Real Estate Bits

The new year began with TREB Members recording 4403 single-family dwelling sales through the MLS System. TREB President Ann Bosley noted that, "Although down 9% from last January's 4869 sales, this is still the second best start to the year that the Toronto Residential Market has ever seen. In addition, we've had a nice bounce back from the holiday season. Sales were up 23% from December's figure of 3589. On the price front, the single-family average moved to $281,292 in January - up 2% over December's figure of $275,002 and up 7% from the $262,919 recorded in January of 2002. The pattern we are seeing is similar to that of the last few years - modest price increases that should benefit potential Sellers without locking the critical First Time Buyer out of the marketplace".

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Glen will guarantee this rate for 120 days if you bring this newsletter along with you.

These ‘Preferred Rates’ are available for new mortgages for any of my clients who bank with Glen Travers, Senior Bank Manager of Scotiabank & Trust. Glen’s office is located at 2200 Yonge Street (at Eglington), Toronto.

6 Month Open	5.95%
6 Month Converted	4.35%
1 Year Open	5.95%
1 Year Closed	3.65%
(The Ultimate Variable Rate Mortgage) VRM	4.00% - Closed and Convertible
2 Year Closed	4.35%
3 Year Closed	4.65%
4 Year Closed	4.90%
5 Year Closed	5.25%
7 Year Closed	6.00%

All too often, people are intimidated by hot water heating systems, and for no good reason. In a hot water heating system, water that has been heated in a boiler travels through a network of pipes to the heat distributors (usually convectors or radiators) where the heat is given off into the air. The cooled water then returns to the boiler through the return pipe. In older homes, the movement of water is governed by gravity - warmer, lighter water rises and takes the place of heavier, cooler water. The more modern hydronic systems employ a circulating pump to move the water under pressure and a thermostat governs the operation of the pump as well as the burner.

An expansion tank, usually mounted above the boiler, contains air and water. The air acts as a cushion to maintain heated water at the proper pressure. With routine maintenance, a hot water heating system will give years of trouble-free and dust free service. Have the system, thermostat and boiler checked and serviced periodically, and if some parts of the house are too hot or too cold then you may need to have the system balanced.

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The wedding day was fast approaching. Everything was ready and nothing could dampen Jennifer's excitement, not even her parent's nasty divorce. Her mother Sheila had finally found the perfect dress to the wear to the wedding and she would be the best dressed Mother of the Bride ever! A week later, Jennifer was horrified to learn that her new young step-mother, Barbie - had purchased the same dress as her mother. She asked Barbie to exchange the dress but Barbie refused, "Absolutely not! I'm going to wear this dress - I look like a million in it". Jennifer told her mother, who graciously replied, "Never mind Dear, I'll get another dress, after all, it's your special day - not Barbie's and not mine". Two weeks later, another dress was finally found. When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother, "What are you going to do with the first dress? Willl you be able to return it? You don't really have anywhere else to wear it and I feel so badly about all this". Sheila smiled and then winked at her daughter and said, "Of course I do Dear - I'll wear it to the rehearsal dinner the night before your wedding".

Downtown Toronto (C01) (west of Yonge Street and south of Bloor) saw 117 sales in January - down 9% from the 128 recorded in the first month of 2002. Of these - 93 were condominium apartments - which sold for an average of $251,596. This figure is up 6% from the $237,455 recorded in January 2002. The average days-on-market in C01 was 51 - compared to the city-wide time of 42 days.

Client & Networking referrals are the foundation of a successful real estate agent’s career. Over many years in this industry I have enjoyed the confidence & repeat business of my clients. I appreciate your on-going support and want you to know that I will always look after friends & colleagues you refer to me with professionalism, care and respect.

Not intended to solicit listed properties or Purchasers signed to a Buyer Agency Agreement.
All statistics courtesy of TREB and/or CMHC - who accept no responsibility for any loss arising from any use or reliance on the accuracy and timeliness of the information contained herein - every endeavour is made to ensure accuracy - but it is not guaranteed.

February 2003