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Province of Ontario Introduces Standard Form of Lease

As part of its Fair Housing Plan announced last spring, the provincial government has produced a 13-page standard form of lease for use by landlords across the province. The form and its terms will be enforced as of April 30, 2018 not only for purpose-built rentals, but also for private landlords.

Please find a copy of the form here:

Ontario Standard Form of Lease

If you have any questions relating to real estate or leasing specifically, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us today.

The Best of Bloor West Living

The Building

Constructed by renowned builder Tridel, One Old Mill is a touch of modern elegance in the classic and quaint neighbourhood of Bloor West Village. The condo is ideal for young professionals, new families, and older couples looking to downsize.

The 12 storey, 278 unit structure was completed in late 2014, and has provided the area with a much needed luxury condominium option. The south side of the building fronts on Bloor Street west, while the north side looks over the greenery of the Humber River Trail, making the building a sort of gateway between activity and serenity.

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Bloor West Village

Bloor West Village is one of the last communities in Toronto with a small town feel. Dozens of fantastic shops, restaurants, bars, and entertainment are just steps away from the building. On weekends, Bloor Street is filled with pedestrians roaming the shops and fruit markets.

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Transit/Driving

Jane Subway Stations is a mere 200 metres from the front door of One Old Mill, allowing for quick and easy access to all Toronto has to offer. The Gardiner Expressway is just minutes away, allowing quick access to the downtown core by car. Access to other major highways such as the 400, 401, and 427 is quite convenient, allowing for easy weekend getaways.

Parks

Plenty of green space is located near One Old Mill, allowing for an escape from the concrete views that many experience in Toronto. The Humber River is a stones throw away from One Old Mill, and it flows south through Toronto’s west end, all the way to Lake Ontario. Numerous walking and cycling paths run adjacent to it, and many beautiful parks and gardens are located at various points along the river. Park is an incredible 400 acres of forest, playgrounds, recreational space, dog park, and zoo, that offers a little something for everyone. High Park is located just west along Bloor Street from One Old Mill.

Amenities

Few condo buildings in Toronto can compete with the amenities available to residents of One Old Mill. All rooms were designed with luxury and functionality in mind.

They include:

-Full Gym

-Yoga/Dance Room

-Indoor Salt Water Pool

-Whirlpool

-Theatre Room

-Private Dining Room

-Multi Purpose Library/Party/Gathering Room

-Rooftop Garden Lounge with BBQ’s

-2 Guest Suites

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Check out our featured listing at One Old Mill here. Unit 729 is a spacious 2 bedroom, 3 bathroom condo overlooking the Humber River.

The Spring Market is almost here – Why should you list and how?

The spring market is right around the corner, and if you’re thinking of listing your home, right now is the time to get started.

With April, May and June showing the highest historical averages of home sales in the GTA, that is the time to have your listing on the market. But why start now? Because listing your home right is a bit of a science.

TREB Toronto MLS Avg Resale Price 2013-2016

Not only are these months the busiest in Toronto real estate, but they are the spring months where homes command the best price. So if you’re looking to sell your home, now is the time to start.

Here are a few tips of how to get started:

Hire a Great Realtor

Interview several realtors and make sure they’re a good fit with what you’re trying to achieve with the sale of your home. We know a few if you don’t!

A realtor will be able to help you price your home and will be able to see your home as objectively as the buyers in the market: something you ought to consider if you’re looking to command the best price. Realtors will also help connect you with the best professionals in the marketplace to help you get your home market-ready. This doesn’t happen overnight, so start early if you’re looking to sell in the spring.

Get small repairs done around the house

You know the towel bar that fell off the wall a few months ago? Or the ding in the drywall from moving furniture? This is the time to fix all of these things. Larger repairs like a new roof or furnace can be negotiated with the sale price of the home, but smaller repairs can cost very little money and can make or break a sale.

Even if the repairs required on your property are insignificant in cost and effort, home buyers can be distracted from the value and beauty of your home and will focus on the small things – making them negotiate harder on price or walk away all together for a home that is in “move-in condition”.

Paint vibrant rooms in neutral tones

Bright yellow rooms might help you feel alive on dreary days, but when you’re listing your home, you’re trying to appeal to the masses. Many buyers have little vision and cannot picture themselves living in a space that is very customized to the taste of the homeowner. So paint it grey or another neutral tone and help the future buyer of your property feel right at home.

Consider hiring a stager

Stagers can make all the difference when it comes to selling your home. They are well-versed in what people like and how to make your space look as large and versatile as possible. Spending a few hundred dollars on a stager to command a few thousand more on your list price, or to sell your home more quickly, is a wise decision. This is one area where many people are penny-wise and pound foolish, so make your listing stand out and don’t fall into this trap.

Spring cleanup for curb appeal

Some buyers won’t even come into your home for a tour if the outside isn’t appealing to them. As the winter leaves us, make sure your home continues to look its best. This will increase the number of calls your agent gets off the for sale sign as well.

Hire a pressure washing company to wash the exterior of your home and your windows, sweep your driveway and plant a garden when the warmer weather is upon us. If your garage door or front door need a coat of paint, put one on. These are the small details that help future buyers picture their children playing outside and their families coming to visit their new home.


 

Distinctive Advisors is here to help you get the best price for your home in this busy spring market. With tight supply of Toronto homes, this is a great time to list. Contact us today to start getting your home ready for the spring market.

City of Toronto to Increase to Land Transfer Tax — Effective March 1, 2017

On February 15, 2017 the City of Toronto Council approved changes to the Toronto Land Transfer Tax that mean additional Land Transfer Tax (LTT) costs for some home buyers with a closing date on or after March 1, 2017.

The changes are:

  • Added an additional LTT of 0.5% of the value of a residential or non-residential property from $250,000 to $400,000 (an additional $750)
  • Added an additional LTT of 0.5% of the value of a residential property above $2 million
  • Added an additional LTT of 0.5% of the value above $400,000 of a non-residential property
  • Increasing the maximum allowed First-Time Home Buyer Rebate to $4,475, up from $3,725
  • Amended the first-time home buyer rebate program eligibility rules to restrict rebate eligibility to Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada

TREB Efforts Achieved Significant Concessions — First-Time Buyers Protected

Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) undertook a comprehensive campaign to oppose the proposed changes. As a result of these efforts, significant concessions were made to the proposals that went forward for City Council’s consideration as follows:

  • Under the original proposal, first-time buyers would have been forced to pay an additional $475 in Toronto LTT. However, TREB pushed for an increase in the rebate from $3,725 to $4,475, meaning first-time buyers will not face an increase.
  • Many first-time buyers would have lost eligibility for the first-time buyer rebate entirely, meaning a total LTT increase of $4,475. TREB pushed back and all first-time buyers will be eligible for a rebate.
  • As a result of TREB’s efforts, first-time home buyers will NOT see any change.

Do you have the full picture of how municipal and provincial land transfer tax impacts Toronto real estate? Click here to view the breakdown of land transfer tax for Toronto homeowners.

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