Featured News

RLP Shelter Foundation Report

August 24, 2010

The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation has just released its 2009 report and an outstanding 1.5 million dollars was raised last year! A portion of each transaction I complete is donated to this worthwhile cause, and I feel honoured to have been named in the Top 1% of donors. (see pg 21 of report)

Elli Featured on CNBC

July 7, 2010

Last week CNBC did a report on why the real estate market did not crash in Canada. Based on Elli’s years of experience in the industry, she was approached by CNBC to provide her perspective on the current market situation. Additionally, one of Elli’s clients appeared on the show to express his feelings with regard to buying and selling a home in today’s climate.

What’s New in Toronto?

Golden autumn

September 2, 2010

Golden autumn by Zoedan

Golden autumn in Craigleigh Gardens situated inside Rosedale neighbourhoods. Thank you Zoedan for such an colourful photo!

Budget Deficit Narrowed

September 1, 2010

Photo by Ian Muttoo

The Canadian budget deficit narrowed in June, the government finance department reported. If you compare the $2.8 billion deficit which was recorded in June 2010, with the same month last year, at $4.98 it was almost double.

Rise of Payrolls

August 30, 2010

Go Straight by Wlodi

Good news from the employment sector! Payrolls in Canada increased in June, Statistics Canada reported last week. If June is included in the figures, the number of payroll workers in our country rose by 172,300, which is 1.2 percent, since August of last year. If compared to June 2009, weekly wages increased by 4 percent to $853.50.

Home Prices Rising

August 29, 2010

Way Up!
Photo by Keno

Home prices in Canada keep on increasing! According to the newest Teranet National Bank Composite House price index report, released earlier this week, the June 2010 increase of housing prices in the country was the most significant one in ten months. Prices rose by as much as 1.5 percent from May of this year.

Composite Leading Index Slowed Down

August 28, 2010

Thumbs down by Desi

Here we have another sign that our economy is not in such a great state as it was just a couple of months ago! The composite leading index of Statistics Canada has slowed down from 0.7 percent rise in June to only 0.4 percent increase in July, the agency reported.

Loft Apartments

August 27, 2010

Loft atmosphere by Tudor

Loft apartments are becoming increasingly popular nowadays. How do we define and recognize them? It is very simple. A loft apartment can, for instance, be defined as a place transformed from former industrial buildings. Such apartments are usually located in an urban environment. Interestingly, people like this type of home, so much so, that if there is a shortage of these types of properties; developers either create them from old buildings or build new homes with typical loft apartment features. Therefore, there are two basic types of loft.

Extraordinary view at Yonge Street

August 27, 2010

Photo by Rick McGrath

Yonge Street is home or close to many neighbourhoods in Toronto. As a major arterial street it is running from Yorkville through Chaplin Estates to Teddington Park. Yonge Street was formerly listed as the longest street in the world. This is why there is no lack of great architectural views that we can see in this beautiful photo taken by Rick McGrath.

Inflation Rate Rose in July

August 26, 2010

Photo by Daniel Hsia

The annual inflation rate, in Canada, increased again in July, Statistics Canada announced earlier this week. Its pace was actually the fastest one since April with the consumer price index increasing by 1.8 percent since July 2009. Electricity prices have been increasing the most during the year. 

Shenfeld about Economy

August 25, 2010

Photo by Woodley

There is to be no further increase, in interest rates, by the Bank of Canada after September. This news is what Avery Shenfeld, a CIBC economist, predicts. After seeing an extremely low level of the key lending rate for such a long period of time, 0.25 percent, the bank has raised the rate twice in past two months. In June the rate increased to 0.5 and then a further increase, to 0.75 percent, was seen in July.