapphire (planned) and 1 King West (completed) are two projects gone belly up this past week, taking with them a lot of investor’s money that was not properly protected. Doubt if they will ever see their hard-earned bucks back. So here’s what I want you [...]
Tags: Investing · Market Insight
Philantro-Party: The Cement Mixer Party!
August 24th, 2007 · Comments Off
The good people at Habitat for Humanity are throwing a party & a silent auction in order to buy a cement mixer, and to promote their re-stores.Kim Smiley, VP Matketing & Development at Habitat told me that every dollar donated to Habitat, incl. funds from cement mixer party go directly towards building homes for families [...]
Tags: Special Event
Dating and Condos: The Morning After
August 24th, 2007 · Comments Off
So the date went pretty well and she obviously likes the amenities, especially the easy access and everything else lookin’ good, neat and in working order. The swanky condo comes complete with three star coffee and breakfast right in bed. Or maybe it’s not the weekend and someone is waking up in horror of being [...]
Tags: Market Insight
My Amenities or Yours?
August 23rd, 2007 · Comments Off
You scored a super hot date and you’re contemplating these choices: spa treatment for two, private film screening, ashtanga yoga or hot yoga class, roof top drinks and bbq, an open bar friend’s birthday at the party room, go for a swim, the jacuzzi, playing scrabble at the library in front of the fireplace. Perhaps [...]
Tags: Market Insight
Dating and Condos
August 22nd, 2007 · Comments Off
There’s something in common between Toronto downtown condo living and dating. First, it’s about the size: “how big is YOUR condo?” – don’t tell me you never asked or were asked this question… ok then… a few more pearls: “How is the view?” “Does it look good from the back? or just the front?” “Are [...]
Tags: Market Insight
“My friend told me…”
August 21st, 2007 · Comments Off
With significant upwards momentum in real-estate pricing especially this year marking a phenomenal increase in condo values, clients often ask me these two questions: “my friend told me the market is going to go under” and “my friend told me that it’s better to buy a house then a condo”. So lets look at these [...]
Tags: Investing
Keys To The VIP – Vol. II
August 19th, 2007 · Comments Off
VIP Registration click here Episode II of the saga is written as recent changes in the market require highlighting. New Developments are fueling the market with injections of new, sexy, ultra-modern architecture, replacing older structure with desired ones. Buying from plans is still the cheapest way to get into new buildings, although expect to pay [...]
Tags: Investing · Market Insight
EXCLUSIVE SALE! CONDOS @ N1 TOWER
August 18th, 2007 · Comments Off
N1 is a new CityPlace 42-story tower on the West side of Spadina towards Lakeshore Blvd. N1 is a part of the N1, N2, O and WEST ONE complex. The facilities are spread and shared between the buildings, offering a unique Sky Garden on the 27th with a bookable private party room seating 16, The [...]
Tags: 100 Hot New Developments · For Sale/For Rent · Investing
Off-Loading: Buying and Selling Investor Stock / Part 1
August 17th, 2007 · Comments Off
“Timing is everything” especially when it comes to selling. ”Off-Loading” occurs when a new residential building nears completion. Investors who pre-purchased bulks of condos start to “Off-Load” their inventory to the private market (NOT on MLS). Buyers who are now in position to buy into nearly-completed projects can take advantage of inventory not available before [...]
Tags: Investing · Market Insight
The $6/day Condo
August 16th, 2007 · Comments Off
Many of us think of purchasing a condo in this fashion: save for downpayment, find a condo, pre-qualify for future mortgage, buy the condo, wait till it’s built, move in and own. But in reality it’s not that easy to save for downpayment, and prices increase faster then one can accumulate savings, eroding your savings [...]
Tags: Investing · Market Insight
Top 10 Toronto Condos and Lofts Survey Launch
August 14th, 2007 · Comments Off
OK people, your turn: please vote for Toronto’s Top Condos and Lofts! Be sure to scroll down the page as there are a total of 8 polls, 4 are real-estate related and 4 are anonymous stats. No information is stored besides the answer. Rules: vote once in each category. You’re allowed to repeat your vote [...]
Tags: Investing · Market Insight
July Breaks More Records – WHY?
August 9th, 2007 · Comments Off
“August 2, 2007 — TREB Members reported 8,912 total sales in July, 26 percent ahead of the 7,082 sales recorded in July of 2006, and an all time record for the month.” as reported by TREB. Downtown East (C08) concluded 1,248 transactions averages selling at $336,500 with 24 Days On Market. Downtown West (C01) 2,415 [...]
Tags: Investing · Market Insight
