June 2012 Newsletter

It is hard to believe that we are almost half way through 2012! The extremely active spring market has kept The Elli Davis Team on our toes and the days are simply flying by. It has been reported that Toronto has the country’s second strongest real estate market at the moment, with only Calgary ahead of us. Warmer weather is also helping to show homes to their best advantage with gardens beginning to bloom and high rise views of our green city below, so the momentum is bound to continue for some time yet.

The Toronto Star recently featured an article about the phenomenon of single women shaping the condo market. When designing their latest projects, developers are taking this demographic into consideration when planning everything from the layout and amenities to the fixtures and finishings. Known in the business for being a trendsetter and having bought my first condo in the 1980’s, I was interviewed as part of this article, which you can read in the newsletter.

Finally, remember to wish your dad a Happy Father’s Day on Sunday June 17th! Take some time out of your busy schedule to let him know how much you appreciate him.

Elli Davis
Celebrating 29 Years in Central Toronto Real Estate

June 2012 Newsletter

• Hot Listings!
• Toronto Condo Boom Being Fueled by Single Women
• Where to Buy Now: The Inside Scoop on the City’s Next 10 Neighbourhoods
• Market Watch Report: May 2012
• Toronto Events Calendar for June!
• eMbody Fitness

Hot Listings!

Central Toronto - Yonge & St. Clair |
40 Oaklands Avenue #318
'The Oaklands'! Beautifully renovated 2 storey suite in this prestigious boutique building located on a quiet tree-lined street! Approximately 1,700 square feet. Parking and ensuite locker included.

See more

Toronto - Downtown |
20 Blue Jays Way #2302
The Element" located in the heart of the city! This distinctive 3 bedroom suite has a unique private terrace, approx. 700 square feet, plus a balcony off the master bedroom.

See more

Central Toronto - Yorkville |
68 Yorkville Ave. TH 2
'The Regency' at 68 Yorkville Avenue! Unique 2 storey townhouse with 3 bedrooms & private terraces. Ensuite elevator with direct access to double garage and private entrance at 73 Scollard.

See more

Thinking of Buying? Thinking of Selling?

Visit our website for the Buyer’s Guide and Seller’s Guide or feel free to
contact me at and I will get right back to you.

Real Estate News

Toronto Condo Boom Being Fueled By Single Women

When Elli Davis was buying her first condo 26 years ago, she was a very rare example of a single woman trying to buy a place on her own. According to Susan Pigg of the Toronto Star the situation has changed significantly and single women now represent the main force behind the booming housing market in Canada. In fact, among all Canadians looking to buy a home in the next few years, 49 per cent are women and only 35 per cent are men.
Read More

Where to Buy Now: The Inside Scoop on the city’s Next 10 Neighbourhoods

It may seem impossible to find an affordable home in a neighbourhood with usable green spaces, great restaurants and a feeling of community, but Toronto Life has uncovered 10 pockets of the city that have an abundance of character and won't break the bank! Read more to find out where these up and coming areas are.
Read More

Market Watch Report: May 2012

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 10,350 transactions through the TorontoMLS system in April 2012. This result was up by eighteen per cent in comparison to the 8,778 sales reported during the same period in 2011. We witnessed the strongest sales growth in the single-detached market segment, where sales increased by 22 per cent compared to April 2011. The average selling price in the GTA was $517,556 in April – up by 8.5 per cent compared to a year ago.

“Monthly mortgage payments remain affordable for home buyers in the Greater Toronto Area. While interest rates are generally expected to increase over the next two years, the extent and timing of rate hikes has been thrown into question by slower than expected economic growth in the first quarter of this year. On net, borrowing costs are expected to remain a positive factor influencing home sales through 2012,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.  
 

Read the full May 2012 Market Watch Report .

Toronto Events Calendar for June

Toronto Drinks Show 2012 | June 8 – 9

The Toronto Drinks Show returns to Toronto's hot spot "99 Sudbury", offering you the opportunity to sample both classic and exotic beverages! The city’s best bartenders will show off their skills by preparing trendy and innovative cocktails. Enjoy the ultimate drink tasting experience in a great party atmosphere in one of Toronto’s hottest neighbourhoods. Tickets are $23.00 online or $30 at the door.

Luminato 2012 | June 8 – 17, 2012

This year Luminato kicks off on Friday, June 8 and brings as even better lineup than last year. An annual celebration of visual art, theatre, music, illumination and magic, Luminato presents local, regional and international artists showcasing their talents for ten consecutive days. There are many free events and for the rest you can purchase tickets online, by telephone or in person.

TD Toronto Jazz Festival 2012 | June 22 – July 1, 2012

Music lovers will once again have a chance to enjoy 10 days of great music with approximately 1,500 artists at over 40 locations in Toronto. In the past 25 years, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival has grown into Toronto’s largest music festival attracting over 500,000 people every year. Some of this year’s biggest names include Hiromi, Joshua Redman, The Bad Plus, Saidah Baba Talibah, Gretchen Parlato and Janelle Monae. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster or by calling 1.855.985.5000.

eMbody Fitness June Bites

By Debra Basch, RHN
Director of Nutrition &
Certified Personal Trainer

Let's Bring Fun Back into Eating

On a recent, busy Friday morning at eMbody, while training, coaching and motivating our members and clients towards better health and fitness, the dialogue began.  It started off innocently; questions and comments on what to make for dinners, lunches, snacks.  I’m not sure when the conversation became racy but as is my usual approach I decided to turn healthy talk into food porn!  My question was this:  “What is your much-loved trailer-trash food?”  I got the usual stares, men and women alike, both looking like they wanted to share but were afraid it was a trick question.  I started the ball rolling with a huge push.  “My fav trailer park meal would be commercially-sweetened iced tea, mac and cheese from a box with 2 packets of that sketchy cheese powder, topped off with some kind of ice cream bar or powdered doughnuts.”  WHAAT?

What happened for the next 15 minutes was pure fun. Trainers, instructors, members, and clients began to share, those less brave remained quiet but listened! Some secretly agreed with eye contact and smiles. Others just laughed, fearful that by admitting they had undisclosed food desires, their standing might be compromised. Relax. I don’t eat like that anymore (university was many years ago!) nor would I suggest ANYONE, especially our members, put that much refined, processed, nutrient-void food in their mouths all at once! My client whispered “you’re fun and authentic” which made me start to think. When was the last time we ate for the fun of it? I am here monthly helping you to cleanse, up your fibre, lower your cholesterol, reduce your waistline, increase your HDL, swap meat for more vegetarian meals, and encourage you to give up processed and go whole. It’s implied that you are to have fun with flaxseeds and Brussels sprouts, but are you? Do you suffer from Ortho-rexia: the fear of not eating healthfully all of the time?!

The weather is warm and the days are longer. Perfect scenarios for evening strolls to get ice-cream or small portions of low-fat frozen yogurt (watch the toppings!). Weekend bike rides and backyard swims ending with a delicious picnic. Let’s bring back fun even if it means high-carb. High quality, organic red meat in small portions grilled can’t be beat – right carnivores? Home made fresh lemonade, lightly sweetened and heavily iced is thirst quenching and refreshing. Topping off a delicious meal with a re-vamped brownie or cookie – what could be better? I have included my idea of a delicious and easy picnic main course for six (or four with left-overs). We had this dish, outside, during the May long weekend and it was a hit. I used only fresh, high-quality ingredients and kept the portions reasonable. Enjoy this while you can because it’s only a matter of time before I will have to go back to discussing fibre.

IN SEASON NOW AT YOUR LOCAL FARMER’S MARKET: JUNE & JULY

VEGETABLES

• Beets
• Broccoli
• Corn
• Cucumber (Field)
• Garlic
• Green Onions
• Lettuce
• Mushrooms
• Peas (Green and Snow)
• Peppers
• Rapini
• Tomatoes (Field)

FRUITS

• Apricots
• Blueberries
• Cherries
• Currants
• Gooseberries
• Peaches
• Plums
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Watermelon
   

Penne with Beef and Arugula

Adapted from Giada De Laurentis, Everyday Italian – Tastes delicious room temp or cold. I added the vegetables and decreased the olive oil. I also omitted the cheese. The fresh herbs and seasonings allow for the omission. I was generous with the arugula – so don’t be skimpy! Serves: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

1 (1-pound) Grass-fed, antibiotic-free New York strip steak
1 teaspoon Herbs de Provence
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus 3 tablespoons
1 pound high-fibre white penne pasta
2 small green zucchini, cut into half moons
2 small yellow zucchini, cut into half moons
20 cherry tomatoes cut in half
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more for steak and pasta water
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for steak
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
3 cups chopped arugula

Directions

1. Season the steak with salt and freshly ground black pepper, herbs de Provence, and minced garlic. In a skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Cook steak about 7 minutes per side. Remove the meat from pan and let it rest for 10 minutes. Thinly slice the steak. Set aside.
2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. During the last 2 minutes, add the zucchini pieces. Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, fresh herbs, and 3/4 cup olive oil.
4. In a large bowl toss the pasta, zucchini and cherry tomatoes with half of the salad dressing and the reserved pasta water.
5. Add the arugula and steak, more dressing, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, as needed. Toss, pack for the picnic and ENJOY.