Ideas For Your Backyard In The Winter!

Just because there’s snow on the ground and low temperatures outside, doesn’t mean that your backyard has to be ignored this Winter!

Here are a few ideas to heat up your outdoor living space, just in time for the holidays!

Outdoor Fireplace:

Bring on the heat! This is probably the easiest way to be able to enjoy the outdoors while staying cozy beside the fire! Other options include heat lamps or a simple fire pit!

Patio Roof

Imagine a nice cup of tea in the morning, sitting at your favourite patio set that you enjoy during the summer months! All you will need is a little roof cover to stop the snow and ice from falling – Can be used in the summer as well!

Cozy Chair Coverings & Accessories 

Keep warm by adding weather-resistant rugs, blankets and pillows to your patio set!

Colourful & Winter Blooming Plants

Flowers aren’t only for spring & summer! There are certain plants that bloom in the winter! Such as pansies, Japanese quince, dogwood and heather are all very popular!

Outdoor Grilling

Don’t let the snow stop you! Invite your friends over for a winter BBQ feast! Think hearty veggies and meats that will warm you right up!

Lighting

With shorter days and longer, cold nights – lighting is key! Think string lights, solar lights or even candles to brighten up your outdoor space!

Get Active Outdoors!

How fun is your very own skating rink?! Other ways to actively use your backyard space could be a sledding track, snowmen and snow angels… The list is endless and the kids will love it!

 

Looking To Buy, Sell Or Rent In Toronto/GTA Region?

Try Sutton Realty – We Have Agents Standing By To Answer All of Your Questions!

Sutton Group Realty Systems Inc., Brokerage

905-896-3333 / 416-896-333

www.SuttonRealty.com

First Time Home Buyer? We Can Help!

Are You A First Time Home Buyer? We Can Help!

Call Sutton Realty Today To See If You Qualify For The First Time Home Buyer Incentive!

Sutton Group Realty Systems Inc., Brokerage
416-896-3333
www.SuttonRealty.com

Looking To Downsize Your Home? We Can Help!

In The Market To Downsize Your Home? This Could Mean For Greater Savings & Financial Opportunites!

Call Sutton Realty Today – We’re Here To Help!

416-896-3333 / 905-896-3333
www.SuttonRealty.com
#Downsizing #SuttonRealty #Vacations #Budgeting #Finances #Savings #RealEstate #HomeSellers #HomeBuyers

Has Your Toronto House Prices Increased In The Last Five Years?

According to an analysis Zoocasa did on detached and semi-detached housing prices in Toronto, the average house prices have doubled in two neighbourhoods, while 16 out of 35 neighbourhoods’ prices have increased by at least 50% or more in over five years.

 

If you already own a home or condominium in Toronto, it continues to be a great investment.

A new survey found that homes in two neighbourhoods and in eight condos have increased by more than 100 per cent in five years.

The survey by real estate website Zoocasa used data from the Toronto Real Estate Board to check how much how much prices have gone up between July 2014 and July 2019. Toronto house prices in 2014 were on average just over $821,198, and now the average price is $1,167,968. That’s an increase of 42 per cent.

As detached and semi-detached homes become out of reach for many home buyers, the condo market continues to be a hot spot for Toronto real estate. Condo prices five years ago were on average were $379,002.

The average across the city this year is $627,927, an increase of 66 per cent.

Penelope Graham, Zoocasa’s Managing Editor, says the fact that many people can’t afford a detached home in Toronto is driving the increase in condo sales.

“Five years ago, if you had a budget of $700,000, you were a house buyer, but now we have more competition in the condo segment,” Graham said.

With real estate, it’s all about location. House prices more than doubled in the neighbourhoods of Forest Hill, Oakwood Village, Regent Park, St. James Town and Corktown. Condo prices increased in eight zones across the city, including West Hill, Centennial Scarborough, Scarborough Village, Guildwood and Malvern Rouge.

The rising prices may be frustrating first time home buyers, but Zoocasa says there are still deals to be found.

“These are averages, so there will always be some higher than the average and lower than the average” said Graham.

Condos in Toronto’s downtown core and those close to public transit were the most sought after with prices between $500,000 and $700,000.

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/some-toronto-homes-and-condos-double-in-price-in-5-years-1.4561632

 

How Much Has Your Home’s Value Increased In The Last Five Years? Call Your Sutton Neighbourhood Realtor For A Free Home Evaluation At 416-896-3333!

Landlords: Is An Inspection Report Important On Move-In & Out Days?

“One Ontario resident learned the hard way about the importance of inspections. When she initially moved in, neither she nor her landlord formally inspected the property. When she moved out, she found herself legally and financially responsible for removing a wall that the previous tenants had constructed in the unit.”
It is critical that the condition of the rental unit be documented on moving day.
This will help:
  • Note previous damage
  • Establish a baseline to evaluate normal wear and tear
  • Decide who is responsible for paying for any potential damages that might occur in the future.
For tenants, it will also waive any liability for damages that existed prior to moving in.
Tenants and landlords should always conduct the move-in inspection together.
[call-out: Did you know? In some provinces, the security deposit is only repayable if the move-in inspection matches the one completed upon moving out.]
Located in British Columbia or the Yukon?  (not Ontario)
A Condition Inspection Report is required by law. Both the tenant and landlord should complete, sign and date the form at move-in and move-out.
Final inspections
When a tenant moves out, the Move-in Report will come in handy.  Refer to the initial inspection that was completed upon moving in, and compare it with the condition of each room on moving out.
We strongly recommend taking photos prior to move in, ever little bit helps to avoid confusion at move out.
Ask your Sutton Realty for any photos available from the time you listed the property.

Buying A Home Just Got Easier! New Mortgage Incentive Coming This Year

The Canadian government is taking steps to make homebuying easier for Millennials. According to the budget proposal of 2019, the government intends to put forth $1.25 billion over a three year span from the CMHC First-Time Home Buyer Incentive.

Borrowers would still have to figure out a down payment of at least 5% of the purchase price, but they would still receive an incentive of up to 10%, which would lower the mortgage.

The incentive covers 10% for newly built homes and 5% for existing homes. A few of the catches: Your annual income must be under $120,000 to participate, and you will have to eventually repay the incentive although officials have not decided how that will unfold just yet.

The federal stress test will still be required to ensure buyers will be able to repay the debts at even higher rates.

The government is also enhancing the Home Buyer’s Plan which allows first time buyers to take out up to $25k from their RRSP to finance a home, without paying tax on withdrawal, they are proposing to raise the cap to $35k, and the new limit would apply to withdrawals made after March 19th 2019.

The only problem is that more borrowing means that housing prices are likely to go up, and may encourage Canadians to take on more debt. Buyers must keep in mind that the government is not extending the program’s repayment timeline, so any money taken out of their RRSP must be put back with 15 years to avoid the withdrawal being added to their taxable income. Now Canadians will have to repay a max. of $35k instead of $25k over the same period.

Are you a first-time home buyer looking for the best guidance in the business? Call us today! We have agents standing by to help you with any questions of concerns you may have.

Sutton Group Realty Systems Inc., Brokerage

416-896-333 / 905-896-3333

www.SuttonRealty.com  

 

Which Features Will Help To Sell Your Home Quickly?

With trends constantly changing these days, it’s hard to tell which new features and design improvements will actually benefit in the quick sale of your property.

Realtor.com has offered a few key features that have helped home owners sell their home the fastest and for the best price!

  1. Gourmet Kitchens/Chefs’ Kitchens
    Open kitchen designs have exploded onto the real estate market, becoming a centerpiece for each home. Luxury is important to buyers, especially when it comes to hosting friends and dinner parties. Dark palettes like black & navy have taken precedent over the more traditional white and neutral shades. Open shelving, double doors, lots of windows, quartz counters, stainless steel appliances – these are all adding to the popularity and success of home-selling!
  2. Specialty Rooms Whether it be a home office, theatre, gym or mudroom – buyers are asking “why go out when you can stay in?”. While not as popular as they were in the beginning, design experts are saying that homes which come equipped with any type of specialty room usually go for about twice as much as the national median!
  3. Outdoor FeaturesSolar panels have become a really hot commodity thanks to the demand from climate-conscious buyers and those who are looking to cut down their electricity bills. Built-in pools (whether shared or private) have always been consistently popular, but while they attract some buyers in warmer parts of the globe, some buyers may repel due to maintenance and liability issues. Bottom line for pools is to install it for your own enjoyment first, resale value second.
  4. Smart Home Features and Electronics Anything from interconnected appliances or internet-controlled thermostats to fully-wired homes. This can be an expensive addition, but the trend is booming thanks to Amazon Echo and Google Home. These electronic home features are so easy and convenient to use – there is almost no reason these additions will go out of style. With this technology, homeowners can now pick up a simple smart home security system for pricing as low as $150, vs. having a technician come in and install a system which could run a bill over $1000! People really like having an app on a phone to know if someone’s at home or not.
  5. Indoor FeaturesNo matter where you go – fireplaces are always welcome and will never go out of style, however there are definitely more modern approaches to the classic fire place, such as being built into the wall. Another key indoor feature is the walk-in closet; not as popular as they once were due to the de-cluttering movement.

Whether you are looking to sell your home at an amazing price or are looking to purchase a home which includes any of the above upgrades, please give us a call!

We have agents waiting by the phones to answer your questions and help you with all of your buying and selling needs – each step of the way!

Sutton Group Realty Systems Inc., Brokerage

416-896-3333 or 905-896-3333

www.SuttonRealty.com

Which Canadian Province Is Leading In Multi-Family Building Permits?

New statistics show an increase of 1.6% per month in relation to permit value for residential buildings in Canada, with Ontario as the clear leader for both single-family & multifamily permits since January. In Toronto, the value for multi-family dwellings rose from 26.5% to $871 million which was the second highest value on record!

Since December, multi-family permit approvals have increased by 3.5%, totalling to 21,192. Single family home approvals decreased by 2.3% from the previous month.

As for non-residential permits, the drop was pretty significant with a total of $3.0 billion down 15.8% from December, which resulted from lower construction intentions from commercial buildings. The total value for all permits issued in January for both residential & non-residential was $8.4 billion in January, down from 5.5% from December’s record high.

Whether you are looking to invest or to buy the perform home for you and your family, do not hesitate to call us! We have agents standing by to answer any of your questions.

Sutton Group Realty Systems Inc., Brokerage

416-896-3333 / 905-896-3333

www.SuttonRealty.com

 

 

 

Looking To Sell Your Property To Foreign Buyers? Here’s What You Need To Know

In 2018 there was an 83% drop in Chinese investment in the U.S, reasons vary from the Chinese government’s restrictions on outbound investments/more strict regulations on the U.S side, causing overseas real estate sales to slow drop drastically in China.

Despite the decrease in overseas investments, a few real estate analysts predict that luxury home sellers should consider targeting other groups of buyers from Latin America & Europe, while focusing on the long-term investment of their properties.

Among China, other top investors for residential real estate in the U.S include Canada, The U.K., India & Mexico – While Canada and the U.K seem to attract more European buyers… Sellers in those regions may want to keep their eyes on these groups of buyers.

Sellers must brace themselves for the possibility of their home being on the market for longer than what’s ideal, despite nationality, international investors seem to be making their decisions with greater deliberation. Location and the type of property should be kept in mind.

The most popular of sales for foreign buyers seem to be boutique apartments, penthouses, prestige homes in the most sought-after suburbs and heritage homes with big surrounding land, as well as newer developments with well-known architects names’ attached. Foreign buyers are also looking for quality from investors, sophisticated architecture, well funded and experienced developers who are behind the project. Property that will generate rental income is also a huge factor.

International investment shrank last year in Canada (namely Toronto & Vancouver), in result of new taxes for foreign buyers. Chinese buyers in particular are seeming to purchase in Montreal instead, due to the affordability and education opportunities. Particularly homes that are furnished or developments that come with luxe amenities like pools & garages which are rather rare in China.

There has also been an “explosion of immigration toward Canada”. Buyers are coming from Switzerland, France, Belgium & French Africa, so Montreal is obviously a great option, while Americans are heading back as well, due to the exchange rate.

Looking for more tips on how to make your home more appealing to foreign buyers? Do not hesitate to give us a call! We have the most knowledgeable staff, ready to guide you through the process of buying & selling!

Sutton Group Realty Systems Inc., Brokerage

416-896-3333 / 905-896-3333

www.SuttonRealty.com

Toronto Condo Market Statistics 2017-2018

The Toronto Real Estate Board has released condominium apartment sales statistics from the GTA. As it turns out, Realtors have reported 5,191 sales through TREB’s MLS system in the fourth quarter of 2018, a result which showed sales were down 9.9 per cent compared to 2017.

Condo listings entered into the MLS system were also down by 11.2 per cent from 8,186 in 2017 to 7,272 in 2018!

Pricing for condominium apartments have increased by 8.3 per cent from $516,086 in 2017 to $558,728 in 2018. Each year the growth in price gets slightly higher, accounting for 72 per cent of transactions, resulting in an average price of $598,664.

Condo apartment sales by price range in GTAhttps://www.condominiumtoronto.ca

Looking for the best prices in condos for sale and rent?

Give us a call today – We would love to help you find your perfect new home!

Sutton Group Realty Systems Inc., Brokerage

416-896-3333 / 905-896-3333

www.SuttonRealty.com