Archive for April, 2009
A Great Cause and A Great Event: The Children’s Breakfast Programs
April 24th, 2009 categories: Downtown Toronto, Food, Lifestyle, Real Estate
Back in 2006, Carolyn Griffis of Re/Max Hallmark Realty identified a problem of nutrition in a Public Schools. Over the past three years she has worked tirelessly to enlist volunteers, donors and sponsors to this very important cause, feeding school children to maximize their engagement in class.
REALTORS from many different Companies have adopted Schools (our Company has adopted two), the Toronto Real Estate Board has become a sponsor, and recently the staff at TREB have adopted a School, as well. There is an ongoing need and you can come to the event below, make a donation for the Silent Auction (I donated a case of Fat Bastard Wine because I liked the name), make financial donations or get involved by volunteering.
Please read the press release below and help get the word out. This is a really great cause! Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 4 Comments »
Some Great Home ecoEnergy News from “Carson Dunlop and Associates”.
April 23rd, 2009 categories: Real Estate, Toronto
Here is some great news from Andra Wooley of Carson Dunlop and Associates. It showcases some of the existing energy options that are available through the both the Federal and Provincial Governments. Hopefully this will serve to clarify some of the confusion on what is available at present to Homeowners:
“Richard, as mentioned, we are excited to share this IMPORTANT news for all home owners. NRCan’s ecoENERGY Retrofit program now offers more ways to access valuable rebates. NOW, 25% MORE GRANT MONEY IS AVAILABLE FOR UPGRADES PLUS SEVERAL CRITICAL PROGRAM CHANGES.
Some Highlights:
25% increase in available grants – still maximum of $5000 federally (+ separate provincial programs) Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
Earth Day: Garden Leaf Bags are Coming Back!
April 23rd, 2009 categories: Cabbagetown, Downtown Toronto, Real Estate
Last Spring, I had leaf bags made and distributed in Cabbagetown, east of Parliament Street. They seemed to go over well and even today, a year later, I saw these three on Wellesley Street East.
I would love to be able to deliver them to all of Toronto but…the cost would be prohibitive. However, this year I have ordered them again and have ordered an extra 200 packages (there are 5 in each packet). They will be available should you wish to contact me by email (mail@richardsilver.com) with an address and as long as you are close at hand, I will drop them off or you can pick them up. Of course, they are with my compliments.
Please be patient as I don’t have a firm delivery date from the Manufacturer as yet.
| Discussion: 6 Comments »
Earth Day and The Green Energy Act: When the Best of Good Intentions Go Wrong.
April 22nd, 2009 categories: Lifestyle, Real Estate, Toronto
“Be careful what you wish for…”
Over the past years, organized Real Estate in Ontario has been lobbying the Government to support energy audits and grant programs that would encourage Canadians to voluntarily increase the energy efficiency of their homes.
Now along comes Bill 150: the Green Energy Act, and instead of the REALTOR Community jumping up and down and supporting the ACT, The Ontario Real Estate Association is bringing up some serious concerns. The Bill, as written, requires MANDATORY Energy Audits at the time of sale of residential properties only and putting the audit in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. It excludes both Commercial and Industrial properties.
Here are some of my concerns: Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 6 Comments »
The Reality Behind the Proposed Provincial Harmonized GST and PST Tax
April 21st, 2009 categories: Lifestyle, Real Estate, Toronto
A REALTOR friend of mine, Trish Santos, a Sales Representative with Realty Executives Plus Ltd., has done some serious due diligence on the proposed harmonization of the GST and PST. One of my concerns is that the Provincial Government has slipped this in under the new Budget without proper input from the Public. Here is some of the concerns that we both share. Please give this a read if you think this harmonization is “good for the Province”.
As hopefully most of you are aware the Ontario Government is looking to pass their budget which includes harmonizing the GST and PST together effective July, 2010.
Dalton McGuinty and his Liberal caucus want us to believe that this will help our economy, create jobs and put money back into our pockets. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 8 Comments »
CREA’s Position on Mandatory Home Energy Audits
April 18th, 2009 categories: Lifestyle, Real Estate, Toronto
Here is the Canadian Real Estate Association’s position on Mandatory Home Energy Audits that are proposed in Bill 150, The Province of Ontario’s Green Energy Act;
The Issue
The Ontario government has introduced legislation that will require a mandatory energy audit as a requirement for selling a home. The federal Liberal Party is considering mandatory audits as part of its environment platform. Jurisdictions in Europe and the United States have taken steps toward the introduction of mandatory audits. Voluntary incentives to encourage greater energy-efficiency in homes have been working well in Canada. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
The New Provincial Harmonized PST/GST and the Building Industry.
April 17th, 2009 categories: Around TORONTO
There is an excellent comment in the National Post this morning and it really begs the question; Has the Province of Ontario really done its homework on the long time effects of the harmonization of the PST and GST? More studies should be done in terms of the Building Industry, especially in the GTA, where 54% of the units coming on the market will be taxed under the new system.
This article asks some very interesting questions and is a must read for anyone concerned about the additional taxes that will appear under the new system. It is written by James McKellar from the Schulich School of Business at York University and can be found by clicking here and is called “Home is where the Tax is”.
Related Post:
Real Estate: My New Job as a Tax Collector
The Reality Behind the Proposed Provincial Harmonized GST and PST Tax
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
Technology: A Social Media Primer
April 16th, 2009 categories: Real Estate, Technology
As Social Media gets more and more popular, many REALTORS are jumping on the bandwagon, writing blogs, Twittering, and appearing on Linkedin and Facebook. While all of that is great, there are some basic questions that you should be asking yourself before you had down what you might think is a shortcut on the Information Highway.
Have You Established Your BRAND?
Do you have a personally branded web site and email address? Many REALTORS assume that being part of the Broker Brand is enough but what if you should change brokerages or if your brokerage gets bought?
www.yourname.com and that your email address is yourname@yourname.com It means that for the past years you have used this URL and email address on all your advertising, signs and cards and have driven clients to your site as being the place for expert information on you, your market and Real Estate issues. Your site or Blog has become the location where the local Guru, you, can answers all questions pertaining to Real Estate and the neighbourhood you work in. It is the reservoir of pertinent information about the kind of houses you sell and issues you deal with as well as constantly updating market statistics. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
Canadian Real Estate: MLS® resale housing market stabilizes further in March
April 16th, 2009 categories: Business, Real Estate
Below is the Recent Press Release from the Canadian Real Estate Association. It seems as if the news is getting better:
Existing MLS® home sales activity increased for the second month in a row in March 2009, according to statistics released by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). The number of new listings also continued trending lower in March, which firmed up the balance of supply to demand. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
Susan’s Most Amazing Rib Recipe
April 14th, 2009 categories: Food, Lifestyle
There are times when this blog must deal with really important issues and this is one of them: FOOD!!
My friend Susan, a great cook, but also a dynamite Business woman ( those are not divergent in one person, however, I digress)…is known far and wide for her Award Winning Rib Recipe. I have made it a couple of times at home, though it seems daunting at first, the most difficult part is getting all the spices together for the rub that begins the process. This Rub can also be used will Chicken and Seafood and when making the Ribs try them with Beef Prime Ribs as well as Pork (just don’t tell my grandmother as she kept a Kosher home). Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 5 Comments »
