Toronto Real Estate News June 2017

Toronto Real Estate Board President Larry Cerqua announced that Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 10,196 sales through TREB’s MLS® System in May 2017 – down by 20.3% compared to 12,790 sales reported in May 2016.

Sales of detached homes were down by 26.3 per cent.  Sales of condominium apartments were down by 6.4 per cent.

Active listings were up by 42.9 per cent compared to the lowest level in 15 years recorded in May 2016, but remained below the average and peak during that period.  The number increased considerably for low-rise home types including detached and semi-detached houses and townhouses.  Active listings for condominium apartments were down compared to May 2016.

Come out and enjoy the sun, cool breeze and gorgeous views of the lake down at Toronto’s beautiful waterfront.

There are three incredible days of entertainment to look forward to including Canada Day celebrations, the world’s largest rubber duck and a spectacular firework display over Lake Ontario!

The Redpath Waterfront Festival also offers an array of live music, dancing, great food and a multitude of family-friendly entertainment!

The Royal Canadian Navy returns with a 440 ft Naval Frigate and a host of interactive on-land activities!  You can also jump aboard and tour the deck of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Ville de Québec.

Be sure to bring your friends and family down to the Waterfront Festival between July 1st – 3rd as there’s something for everyone all weekend long.  Hope to see you at this action-packed celebration!

Smart home technology has gone from basic security to smart windows that open and close based on the weather and indoor air temperature.  Here’s a look at a few smart home innovations that will revolutionize our lives:

1. Connectivity is King – The connected home is a huge theme this year that features connected appliances, smoke alarms, lightbulbs and doorbells.
2. Talk to Me – There’s a huge focus on voice activated products around the home including voice controlled garbage cans, air purifiers and fridges.
3. Home Help – Robots are being used to offer companionship for seniors and there’s also an innovative, lifesaving cane that sends out an alert in the event of an emergency.
4. Laundry Lackey – Washing machines that can do multiple loads at once will save us valuable time and there’s even a machine in the works that will fold the laundry!
5. Breathe Easy – Sensors can monitor your indoor air for Co2, VOCs, allergens and humidity levels and they’ll also be able to expel bad air and introduce clean air to your home.
6. Robot Cleaners – With intelligent visual navigation, app control and powerful suction that cleans in corners, you’ll never need to push a vacuum again!

Smart home technology is always improving and it’s a major selling point because the higher your home’s IQ, the higher the resale value will be!  Who knows what the future will bring but one thing’s for sure; smart home technology can provide you and your family convenience and peace of mind.

Imagine relaxing after a stressful day at work and unwinding on a backyard lounger while listening to the sound of flowing water.

Your backyard’s the perfect place to take a break from the hectic pace of everyday life, and the addition of a water feature will help transform your garden into an oasis of tranquility, give it a beautiful focal point and may well increase the value of your home.

Water features also create an environmentally friendly haven for wildlife such as frogs, birds and butterflies.  There are a wide variety of solar powered fountains to choose from and by utilizing the sun’s rays, you’ll lower your electricity bills and won’t get tangled up in cords.

Water attractions can be as simple or complex as your budget allows, ranging from a simple tabletop fountain to a full-scale babbling brook.  Safety of course should be a concern if you have small children and if you plan on digging, make sure to contact the utility companies.

It’s important to spend a bit of time during the planning stage to ensure your water feature will integrate with your landscape and environment and then once you’ve finished implementing your new water feature, find a comfortable seat, close your eyes and imagine yourself in paradise.