Thursday, December 30, 2010

New Year’s in TO: What’s open, what’s closed?

For some last minute booze and bubbly, the LCBO and Beer Store will be open until 6 p.m. New Year’s Eve. Unfortunately for those seeking some hair of the dog on January 1, they’ll be closed on New Year’s Day.

Most banks will be open until 3 p.m. New Year’s Eve, but all are closed on New Year’s Day.

Grocery store hours vary, but most are open until 6 p.m on 31st and closed on January 1.

Click here for all the info...

Got five minutes to cut costs on your bills?

Another year has come and gone and you’re wondering how to improve your finances. You’ve relinquished your latte habit and given your shoe fetish the boot, yet you don’t seem to be able to save as much as you’d like. It’s too hard to trim expenses, you say. It takes too much time to budget. And, blech, comparison shopping for the best prices zaps your strength.

Source: The Globe and Mail
Dianne Nice
Published Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010 6:27AM EST
Last updated Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010 7:07AM EST


Click here to read more....

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

New Year's Eve Party Guides in TO!

A NYE bash at home with all your friends, good booze, great food, and yeah..a karaoke machine..its hard to beat but if you're looking for a last minute party for New Year's Eve, here are some online party guides:

www.eyeweekly.com

www.toronto-newyears-events.com

www.ClubZone.com

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Citytv New Year's Bash 2011 at Nathan Phillips Square

Musical performances by Shawn Desman, Danny Fernandes, The Stereos, These Kids Wear Crowns, Divine Brown, Blake McGrath. Please note this is an outdoor event, dress warmly or sit at home with friends & family and watch it on tv.

Click here for all the details...

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Balanced real estate market expected in 2011...

As you celebrate Christmas this year, the one small lump of coal in your real estate stocking is that your house's value probably didn't rise at the same pace in 2010 as it did the year before.

Al Sinclair of Al Sinclair Real Estate put 2010's flatter prices in this context.

For those looking to get into the real estate market in 2011, he advised people to plan on steady price gains, but nothing crazy.

"To buy a property, ride the market and then flip it? Forget it," he said. "As they say in sports, sometimes the best trades are the ones you didn't make."

On the plus side for buyers, Sinclair didn't anticipate much in the way of bidding wars. "It's going to be a good, balanced market in 2011," he said.

Source: Bill Doskoch, ctvtoronto.ca
Updated: Sat Dec. 25 2010 6:58:39 AM


Click here to read the entire article...

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Scotiabank Year-end Review and Outlook for Global Real Estate...Australia's Still Hot, Canada Not So Much

TORONTO, Dec. 23 /CNW/ - Global residential property markets experienced a modest but uneven recovery in 2010, supported by ultra-low interest rates and gradually improving economic conditions, according to the latest Global Real Estate Trends report released today from Scotia Economics.

.... Canada had one of the better performing housing markets among advanced nations in 2010, though also one of the most volatile. An unusually active winter and spring, prompted by pent-up demand, expectations of rising interest rates that only partially materialized, the looming transition to a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Ontario and British Columbia, and pending changes in lending qualifying criteria, gave way to an unusually soft summer.

Over the fall, sales have returned to a more typical, sustainable level.

"We are neither overtly optimistic nor pessimistic regarding the outlook for 2011," stated Ms. Warren. "On the one hand, we expect interest rates to remain at historically low levels, with the Bank of Canada deferring any further rate hikes to late 2011 given an uncertain global economic outlook and subdued inflation, and longer-term borrowing costs drifting up only modestly.

Source: Canadian Business Online
Dec 23, 2010 - 06:45 EST


Click here to read the entire article...

Don't forget the Tim Burton Exhibit over the Holidays!

The Tim Burton Exhibition was organized by The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, where it was a smashing success last year. It's the first MoMA exhibition to be presented in Toronto in over 20 years.

Click here for more info...

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

These 10 stocking stuffer ideas will make everyone's holiday merry and bright...

Style At Home magazine: Christmas is a time of giving. So why not give the very best? We've chosen 10 stocking stuffers to help you get inspired to get started on your holiday shopping. Check out our 10 fabulous stocking stuffers that will warm the hearts of everyone on your list.

Click here for more...

2010, A Year of Real Estate In Review...

2010 has been a year that resembled an amusement park roller coaster ride, complete with twists & turns . But the year will also go down in the record books as the year that realtors took a good look at the value added services clients are paying for. Or choosing not to.

Here’s a look at some of the events that made headlines this past year:

Source: www.Propertywire.ca
Written by David Hatton, Editorial Team
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 16:09


Click here to read more...

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Annual Christmas Treats Walk at the Zoo...

Boxing Day at the Zoo is in its 35th edition. It's an annual tradition where zoo animals await their seasonal delights. Strolling carollers & free hot chocolate following the walk.

Please bring a non perishable food item for the food bank. 1/2 price admission for all that day. Please note this is an outdoor even so dress warmly.

Click here for more info...

Monday, December 20, 2010

Popular Canada Coupon Codes...

Listed below you'll find some of the best “Canada” coupon, discount and promotion codes as ranked by the users of RetailMeNot.com. To use a coupon simply click the coupon code then enter the code during the store's checkout process. PS: You can even specify retailers in Toronto on the right hand side of the screen!

Click here to learn more....

How to return an unwanted gift bought online...

Now that many people do their holiday shopping online, things are a little bit more complicated. Last year, Canadians spent $15.1 billion in online shopping, according to Statistics Canada. That’s up from $12.8 billion in 2007.

Source: www.Moneyville.ca
By Josh Rubin


Click here for more...

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Driving to Florida? A Handy Guide!

Who hasn’t spent precious travel time either lost or misdirected, or eating questionable food in even more questionable restaurants?

For anyone making the trip down Interstate 75 to Florida, I suggest there is a far better way: Dave Hunter’s Along Interstate 75, the quintessential guide that will put to rest the ghosts of Bad Trips Past.

Source: Lorraine Sommerfeld
Special to the Star
Published Dec 17, 2010


Click here to read the entire article...

Friday, December 17, 2010

GTA REALTORS® Report Mid-Month Resale Housing Figures

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 16, 2010) - Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 3,076 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) during the first two weeks of November 2010.

This represented a 16 per cent decrease compared to the 3,666 sales recorded during the same period in November 2009. Year-to-date sales amounted to 78,526 – up slightly from the 2009 total.

"The number of transactions remained high relative to new listings through the first half of November, promoting a healthy rate of price growth compared to last year," said Toronto Real Estate Board President Bill Johnston.

The average price for November mid-month transactions was $437,554 – up more than five per cent compared to the average of $415,066 recorded during the first 14 days of November 2009.

"Mortgage payments on the average priced home remain affordable in the GTA based. This is why the average selling price continues to increase," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

Click here for more info...

Food & Entertaining - Party Planner

Style At Home magazine helps you breeze through the year's busiest season with this Entertaining Survival Guide.

Got a million holiday drop-ins to attend? Hosting a handful of seasonal sit-down dinners? Make sure your holiday party season is a smashing success; from foolproof hosting tricks to hostess gift-giving tips to seasonal decor hints. Just like the twelve days of Christmas, Style at Home has a no nonsense guide full of twelve of the ultimate entertaining tips to get you through the holidays with style and grace.

Source: StyleatHome.com
By: Tanya Linton


Click here for a 2 page step by step party planner...

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Small space cocktail party...

Style at Home magazine helps you set up your small space for a cocktail party that will have a grand impact on guests.

How do you throw a holiday soiree in a small space? Design editor Christine Hanlon whipped up a petite party that had a grand impact on guests.


Source: StyleAtHome.com
By Christine Hanlon; text by Helen Racanelli
Photography by Michael Graydon


Click here for step by step instructions...

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Banks hike mortgage rates across the board...

Mortgage rates are moving higher thanks to the rising cost of borrowing in the bond market.

RBC Royal Bank was the first of the big banks to announce increases this week, with the Toronto Dominion Bank following suit Tuesday.

Source: Moneyville.ca
By Michael Lewis | Tue Dec 14 2010


Click here to read more...

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Leaside United Church Fund Raising Events...

Some of these fund raising events planned by the Leaside United Church could be great Christmas presents.

Like Event #21 tickets to "An Intimate Evening with Warren Hill" in April in Leaside...only $50 for adults and $30 for youths. You can hear acclaimed saxman/composer Warren Hill (born & raised in Leaside) on The Wave 94.7, a great smooth jazz radio station in Ontario!

Click here to see the complete Catalogue of fund raising events!

2010 is a tale of two housing markets, but 2011 will be a much more boring story...

However, the year of wild twists and turns is expected to be followed up by a 2011 performance that economists sum up in one word: boring.

"The housing market is going to become a lot more boring place," says Gregory Klump, chief economist at the Canadian Real Estate Association.

"Boring is something that both buyers and sellers can look forward to after the crazy roller-coaster ride that we've been on since the depths of the recession in 2008."

Source: Winnipeg Free Press
By: Sunny Freeman, The Canadian Press
Posted: 13/12/2010 2:00 PM


Click here to read more...

How to dry out a wet cellphone...

Its the Holidays, time for a drink or two and then it happens! Here are the dos & don'ts if you want to salvage a wet cellphone...

Well, before you ditch it and pay your carrier (or confront your boss) for a new one, there are some simple things you can do to save money – and embarrassment.

Click here for 8 easy steps...

Monday, December 13, 2010

Fun-filled family events: Dec. 11 to Dec. 17

Holiday fun continues this week across the GTA.
Be sure to check back every week for updates.

Source:December 10, 2010
Jo-Anne Schneeweiss
Special to Parentcentral.ca


Click here for the entire article...

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Decor: Help for the holidays

Ah, putting up the Christmas tree and untangling knotted strings of lights. This is the time of year that reminds me of my father on a ladder on the driveway, a cloud of breath shrouding his head, cursing as he rooted out dead bulbs.

Source:Kelly Deck
Columnist profile
Friday's Globe and Mail


Click here for the complete article..

Friday, December 10, 2010

Canada Post: Suggested Mailing Dates

Great info from Canada Post...just click here
And when on the site, click on:

Suggested Mailing Dates
Click on a destination below


and you will get info for your country of choice!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Winterfest on Toronto's Waterfront...Dec 4 to 18

Skating at the Natrel® Rink, Canada’s largest artificially-cooled outdoor rink. Open daily from 10am to 10pm; Friday & Saturday to 11pm at York Quay Centre
Also free dog shows, free photos & treats, fun filled indoor and outdoor activities on the waterfront.

Click here for much more info...

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Bank of Canada calendar this week...Tues Dec 7 set interest rate

In the news this week:

Monday: Statistics Canada reports on building permits issued in October. Economists expect a drop of 5 per cent from the previous month.

Tuesday: The Bank of Canada makes its interest rate announcement. Economists expect the benchmark rate to remain unchanged at 1 per cent.

Wednesday: Canada Housing and Mortgage Corp. reports on housing starts in November. Economists expect 173,000 annualized starts.

Thursday: Statistics Canada issues the new housing price index for October. Economists expect a rise of 0.1 per cent from the previous month.

Friday: Statistics Canada reports on international merchandise trade in October. Economists expect a deficit of $2-billion.

Click here for more info...

Style At Home: 19 delicious Christmas recipes...


Try one (or all) of these yummy Christmas recipes to put you in the festive spirit from Style At Home magazine online!

Click here to go directly to the web site...

Friday, December 3, 2010

Open House @ 123 Rumsey South Leaside Sat/Sun Dec 4 & 5 from 2 to 4

You have to drop by and see this lovely renovated semi in front of the park... awesome location.. beautiful home.

Imagine sitting on the great big porch out front in summer and looking at the little ones playing in the park across the street!

123 RUMSEY RD Click here for the video...

Open House @ 123 Rumsey South Leaside Sat/Sun Dec 4 & 5 from 2 to 4

You have to drop by and see this lovely renovated semi in front of the park... awesome location.. beautiful home.

Imagine sitting on the great big porch out front in summer and looking at the little ones playing in the park across the street!

123 RUMSEY RD Click here for the video...

TREB: Sales Strong in November 2010

Same day..same numbers..different interpretation!

Moneyville.ca's Tony Wong says "GTA home sales down in November"

The Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) says sales were strong in November! Read Tony's article above and read the TREB report below and see for yourself. Let me know what you think.

December 3, 2010 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 6,510 existing home sales in November – down 13 per cent from 7,446 sales in November 2009. New listings were also down 13 per cent annually to 8,642.

On a month-over-month basis, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of sales increased for the fourth straight month to 88,100. This rate was substantially higher than the July low of 67,900.

"The GTA resale market has tightened since the summer. Healthy market conditions continued to support growth in the average selling price," said Toronto Real Estate Board President Bill Johnston.

"Sales through the first 11 months of the year were down only marginally compared to the same period in 2009. We remain on track for one of the best years on record under the current TREB market area," continued Johnston.

The average selling price for November transactions was $438,030 - up five per cent compared to November 2009.

"The average selling price in the GTA is affordable. A household earning the average income can comfortably cover the mortgage payments on an average priced home. Expect the average selling price to grow at a moderate pace over the next year," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis.


Click here to read the complete report...

Skate Culture at Harbourfront: Free DJ Skate Saturday Nights

Part of Skate Culture, join some of the country's hottest DJs. From hip hop to house and everything in between, there will be a DJ on the decks for everyone's musical taste on Saturdays December 4, 11 and 18. Lace up, dig in and boogie down.

Click here for more info...

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Christmas Market at The Distillery District Dec 3 to 12th

Come Rediscover the Magic of Christmas at Lowe's Toronto Christmas Market at The Distillery District Friday December 3 to Sunday December 12 from Noon to 8pm daily.

This holiday season celebrate the romance and magic of a traditional Christmas at Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market. Inspired by the Old World and influenced by the New, this free annual event will capture all of the tradition, heritage and charm of a European Christmas Market, while showcasing hundreds of unique and local handcrafted products. Family friendly entertainment includes musicians, carolers and children’s choirs, holiday themed stage presentations, Rudolph’s Reindeer Zoo and of course … Santa and his roaming elves! There’s great shopping, specialty beer and mulled wine gardens, sweets and treats, and all the great restaurants of The Distillery Historic District. Come and experience the fun and magic of Toronto’s first and only Christmas Market!

Click here for more info....

Chrstmas: Trail of Lights at Downsview Park is on...