For those of you who are concerned about water damage or penetration into your home, this article highlights some great features that every homeowner should be aware of. Of most interest in this article is for all those believers that concrete is the "end all, be all". Concrete is permeable! If you let water sit in, on, or near concrete, eventually it will work it's way through, and usually into your basement. Not only does this affect the aesthetics of your basement, but can result in lasting, long term damage to other structures as the ... read more

Bandra Ohm, a 30-story skyscraper designed by James Law Cybertecture - The aesthetic design is inspired by meant to “the ripple effect generated by water droplets, which is also known as the capillary wave.” and the building design is an “abstract representation of the symbol Ohm (Ω).” Did you see the photos of the balconies/pools? How incredible would it be to swim or lounge on your balcony from the 30th floor while looking out over the city? Incredible. Amazing. I’m sold. I’ll take two. Clipped from: www.geekologie.com (share this clip) ... read more

While most of us can't wait 20 seconds in line for a coffee without freaking out, if you can see the value in a "buy and hold" style investment on the waterfront, we'll see drastic changes over the next 20 years. Truthfully, I've had mixed reviews of the development of our waterfront. I am a fan of some of the new projects that are under construction. While I might not enjoy the $1000 per square foot cost of some of the units at Pier 27, I do appreciate the design and architecture. When all is ... read more

This is a great article highlighting some of the important safety features you can install to minimize break-ins and thefts. More often than not, building security, a concierge and neighbors provide enough security for many condo owners to feel comfortable. When you get to know your neighbors and people that live on your floor or in your immediate area, you'll find a sense of community awareness and that people watch out for one another. I've heard of people on the same floor exchanging keys, walking each others dogs and even preparing meals for each other! ... read more

Gotta love this guy. He does it all and can seemingly do no wrong. I have to admit (at the risk of being made fun of) that we all want to have some of the moves or style of this guy. I mean, come on, ladies love him, he's got style, he's got dough and he can dance. He's got more than the trifecta going on. He's now venturing into your home. Hopefully there aren't any subliminal messages in his furniture pieces or designs referring to his song lyrics. If there are, all us gents ... read more

I thought I would blog about this. Why not. Gas is expensive. Cars still aren't that fuel efficient and the prospect of a $40 tank of gas seems all but extinct. Perhaps our future will consist of hybrid vehicles that will be cost effective and aesthetically appealing, but until then, let's get serious. Gas is expensive. I spent $90 gassing up my car the other day and I drive minimal amounts in the city. I can't imagine the cost of gas if you commute to your job from the burbs to the core. I'm guessing ... read more

This is an interesting article highlighting the difference between men and women involved in bidding wars. From my personal experience, women tend to be the “relentless” fighters. Despite what this article quotes (that women are less aggressive and not as willing to pay more money for a home), I find the opposite. My empirical evidence is obviously specific to my experience. The women that I’ve dealt with are willing to push the envelope when needed to get the transaction done. Wow. I mean it. When push comes to shove and they know they want the ... read more

Definitely one of the more interesting storage options I've seen in a while. I can barely change a lightbulb, and I feel like I could build this. Installation might require assistance. http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peter-marigold-jam-jar-shelf#!/photos/136940/1 ... read more

The value of staging can't be underestimated in my opinion. It may cost you anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to stage a home, but the return on investment is typically much higher than your initial investment. You have about 10-20 seconds for your home to make a lasting first impression. Given that most people's home is their largest asset, why wouldn't you spend a bit of money to doll-it-up before you sell? Unfortunately, we can't sell without staging and then again after staging to demonstrate the value it brings. In ... read more

Have you ever wondered what a billion dollars will buy you in Toronto? Yes, you might argue a dozen different condo buildings, a number of city blocks (neighbourhood dependent of course) or even the Rogers Centre (aka Skydome)...full of Jello. While the latter might just be the coolest thing to dive into from a helicopter hovering above, it isn't quite as cool as laying claim to a massive red granite skyscraper in the financial district . Being able to boast owning a 68 storey building with 99.5% occupancy rate, higher than average market rents and ... read more