Jason Walker Real Estate in Toronto

Deciding whether or not to move can be difficult. You might have a desire to buy a new home, but that might be countered by the fact that it wouldn't be so bad to stay put.  That's a classic case of being on the fence. So how do you get off?  Deciding to sell is often both a practical and emotional decision. On the practical side, you might have outgrown your current home. On the emotional side, you might feel a need for a change.  One way to make decision is to use the two lists technique. On the first list, jot down all the practical reasons why you'd like a new home. On the second list, note all the emotional reasons.  For example, your practical list might include more space for a growing family. Perhaps you need an extra bedroom. Your emotional list might consist of wanting to get into a neighbourhood that better reflects the lifestyle you desire. For example, you may be looking for an area closer to school and parks.  Once you've made these two lists, ofte...

One of the latest bathroom renovation trends is a "no-step" shower area, where the entire bathroom floor gently slopes, at a predetermined angle, towards the main shower drain. As a result, there is no need for a small wall to keep water in the confined shower area. The primary benefit is the visual appeal, as it creates a beckoning spa-like sense of invitation to the shower area. There is also the practical benefit of having a continuous floor surface that's easier to clean, with fewer corners to collect mold and mildew. However, there are unique challenges and costs involved.  For examples, the flooring in the entire bathroom needs to be fully waterproofed. Also, the floor's subsurface needs to have enough height at its furthest reaches to allow for a gradual but sufficient slope to the shower drain. Furthermore, to achieve the full effect and a minimalist design, the shower door would be eliminated, presuming there is reasonable distance between residual spray and ...

Easy Drywall Repair Kit: If you have dents and holes in walls that need more than compound smoothed over with a putty knife, you'll be happy to know you can purchase a drywall repair kit. These kits include the materials you need and step-by-step instructions on how to fix the job yourself - and get professional results.  Indoor Plant Kits: Advances in recent years have made indoor gardening a far simpler pastime - with far more predictable success than in the past. Whether you want to start an herb garden or grow plants for visual aesthetics, there are a lot of new hydroponic kits to help bring more nature into your home.  Automatic Pet Door: It looks like a standard door, but this uniquely designed entranceway has a disguised lower panel that opens and closes like an elevator door. A Bluetooth signal on your dog's collar activates the door so your pet can come and go as desired.  Levitating Speakers: You've probably never heard of - or seen - speakers like these. They...

Homeownership market activity in November continued to be influenced by the impact of higher borrowing costs on affordability. Sales were down markedly compared to the same period last year, following the trend that unfolded since the commencement of interest rate hikes in the spring. New listings were also down substantially from last year, and at a very low level historically. The fact that the supply of homes for sale has remained low, has supported average selling prices at the $1.08 to $1.09 million mark since August. Greater Toronto Area (GTA) REALTORS® reported 4,544 sales through TRREB’s MLS® System in November 2022 – down 49 per cent compared to November 2021, but remaining at a similar level to October especially after considering the recurring seasonal downward trend in the fall. New listings, at 8,880, were down on both a year-over-year basis and month-over-month basis. “Increased borrowing costs represent a short-term shock to the housing market. Over the medium- to long-t...

 

 

 

 

Have you ever noticed a recurring purchase on your credit card and thought, "Whoa. I didn't realize I was still paying for that." If so, you're not alone. These days, most people have recurring payments and subscriptions set on autopilot, making it all-too-easy not to notice what you're paying for and how much you're spending.  This phenomenon has become even more acute with the popularity of phone apps. In just a click, you can subscribe to something that, next month, you'll have forgotten all about!  That's why it's important to review all your recurring purchases and subscriptions annually and decide if you still want them. And, the end of the year is the ideal time to do that.  So take a moment this month to review your: Phone app subscriptions.  Subscriptions to online tools Traditional subscriptions (such as to a newspaper or magazine).  Recurring payments of any kind.  Be sure to check purchases that renew annually rather than monthly. Those...