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May the Best House Win is a new series coming to HGTV fall 2012.
This fun and entertaining series throws open the front doors of four strangers who believe their property is uniquely impressive.
Every episode four house proud home owners go head to head in the ultimate open house experience.
Each proud home owner opens their home to 3 strangers – who will review their home based on décor, comfort and over all hospitality.
After each home is reviewed, each open house guest awards the home a score they are touring a score out of ten.
The highest scoring home owner receives $1000.
Interested home owners can contact besthouse@propertelevision.com or call 416-598-2500 x297
The show will highlight the various neighbourhoods in the City of Toronto and surrounding area along with the architectural and interior design elements each of the home owners have created.
Casting is underway, but we do know that there are many home owners with a great sense of interior style and even more – they are waiting for the world to see the home that makes them proud.
May the Best House Win,
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Hive Modular Toronto Launch Party
February 16, 2012 at 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Miele Gallery - Caplan's, 1130 Weston Road, Toronto, Canada
Come join the Hive Modular Toronto team as we eat, drink, mingle, and talk about our homes! If you are thinking about building your own home, or interested to find out more about the designs, Hive Modular architects, Hive's Toronto Representative Anne Lok and Equinox Development will all be in attendance to answer any questions you may have.
This event is sponsored by Caplan's Appliances, who will have local chefs working the Miele test kitchen creating appetizers just for this event.
Space is limited, Please RSVP by Feb 6th if you would like to attend.
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Announcement>>Hive Modular Design launch event in Toronto set for mid-February 2012! Register Now!!
The event launch date has been set. I will be posting updates as me move closer to the date. If you would be interested to attend, please get in touch with us to be included on the guest list. We will be sending out invitations soon!
Hive Modular Homes are now available for interested homeowners in Toronto. For frequent updates on Hive Modular events and happenings in Toronto, bookmark the page here .
If you are interested in discussing your next infill project on building custom or Hive Modular home, feel free to email Anne Lok for more information at anne@annelok.com 416.922.5533. I would love to help!
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Here are some typical questions/scenarios and repsonse by Toronto Mortgage Professionals Valerie and Robert Bizzoni on Modular Home financing. If you would like to chat about your next home building project, feel free to get in touch.
1. Buyer purchases infill lot [with house sitting on it, but will be demolished to set new foundation and new home.] ie. modular unit will be on owned land - no leased lots.
· If the unit is placed on a full foundation, does standard underwriting apply and the mortgage would be eligible for discounted rates?
Yes, standard underwriting would apply and the client would be eligible for discounted rates, subject to qualifications from application
2. Are financing draws similar to site built construction loans? I imagine this will be somewhat similar to construction loan, but upon completion, the loan will be transferred to a conventional mortgage.
· What is the advance schedule?
..... on completion of the foundation Yes, approximately 15% - 20% advance for the cost of the land – subject to an appraisal
..... on confirmation of delivery of the unit Yes, would require the Purchase Agreement for the unit to verify the price. This would proceed to 2nd advance of approximately 75% - 85%.
..... on completion Yes, the balance of funds (up to 95%) would be advanced, subject to at least one (1) further inspections and most times two (2) inspections.
Please note that the financing is not applicable to Builders/Contractors, only to the potential buyers. The financing is all insured from either CMHC/Genworth, regardless of loan-to-value.
If you are looking to source property for your next urban infill project, or looking for conventional real estate services, I'd love to help!
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Hive Modular in Calgary-
Meet Hive Modular at Booth 737 between January 13-15 at the Calgary HomeExpo.
If you have a home building project in mind, drop by for a chat. A Hive Modular
home may just be the right fit for you.
Hive Modular, now in Toronto-
Hive Modular will be hosting an introductory launch in Toronto early next
year. Let us know if you would like to be added on the guest list and be
informed of future event dates.
Note: For construction quality and cold weather durability, all of Hive
Modular projects are built at a minimum to current residential energy codes, and
if desired, can be super insulated with spray foam and other techniques. In
addition, the modules can build to low VOC and green/energy
efficient standards.
If you would like to chat about the potential of building a modern modular
home by Hive Modular, or and have further questions about our Toronto services,
we'd love to help!!
To find out more about current and past Hive Modular projects, visit
www.hivemodular.com
Subscribe to Hive Modular YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/hiveMODULAR
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Modern prefab homes have ventured beyond the cottage community, and is no longer built on the idea of cheap-cheap-cheap. Hive Modular, has an excellent track record and complete built projects of high-design prefab homes, sound knowledge of the modular construction industry, high quality constructed homes. Hive now has a team in place in Toronto for assisting home owners interested in sourcing land and building modern prefab homes on infill lots in urban central neighbourhoods of Toronto. The modular homes design firm has teamed up with a leading edge construction and development professional, and a licensed realtor to start connecting with like-minded clients to launch their product here.
Hive Modern Homes comes in different modules of 6 mod types.Whether you wish to choose from one of the existing prototypes, have a custom one off design, or semi-custom home, their team is dedicated to meeting your needs.
A-Line available in Canada
B-Line ideal for urban infill projects [eg. Central Toronto]
C-Line great for wider lots
M-Line for multi-family development
X-Line fully custom design
S-Line for homes under 1000sf
I am looking forward to seeing a completed project built in Toronto, Canada!
If you would like to find out more about Hive in Toronto, or need help to find an urban infill lot, feel free to get in touch. I would love to help!
Find Hive Modular on facebook, flikr, youtube and picasa. Downloadable Hive catalogue.
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Want to find out more about real estate in Toronto?
Follow me at:
HomeLife/Realty One Ltd., Brokerage*
501 Parliament St.
Toronto, ON M4X 1P3
http://www.annelok.com
Phone: 416-922-5533
Fax: 416-922-5808
* Independently owned and operated.
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This Sunday, Caroline Macfarlane and Vanessa Nicholas from the OCADU Student Gallery will be bringing their GOOD BIKE project to Regent Park. Initiated by Adam Molson at One Cole and TCHC, Regent Park will be the first neighbourhood where this art project will be installed, as it spreads to other parts of the City. They've sanded and primed 9 recycled bikes, which residents from One Cole condominium, the Townhomes and the new social housing buildings next door are invited to come out and paint. A few of the bikes also have baskets, which we may be planting as well. 2 of the bikes will be placed within the community, and Caroline and Vanessa will be placing the rest throughout the city. Local residents of social and market housing will interact together to actively bring art to the neighbourhood. The event starts at 2pm and should last a few hours. Please drop by and say hi.
Caroline's summary of the GOOD BIKE project:
The neon bike outside of the OCAD U Student Gallery was conceived as a public art project. As artists, our intention was to reclaim, beautify and energize neglected public space. The bike's bold, graphic and current aesthetic has made it a success and attracted local and and international attention. We are now partnering with the City on a large scale project that will see dozens of variations on the neon bike placed strategically throughout Toronto. Each bike will mark a site that promotes the ethos of regeneration and community that sparked our creativity in the first place. By partnering with our municipal government on this initiative, we're hoping hoping to start a conversation about city planning, biking and public art in Toronto. Ideally, the attention and publicity surrounding the bikes will give the City impetus to kick start a recurring public art program and help us fundraise for a number of new bike racks.
Related Link:
The Good Bike Project
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Regent Park's newest addition of boutique condominiums, One Park West, is almost ready for occupancy. There is only one unit left [990sf, 2 bdrm plus den]. Call me for details!
What's special about living in this neighhourhood?
-being in the heart of downtown
-short walk away to the Historic Distillery, St Lawrence Market, Cabbagetown, Riverdale Park, all service, gourmet shops and conveniences.
-walk score of 92! -ttc at door -3 min to DVP
-live across from the Big Park 6 acres, world class aquatic centre and arts and cultural centre
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Toronto will soon launch a Wellbeing Toronto Indices website, which will show metrics of 140 neighbourhoods which comprises of indicators from - housing
- environmental
- safety
- health
- education
- transportation
- recreation
- culture
- economics
- services [libraries, schools, hospitals]
- social demographics
I see this website will be useful for home buyers, and also be an effective tool from a City planning point of view.
The site is anticipated to launch in a week. So check back and see how your neighbourhood ranks!
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Regent Park Arts & Cultural Centre, a facility comprising of 60,000sf progam space is well underway. As part of the major component of Phase 2's revitalized Regent Park, the largest phase of the six phased development located off Dundas Street, and where the PAINTBOX condominium will sit atop.
This non-profit facility will house the artistic and cultural talents on three floors in Regent Park where experience/learning/innovation comes together, and marks a major cultural destination in the City of Toronto. The first floor will feature a 400 seat multi-purpose performance/ event space and large outdoor performance court. This level will be dedicated to music, dance, and theatre performances, film, screenings, cultural festivals and community events.
Related links:
www.regentparkarts.ca
Toronto Artscape Regent Park
Flickr photo stream of the new building
Related links: www.regentparkarts.ca Toronto Artscape Regent Park Flickr photo stream of the new building
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The following is the most current of the latest new project sales, and "coming soon" preconstruction projects in the Toronto real estate marketplace.
Check back for new construction condominiums and ones already completed. For detailed information on pricing, project particulars and current Builders incentives, sign up for email news and updates. Have a real estate questions, I'd love to help!
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Public Works and Infrastructure committee will unveil its downtown bike network today for City Council to vote on. The objective of facilitating the 100km bike network is to figure out how motorists and cyclists can get around the city in an efficient manner. With the following objectives in mind, the proposal seeks to further improve safety of vehicles, motorists and pedestrians, resolve connectivity and bike paths ehich lead nowhere.
The proposed cycle-friendly zone bounded by Sherbourne-Wellesley- Richmond-Bathurst travel around the downtown core will incorporate connected bike lanes. Debate continues whether the zone should extend to Bloor Street from Sherbourne to Broadview. Majority of the network will use existing bike lanes, there will be sacrifices with roadside parking. City Council will decide whether to move forward and implement this proposal.
At today's council meeting, Public Works will recommend construction on a series of separated bike lanes to start this year. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Related links:
Toronto's new bike plan revealed
Toronto bike map
Toronto BIXI rental
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TCHC recently proposed to sell over 900 city owned homes [funded by tax payers money] to cover their budget shortfall. It is estimated that $650million is needed for repairs. Mayor Rob Ford is proposing to start by selling off 22 dilapidated homes to raise $15,7 million to throw into the repair budget. Tenants living in these single family residences will be affected, but at the same time the capital generated will help 450 families to improve living condition.
- Can the TCHC organization capable of enforcing strict rules to ensure the money goes to the dwelling units most in need of repair?
- Is it more effective to sell off the single family units but keep the multiplex for tenancy?
Related articles:
It's smart to sell TCHC homes
FORD: Sell 928 TCHC homes
Ford plans to sell social housing stock to close budget deficit
22 Houses owned by TCHC one step closer to being sold
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Want to find out more about real estate in Toronto?
Follow me at:
HomeLife/Realty One Ltd., Brokerage*
501 Parliament St.
Toronto, ON M4X 1P3
http://www.annelok.com
Phone: 416-922-5533
Fax: 416-922-5808
* Independently owned and operated.
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Most recent release by Toronto Real Estate Board for May 2011 statistics represented a 6% increase for the number of transactions compared to a year ago. The average price also increased in terms of price growth. We are in a strong Seller's market, particularly in Central Toronto neighbourhoods.
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There are a lot of overlooked urban lots in old Toronto that pose great potential for urban infill project. An architectural designed modern home can do a lot in a little space. While a buyer sources an infill property, it is important to assess the new structure based on setback requirements as part of the feasibility before finalizing the purchase.
Recently there has been announcements from several sources that the newly enacted municipal zoning by-laws ( as of August 2010) may in fact be repealed shortly. If that is the case, guidelines would have to adhere to the old zoning in the short term. With respect to setbacks, there would be no real difference. Building height would then remain at 11m ( not 10m as in the new by-law) and gfa is neighbourhood specific.
Set backs
1) Front Yard Setback - Averaging
In a residential Zone if a lot is located:
a) Beside one lot in the Residential Zone category, and that abutting lot has an existing principal building fronting on the same street and located in whole or in part, 15.0m or less from the subject lot, the minimum required front yard setback is the existing front yard setback of that principal building on the abutting lot; or
b) between two abutting lots in the Residential Zone category, each with an existing principal building fronting on the same street and located, in whole or in part, 15.0m or less from the subject lot, the minimum required front yard setback is the average of the existing front yard setbacks of those principal buildings on the abutting lots.
2) The minimum rear yard setback in a Residential Zone is 7.5m
This next one is significant, but should be ok if the lots are in excess of 25'.
Access to Parking Space
1) Parking Access to a Corner Lot or a Lot Abutting a Lane
In an R zone, on a corner lot or a lot abutting lane, vehicle access to any parking space on the lot must be form the street abutting a side lot line or from the lane
2) Garage Entrance in Front Wall Not Permitted on Certain Lots
Despite 10.5.80.40 (1), if a lot in an R zone has a lot frontage of 7.6 metres of less, a vehicular entrance through the front wall of a principal building is not permitted.
If you are planning source land or tear down to build on an urban infill lot, I'd love to help!
Scan me with your smartphone to bookmark
our mobile website at http://torontoinvestmentproperties.realbird.com
