National Post writes: The average house price in the greater Toronto area is $356,423, but the GTA is a huge area, covering 86 districts from Burlington to Newcastle and as far north as Orangeville. "When making direct comparisons, it's important to note that some areas of Canada have different approaches to calculating the average price," says Dorothy Mason, president of the Toronto Real Estate Board. Toronto covers a huge area and includes all housing types, which drives the average price down. If you want a single-family house in the city, you'll be paying a lot more. How much more? "When people start looking for a house, most want to be between St. Clair and Wilson, and between Avenue Road and Bayview," says Cheri McCann [real-estate agent with Sutton Group]. "There's easy access to downtown by car or subway, great schools, safe neighbourhoods and lots of stores and restaurants within walking distance." But the GTA's average house price won't even buy you an empty lot in this area.

This Exquisite 4 Bedroom property in The City of Newmarket is situated on a child safe crescent in demand area of fine homes! It has approximately 1900 Sq. Ft. of living space and Beautiful layout with neutral décor. Minutes to shopping malls, schools, parks and transit! This Home is 2 years New with 5 years of New Home Warranty remaining. For more details call me at 647 273-5318, or send me an email.

Features

• 9 Ft. High Ceiling on Main Floor with an exceptional view of the surroundings!
• Modern Kitchen with upgraded cabinetry open to Family Room with Fireplace.
• Formal Dining Room.
• Double Garage with entrance to house.

By hiring their own inspector, sellers can ease the pressure from sole reliance on the buyer’s report. Problem areas became negotiable items. The usual approach is to wait for an offer before inspectors scope out a home. Once inspectors for buyers get involved, though, it opens a Pandora’s box of costs and demands. Buyers push the envelope; sellers, sometimes panicked by lack of other offers, capitulate.

According to home inspector Rob Kent of Pittsburgh Property Inspectors in Pennsylvania, a scant 1 to 2 percent of his business is for sellers. “I find it amazing that a lot of these people think their house is in fantastic shape, then they find all these things wrong and they wonder how this happened,” Kent says. But by then it’s too late, because the buyer is in the driver’s seat in terms of repairs and, more importantly, repair costs. Kent says the time to spot problems is early. Only then, says Kent, does “the seller has chance to shop around for the lowest price.” Sellers can also control scope of work. Read the full story.

Press Releases - Canadian Real Estate and MLS Listings (TORONTO, November 24, 2006): Canadians are embracing luxury living more than ever before - and if they are not currently living in a luxury home, many aspire to someday live in the lap of luxury. As a result, the number of unit sales of luxury homes has skyrocketed in Canada's major markets.

Greater Toronto Area

In Toronto, the number of luxury home sales at the price of $1-million and above has increased by 20.3 per cent year-over-year, in the first nine months of 2006. During January to September 2006, 1,309 units were sold, compared to 1,088 units sold in the same period in 2005. Rosedale (C09) and Forest Hill (C03, C04) remain the most sought-after areas to purchase a luxury home within the city’s downtown core, while areas such as Lawrence Park (C12), Hoggs Hollow (C12) and Post Road (Bridle Path area - often referred to as "Millionaires Row" also in C12) offer luxury living slightly north of the city – providing homeowners with more land, usually used to accommodate outdoor amenities such as pools, elegant gardens, tennis courts or additional garage space.

Bring your children to the Hillcrest Mall for good eats and the best of company - including your jolly host, and friends from the York Region Fire Fighters, face painters, an interactive magic show, and of course Frosty and Rudolph.

The month of December is filled with many Holiday Happenings in the Hillcrest Mall. Make sure to check out their Calendar Of Events!

In addition to holidays at the national level Ontario designates the first Monday in August as a Civic Holiday. Many interesting anniversaries also occur in this decade. If you know which ones, check out List of important anniversaries on Canadian Heritage Web site.

Come one, come all to welcome Santa to Markham and experience the Wonders of Christmas. Enjoy the parade of colourful floats and over 1000 participants including bands, mascots... Santa Claus Parade in Markham is one of the biggest parades in York Region! The parade will begin at the Markham Village Community Centre, corner of Hwy 7 & Main Street Markham and travels north on Main Street Markham to end at the Markham Museum. For more information visit www.markhamsantaclausparade.com and check out Road Closure Notice.

Let the entire family will enjoy the visually stunning display as nearly 1000 native dancers and drum singing groups perform dressed in full native regalia! The Pow Wow is the center piece of the 13th annual Canadian Aboriginal Festival with visitors from all parts of Canada and around the world gathered in Toronto at the Rogers Centre (SkyDome) to witness this most beautiful traditional ceremony.

It is Canada's largest Aboriginal festival and one of Toronto's most successful festivals. It is an exciting and welcoming event for everyone! Tickets are $25 for a family day pass, $10 for adults and $5 for children. For more information visit http://www.canab.com.

TORONTO, November 17, 2006 -- Toronto Real Estate Board Members reported 3,008 sales during the first half of November, an increase of four per cent from the 2,886 sales recorded during the same timeframe in 2005, Toronto Real Estate Board President Dorothy Mason announced today.

“Although the holiday season is almost upon us, momentum from the autumn market has carried over and things remain very active,” Mrs. Mason said, noting that sales this month are also marginally ahead of mid-October's mark of 3,007.

Bayview Village / Hillcrest Village (C15) in Toronto showed an increase in sales of 40 per cent compared to the midway point of last November.

A jump in sales of semi-detached homes in York South (W03) fueled a 70 per cent overall increase during the first half of November, compared to the same timeframe last year.

In Ajax (E14), east of Toronto, mid-November sales were double the pace of what they were to mid-November 2005, with gains in most housing types.

Changing market conditions necessitate making the house as presentable and appealing as possible for sellers. This MSN Real Estate article lists some inexpensive renovations that will actually increase your home’s value:

1. Make your kitchen really cook
2. Give appliances a facelift
3. Buff up the bath: Next to the kitchen, bathrooms are often the most important rooms to update
4. Step up your storage
5. Add a room in a week or less
6. Mind the mechanics
7. Look underfoot
8. Let there be light
9. Reframe your entry
10. Consider curb appeal.

This is your chance to vote for the persons who will represent you at a local government level. It is important to cast your vote, because local Councillors have a strong impact on the future of your community. They decide how your property taxes are spent and what services the municipality will provide to you and your family. You will also be voting for school board trustees who are responsible for authorizing the construction and maintenance of schools, hiring teachers and staff and authorizing spending on educational programmes.

Here is “official” list of candidates by office. For more information go to Town of Richmond Hill Elections 2006 page...

The parade will begin at the intersection of Yonge Street and Industrial Road, head south on Yonge Street and will conclude at Hillcrest. Letters to Santa will be collected along the parade route by Canada Post and food donations to the Richmond Hill Food Bank will also be collected to help make the holiday happier for others. Residents of all ages are encouraged to come out and enjoy this favourite holiday tradition! You and your family will see a total of 80-85 brightly-decorated community group and commercial floats, marching bands, colourful costumes, lots of clowns handing out candy canes and much more. Of course, the Jolly Ol’ Elf himself, Santa Claus, will again appear at the end of the Parade. For more information read Santa Claus Parade FAQ, or to obtain information via telephone call the Santa Claus Parade Hotline at (905) 771-5466.

Thank you to everyone who helped us reach this total – volunteers, fundraisers, corporate sponsors – without you we could not have done it. The MS Society is the only organization in Canada to fund research and provide support to those with MS and their families. Over 10,000 cyclists are expected to participate in the 21 one- and two-day tours taking place across Canada between June and September.

Riding in the RONA MS Bike Tour isn’t as daunting as it might seem at first. Follow these handy tips to get yourself, and your bicycle, in shape to ride for a great cause!

Stop by my Thornhill office on 8000 Yonge Street anytime until the end of the month and buy a pumpkin or two to display at your front door.

All proceeds will be donated to York Central Hospital.

I'm looking forward to seeing you this Saturday morning!

Thank you for your support,
Jasmina

TORONTO, October 18, 2006 -- In the first half of October, Toronto Area housing activity kept pace with mid-October results from a year ago, Toronto Real Estate Board President Dorothy Mason announced today.

"There were 3,007 sales reported to mid-month, essentially on par with the 3,012 sales reported during the same period in 2005," Mrs. Mason said. "Adding to this strong result is the fact that transactions are up three per cent from the 2,913 recorded during the first part of September which is a good sign for the stability of the autumn market."

Jason Mercer, CMHC's Senior Market Analyst for the GTA, said, "Steady demand for resale homes has kept average prices rising above inflation, albeit at a lower annual rate, as buyers have benefited from increased choice in the marketplace."