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IN THE CONDO KNOW

~ Condo news and insights

IN THE CONDO KNOW

Tag Archives: condominiums

THE GOLDEN RULE: KEY TO HAPPY CONDO LIVING

16 Monday Sep 2019

Posted by Barbara Lawlor in Condominium, New Homes, toronto

≈ Comments Off on THE GOLDEN RULE: KEY TO HAPPY CONDO LIVING

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condo board, condo corp, condominiums, condos

Life in the vertical community we call a condominium involves meeting neighbours on a regular basis in hallways, elevators and amenity spaces. In order to keep things humming along on a positive note, following the “golden rule” is paramount. Check the code of conduct your board of directors sets out and abide by the guidelines. These exist to protect your, and everyone’s health, safety, privacy, comfort and enjoyment. These may cover restrictions on pets, what you can place on your balcony, conduct when using the building amenities, etc.

Disagreements can escalate if not addressed, and communicating with members of the board is critical. They are approachable and can mediate any negative situations that arise. After decades in the new condominium industry, I can tell you that it amazes me how well things run in these residences. Living in a condo can be a lot of fun – and so can serving on the board of directors. Board members often become friends, even though they typically hail from a variety of backgrounds including sales, law, administration, landscaping and the like.

Being a good neighbour takes on a deeper level of importance in the vertical community we call a condominium.
Being a good neighbour takes on a deeper level of importance in the vertical community we call a condominium.

Remember that your happiness and enjoyment in a condominium is really up to you. To find out more about the rights and responsibilities of condominium owners, check out Consumer Protection Ontario’s website on “Owning a Condo” at www.ontario.ca/page/owning-a-condo. And make the “golden rule” your day-to-day rule.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE CITY COLLECTION AT RIVERSIDE SQUARE

28 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by Harley Nakelsky in Condominium

≈ Comments Off on REGISTER NOW FOR THE CITY COLLECTION AT RIVERSIDE SQUARE

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Baker Real Estate, Baker Real Estate Incorporated, Canada, Canada Condominiums, Canada Homes, Condo, Condominium, condominiums, condos, GTA, Real estate, Toronto Condos, Toronto New Homes, Toronto Town House, Townhomes

Riverside Square - The City Collection

Riverside Square – The City Collection

The launch of sales at The City Collection is just around the corner. Anyone interested in tremendous condominium value in a prime Toronto location will want to register now. Streetcar’s newest residence in the master-planned Riverside Square community on Queen Street just east of the Don Valley is already attracting enthusiastic interest from the spectrum of new home buyers. With suites starting from the $200’s for layouts from studios to three-bedroom, designs with huge terraces overlooking the city, there is truly something for everyone.

The area is filled with amenities, and Riverside Square residents will be able to walk to an array of shops, cafés, restaurants, a supermarket and more, many on the ground floors of the buildings in this master-planned community. Public transit is at the doorstep, and the downtown core is a walk. Streetcar or really short car ride away. Plus, Streetcar has purchased the Broadview Hotel and is transforming it into an exciting venue coming later this year. What more could you want?

But wait, there’s more! Riverside Square will also encompass a new park within the community, right on Queen Street. All residents in the project will have access to the building’s amenities including a massive gym, a cool urban party room and a rooftop infinity pool with spectacular city views. Every unit has outdoor space, some have huge terraces. Some of the standard features and finishes include 9-foot ceiling heights, hardwood throughout, granite countertops and integrated appliances.

With The City Collection building rising to just 15 storeys, this is a great opportunity for buyers who prefer a mid-size terraced building to a soaring tower. Register now to get in while the full array of suites and views is available. To register, visit http://riversidesquare.ca/

43.653226
-79.383184

LOOK WHAT’S HAPPENING AT 2221 YONGE!

22 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by Barbara Lawlor in Condominium

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Baker Real Estate, Baker Real Estate Incorporated, Canada Condominiums, Canada Homes, Condo, Condominium, condominiums, condos, GTA, Real estate, Toronto Condos, Toronto New Homes

2221 Yonge

2221 Yonge

The hoarding is up, and demolition is set to begin to make way for construction on 2221 Yonge, Tower Hill Developments’ exquisite condominium at Yonge and Eglinton. What a gorgeous addition to the neighbourhood this outstanding residence will be! With the renowned design team of Manhattan-based Pei Partnership Architects (yes, of the Louvre’s famous pyramid in Paris) and Toronto’s Quadrangle Architects for the outstanding terraced exterior, how can it be anything else?

From a six-storey podium, the building will rise to feature glorious balconies and recessed terraces. Fabulous interiors by the inimitable Munge Leung include Halo, the spectacular amenity lounge on the 56th floor. Just imagine the views! Residents will also have retail venues at the ground level, the epitome of convenience.

Purchasers range from young professionals to seasoned homeowners who want to live in the city but appreciate midtown’s ‘walk to everything’ location. They also discover exclusivity and prestige for competitive prices. For more information, visit 2221yonge.com.

43.653226
-79.383184

TORONTO NAMED TOPS IN THE WORLD AGAIN!

19 Wednesday Aug 2015

Posted by Barbara Lawlor in Condominium

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Baker Real Estate, Baker Real Estate Incorporated, Canada, Canada Condominiums, Canada Homes, Condo, condominiums, condos, GTA, Real estate, Toronto, Toronto Condos, Toronto New Homes

Architecture and design trade publication Metropolis Magazine has named Toronto the most liveable city in the world! This accolade comes hot on the heels of The Economist ranking Toronto the world’s best city to live in earlier this year, along with several other distinctions from a variety of sources.

Metropolis Magazine arrived at the decision to name Toronto first, Tokyo second and Helsinki, Finland third by examining quality of life in numerous categories such as urban planning, architecture, amenities, walkability, housing and preservation. Of particular interest was Toronto’s Tower Renewal initiative, which promotes the rejuvenation of our high-rise buildings constructed in the post-war boom where possible, rather than destroying them. In this respect, the magazine’s editorial director, Paul Makovsky, praised Toronto as a role model among cities around the world.

Once again, congratulations, Toronto. We really do live in the best place in the world!

TORONTO A WINNER AGAIN!

26 Monday May 2014

Posted by Barbara Lawlor in Condominium, Condos

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Canada, Canada Condominiums, Canada Homes, condominiums, Toronto, Toronto Condos

I have written blogs and articles on the multitude of awards and accolades the City of Toronto has earned over the years, and  it seems like every time I turn around, there’s another one. Last year, we found out that Toronto is the fourth-largest city in North America, and last week, it was named the fourth most attractive city in the world!

In fact, Toronto was the only Canadian city to make the list culled from the “Cities of Opportunity” survey by Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC). The survey ranked 30 destinations from around the world in a variety of categories such as quality of life, transport, economic strength, ease of doing business, education, technology and the natural environment. Toronto came fourth, after London, New York and Singapore. Very impressive!

Apparently, PWC places importance on the survey results, because the variables considered can affect a city’s success in attracting foreign investments and businesses in general. Only Stockholm beat us in health, safety and security. We also earned high marks for health care, education and infrastructure, sociopolitical stability, and culture and natural environment.

I find it heartening that so many international organizations continually rank Toronto among the best cities in the world. We truly are the envy of people around the globe!

LET’S GET SOME BALANCE INTO MARKET REPORTING

17 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by Barbara Lawlor in Condominium

≈ Comments Off on LET’S GET SOME BALANCE INTO MARKET REPORTING

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condominiums, condos, Real, Toronto

Anyone who reads newspapers and listens to news on the radio and television these days would think that the housing market in Canada – particularly Toronto – is in rough shape. The recent reaction by the government to tighten up on mortgage-lending rules has triggered off a flurry of negative speculation, and I am puzzled as to why. At Baker Real Estate Incorporated, we are even-steven with where we were this time in 2011, which was a record-breaking year for condominium sales. As a sales group, we find the current Toronto market buoyant, and the factors that drive home sales are as strong as ever.

For example, according to the Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey for June 2012, the employment rate actually increased a percentage point over the same month last year. The number of people working in Ontario increased by 20,000 in June, and the province’s unemployment rate is on par with one year ago. It would take a massive unemployment hike to bring down our economy, and it seems to me that is not likely any time soon. We have one of the best economies in the world right now, with a stable government, reasonable unemployment and a continuing stream of immigrants.

And as far as the government’s mortgage rule changes, I question how much a dent they will put into sales. We find that most of our developers demand a 20 to 25 per cent deposit anyway, as well as a contractually corresponding mortgage approval for the outstanding balance. In addition, many buyers put down more than 5 per cent anyway, because they understand the long-term financial benefits of paying off a mortgage earlier.

BILD identifies the land development, home building and professional renovation industry as a major engine of economic growth in the Greater GTA, providing hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in wages. Putting aside the cyclical nature of the industry, the media and the government would be wise to place more faith in home buyers and applaud their confidence in Toronto, Ontario and Canada.

HOT OFF THE PRESSES … FEBRUARY 2011 SALES SHATTER CONDO RECORD

29 Tuesday Mar 2011

Posted by Barbara Lawlor in Condominium

≈ Comments Off on HOT OFF THE PRESSES … FEBRUARY 2011 SALES SHATTER CONDO RECORD

Tags

condominiums, condos, Toronto

The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) just released new home sales statistics for the month of February 2011, and for the first time EVER, the number of new condominium suites sold for that month exceeded 2,000!

BILD’s source for these statistics, RealNet Canada Inc., reported that the 2,200 sales number is 36 per cent better than in February 2010, and 26 per cent higher than the previous record set in February 2002, when 1,774 new condos were sold.

To put it in a different light, in February of this year, more than six out of every 10 new home sales in the GTA were condominium suites!

This phenomenal news is more proof that the carefree lifestyle condominiums offer appeals to a broad range of buyers. People feel confident in Ontario’s positive economic climate. Interest rates are still low, and relatively speaking, condominium suites are a lot less expensive than low-rise homes. This is a huge draw for first-time buyers, in particular.

And as I have said many times, the selection of condos in desirable locations across the GTA is incredible, with beautiful designs, wonderful amenities and excellent features and finishes. I have traveled the world, and when it comes to condominiums, we truly have the BEST choices right here in our own backyard.

All I have to say is, GO CONDO!

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Welcome!

Welcome to the Baker Real Estate blog! We are delighted to bring you news and views on the condominium scene in Toronto, across the Greater Toronto Area and even around the world, as well as the trends that influence the industry. Stay tuned for posts by members of the Baker team and beyond.

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 9,759 other followers

Blog History

December 2019
M T W T F S S
« Nov    
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  

Authors

Baker Twitter

  • Options for Home’s mission is to make home ownership more affordable & they are doing just that with The Humber. Th… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 2 days ago
  • It has been a privilege to work with the team behind 11YV residences in Yorkville. RioCan, Metropia, Captial Develo… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 3 days ago
  • We adore a great townhouse project and Clonmore by Core Developments is what we look for. Great location, amazing o… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 4 days ago
  • RT @blogTO: This is what Pharrell Williams' new condo complex in Toronto will look like bit.ly/34RjiOb #Toronto #RealEstate #Pharr… 5 days ago
  • RT @stustin: #Pharrell told @StephenAtHome last week that he thought a lot about space and time travel growing up in Virginia Beach and tho… 5 days ago
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