Archive for the 'Lifestyle' Category
Great Support for Haiti from the Toronto Real Estate Board
February 18th, 2010 categories: Downtown Toronto, Lifestyle, Real Estate, Toronto
February 17, 2010 — With Greater Toronto REALTORS’® individual donations, the federal government’s matching funds, and a TREB donation combined, Members of the Toronto Real Estate Board contributed nearly $75,000 to help those affected by last month’s earthquake in Haiti.
According to the Canadian Red Cross , Greater Toronto REALTORS’® individual donations to relief efforts in Haiti reached $12,085.
This amount will be doubled by the federal government, which pledged to match all individual Canadians’ contributions up to February 12th.
On behalf of Greater Toronto REATORS® TREB also donated $50,000 to Canadian Red Cross initiatives in Haiti. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 1 Comment »
Canadian Real Estate Association – 2009 Resale Housing Market Ends On a High Note.
January 20th, 2010 categories: Business, Buying in Toronto, Lifestyle, Real Estate, Toronto
Existing home sales activity reached the highest level ever for the month of December, according to statistics released by The Canadian Real Estate Association . Strong demand in the second half of 2009, especially in the fourth quarter, pushed annual sales above 2008 levels.
Residential sales activity via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) of Canadian real estate boards numbered 27,744 units in December 2009. This stands 72 per cent above activity in December 2008, when activity dropped to the lowest level in a decade. New records for the month of December were reported in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland & Labrador. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 2 Comments »
Lessons in Customer Service: Holland America’s Onboard Internet Service.
January 17th, 2010 categories: Business, Lifestyle, Technology, Travel
While on a Holland America Cruise recently, I messaged my Facebook and Twitter friends that I was enjoying the “Techspert” classes that they had on-board. Like a lot of Companies today, Holland America , is monitoring the Blogosphere and Tweetosphere and I heard back quickly that they “were happy I was enjoying myself”. My response was to tell them that although I was, I thought that their Internet charges ($100 for 250 minutes) were excessive in view of the poor service (back to the OLD dial-up days). Their response was “I’ll pass it on”.
Over the next weeks as complaints on-board grew and my Internet bill reached over $600.00, I again posted my thoughts and was told by the responder that they would “pass it on”. What does “pass it on” mean? Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 8 Comments »
TRAVEL: Antarctica, Part 3
January 17th, 2010 categories: Lifestyle, Photos, Travel
Here is Part 3 of our trip from Santiago Chile to Rio de Janeiro with 4 days in Antarctica…
Here are the photos of our trip to Antarctica, a 20 day cruise on HollandAmerica from Chile to Brazil. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: No Comments »
TRAVEL: Antarctica, Part 2
January 17th, 2010 categories: Food, Lifestyle, Travel
Part 2 of our photos from the trip:
Here are the photos of our trip to Antarctica, a 20 day cruise on HollandAmerica from Chile to Brazil. Read the rest of this entry »
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TRAVEL: Antarctica Trip Part 1
January 17th, 2010 categories: Lifestyle, Photos, Travel
Here is Part 1 of our photos of Antarctica. The trip was from Santiago Chile’ to Rio de Janeiro and is in 3 parts.
Here are the photos of our trip to Antarctica, a 20 day cruise on HollandAmerica from Chile to Brazil. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: No Comments »
Real Estate: Downsizing with Style and Grace: Part Three
January 4th, 2010 categories: Buying in Toronto, Downsizing, Downtown Toronto, Lifestyle, Real Estate, Selling in Toronto
The Reality of “Rightsizing”
There are times when “Downsizing or Rightsizing” becomes a must and not an option. Sadly, the topic is often controversial with the person needing to “Rightsize”. The process means a lack of independence, and many will fight any suggestion to move to a more accommodating living space.
We live in a City where there are very few spaces, other than apartments, that can allow one to live on one floor. Bungalows only exist in certain areas and those are still mostly accessible by climbing stairs. Staying in your home also means having to maintain gardens, snow removal, and routine maintenance. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 4 Comments »
New Year’s Resolutions 2010
January 1st, 2010 categories: Around TORONTO, Downtown Toronto, Economy, Lifestyle, Real Estate, Technology, Toronto
It is the end of the year and the beginning of a new one. At this time of year there is a natural tendency that I have had to make New Year’s resolutions. I’m sure that I am not that unusual and it is probably a trait that goes back through my family history. Was it a half-empty glass scenario?
So this morning, I was taking a nice long New Year’s walk…around the deck of a Cruise Ship as we are leaving Antarctica (not a bad life!). I challenged myself, as I routinely do to try to decide on changes that need to be made in my life. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 4 Comments »
The Problem with REALTORS.
December 23rd, 2009 categories: Business, Lifestyle, Real Estate, Selling in Toronto
Before I even “go there“…let me first say that I am speaking totally on my own behalf and not in any of the positions that I hold in organized Real Estate. This is just some of my ramblings that come in go in my mind and need a Blog outlet, so please bear with me.
I began in the business 30 years ago and when I say “the business” I am referring to Real Estate or any other service industry. We had all been trained to strive to be the best in our field. Success equates to the sale of property, a satisfied Buyer, Seller or both. Read the rest of this entry »
| Discussion: 8 Comments »
Hooked on Travel and My Video Pocket Camera.
December 17th, 2009 categories: Business, Economy, Lifestyle, Photos
Giving you an update for the next few weeks and talking about how much I love my Video Pocket Camera, a VadoHD by Creative Labs .
Any thoughts? Comments below?
| Discussion: 6 Comments »
