H&M has long been touted as the go-to place for affordable clothes in styles that are straight off the runway. Now they're turning their attention to the home with a new line of housewares split into four styles.

Design:



Classic:



Youth:



Nature:

Enjoy the ones you love the most, cherish the time spent and enjoy the gift of your family and friends this holiday. I hope you all have a safe and wonderful time together as you look back on your past year and give thanks for the accomplishments thus far. Here is to laughter, prosperity, friends, family and Health


Jason R. Johnson

http://www.jasonrjohnson.com

I know I have said this before, but I feel I have to say it again so that it's truly known to everyone who is contemplating purchasing their first property, This is the time to buy!

" We are now experiencing a "buyer's market." What is a "buyer's market"? Simply put- a market in which there is a greater supply of homes for sale than buyers who want to buy. For the first time since 1997 buyers do not have to rush into a buying frenzy and make irrational decisions in "bidding wars". There are now more homes on the market in all neighbourhoods than there are buyers prepared to make offers. The number of days a home is on the market has been increasing causing declining sales figures over previous
months. Qualified home buyers are in an enviable position to negotiate. "ezinearticles

"Five or 10 years from now, when the financial crisis has ended and housing prices are up smartly once more, we will look in the rear view mirror and realize that we missed a golden age for first-time home buyers.Then, everyone who sat on their down payment savings accounts for a few years too long will kick themselves for not taking advantage of what may turn out to be the buying
opportunity of a lifetime for those who can qualify for a mortgage. "New York Times

"The single biggest investment for most Canadians is the purchase of a home. So, home owners were understandably worried when the Canadian Real Estate Association recently reported that average Canadian resale house prices fell by 10 per cent year-over-year in October.

On the other hand, the end of the boom would appear to be good news for prospective purchasers after six consecutive years

of price increases."The Globe and Mail

If your still hesitant but want to see what's available on the market fill out my Future Buyers Program Form and receive free listings of properties. FUTURE BUYERS PROGRAM FORM

So earlier today I was talking to a friend about the possibility of listing her family home for sale, one of the things that we talked about was de-cluttering her place to give it a better appeal. I told her we would have to stage her home for overall appeal and a quicker sale. Here is an article that I found by Colin & Justin about how to make your home look it's best. They have some great tips so I will basically plagiarize it for you guys ;)

Ways to make a small place seem larger:


• Maximize storage - go large on storage space if square footage is tight, such as installing floor-to-ceiling bookcases, shelves, cabinets.  Mount on walls instead of floors if possible.
• Keep walkways defined - rooms appear larger when you can see floors.  Taller, bulkier items should be against walls, sofas should be low.
• Use light colors - lighter shades open up space.  It need not be all white, but light natural colors work best.
• Blend features - Paint walls, trim and detailing in different shades of the same colour. 
• Reflect on your space - Mirrors baby!  They bounce light and open up space.  Even mirrored furniture like a coffee table  increases the feeling of space.  Just don’t go too crazy…  or Doc Brown will show up in his Delorean to take you back to the past.
• Trick your eyes - You can change perspective by hanging long narrow pictures to lengthen the appearance of a room.  It can help in that short room you may have.
• Pare down your windows - Toss the heavy drapes, and put on a simple blind or sheer.  You want to let light in.
• Demand double duty - Choose furniture that serve double duty, such as a headboard with storage, or padded coffee tables that double as seats.  It saves space.
• Maximize light - Highlight each for corners of a room with lighting to expand its size.  Use spot lights in dark areas to create a larger feel.
 
If you’ve got a large home, you may have the opposite problem.  Here are ways to make a large place feel more intimate:
 

• Go Large - Use large furniture, and large art pieces to fill up space. 
• Divide & Conquer - Use room dividers or double sided display cabinets to create separations in a large room. 
• Colour Cohesion - Use the same color palette in different areas of your room.  Match colors of your walls with colors of your furniture, so to speak.  Their example: if you have a blue striped sofa, provide schematic cohesion by employing the same blue as an accent wall or as napery detail on the dining table at the other end of the large space.  (Not sure I could pull this one off without some professional help!)
• Be defined - Keep each function clearly defined.  Use furniture to delineate space, create zones within zones.  A sectional sofa could mark out your TV area, while a dining table the dining space.
• Use rugs to define space - Area rugs can map out where one function starts and another ends.
• Sliding doors - Installing sliding doors can give the flexibility of having one large room, or two smaller spaces.
• Create interest zones - Use a console table with a huge flower arrangement, and other areas of art collections for example in another part of the room.  When the eye has various places to go, larger spaces seem smaller.
• Use Available Space Differently - No need to push your bed against the wall in a large room, put it on an angle, or place it in the middle of the room. 


Original Article [http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/527014]

Parkdale is a neighbourhood in Toronto, west of downtown. It is bounded on the west by Roncesvalles Avenue, on the north by Fermanagh Avenue from Roncesvalles on the west to the rail lines leading south-east to Dufferin Street, where it meets the railway at Queen. It is bounded on the east by Dufferin Street from Queen Street leading to the south, and on the south by Lake Ontario. This section is roughly one square kilometer in area.

The Parkdale neighbourhood possesses many positive attributes. It has some of Toronto's most vibrant shopping districts, wonderful tree lined streets, affordable Victorian homes, and impressive mansions that remind onlookers that Parkdale was once Toronto's wealthiest district. Parkdale is also within walking distance of Toronto's waterfront parks.

The main commercial shopping area in Parkdale has historically been on Queen Street. This vibrant shopping district seems to be in a state of perpetual activity; it includes an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants.

The Roncesvalles Village shopping district, north of Queen Street, is the cultural centre of Toronto's Polish community. There are many outstanding food markets, delis, and restaurants along this route.


Home Price Range: $300,000 - $700,000

South Parkdale's grandiose mansions were built between 1875 and 1895. Some of these houses have been converted into bacherlorettes or rooming houses however the current by laws advocate restoring these houses to single family use.

The houses in the north end of Parkdale, above Queen Street, are more modest than their South Parkdale counterparts, but are no less charming. These houses were built between 1900 and 1910









Featured Restaurant:


Ali's Roti

1446 Queen Street West
Phone: 416-532-7701

Emerald Park Condominiums, the latest project from Bazis International. It will be centrally located around Yonge and Sheppard, the Sheppard Centre; right at the South West corner of Yonge and Bogert.

Emerald Park Condominiums will have two residential towers respectively, as well as a retail podium in between two building. This distinctive feature creates an intimate connection with the surrounding urban landscape.

The lobbies of Emerald Park are unique spaces that capture the essence of these singular buildings. Sleek geometric lines and a calming colour palette are infused with overhead ribbons of light, charcoal gray paneling and expansive backlit water sculptures to create a welcoming retreat from the energized urban hum. But when the city does call, your underground link to the subway is just one floor down.

Units start at 581 sq ft one bedroom. 9 ft ceiling to all floors. Suites will contain superior level finishes which will have fabulous corian countertops, MIELE stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors and Spa-like bathroom

[ Use Your RRSP's for your Down Payment ]


Coming up with enough money for a down payment is often the only obstacle standing in the way for many Canadians who are ready to purchase a home of their own. The Federal Government has recognized this obstacle and has implemented the Home Buyer's Plan which allows qualified first-time home buyers to withdraw up to $20,000 from a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (without penalty) to use as a down payment on their new home.

To qualify for this plan, you must be considered a first-time home buyer. You are still considered a first-time home buyer even if you own a rental property, but you have not recently owned a property within the five years prior to applying for the Home Buyer's Plan.


If you do qualify for the Home Buyer's Plan, you must adhere to the following guidelines:
• You can only withdraw up to a maximum of $20,000 from your RRSP. If you are married or purchasing the property with another first-time home buyer, each individual can withdraw up to a maximum of $20,000 from an RRSP for a total of $40,000.
• Only the individual who owns the RRSP can withdraw the funds. You can make withdrawals from more than one RRSP as long as you are the owner. The combined withdrawal amount cannot exceed the $20,000 maximum per individual.
• You cannot withdraw funds from a locked-in RRSP.
• The funds must have been deposited into the RRSP for a minimum of 90 days prior to withdrawal.
• A signed agreement proving your intent to purchase is required. This means you must provide a purchase contract from a builder or seller showing you as the buyer.
• You must buy or build before October 1 of the following year after your withdrawal. For example, if you withdrew funds from your RRSP in June 2006, you must buy or build before October 1, 2007.
• The property being purchased must be occupied by the owner unless you are purchasing the property for someone who is related to you and who is disabled. The Home Buyer's Plan cannot be used to purchase investment or rental property.
• If you are disabled, you can participate in the Home Buyer's Plan to buy or build a more accessible home.
• You must begin to repay your RRSP two years after the funds are withdrawn. You have 15 years to repay the funds with at least 1/15 of the funds being repaid each year. If you fail to repay the minimum of 1/15 per year, that amount will be considered taxable income and you will have to pay the taxes.
• Your RRSP can be established with borrowed funds (which could result in a significant tax refund which could be used as the down payment).
• You can participate in the Home Buyer's Plan more than once, but only if your balance from the first withdrawal is fully repaid by the time you want to re-apply.


Download the Pdf Here Home Buyers Plan PDF

The house is located on the edge of the Asterdplas in the Hague district meadows in Breda. The living area is raised above the surrounding land, so that the view of the natural environment is optimal. Large terraces immediately adjacent to the main living areas and large windows give the house a light and transparent character.

Visit the website of Grosfeld van der Velde Here













From the architects:

Searching for Real Estate to purchase is a very exciting experience. Educating yourself about this long and stressful process of home buying will result in the biggest investment that you will be making in your life.


• AVOID LOOKING AT HOMES YOU CANNOT AFFORD - Buying a home does not only mean a down payment and fixed monthly mortgages. There will also be expenses for repairs, maintenance, new appliances and furniture, property taxes, insurance. A clear understanding of your finances prevents wasted time.
• AVOID VIEWING HOMES ALONE - Bring your spouse, your children or a friend with you. You might miss out on some imperfections because of your excitement. Their point of view will surely be of great help.
• AVOID BUYING A HOME ON YOUR FIRST VISIT - Do not rush. Visit the home that you like twice, thrice or even more than that. Make sure that this is the home that you really want to settle in. Have a professional home inspection done to eliminate future headaches like the exterior components which includes roofing, gutters, downspouts and the interior systems which includes electrical, plumbing, flooring.
• AVOID SWITCHING BANKS - Problems in the verification process may occur when you move your money to another bank.
• AVOID VERBAL AGREEMENTS - Put everything in black and white. Whatever was agreed upon verbally does not count in the eyes of the law.
• AVOID SIGNING DOCUMENTS WITHOUT FIRST READING THEM - understand, then sign before finalizing your home purchase.

A detailed step-by-step guide to financing, choosing and purchasing your first home complete with helpful tips, worksheets and more. This package also comes with special offers worth over $1,800 for new mortgage customers including a refund of the cost ($24.95) of BMO First Home Essentials


for more info click here [ BMO FIRST HOME ESSENTIALS]

Designed by Daniele Lago, this futuristic, elegant and stylish kitchen 36E8 is an odd mixture of styles, Highly organized and can be altered to suit various needs. The kitchen is designed in typical Italian style with plenty of bright shades, lots of glossy finishes and yet very modern and minimalistic approach towards the shelves and the space available.

Minto King West, the latest project from Minto at Bathrust and King. Your neighbourhood. Hip. Hot. Cool. With the choice of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom innovative layout, Minto embodies you to a great lifestyle of young urbanites and savvy empty-nesters alike.

Live in the heart of King West, close to shopping, dining, and entertainment with the TTC at your door. And everyone you want to be with. Live. Love. Laugh. Breathe.

MintoKingWest is LEED Canada Gold Candidate and will use environmentally sensitive energy sources.









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I strongly recommend all interested buyers to be accompanied by REALTOR® on the first time when entering a condo sales centre. Realtors get paid by the builders and their service is free to you, neither the price of your purchase will change. A Realtor will guide you through the selection and the purchase process and negotiate with the builder on your behalf, as well will refer you to professional such as lawyers and finance/mortgage. Please fill out the form below or you may Call me @ 416.487.4311