Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

57 Courtfield Cres, Markham, ON, L6C 2R9

3 Bdrm Detached Home On A Quiet Crescent In Prestigious Berczy Village! Close To Shopping, Berczy Park,Pierre Trudeau High School & Stonebridge.Open Concept Family Room W/ Gas Fireplace & Oak Hardwood Floor. Large Eat-In Kit With Custom Quartz Kitchen Island . W/O To Professionally Landscaped Backyard With Patterned Concrete In Front,Side And Backyard. Large Master Bedroom W/4Pc Ensuite, Deep Tub, Large Closet & Walk In Closet,Finished Basement

****EXTRAS**** Fridge,Stove, Dishwasher,Washer, Dryer, All Elf, Alarm System,Garage D/O, Cac, R/I Cvac, In-Wall Sound System, Drapery & Blinds.

FOR LEASE $1,950

• Bedrooms 3
• Bathrooms 4
• Heating Forced Air
  
• Basements Finished
• Utilites Sewers

The Bank of Canada has kept the key interest rate steady and banks have been quietly cutting their rates for fixed and variable mortgage rates. They are also fighting for a shrinking pool of borrowers so it sounds like a great time to renew your mortgage.

Yet many Canadians simply sign their mortgage renewal papers. A 2011 Manulife survey found that almost two out of three Canadians surveyed stayed with their current mortgage provider and didn’t negotiate.

“I don’t know why,” says independent mortgage broker Christopher Molder. “I guess money grows on trees. People are busy, their lives are busy, mortgages aren’t on their mind, the maturity dates comes and goes and they just sign back whatever is offered.”

If you are renewing your mortgage, here are five things to keep in mind before you sign that document.

The posted rate isn’t the best rate

Think of the posted rate as the opening offer in a negotiation or as certified financial planner Shannon Lee Simmons says, “Banks use the posted rate to provide a value proposition to their clients. They often start with the posted rate and then offer discounts to preferred clients. Consumers need to educate themselves and shop around. Even if you get the secret or discounted rate, if you only get rates from one financial institution, you may still be paying a premium compared to other lenders.”

“Canadians really trust Canadian institutions, especially banking institutions,” says Molder. “The banks play on that a little bit. They’ll play dumb, offering the posted rate and leave it up to the borrower to negotiate and play the game.”

Shop around before you negotiate

Do your research before you begin negotiations and always ask for a better rate. “Of course, if a borrower asks, they’ll get a better rate,” says Molder. When it comes to researching mortgage rates, Molder says it’s very easy – just go online and check the rates offered by various lending institutions.

Once you know the rates offered for your preferred mortgage term (fixed or variable) , then talk to your current provider and ask them to provide a competitive offer. “In all cases,” says Molder, “Unless it’s a crazy low interest rate that has been requested, they will come down. They always come down. There’s always room for renegotiation.”

Bank or broker?

The general belief is that brokers can offer a better rate than banks due to their access to multiple lenders. The Bank of Canada survey found that using a broker can result in getting a lower rate. Part of that is due to them getting multiple quotes from various institutions.

Being good and loyal to your bank makes no difference to your rate

Are you paying down your mortgage and cutting years off your amortization? That’s great but it won’t make a difference when renewing your mortgage.

Are you a loyal customer? Have you been with your bank for years and do everything with them? That also doesn’t count when it’s time to renew your mortgage. A 2011 Bank of Canada paper found that loyal customers may not get as good a deal with their bank as they would if they went to a different bank as a new customer. So if you’re looking for a better deal, considering going to a different lending institution.

Check the terms before you sign

The cheapest rate may not be the best rate so always read the small print before you sign. Make sure the rate you choose offers other options such as the ability to pay extra on your mortgage and clearly defines any penalties should you decide to break your mortgage early.

Simmons says, “Start shopping around about four months before renewal – don’t leave until the last moment.”

Ready to paint? A little color psychology may be just what you need to create soothing and productive moods.

Home decor is often viewed as simply a matter of aesthetics -- what looks attractive. But proponents of color psychology believe that the colors you use to decorate your home can have a profound effect on the emotional well-being of you and your family.

"Color is a universal, nonverbal language, and we all intuitively know how to speak it," says Leslie Harrington, a color consultant in Old Greenwich, Conn. and a noted expert on the use of color in residential and industrial decor. "What color you paint your walls isn't just a matter of aesthetics. It's a tool that can be leveraged to affect emotions and behavior."

Living room and foyer paint colors. Warm tones like reds, yellows, and oranges, and earth tones like brown and beige often work well in both the living room and foyer, because they're though to stimulate conversation. "These are colors that encourage people to sit around and talk," says Kate Smith, a color consultant in Lorton, Va. "You feel the warmth, the connection with other people." 

Kitchen paint colors. Color consultants say that if you have fond memories of spending time in the kitchen when you were a kid, it might make sense to recreate the color scheme in your grown-up kitchen. "If you grew up in a blue-and-white kitchen and have great memories, blue and white may be the best colors for you and your family," says Smith.

If there's no particular paint scheme you remember fondly, reds and yellows can be great colors in the kitchen as well as in the living room and foyer. But watch out if you're watching your weight: in addition to stimulating conversation, color consultants say that red may prompt you to eat more, if only subtly. "If you're on a diet, you might want to keep red out of the kitchen," Harrington says, adding that the restaurant industry has long recognized the appetite-stimulating power of red decor.

Dining room paint colors. Because it's stimulating, red decor can be great for a formal dining room. In addition to encouraging conversation, it whets the appetites of your guests. "If your dining room is red, people may think you are a better cook," says Harrington. 

Bedroom paint colors. The bedroom is where you go to relax and reconnect with your partner.  Cool colors -- blues, greens and lavenders -- can be great choices here, because they are thought to have a calming effect. The darker the hue, the more pronounced the effect is believed to be. "Reds tend to increase blood pressure and heart rate and stimulate activity," says Harrington. "Blue does just the opposite. That's why we think of it as calming."

What if your teenager has a few ideas about how to paint his or her bedroom? In the name of family harmony, it probably makes sense to let your teen pick the paint -- within reason. Harrington says she let her own daughter pick a wild paint scheme for her room -- with the proviso that her daughter would repaint it white when she moved out.

Bathroom paint colors. Whites and warm colors have always been popular choices for bathrooms, in large part because they connote cleanliness and purity. But nowadays the bathroom is used not just as a place to wash up, but also as a private retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation. Says Harrington: "Most people feel comfortable with blues and greens and turquoises because these colors give a sense of being clean and fresh -- and calm."

But spa colors in the bathroom make sense only if they flatter you. "When you look in the bathroom mirror, you want to look great," says Smith. "If you would never wear a particular color, don't paint your bathroom that color. That's a recipe for disaster."

Workout room paint colors. "Reds and oranges can help you move," says Harrington. "But they can also make you feel hot." For this reason, blues and greens may be better choices here. Harrington says that yellow-greens and blue-greens may be the best choices because, in terms of color psychology, they're "happier." 

Home office paint colors. The name of the game here is productivity: the faster you complete work-related tasks, the more time you'll have to spend enjoying family and friends. And color consultants agree that green can be a great choice for a home office. "Green is the color of concentration," says Harrington. "It's one of the best colors to be surrounded by for long periods of time."

They can track your workouts, chart your sleep patterns and help log your calorie intake at each meal — so it’s no wonder users are increasingly looking to apps as a way to stay on track with their health and fitness goals. According to a recent study, about one-fifth of smartphone users have downloaded at least one health and fitness app. But with so many to choose from, it can be difficult to separate the best apps from those that will just clog up your phone. To help you navigate the mobile market, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite apps to help you improve boost your fitness level.

1. RunKeeper
It turns out the question of “how far did I go?” is relatively easy to answer with the help of GPS. RunKeeper gives runners the ability to track speed and distance on the go, plus it comes with features such as auto-stop (handy when exploring areas overrun with stoplights). And there’s no need to sacrifice those tunes: RunKeeper allows users to listen to their own playlists, and can speak over the music to give updates at specified distances or times. The app also gives users a way to make their workouts public via Twitter or Facebook (or right from the app), and integrates with popular platforms like MapMyFitness. (Free for iOS and Android.)

2. Fitocracy
Not up for lugging a notebook around the gym? The Fitocracy app takes the look and feel of the gaming world and applies it to the fitness realm. Users log workouts and gain points based on difficulty, weight and various other factors. After accumulating a certain amount of points, lifters can “level up” just like in popular video games. Users can also encourage their friends by giving them “props.” For those who don’t like to be locked to a tiny screen, the app also syncs with the web version, Wi-Fi permitting. (Free for iOS andAndroid.)

3. StrongLifts
If you’re aiming to boost your squat and deadlift personal records, look no further. The official StrongLifts app puts the popular 5×5 strength training program in the palm of your hand. The app guides users through three workouts a week consisting of only three exercises each day. The app also times rest periods and tells lifters when to bump up in weight or take it back a notch. Although the official StrongLifts app is only available to iOS users, Android users have access to a variety of similar apps like Strong Log (free) that incorporates the 5×5 program alongside several others. (Free for iOS.)

4. Strava
Think you’ve got a chance racing against the pros? With Strava, recreational cyclists can see just how well they’d match up. The app tracks cycling distance and speed with the help of a smartphone (and supports uploads to their online log from supported Garmin devices). It then charts performance through heart rate, average time and a metric known as a “Suffer Score,” a measure of just how hard you’re suffering (available in the premium version). It even allows friends — and competitors — to engage with one another through comments and challenges. Strava even helps users stay on top of equipment by tracking age and status of gear. And for those that prefer two feet to two wheels, there’s a running-specific version as well. (Free for iOS and Android.)

5. C25K
Have trouble jogging around the block — let alone 3.1 miles? With the Couch to 5K app, it doesn’t matter. The app takes users through an eight-week program with three workouts a week. The goal is to encourage new runners to complete a 5K at the end of the cycle no matter what shape they start in. The workouts progress newbies through a combination of walking and running to build up their fitness level without overdoing it. The app is also compatible with music streaming services like Pandora and GPS tracking apps like RunKeeper. (Free for iOS and Android.)

6. MapMyFitness 
No matter the activity (from running to rock climbing to unicycling), the MapMyFitness app gives you a way to track it. Through the main app as well as several variations (MapMyHike and even MapMyDogWalk), users can measure distance, speed and change in elevation across nearly any form of movement. The app also allows users to save routes to repeat later and offers full integration with an online training log, where users can keep track of all of their activities. The pro version even integrates with accessories such as heart rate monitors and cadence sensors, offers detailed training programs, and gives friends and family members a way to follow users during their workouts through live tracking. (Free for iOS and Android.)

7. GymBoss Interval Timer
Between water breaks and chatting with friends, it’s easy to lose track of rest between sets. But with the GymBoss Interval Timer app, lifters will always know when it’s time to jump back in. With a wide array of preset timers and the ability for users to create their own variations, this app makes it easy for users to time just about anything, from multi-exercise circuits to cardio intervals. Bonus: The timer sounds over music so you don’t have to sacrifice workout jams for keeping track of time. (Free for iOS and Android)

8. Nike Training Club
Can’t afford a personal trainer but still want some guidance in the weight room? The Nike Training Club app could a great solution. The female-focused app features over 100 targeted workouts designed to improve strength, flexibility and cardio depending on your goals. Throughout the workout, the app offers audio cues (over your own music selection) and encouragement alongside detailed steps and video demonstrations for each move. For those who want to follow in the footsteps of professional athletes (including Serena Williams and Gabby Douglas), the Nike Training Club app has that as well, featuring no-nonsense workouts from the pros. (Free for iOS and Android)

9. DailyBurn Video Workouts
Want to feel the burn — without burning a hole in your wallet? The DailyBurn app replaces pricier personal training sessions by giving users 24-hour access to streaming workouts for every ability level. Whether you’re into dance, yoga, high-intensity intervals (or a little bit of everything), users can track their progress through various challenges and check-ins along the way. While the app is free to download, access to workouts requires a subscription to DailyBurn — free to new users for 30 days. (Free for iOS and Android)

Mobile apps certainly don’t replace hard work in the gym or planning in the kitchen. Users still have to put in the time to see success. Still, these mobile trackers and timers can offer a healthy dose of guidance and accountability. For those who wish to ditch electronics during their workout, pen and paper can still do the trick. But, the amazing technology in the apps mentioned above can certainly make sticking to healthy habits just a bit easier!

The Morey family and the Thrift family have co-owned a 3,000-square-foot house since 2005

Two families have come up with an unconventional solution to the high cost of real estate in Vancouver, which makes buying a home impossible for many young families.

The Morey family and the Thrift family have co-purchased a home using the mixer mortgage option from Vancity.

Up until about eight years ago, Brendan and Julie Morey were living in Vancouver as renters. As such, they were forced to move multiple times because the people they rented from would decide to sell the house or takeover the rental portion again.

"We felt with three kids, trying to rent in Vancouver was very difficult and just coming to the point where we knew we wanted to settle down, but we could not afford to do that in Vancouver," said Julie Morey.

Around the same time, Andrew and Erin Thrift were home owners looking to buy a bigger space for their growing family. 

The two couples started talking about the issue of housing affordability in Vancouver, and the idea of co-purchasing a home came together.

"You have to take risks and sometimes you have to do things that are uncomfortable, but the payoff is huge," said Brendan Morey.

The families purchased a 3,000-square-foot home for $800,000. The Thrifts live on the top floor, with three bedrooms and a playroom, while the Moreys live in the basement. Both families share the living room, dining room and kitchen.

They also share the cooking, cleaning, renovations, taxes and utilities — even babysitting. 

"It's the affordability that kind of pushes you in this direction. But what we discovered is the day-to-day living part of it is the richness," said Brendan Morey.

Co-owning not for everybody

Both couples agree sharing a home is not for everybody, and VanCity warns there are risks: death, divorce or falling outs for example. But much of that is worked out in a co-ownership agreement provided by the credit union. 

"When people are purchasing a property together, they're not necessarily owning it 50-50. So that is one issue that could be addressed. The other is how they will share expenses, even things all the way down to who takes out the garbage," said VanCity mortgage specialist Ryan McKinley. 

"We want to make sure that they go into a financial arrangement with another individual with their eyes wide open. So we provide them a co-ownership checklist that they can take back with them and work through it with the person they're planning on buying with to ensure that they've thought of everything that they need to think of."

That checklist eventually turns into a legal co-ownership agreement. 

Mixer mortgages a necessity in Vancouver

VanCity said its Mixer mortgages were born out of necessity, as more and more Vancouverites inquired about sharing homes with family, friends and roommates.

Last week, Demographia's 10th annual survey of 360 housing markets in nine Western countries ranked Vancouver as having the world's second most expensive housing — behind Hong Kong. While homes that cost three times the median income are considered affordable, homes in Vancouver cost 10 times the median income. 

VanCity says there is no limit to how many people can enter into a Mixer mortgage, but co-ownership agreements do get more complex as more people get involved.

For the Moreys and Thrifts, sharing a home — and life — has worked out beautifully so far. They say they plan to stay together until the children leave for school.

Instead of complaining about the snow, enjoy it at one of the top 10 places to go tobogganing in Toronto.

The holidays may be over, but winter sure ain’t. Time to dig ol’ Rosebud or Mr. Sled, or whatever you call your snow-riding buddy, out of the garage and hike down with the kids to one of these great Toronto tobogganing locations.

Riverdale Park East

The only spot that blends perfect sledding with one of the best views of the downtown skyline. Riverdale’s wide, wide hill gives quick, thrilling rides with its straight, steep descent. Close enough to the downtown core that you still feel like you’re in the city; far enough to recreate that old suburban or small-town tobogganing experience.

Map & Address
Neighbourhood: Riverdale
Nearest subway: Broadview Station, then take the 502 or 504 streetcar south.

Christie Pits Park and Bickford Park

If variety’s your thing, Christie Pits has multiple hills of different sizes and steepness. It’s also walking distance from the hills at Bickford, which may come in handy if Christie’s too crowded at the time. Either way, you can top off a day of hardcore tobogganing with a meal in nearby Koreatown.

Christie Pits Map & Address
Bickford Park Map & Address
Neighbourhood: Christie Pits
Nearest subway: Christie

High Park

Unfortunately, in this enormous park with a dazzling variety of hills, the only spot where tobogganing is still permitted is the hill at Howard Park Avenue and Parkside Drive. Still, that doesn’t stop some of the more dedicated sledders from trying the hill near the Grenadier restaurant, which is the right size for beginners but has some trees blocking the way.

Map & Address
Neighbourhood: High Park
Nearest subway: High Park

Withrow Park

Another popular spot in the east end, Withrow Park has a hill that’s steep and smooth while also small enough to be suitable for small children. Another advantage: steps on the side of the hill, for those who don’t want to trudge back up the hill itself for the next ride.

Map & Address
Neighbourhood: Riverdale
Nearest subway: Pape

Lithuania Park

If High Park doesn’t provide enough tobogganing action for you these days, jog a bit north to this buried little gem tucked away on Keele Street. Lithuania’s high hill fulfills the need for speed – and there’s also a lot of space at the bottom for a full slowdown. If you want something tamer, there’s a smaller hill nearby.

Map & Address
Neighbourhood: High Park
Nearest subway: Keele

Crestview Park (Linus Park)

Arguably one of the better tobogganing areas in the north ‘burbs, the hill at Crestview is popular with kids and families, located halfway between two schools. Not the steepest choice, but wide and high, and you get a great view of the downtown skyline. It’s also lit up after dark, for those who want some sledding action in the evening.

Map & Address
Neighbourhood: North Toronto
Nearest subway: Don Mills (get a transfer for the 25 bus north if you’re not up for the walk)

Centennial Park

This giant park near the western edge of Etobicoke is better known for its ski slopes and other sports and games facilities, but there’s also a hill for tobogganing beside the skiing area. With a steep angle that promises fast sledding, it’s recommended mainly for seasoned riders.

Map & Address
Neighbourhood: Etobicoke
Nearest subway: Technically Kipling, but you’re best to take the 48 bus from Royal York Station

Trinity Bellwoods Park

Queen West hipsters aren’t excluded from the action, as there’s a variety of hills to try out in Trinity Bellwoods too. The “dog bowl”, a ravine normally used in the summer months as an off-leash area for dog walkers, is one of the better sledding places in winter.

Map & Address
Location: Queen Street West, between Crawford and Gore Vale
Neighbourhood: West Queen West
Nearest subway: Osgoode followed by the Queen streetcar

Winston Churchill Park

Another great location for toboggan enthusiasts who like a variety of choices. A path from the St. Clair/Spadina intersection leads you to some hills that, while they’re not the tallest around, offer killer steepness for the daredevil in you.

Map & Address
Neighbourhood: St. Clair West
Nearest subway: St. Clair West

Cedarvale Park

Possibly the only place in Toronto where you can toboggan near where Ernest Hemingway himself used to go for regular walks in the 1920s. Cedarvale has a few different hills, the main one of which has a wide and clear path with good steepness.

Map & Address
Neighbourhood: Forrest Hill
Nearest subway: St. Clair West

So if you can stand these recent deep-freeze temperatures, get out there and ride these hills. Just make sure you’ve got plenty of hot chocolate at home to warm yourself up afterwards.

Keep Your Competitive Advantage with the Latest CRE Market Insights

The 2014 Canadian Market Outlook report provides a forecast of market trends and drivers in the Canadian commercial real estate market. Our goal through this report is to provide credible industry insight for owners, investors, lenders and lease-holders that can be used to make confident business decisions. 

Steady and stable may be the overall conjecture for Canada’s commercial real estate market in 2014, but that’s not to say there won’t be dynamic elements. In addition to tremendous development in many industrial markets across the country, pockets of retail and office space are expected to record increased demand for space in the coming year. For the first time in decades, multi-housing construction is on the rise and rental stock is growing in various markets across the board.

With Canada in the midst of a new development cycle, it’s safe to say most markets and property types are responding to healthy demand by building a significant amount of new commercial real estate. While the full impact of this new supply won’t be apparent for several years, the numbers are already impressive with some 6.0 million SF of office space coming into the market in 2014. In the meantime, a lack of volatility in the Canadian economy coupled with steady job growth continues to keep Canada on the radar for new capital investment.

Download 2014 Market Outlook 

Latest winter blast could leave 15 centimetres of snow on the ground

Toronto is getting hit with another blast of winter on Wednesday, with fast-falling snow making it difficult to go anywhere in a timely manner.

A snowfall warning is in effect, with Environment Canada reporting that as much as 15 centimetres may have piled up in Toronto by the time the day is done.

On Wednesday morning, there were many problems on roads across the Greater Toronto Area, including for those making their way into the city from the Niagara Region along the QEW.

Some drivers told CBC it was taking two hours to travel from the Burlington and Oakville areas into downtown Toronto.

"The snow is making for slick conditions on the roads and some blowing and drifting snow and reduced visibility," said CBC meteorologist Jay Scotland.

"It's really a good day to take it easy slow down."

Toronto police were sending out a similar message, but going as far to as to say that if you don’t have to go anywhere, you shouldn't.

A steady stream of road closures and on-road collisions were reported by police in Toronto, York and Peel regions, as well as by the OPP.

Mayor Rob Ford took to Twitter to appeal to those living in Toronto to be cautious when making their way around the city on Wednesday.

During the morning, GO Transit warned passengers to leave extra time for their trip. "We expect delays," GO said in a tweet.

The TTC also had weather-related delays on its streetcar routes and no service on the Scarborough RT due to switch problems at McCowan station.

The Scarborough RT was then closed for the first-half of Wednesday afternoon, so that crews could clear ice and snow from its tracks.

That shutdown prompted one Toronto councillor to wade into the long-running debate over the council-backed plan to extend the subway to replace the aging Scarborough RT.

The weather is also causing problems at Pearson International Airport with more than 300 flights cancelled as of noon, mainly due to snowy weather in the northeastern U.S. Travellers are asked to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

The airport said that it had more than 100 pieces of snow-clearing equipment in service on Wednesday, in a bid to keep the runways operating safely.

The south-central Ontario region of the CAA fielded 450 service calls from drivers.

The city also issued a cold weather alert, which makes available more services for the city's homeless.

The heaviest snowfalls on Wednesday are expected to occur in and around the areas of Hamilton, Oakville and the Niagara Escarpment.

The snow is expected to taper off by mid-afternoon on Wednesday. Total accumulation by then could be around 10 to 15 centimetres from Windsor to Toronto and into Eastern Ontario.

February 5, 2014 -- Home ownership in the Greater Toronto Area remains affordable and there are many people looking to purchase a home. In January, the number of homes listed for sale was down quite strongly compared to last year, which means that it was difficult for some buyers to find a home.

Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 4,135 sales through the TorontoMLS system in January 2014. This result was down by 2.2 per cent in comparison to January 2013. New listings entered into the system were down over the same period by 16.6 per cent to 8,822.

“Looking forward, it is possible that strong price growth, and therefore an increase in home equity, will act as a trigger for more households to list their homes for sale. This is especially the case for households whose life styles are changing, including those with an expanding family looking for a larger home or empty nesters looking to downsize,” said Dianne Usher, President, Toronto Real Estate Board.

The average selling price for January 2014 sales was $526,528 – up by more than nine per cent compared to $482,080 in January 2013.

“The pace of price growth will remain strong in 2014. Similar to last year, competition between buyers for singles, semis and town homes in the City of Toronto and surrounding regions will continue to exert upward pressure on selling prices. At the same time, mortgage rates will remain near historic lows, so despite strong price growth, home ownership will remain affordable for the average household in the GTA,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

Raise the alarm and step up your safety with these do-it-yourself home security tips guaranteed to keep your home secure from intruders.

1. Hide Your Stuff Strategically

Store valuables in your child’s sock drawer, not your nightstand. Thieves often scour the master bedroom but tend to leave kids’ rooms untouched.

2. Keep Your Keypad Concealed

If there’s decorative glass in your front entrance, install your security keypad in a spot that’s not visible from the doorstep. That way, burglars won’t be able to peer in and see if the alarm is set.

3. Reposition Your Mail Slot

A mail slot goes against the wood grain, weakening the horizontal integrity of a door and making it easier to kick in. Opt for a mailbox, or install your slot near the bottom of the front door, no higher than a quarter of the way up.

4. Plant a Deterrent

Plant thorny shrubs, such as rosebushes, beneath ground-floor windows. They’ll pretty up your garden and make robbers think twice.

5. Keep an Eye on Your Mail

While you’re on vacation, ask a neighbour to check daily for flyers stuck in your front door. Crafty criminals have been known to leave pizza ads to see how long it takes residents to remove them.