HAPPY NEW YEAR!

CMHC Releases 2011 Canadian Housing Observer, a Comprehensive Report on the State of Housing in Canada...

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Dec 29, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Housing-related spending accounts for more than 20 per cent of Canada's Gross Domestic Product, contributing about $330 billion to the Canadian economy in 2010 - up 7.1 per cent from $308 billion in 2009. This and other key findings are in the ninth annual Canadian Housing Observer, released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

"The Observer is unique in its in-depth review of housing conditions and trends, including developments - both domestic and international - that influence housing finance and housing market developments in Canada," said Karen Kinsley, President of CMHC. "The Observer's data provides insight into Canadian residential mortgage practices and housing market trends, while highlighting the importance of housing in this country."

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Caution in the Wind for 2012 Mortgage Forecast....

A new year invariably brings thoughts of change, predictions for the future and forecasts of good or bad or something in between.

When it comes to the Canadian mortgage industry, experts point to a vulnerable global marketplace as a backdrop for the tepid economic predictions being issued by Canadian economists.

As a result, experts are calling for what might be described as a cautiously optimistic outlook for 2012 with the emphasis on cautiously. Expect a number of challenges.

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LEASIDE CHRISTMAS

Click here to take a stroll through Leaside at Christmas...

DAVISVILLE LIGHTS!

Click here to take a stroll through Davisville Village this Christmas...

Variable rate mortgage discounts disappearing...

The days of getting any sort of discount on a variable rate mortgage are over — again.

Those mortgages, tied to prime, have become a mainstay of the housing market. And, why not? While prime has stood at 3% at most major financial institutions, the discount has meant a rate as low as 2.1% at times this year.

However, in the last 10 days what was left of that discount — it had already been shrinking for weeks — has disappeared at all of the major banks.

Source: Financial Post
By: Garry Marr
Published: Dec 17, 2011 – 8:45 AM ET | Last Updated: Dec 16, 2011 3:22 PM ET

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Davisville Village in Top 10 neighbourhoods in Toronto!

Congrats to Davisville Village!!! Well it's my hood and I love it, I know it's a great place to live and work...but it's nice to hear from other folks too.

To help you decide where to buy a house, Toronto Life magazine released their annual real estate issue in November and listed the top 10 neighbourhoods in Toronto. Global News reported the following as Toronto’s top 10 neighbourhoods:

Mimico – from Islington ave to Humber river and from the Gardiner to Lake Ontario.

East End Danforth – Woodbine ave to Victoria ave and Doncaster ave to Kingston rd

Christie Pits – Ossington ave to Christie st and Dupont st to Bloor st

St. Lawrence – Yonge st to Parliament st and Front to the Gardiner

L’amoreux – Victoria park ave to Kennedy rd and Mcnicoll ave to Huntingwood dr

Blake-Jones – Pape ave to Greenwood ave and Danforth ave to the railroad tracks north of Gerrard ave.

Davisville Village – Yonge st to Bayview ave and Eglinton ave to Mt Pleasant Cemetery

Corktown – Berkeley st to River St and Shuter st to Front st

Wallace-Emerson – Railroad tracks west of perth ave to dufferin st and from the railroad tracks above dupont st to bloor st

Click here to read the entire article...

Healthy Fall Market Continues in November

Click here to see Jason Mercer's video recap on YouTube of the stats for November 2011

December 6, 2011 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 7,092 residential transactions through the TorontoMLS® system in November – up 11 per cent in comparison to November 2010. At the same time, the number of new listings was up by 14 per cent in comparison to last year.

“We have seen strong annual sales growth through the 2011 fall market. The increase in transactions has been broad-based, with strong growth across low-rise and high-rise home types throughout the Greater Toronto Area,” said Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) President Richard Silver. “The market has also become better supplied, with annual new listings growth outstripping that of sales. As this trend continues into 2012, we will see more balanced market conditions.”

The average price for November transactions was $480,421, representing an increase of almost 10 per cent in comparison to $437,494 in November 2010.

"Despite strong price growth this year, the housing market remains affordable in the GTA," said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "The correct method of assessing affordability is to consider the share of the average household’s
income that is dedicated to mortgage principal and interest, property taxes and utilities. Currently, this share remains in line with generally accepted lending guidelines. Given this positive affordability picture, average price growth is forecast to continue in 2012, albeit at a more moderate pace."

Click here to read the full written report...

Lunched at Terroni Bar Centrale & loved it!

I had lunch today at Terroni Bar Centrale at 1095 Yonge St (South of the Summerhill LCBO). I found the same trattoria/bistro atmosphere from years ago when Terroni was first on Victoria St downtown. It was too small, always packed with too many people and it had so much character...it was fabulous!

The same can be said for this neighbourhood trattoria. It's got great vibe, a cool setting with a warm & inviting ambiance. Their selection of wine is brief and expertly put together. I had the Roero Torretta which was cool and crisp and perfect on a bright and cold winter day. I ordered the Pate’ di Fegatini d’Anatra (duck & chicken liver pâté) and it was melt in your mouth good. Move over Coquine you no longer serve the most succulent pâté in mid-town. And this sinful pâté was served with perfectly toasted square little pieces of homemade crostoni (anyone familiar with pâté de foie gras knows it's the only way to serve it).

And with this I had the Insalata Nizzarda Rustica, a rustic Niçoise style salad but with a fresh take..no mounds of lettuce here...instead it was all fresh julienne veggies with a few pieces of endives, arugula, green beans, potatoes, olives, tuna, egg & anchovy with a smooth dressing that was so subtle, I couldn't even tell you what it was, but it complemented the salad perfectly.

The services was excellent and attentive, which is not easy when a spot is this hot. Irene, the hostess, made time to chat with me and said that the dining room upstairs had recently opened for business. I'm sure this will be another winner..I guess I'll just have to go try it out! Regretfully it took me a while to get around to lunching here but I'm happy I did and I'll be back..Terroni Bar Centrale is a definitely a fave of mine for lunch now.

Click here to check out a review by Blog TO...

And click here for the web site...

New home warranty plan draws reader ire...

Barbara Captijn bought a house from a builder in 2007, assuming she could rely on the Ontario new home warranty to save her from major repair costs in the first few years.

Now she’s going to small claims court to sue the builder over problems with the hot water heating system installed in her multi-million dollar downtown Toronto home.

Source: Moneyville.ca
By Ellen Roseman | Mon Dec 5 2011

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Bata Shoe Museum Holiday Sale..Dec 7th Only 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Great Holiday special from my good friends at Jeanet Spa & Salon in Yorkville...

Click here to check out their website...

Discover the making of Cinéfranco, the International Francophone Film Festival in Toronto!

Click here to access the Cinéfranco Blog

In celebration of its fifteenth anniversary, Cinéfranco is embracing its teen spirit and is creating its own blog.

For the first time, we will raise the curtain and let you see what’s behind the scenes at the festival. Many of you may think that Cinéfranco is thriving only two or three weeks a year … but actually our team works very hard all year long, to offer you the best festival every year as well as various other francophone film-related activities.

In this blog you will have access to the making of the festival, exclusive videos, directors and actors’ interviews and loads of other surprises. Stay tuned, you will not be disappointed!

Of course, you are more than welcome to share your reactions and comments with us. Our goal is to offer a convivial space where film-goers and Francophiles can meet. Our efforts would be senseless without you. You bring life to our festival and we hope you will bring life to our blog in return.

See you in the dark rooms,

With filmest/cinematic regards,

Cinéfranco's team.

Step into a Victorian Christmas on December 10, 17 & 18th

For three magical evenings, Black Creek Pioneer Village invites visitors to join in the holiday festivities. Bathed in the glow of lamplight and dressed in its finest holiday decor, Black Creek comes alive with live music, food and activities. Program only or with dinner options available.

Click here for more info....

The girlfriends-tested guide to exciting Toronto walks...

Here's a guide filled with exciting strolls for gals (and guys secure enough to handle a book for girlfriends!)

Toronto Urbans Strolls invites you to enjoy life's small pleasures: nice walks, decadent treats, whimsical sights, coffee breaks and, above all, the joy of catching up with your friends.

With the visual help of detailed maps and over 800 photos in a glossy 192-page paperback, local author Nathalie Prézeau (also the author of Toronto Fun Places) leads you through Toronto's best nooks and crannies.

Peek inside the guide here!

You can buy at Amazon.ca or Chapters.Indigo.ca or from the editor at TorontoUrbanStrolls.com

Lowe's Toronto Christmas Market at The Distillery District Dec 2 to 18th...

This holiday season Toronto will once again 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 captures 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!

Click here to read more...

Fox and Fiddle: 8th Annual Leaside Christmas Toy Drive & Guys Night Out Dec 8th

Fox and Fiddle, 190 Laird Drive, Tel: 416-467-8682

The 8th Annual Leaside Christmas Toy Drive & Guys Night Out, will be held at the Fox and Fiddle on Thursday, December 8th at 8pm. It's a great opportunity for friends to get together and share a little holiday cheer and help make Christmas extra special for many children!

Everyone is encouraged to bring either an unwrapped gift or $20, and all of the items will be donated to the CP24 / Chum Christmas Wish.

If you have any tickets or items that can be raffled off, please let one of the organizers know.

Please extend this invitation to other guys in the hood, that may not be included on this email list.

This year's Santa's Helpers are: Paul Crake, Jeff Hohner, Daryn Everett & Eric Roberson.

Last year we raised over $1,200 and delivered 2 van loads of toys.which was AWESOME!