The RAPP REPORT Anita "RAPPS" It Up
FINALLY.....IT'S SPRING and MARCH BREAK
February is finally over and there are lots of things to do and see in Toronto.
National Home Show and Canada Blooms: March 13 - 22
Spring is in Blooms! Canada’s largest flower and garden festival brings the “Magic of Spring” alive with over 50,000 square feet of feature gardens showcasing over 30 individual landscapers and partners. Spring is a time of rejuvenation, regeneration, romanticism, growth, hope, gardening, beauty, colour and a revival of the soul for Canadians. A special time of year - Come explore and celebrate the magic! When you visit the National Home Show you will also receive same-day admission to Canada Blooms
For a list of events and activities: http://www.seetorontonow.com/march-break-2015/
Easter Is Just Around The Corner
Easter and Passover are favourite long weekend getaway times in Ontario. Spring flowers will be blooming and wildlife will be enjoying a rebirth of spring starting with the Good Friday official holiday on April 3, 2014 (Passover at sunset on April 3). This is a time for a 3 or 4 day getaway in Ontario's resort destinations or a visit on a day trip for a Easter Brunch
The Recent Market Watch
Robust Sales and Price Growth in February
March 4, 2015 -- Toronto Real Estate Board President Paul Etherington announced that Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 6,338 home sales through the TorontoMLS system in February 2015. This result represented a substantial 11.3 per cent year-over-year increase compared to February 2014. Large annual increases in transactions were noted for most major home types, in the City of Toronto and surrounding GTA regions.
“Even with the record low temperatures last month, we still saw an increase in the number of people purchasing homes in the GTA. This speaks to the importance households place on home ownership and the fact that buyers continue to view ownership housing as a quality long-term investment in which they can live,” said Mr. Etherington.
http://www.torontorealestateboard.com/market_news/market_watch/
What a $1 million house looks in Toronto vs. other cities
What does a $1 million house look like around the globe? From Toronto to Hong Kong, the real estate market is a pricey one with the top players seeing a surge in million dollar properties year after year. There's less new listings, higher prices and in some cities, the $1 million to $2 million range is now considered the average. Nowadays, you can buy a fixer-upper for a mil or a tiny two bedroom with no parking. Take a closer look at the housing market in Toronto and beyond.
http:/www.blogto.com/city/2015/01/what_a_1_million_house_looks_in_toronto_vs_other_cities/
Paying down your mortgage may be poor economics
Paying down debt may seem like the best idea but if that’s at the expense of retirement funds it may be a bad decision. CIBC Wealth Advisory Services managing director Jamie Golombek said: "You may not be doing yourself any favours by rushing to pay off your home while mortgage rates are at rock-bottom levels
http://www.canadianrealestatemagazine.ca/news/daily-market-update-188511.aspx
From log cabins to libraries: 9 of the oldest buildings in Toronto
Picture OLDEST (continually occupied) house 469 Broadview Avenue
Toronto may not be home Medieval cathedrals or ancient castles, but there’s still plenty of history to be discovered. We took a look at some of the oldest structures standing today to see which buildings have had the longest lives. The list is organized by building use and you’ll find the oldest standing church, school and much more.
Have a look at the historic structures below (all photos by James Bombales):
http://news.buzzbuzzhome.com/2015/02/oldest-buildings-in-toronto.html
9 Ways to Save on Your Kitchen Remodel
A designer shares key areas where you can economize — and still get the kitchen of your dreams. Kelli Kaufer Houzz Contributor
When you're investing in a home remodeling project, you want to make sure that the results not only please you but add value to your home and save you money. Never is that more true than in a kitchen remodel, where costs can add up so quickly that your budget can all of a sudden seem like pennies in a jar. To avoid that and keep costs in line, and yet still get the kitchen of your dreams, here are a few of my favorite ways of getting the most out of a tight budget.
5 things to remember when doing a renovation
In the attached article, I was asked to quote about a situation when a general contractor went bankrupt in the middle of a home renovation, and the homeowner was then liable to pay the sub-trades who were not paid, even though they had already paid a substantial amount of money to the general contractor. Here are 5 things to remember before you hire anyone to renovate your home:
How pay parking came to Toronto
Congratulations, Toronto. You've been feeding coins into parking meters for just over 63 years. On February 6, 1952, the first 11 curb parking meters were installed on the west side of James St. between Old City Hall and present-day Eaton Centre.
Within a week, 1,300 would be installed downtown between Dundas, Simcoe, Front, and Jarvis. The fee was 10 cents for 30 minutes or an hour, depending on the location
http://www.blogto.com/city/2015/02/how_pay_parking_came_to_toronto/
Best Irish Pubs in Toronto
Celebrate Irish culture at some of the best Irish pubs in Toronto. These pubs are perfect for when you want to relax with some friends over a pint or two, or bring the family and enjoy some traditional Irish cuisine.
http://www.toronto.com/guides/best-of-toronto/articles/best-irish-pubs-in-toronto/
Vinegar - A Magic Solution
White vinegar is a natural deodorizer, absorbing odors instead of covering them up. Mildly acidic white vinegar dissolves dirt, soap scum and hard water deposits from smooth surfaces.
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