Monday, January 16, 2012

Second-Best Year on Record for Sales

Second-Best Year on Record for Sales

January 5, 2012 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,718 transactions through the TorontoMLS® system in December 2011. The December result capped off the second-best year on record under the current Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) boundaries. Total sales for 2011 amounted to 89,347 – up four per cent in comparison to 2010.

“Low borrowing costs kept Buyers confident in their ability to comfortably cover their mortgage payments along with other major housing costs,” said TREB President Richard Silver. “If Buyers had not been constrained by a shortage of listings over the past 12 months, we would have been flirting with a new sales record in the Greater Toronto Area,” added Silver.

The average selling price in December was $451,436 – up four per cent compared to December 2010. For all of 2011, the average selling price was $465,412, an increase of eight per cent in comparison to the average of $431,276 in 2010.

“Months of inventory remained below the pre-recession norm in 2011. Very tight market conditions meant substantial competition between Buyers and strong upward pressure on selling prices,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

“TREB’s baseline forecast for 2012 is for an average price of $485,000, representing a more moderate four per cent annual rate of price growth. This baseline view is subject to a heightened degree of risk given the uncertain global economic outlook,” continued Mercer.




Friday, January 13, 2012

2012 bathroom design trends

By Yuki Hayashi
Is "bathroom makeover" one of your 2012 resolutions? Ours too! That's why we asked some of Canada's leading design experts for their take on the coming year's most compelling bath trends. Whether you’re planning a full bathroom renovation or just a few stylish updates, here's what the best-dressed baths will be wearing next year. (And beyond: because come on, we’re talking about baths, not one-season clothing trends!)


TREND: The natural bath

DESIGNER INTERPRETATION: "Although kitchens are going brighter, baths are going the opposite direction, with a lot of natural elements," says Debbie Travis, the Montreal-based design expert known for her books and TV series including Debbie Travis' From the Ground Up and Debbie Travis' Facelift.

"Unless it's a children's bath, you don't want to be confronted with bright colours. The soothing, natural, bath trend is coming through the wood-grain ceramic or porcelain tile. Glass tile is also still in fashion, but recycled glass tile is even hotter. There's a growing trend towards recycled materials, which is fantastic," says Debbie.

People also want the warmth of metal fixtures in finishes like Champagne bronze or oil-rubbed bronze, says Debbie.

"Natural hues like pale greens, ivories, and anything warm and neutral are big, and so is texture," she says. "Concrete accessories like toothbrush holders and waste bins are popular, although for countertops, stone is better than concrete (I've seen too many disasters!). Weathered wood in grey tones, like driftwood, rather than pine, is also big, as are stone finishes, whether real or faux."

Walls tend to be minimalist like a neutral off-white, but colour can be introduced on the ceiling, says Debbie, where it can provide a subtle halo of pale aqua, pink or green.

TREND:  Clean, streamlined design

DESIGNER INTERPRETATION: "Overall design will be modern rather than traditional. People are going simple and clean, with no clutter, which means getting rid of those heavy, dark vanities and chunky mouldings, and replacing them with light, airy colours; clean, large-format tiles – if not slab materials – with no fussy borders," says Says Alicia Sass, partner and senior designer at Carey Mudford Interior Design, in Toronto.

Plumbing also gets some upscale retrofits: "Flush drain channels in shower floors that are hidden, instead of the round chunky ones in the center of the shower. A lot of wall-mount faucets. Chrome will be a big hit," adds Alicia.

TREND: Eco-friendly countertops

DESIGNER INTERPRETATION: "You can really make a statement with eco-friendly countertop choices," says Lynda Felton, a Toronto-based stylist, and co-founder of online style magazine Covet Garden.

"I really like Ice Stone, [a recycled glass composite] and Paper Stone, [a recycled paper and resin composite]. They mimic natural stone but are more durable and easy to clean," says Lynda. 

DESIGNER INTERPRETATION: Looking to add a one-of-a-kind, natural touch to your bath? Consider giving wood a starring role. "I love the work Italian company Francoceccotti is doing with wood. Not just the use of wood for benches and mats but sinks and bathtubs, too," says Lynda.

TREND: Adding personality with lighting and colour

DESIGNER INTERPRETATION:
Although baths are headed in a clean and streamlined direction, that doesn’t mean there’s no room for personality, says Alicia.

"We are seeing very fun trends for bathroom lighting, like hanging fixtures by the vanity mirrors, instead of wall-mounted sconces. Paint colours will be very bright and airy. Wallpaper has also been making a come back, but in 2012 we’ll see [alternatives to] the usual floral and stripe. We'll see a lot of geometric papers in bold colours, and a lot of prints that look almost like fabric," she says.

TREND: Show-stopping tile

DESIGNER INTERPRETATION:
Whether on backsplashes, shower enclosures, floors – or all of the above – eye-catching tile is taking centre stage in the on-trend bath.

"'Start at the end' with what you want to create and how you are going to use the space. Then choose from an unlimited number of tile: natural stones, quartz, glass. The trend is about you and surrounding yourself with things you love, to give you that separation from the rest of the world," says Lynn Donaldson, president of Calgary-based Lynn Donaldson & Associates Design and Contracting.

TREND: Wood floors

DESIGNER INTERPRETATION:
"I'm seeing lots of wood floors now. The planks are of better quality and they can last in the bathroom," says Debbie. "Salvaged barnboard is perfect for the bath and looks amazing on the floor. It can also be used in wood vanities and to frame a mirror. It's a very raw, textured look that adds warmth," says Debbie.

TREND: Textured shower curtains

DESIGNER INTERPRETATION:
Banish that vinyl shower curtain to paint tarp duty. Luxe linen or a cotton shower curtain, in rough-hewn, visible weaves, bring  texture to the modern bath.

In the bath environment, texture rather than colour, is the most effective way to provide warmth and visual depth, says Debbie.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

10 Steps to a Decluttered Closet

 Source

Step 1: Assess Your Big ObstaclesAre your shoes overtaking the space? Try a hanging-shoe rack or over-the-door organizer. Do your clothes overcrowd? Thinner hangers create space so you can find things easier. Feeling rushed each morning?  Dividing shirts, dresses, jeans, etc. bring a sense of order and saves time. Solving your biggest problem will motivate you to create the closet of your dreams.

Step 2: Make it a Family Effort
Getting your hubby and kids involved in organizing can make a difference in your family's day-to-day life. Everyone should be in charge of his or her own clothes, accessories, and toys. This will cut your cleaning time in half and ensure nothing important is thrown away by mistake.

Step 3:
Take An Hour
Scheduling just 60 minutes a week can really make a dent in your overstuffed, cluttered closet. Can't spare that much? Try two half-hour sessions. If you're constantly being interrupted by "Hey Mom!" -- ask your spouse to take the kids out for the afternoon. Remember to return the favor when it's his turn to hit the closets.

Step 4: Start from Scratch
Take everything (yes, everything) out of your closet. If you don't remove it all, chances are the same unworn clothes will be moved around the closet. Now it's time to sort. Throw out old and damaged clothing. Donate what you don't need or don't wear.

Step 5: Out with the Odd
Remove items that have no business in your closet. Bank statements, insurance information, or tax documents don't belong next to your shoes, scarves, and sweaters. Create a Life.doc to organize and store all of your important documents in one accessible place. File the remaining papers in an office cabinet or milk crate.

Step 6: Organize in Sections
Designate a place for everything in your closet. Shoes in one place, sweaters in another, and so on. This will help you keep order and save you time each morning. Make smart use of the space. Installing shelves will double your storage and help sweaters and t-shirts keep their shape better.

Step 7: Apply the 80/20 Rule
You may not want to admit it, but the majority of clothes you have probably go unworn. It's said that the average American only wears 10 to 20 percent of their clothes. To cut down on the fluff, remove items you haven't worn in a year. Drop off the excess at Goodwill or arrange a clotheswap with friends.

Step 8: Put One In; Take One Out
For each new item you buy to put in your closet, donate one item (or pitch it if it's past its prime). This will keep you from returning to your pat-rack ways.

Step 9: Keep It Going
Dedicate 15 minutes a week to straightening your closet after the "big clean". Spending this small amount of time will ensure you never have to go through a major de-clutter again.

Step 10: Reward Yourself
Recognize and celebrate what you've done. Treat yourself to some new hangers or buy that silk blouse you've been eyeing. Now, you actually have room for it!