Richard Silver

Archive for October, 2010

Ontario Real Estate Association and the HST…

Dorothy Mason, President of the Ontario Real Estate Association talks about the ongoing confusion surrounding the HST and homeownership in this video. Your thoughts??Continue Reading...

Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore….

....don't know where I have been, but here I am, almost six weeks into a renovation and having thrown out three sets of doors and an old skylight and now I find out about ReStores, a division of Habitat for Humanity, long time supported by The Toronto Real Estate Board . The ReStores  web site says: "Habitat for Humanity ReStores are building supply stores that accept and resell quality new and used building materials. They generate funds to support Habitat's building programs, while...Continue Reading...

The Perfect Turkey Recipe! Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!!!

You know that I love my food, like to cook but am always looking for the easy way, as time is of the essence...well....our favourite Cabbagetown Butcher, Mark Michelin at the St. Jamestown Steak & Chops, has an almost flawless Turkey Recipe, almost a Turnkey Turkey Recipe. I tried it last year and it is almost too simple to believe and produces an amazing result. So here it is! (more...)Continue Reading...

Harmonized Sales Tax: Did you know?

Here is some great information that was sent to me from Rachel at the Ministry of Revenue about the new HST. It gives you the HST and Real Estate in a nutshell: About 93 per cent of all homes sold in Ontario are not subject to an additional tax amount under the HST.  It’s important to note, the HST is not charged on resale homes.   (more...)Continue Reading...

Neighborhoods: Bloor West Village

Once considered staid and conservative, this thriving village now boasts a hot European-style shopping district. You can find anything and anyone walking the high street, enjoying the bakeries, restaurants, gyms, shops and community events.   Founded in the early 1900s, the housing stock is detached homes on larger lots with big gardens, similar to the Beach (and equidistant from Yonge St). Some multi-family homes exist as part of a European extended family tradition. You’d best be handy with a rake and...Continue Reading...

Toronto Area REALTORS® Report September Resale Housing Market Figures

Here is a very interesting report from the Toronto Real Estate Board . Interesting to note that although the market has slowed recently, we are still looking at a busy 2010 taking the whole year into account. Also Media reports of the high prices are not taking into account almost the lowest "affordability factor" that Toronto has ever seen... TORONTO, October 5, 2010 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 6,310 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in September 2010. This represented a...Continue Reading...

Toronto Area REALTORS® Clarify the Harmonized Sales Tax!

Here is a recent Press Release on the HST from the Toronto Real Estate Board...make sure you check out the video when you click on Toronto Real Estate Board! TORONTO, October 5, 2010 -- Concerned that homebuyers are uncertain about the Harmonized Sales Tax’s (HST) applicability on real estate purchases, Greater Toronto REALTORS® are reaching out to consumers to eliminate misconceptions. Using social media channels and an ongoing series of newspaper columns, the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB)  is conveying to consumers...Continue Reading...

On the Canadian Real Estate Association Resolving the Competition Bureau…

Note: these are my personal thoughts and have absolutely no connection to any volunteer positions that I hold. At the end of the month the Canadian Real Estate Association will be voting to resolve a battle with the Competition Bureau. The big question that everyone wants to know is how this will change the landscape of Real Estate in Canada. The answer is not very much...there have always been options for sellers whether it has been to sell privately, or to list...Continue Reading...