A well-landscaped yard can provide a lot more than good looks. Landscaping can also increase property value, offer home-energy savings and provide privacy and home security.
In contrast to many home improvements, the value of an investment in landscape improvement increases over time, since the growth and maturity of trees and shrubs continues to enhance aesthetic appeal.
The value of an attractive landscape to the selling price of a home is often cited at between 10 and 12 per cent. However, a 2009 Virginia State University study concluded that design sophistication was the highest ranked factor to add perceived value of a home, followed by plant size. Thus, securing the services of a landscape design professional could optimize your return on investment.
Energy savings: Strategic placement of trees around your home can significantly reduce monthly utility bills. Deciduous trees, when placed to shade windows that receive a lot of sunshine, can lower energy bills with a lower draw on air conditioning. Since deciduous trees lose their leaves in winter, the sun can shine in during the cooler months, serving to warm the house. To save on heating bills in winter, a thick evergreen hedge can block cold winds from robbing a house of heat.
Privacy and security: A thorny hedge at key points around a property provides a good deterrent to intruders. Prickly shrubs around windows can also ward off burglars, but be sure to trim back regularly since shrubs that have grown too tall can have the opposite effect. Trees and shrubs also serve to provide privacy in a yard and to block unwanted views outside your property.
More information on ways to boost the resale value of your home is available online at www.royallepage.ca.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tight Rental Market in Toronto
For the January to April 2011 period, TREB Members reported 5,079 lease transactions for condominium apartments and townhomes. This result was up 18 per cent from 4,319 lease transactions reported during the same time-period in 2010. The number of rental units listed on the TorontoMLS® rose 10 per cent to 9,374 units.
The increase in listings reflects the high level of condominium apartment completions over the past year. Some investors chose to lease their units upon completion.
With the number of transactions rising at a greater rate than the number of units available for rent, rental market conditions tightened. Average rental rates were up in comparison to last year. One-bedroom apartments rented for an average of $1,485 per month, up 1.5 per cent year-over-year. Two-bedroom apartment units rented for an average of $1,958 per month – up 2.5 per cent compared to the first four months of 2010.
The increase in listings reflects the high level of condominium apartment completions over the past year. Some investors chose to lease their units upon completion.
With the number of transactions rising at a greater rate than the number of units available for rent, rental market conditions tightened. Average rental rates were up in comparison to last year. One-bedroom apartments rented for an average of $1,485 per month, up 1.5 per cent year-over-year. Two-bedroom apartment units rented for an average of $1,958 per month – up 2.5 per cent compared to the first four months of 2010.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Top 10 tips for Selling your Home this Spring:
The spring market is in full swing. With winter a mere memory and lots of sunshine on the way (we hope!), many potential homebuyers are looking for the perfect home to suit their needs and budget. If you’re preparing to put your home on the market this spring, there are a number of things you can do to erase signs of winter wear and improve your home’s appeal.
Create curb appeal - First impressions count! Get rid of any debris that winter left behind, edge your gardens and add creative arrangements to your front porch.
A fresh coat of paint goes a long way - Refresh the interior and exterior of your home by painting your walls, front door, garage, shed and fence.
Clean, clean, clean! - Nothing will turn a potential buyer away quicker than a dirty home. Be sure to scrub your floors and wash your windows.
Inspect your exterior - Have a professional check your property for any damage to your roof, shutters or siding caused by winter wear.
Are renovations required? - An updated kitchen or bathroom might boost your home’s appeal as well as the value of your home.
Engage the senses - Create a welcoming scent for potential buyers by lighting a few scented candles or placing fresh flowers throughout your home.
Turn your backyard into an outdoor oasis - Update your patio furniture to create a relaxing outdoor environment.
Reseal your driveway - This will remove any wear and tear and keep your driveway looking new.
Depersonalize your home - Potential buyers want to picture themselves in your home. Remove family photos and diplomas.
Create curb appeal - First impressions count! Get rid of any debris that winter left behind, edge your gardens and add creative arrangements to your front porch.
A fresh coat of paint goes a long way - Refresh the interior and exterior of your home by painting your walls, front door, garage, shed and fence.
Clean, clean, clean! - Nothing will turn a potential buyer away quicker than a dirty home. Be sure to scrub your floors and wash your windows.
Inspect your exterior - Have a professional check your property for any damage to your roof, shutters or siding caused by winter wear.
Are renovations required? - An updated kitchen or bathroom might boost your home’s appeal as well as the value of your home.
Engage the senses - Create a welcoming scent for potential buyers by lighting a few scented candles or placing fresh flowers throughout your home.
Turn your backyard into an outdoor oasis - Update your patio furniture to create a relaxing outdoor environment.
Reseal your driveway - This will remove any wear and tear and keep your driveway looking new.
Depersonalize your home - Potential buyers want to picture themselves in your home. Remove family photos and diplomas.
Doors Open Toronto May 28-29
This annual event allows you to see buildings not usually open to the public. For a complete list of buildings open, check out www.toronto.ca/doorsopen
Some of the buildings you can visit include the Redpath Suger Museem, TTC Carhouses at Roncesvalles and McCowan, the R.C Harris Water Filtration Plan(site of the Skin of the Lion by Michael Ondaatje).
Some of the buildings you can visit include the Redpath Suger Museem, TTC Carhouses at Roncesvalles and McCowan, the R.C Harris Water Filtration Plan(site of the Skin of the Lion by Michael Ondaatje).
Friday, May 6, 2011
Jane's Walk this Sunday (Mother's Day) in Leaside
The annual "Jane's Walks" will be held this weekend, celebrating the contribution to community life of Jane Jacobs. Below is information on the The Leaside Odyssey - Downstream on Bayview.The walk takes about 2 hours, beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday May 8.
Guided by Leaside Property Owners' Association and Kelvingrove-Glen Leven Tenants’ Association
What makes Leaside special? Why the urgency to preserve it? Come navigate history with us as we take you on a tour down Bayview, the neighbourhood’s historic “high street.” From lost rivers to village-style shopping and eating to architectural rarities, we’ll shine a light on what makes Leaside an outstanding neighbourhood in Toronto’s “city of neighbourhoods” – and community action to preserve it.
Don’t just drive through, for once – put on your hat and stay a while!
You’ll discover:
• Lost (but not forgotten) rivers of the Don
• Controversial proposed development in North Leaside
• Main-street village commercial life - harmony, proportion and diversity
• Former residence of Canada’s first female MP, Agnes Macphail
• Unparalleled confluence of rare “garden apartments”:
o Forsey, Page & Steele’s Garden Court Apartments (Art Moderne)
o Mayor Henry Howard Talbot Apartments (Georgian Revival)
o Lawrence family’s Crestview Apartments – 22 small buildings in a park-like setting
• How it all began: Leaside as a planned railway town, overlooking the Don valley at Mallory Park
Meeting Place:
Bayview at Eglinton Ave. – South-East corner
End Location:
Mallory Park near Bayview and Moore
Public Transit Directions:
Via Yonge Subway (10 minutes by bus):
• Eglinton Station: any eastbound bus (including 34 Eglinton East, 54 Lawrence East)
• Davisville Station: Bayview 11
Accessible:
Partially accessible – curbs, uneven terrain, busy sidewalks, some parkland
Parking available:
Street parking off Bayview; plazas
http://janeswalk.net/walks/view/leaside_odyssey_-_downstream_on_bayview/
Guided by Leaside Property Owners' Association and Kelvingrove-Glen Leven Tenants’ Association
What makes Leaside special? Why the urgency to preserve it? Come navigate history with us as we take you on a tour down Bayview, the neighbourhood’s historic “high street.” From lost rivers to village-style shopping and eating to architectural rarities, we’ll shine a light on what makes Leaside an outstanding neighbourhood in Toronto’s “city of neighbourhoods” – and community action to preserve it.
Don’t just drive through, for once – put on your hat and stay a while!
You’ll discover:
• Lost (but not forgotten) rivers of the Don
• Controversial proposed development in North Leaside
• Main-street village commercial life - harmony, proportion and diversity
• Former residence of Canada’s first female MP, Agnes Macphail
• Unparalleled confluence of rare “garden apartments”:
o Forsey, Page & Steele’s Garden Court Apartments (Art Moderne)
o Mayor Henry Howard Talbot Apartments (Georgian Revival)
o Lawrence family’s Crestview Apartments – 22 small buildings in a park-like setting
• How it all began: Leaside as a planned railway town, overlooking the Don valley at Mallory Park
Meeting Place:
Bayview at Eglinton Ave. – South-East corner
End Location:
Mallory Park near Bayview and Moore
Public Transit Directions:
Via Yonge Subway (10 minutes by bus):
• Eglinton Station: any eastbound bus (including 34 Eglinton East, 54 Lawrence East)
• Davisville Station: Bayview 11
Accessible:
Partially accessible – curbs, uneven terrain, busy sidewalks, some parkland
Parking available:
Street parking off Bayview; plazas
http://janeswalk.net/walks/view/leaside_odyssey_-_downstream_on_bayview/
Thursday, May 5, 2011
New Car Dealership Proposed for Laird in Leaside
An application has been made for the site on the east side of Laird, just south of Home Depot for a new car dealership and service centre. A GM dealership was previously proposed for the site but was withdrawn in the 2008 recession. A public meeting will be held on May 10 at 6:30 at Leaside Library, 165 McRae. I would love to see some of the old industrial buildings with high windows used for a nice restaurant- Chicago type steak house or similar- something we are missing in the area.
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