Toronto named hottest luxury real estate market in the world

TORONTO – High-end homes are being snapped up increasingly fast in Toronto, named the world’s hottest luxury real estate market in a new report that looks at where the wealthy choose to live.

The study says the extremely low supply of homes in Toronto has pushed prices for relatively average homes to over $1.2 million, and up to $4.8 million for larger homes or those in more desirable neighbourhoods.The report by Christie’s International Real Estate says Toronto was the only location among the world’s top 10 markets to see a faster pace of luxury home sales last year over 2013 – 37 per cent in 2014, compared with only four per cent the previous year.

Homes worth $1.2 million or more spent less time on the market in Toronto than in any other top locations – an average of 31 days, eight days less than the previous year.

A mansion in Toronto’s Forest Hill is pictured in this file photo.

Fernando Morales/The Globe and Mail

By comparison, the second-fastest market was San Francisco, where homes in that price range took an average of 71 days to sell. The report says the global average in 254 days.

However, Toronto ranked only 10th on the general luxury index, which measures overall prices as opposed to growth and demand. London was ranked first.

“2014 was the Toronto market’s second-best year on record,” Justine Deluce, a broker at Chestnut Park Real Estate, said in the report.

“If there had been more inventory, the record would easily have been shattered.”

On average, luxury resort markets saw a stronger boost in sales than urban areas last year, the report shows.

The Muskoka region north of Toronto saw a “marked increase” in luxury home sales, especially in the $2.4 million or more range, which went up 66 per cent from 2013.

“The jump in luxury sales volumes does not necessarily show that average sale prices increased, but does indicate that buyers had an appetite for more expensive recreational properties-something that has not occurred since before the recession of 2008,” Deluce said.

Last year also saw more properties than ever being sold for more than US$100 million across all markets.

© The Canadian Press, 2015

To find out what kind of home can 1  million get you inside (and outside) Toronto?  Call or email

Lisa Portolese, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Signature Realty, Brokerage

905-568-2121

Top 5 reasons to sign up for your neighbourhood Terry Fox Run …

Ain't it great to be alive? Check out this awesome song at the end of this post.  

I wanted to reach out to you today with a very important request. On Sunday September 14th, 2014 we celebrate the 34th anniversary of the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope.  There are run/walk/crawl sites all over the world now. Wow, talk about the power of what one person can do! 

Top 5 reasons to sign up for your neighbourhood Terry Fox Run …

#1) No question, the number #1 reason is to help us save lives - this is why we do what we do. This is what gets us up in the morning and inspires us every single day. And remember, ¢84 cents of EVERY dollar you raise goes directly to research. We have come so far.

As a direct result of the money you have raised or donated, we have better ways to detect, diagnose and treat cancer today. 

This is helping cancer patients to live, to live longer and with a better quality of life. 


Let's  truly make a difference in someone's life..register for your local Terry Fox Run today. Click the link to find a Run near you - Sept 14http://www.terryfox.org/Run

 -or-

You can also support my Team Members by visiting our Terry Fox Pirate's Page  https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=2516373&langPref=en-CA

Is Investing in Condos in Mississauga a good idea?

Is Investing in Condos in Mississauga a good idea?

Like almost any investment, you need to look at the type of return that you are expecting as well as the level of risk that you are willing to assume.

Investing in condos is a safe long term investment with a historical increase in property values significantly above inflation. As far as I am concerned there are 3 certainties in life...death, taxes and the fact that real estate value will always increase over time (at lease until we colonize other planets).

Having said that, I do not recommend "flipping" condos or looking at a condo as a short term investment. The costs of entering and exiting are just too high. For the long term though, condos in the 600-700 sf range in high quality areas are excellent investments.

Real Estate provides 3 powerful ways to earn a return:

1. Property value increase - As I had mentioned above the historical increase in property values is significantly above inflation. At any given time the Real Estate Market can be up or down, but over time it will always increase. The only time that you will lose money in real estate is when you are forced to sell.

2. Paying down your mortgage (building equity) - The rental market is incredibly strong, as are rental prices. This means that you can have someone else pay your mortgage down and build equity for you(hopefully without you spending a dollar on anything other than upkeep).

3. Monthly cash flow from rentals - While most new condo purchases yield are "break even" investment up front, as rental prices increase over time (all things equal) your mortgage payment should actually decrease, which will create a monthly cash flow that will grow year over year.

With 25 years of real estate experience I would be happy to answer any questions. Just call or email. Happy Home Hunting!

LISA PORTOLESE
Salesperson
ROYAL LEPAGE KINGSBURY REALTY, BROKERAGE
905-568-2121

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook!

Canada vs USA

February 20, 2014


Coming off a thrilling Canada/US game in women’s hockey, it’s the men’s turn to take on their American rivals.

If there was ever a time for goal-scorers to live up to their reputations, this would be it.

Team Canada faces off against the U.S. in the semifinals of the men’s Olympic hockey tournament this Friday.

I will be in Detroit, hoping for a 3 hour delay so I can watch the game at some Oxygen Bar at the Airport and it looks like the weather will be cooperating with me.

I do hope that I will run into Detroit’s Eminem, Kid Rock or Madonna, but mainly I am hoping wishing and praying that my Purple Suitcase and Hoodie don’t get me mistaken as some Bieber or Raptors Fan.

The Olympics are okay but I am really looking forward to be the return of Scandal and Once Upon a Time. Now there are some awesome series to check into it. I am also happy to report that I brought my friends Geek Collection of Movies and am about to watch a very iconic Empire.

I am wondering if Delta will show the game on the flight because I need to know who will win the case of beer, Obama or Harper?

It has been such as active winter. I am looking forward to getting away for two amazing weeks in my home away from home- Puerto Vallarta. Then a returning to a very active spring market. It is always the same here in the GTA. I notice my friends in Victoria enjoy warmer climate and consistency throughout the year.

Once again this winter people are not listing their homes, causing a shortage, and the lack of supply encourages multiple offers and price increases. Great for Sellers, not so good for Buyers.

Once the weather changes there will probably be more signs in the City especially if the Provincial Liberals move to an election in May. Many houses will be put up for sale and I expect that they will sell quite fast due to pent-up demand. This is almost a yearly occurrence in the GTA and will cause us to have a very busy few months, which will leave some sellers disappointed if they wait to long to and list their homes in the summer months.

If you or any friends are thinking of selling, tell them to get their houses ready for the marketplace, the sooner the better. Send me an email or give me a call.



Until we meet again,



Go Team Canada Go!

FIRE YOUR LANDLORD and say "I do, to Home Ownership"

In 2014
Say "I Do" to Homeownership

IMAGINE...

Marrying your soul mate...
and starting your life together in your
OWN HOME

This is POSSIBLE, just as soon as you make the "commitment" and Say "I DO" to Homeownership.

Dear Newlyweds,

In 2014, you can start the home buying process - and be well on your way to owning your own home!

When you "create" a plan and write out your "vision".

Purchasing a home is not difficult...all you need to do is commit to spending the time necessary to interview your real estate house hunting team. You can make it happen together. I'll give you EVERYTHING you need to put yourself on the path to owning your own home.

What are the benefits for you and your mate when you purchase a home?

• Build equity and wealth (a personal savings plan)
• Tax breaks
• Independence
• Privacy
• Freedom
• Stability
• Room to grow your family
• Low interest rate

Often times, we settle for leasing a nicer, newer more expensive apartment as a compromise for not purchasing a home. Newlyweds often spend $1000.00 each month renting (that's $12,000 in one year, $24,000 in two years and $60,000 in five years). Think about how much money is spent with no return back to you! And to top it off...we usually outgrow these tiny apartments, because we've accumulated SO MUCH STUFF! Remember, it's two of you now versus just one.

FIRE YOUR LANDLORD

When you Say "I Do" to Homeownership, you terminate the cycle of renting...the cycle that prohibits long-term wealth building for you and your spouse. If you're like the millions that rent after getting married, do something different...BUY A HOME!

Educate and prepare yourselves to be homeowners. Saying "I Do" to Homeownership provides you with a golden opportunity...an opportunity that will teach you "how to" buy your first home together.

NO "SPECIAL SKILL" NEEDED

All newlyweds can purchase a home once they make the commitment.  For some, it takes more time. I love to meet with people and guide them in the right direction. You do need to have some basic things in place in order to qualify. 

Some examples are a 

• Steady work history (2 years or more) some exceptions do apply
• Minimum credit scores of 620 
• 5% to 20% down payment
• Moderate debt-to-income ratio (ability to afford a mortgage)

3 MAGIC BULLETS

COMMITMENT:

The first thing (after saying "I DO" to one another) is to Say "I Do" to Homeownership. Both you and your mate have to make the commitment to STOP RENTING and make provisions toward homeownership. This is a commitment that both of you must agree on. I'm going to teach you how to know if both of you are ready to commit to homeownership. You may be thinking that your apartment is "okay" for the two of you, and that you're comfortable. But, STOP...think about starting your family. Wouldn't you like to have a backyard where your child can safely play? Don't you want you, your spouse and children to develop lasting friendships with neighbors, to have stability...a place that all of you can call home? Sure you do! So do I! I want to help you achieve homeownership for all of these reasons.

That's why I'm encouraging you to look beyond today and sacrifice for an investment that will last your entire lifetime!

EDUCATION:

After you've made the commitment to purchase a home, you then have to educate yourselves on the home buying process. This is extremely important. Your home buying education is the absolute, re-assurance to your purchasing a home successfully (without regret and mistakes). 

Did you know that with the precise education and home buying tips you can virtually eliminate the negative stigma and fear of buying a home. If you hear couples speaking negatively about homeownership...they are fearful. A lack of understanding, knowledge and education will cause us to fear. We naturally fear the unknown. And since you may not have purchased a home before, you don't have a "point of reference" of how it's done.

Once you have your arsenal of information you're then eligible and well able to begin your home buying process with confidence.

PREPARATION:

No one buys a home overnight! It takes preparation. Obviously, you and your mate are smart and plan to buy a home (otherwise, you wouldn't be on this website).

Being prepared eliminates the surprises and removes the "guess work."

Knowledge is Power!

As a Realtor, I've had an opportunity work with many couples - all excited about buying their 1st home. 

As I work with each of these couples, I consistently discover that their love and commitment to each other is strengthened by their accomplishment of purchasing their 1st home together.

It creates a positive synergy and brings them even closer. Perhaps, it's the loving considerateness that the husband gives the wife as he listens to the intricate details that she adores and want in the house or the thoughtful compromise that the wife makes so that he can have his "man cave" 

I love to see and hear the excitement as these couples chatter away about what they're going to do after they move into their new home. Purchasing a home with the one you love symbolizes - commitment, stability, and happiness. 

Couples that choose homeownership are progressive, forward thinkers that clearly see the benefits of homeownership. 

IT'S SO EASY!

 Call me or email me to schedule an appointment. 

• Have a Heart-to-Heart Talk to Discuss Your Needs
• Use the Internet to Begin Home Buying
• Sit Down Together to Calculate the Costs of Homeownership
• How to Know if You’re Both Ready to Purchase a Home
• How to Know if You Will Qualify for a Loan
• Agree to Find a Good Real Estate Agent to Help You
• Learn How to Choose the Right Mortgage
• Know How to Choose a Mortgage Lender
• Learn How to Comparison Shop for the Right Mortgage
• Evaluate and Research Neighbourhoods together
• Learn How to Shop for Your New Home
• Learn How to Strategically Visit Homes and Open Houses
• Learn How to Make an Offer on Your New Home
• Understand How to Properly Bid and Negotiate on Your New Home
• Learn How to Handle Home Buyers Remorse
• Learn How to Choose a Mover
• Create a Home Maintenance Checklist
• Create a Moving Time Line

There is a lot to do. There is much to learn online. However, even in  this age of Technology there still remains a few well kept secrets.

Let me be of service to you. If you are not in my area. I will certainly be happy to chat with you and find you a Realtor, in your city or country that has a solid reputation amongst our peers!

Best Wishes to everyone!  

Lisa Portolese, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Kingsbury Realty, Brokerage

30 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 200

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Bus (905) 568-2121

Cel  (416)  953-9714 

Email     LisaMovesYou@Rogers.com

Website http://www.lisamovesyou.ca

"

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!

Merry Christmas to All!  Check out the video at the end of this post. It is David Bowie and Bing Crosby.  Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. "Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. "Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' "Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus? "VIRGINIA O'HANLON. "115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET." VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Canadian Thanksgiving 2013

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving 2013
Like the United States, Canada gives thanks for its good fortune once a year and eats itself silly with turkey and mashed potatoes.

Whereas  American Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, in Canada the second Monday of October is a statutory, or public, holiday. This year, Canadian Thanksgiving falls on Monday, Oct 14, 2013. 

The Canadian Thanksgiving holiday is officially observed on the second Monday of October, however people generally get together for their Thanksgiving meal on any one of the three days of this three-day holiday weekend. 

Although Canadians do tend to get together on Thanksgiving weekend, the holiday is not as big a celebration in Canada as it is in the U.S., where Thanksgiving is the year's biggest holiday occasion. Nevertheless, Thanksgiving weekend is a popular time for Canadians to gather with family, so more people than usual are traveling on that weekend.

In Quebec, Thanksgiving, or, action de grâce, is a bit different. Though celebrated by the English-speaking population in Quebec, French Canadians generally do not carry on with turkey and family get-togethers.

No Black Friday in Canada

Canada does not have a big shopping day after Thanksgiving the way the United States does.Boxing Day - December 26th - is the equivalent in terms of sales and shopping extravaganzas in Canada.

 

Just so you know, I am open to invitations over the long weekend and can be enticed to work for yummy Pumpkin Pie.

 

Contact Lisa Portolese, Sales Representative, Royal LePage Kingsbury Realty, Brokerage

(905) 568-2121

1. Article Courtesy About.com
2. Travel
3. Canada Travel
4. Canada Travel Planner
5. Public Holidays in Canada
6. Canadian Thanksgiving 2013

It Couldn’t Be Done- Dedicated to anyone who just won't quit and to everyone participating in the 33rd annual Terry Fox Run.

This poem was Terry Fox's favourite poem and he read it daily before running his Marathon A Day. I hope it inspires you to do something that seems impossible.  Terry was quite remarkable. Terry Fox Run Day is a special day for participants. Many of us take part in it to honour loved ones who have battled cancer. 

Terry Fox 
(1958-1981)

Canadian Athlete, Humanitarian, Cancer-Treatment Advocate

birthdate: July 28 birthplace: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada 

It Couldn’t Be Done

BY EDGAR ALBERT GUEST

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done

      But he with a chuckle replied

That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one

      Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.

So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin

      On his face. If he worried he hid it.

He started to sing as he tackled the thing

      That couldn’t be done, and he did it!

Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;

      At least no one ever has done it;”

But he took off his coat and he took off his hat

      And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.

With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,

      Without any doubting or quiddit,

He started to sing as he tackled the thing

      That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,

      There are thousands to prophesy failure,

There are thousands to point out to you one by one,

      The dangers that wait to assail you.

But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,

      Just take off your coat and go to it;

Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing

      That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.

QUOTES

“Even though I'm not running anymore, we still have to try to find a cure for cancer. Other people should go ahead and try to do their own thing now.”

“I don’t feel that this is unfair. That’s the thing about cancer. I’m not the only one, it happens all the time to people. I’m not special. This just intensifies what I did. It gives it more meaning. It’ll inspire more people. I just wish people would realize that anything’s possible if you try; dreams are made possible if you try."

“Even if I don't finish, we need others to continue. It's got to keep going without me.”

“Somewere the hurting must stop.”

“I know that you can do the impossible,”

“I'm not a dreamer, and I'm not saying this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer, but I believe in miracles. I have to.”

"How many people ever get a chance to do something that they really believe in?"

Favourite Quotes from Terry Fox

GTA Realtors Release Monthly Resale Housing Figures

July 5th, 2013.

I just reviewed all the current data available to me through the true MLS which is exclusive to realtors who belong toTREB (Toronto Real Estate Board).

As a Mississauga Real Estate Agent for over 25 years I have been utilizing TREB's state of the art MLS to help my Clients- both Sellers and Buyers make wise decisions with all their real estate needs.

TORONTO, July 4, 2013 – Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 9,061 sales through the TorontoMLS system in June 2013 – down by less than one per cent compared to June 2012.

Over the same period, new listings were down by a greater rate than sales, suggesting market conditions became tighter.

"The sales picture in the GTA improved markedly in the second quarter of 2013. While the number of transactions was still down compared to 2012, rates of decline were substantially improved compared to the first quarter," said Toronto Real Estate Board President Dianne Usher.

"As a growing number of homebuyers, many of whom put their purchase on hold due to stricter lending guidelines,now reactivate their search, the expectation is for renewed growth in home sales in the second half of 2013," added Ms. Usher.

The average selling price in June was up by 4.7 per cent year-over-year to $531,374. In line with the 2013 norm, June price growth was driven by the single-detached and semi-detached market segments, particularly in the City of Toronto. Over the same time period, average condominium apartment selling prices remained in line with 2012 levels.

"The short supply of low-rise home types in many parts of the GTA relative to the number of households looking to buy continued to prompt strong upward pressure on selling prices of singles and semis," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "We have also seen enough buyers in the better-supplied condo apartment market to provide support for selling prices at current levels."

Farther below are the statistics for those of you in the "416" are and others in "905" areas.

Greater Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They are governed by a strict Code of Ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service which is accurate.  Over 37,000 TREB Members serve consumers in the Greater Toronto Area. The Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada’s largest real estate board.

For more information about your particular needs, just call me, Lisa Portolese 416-953-9714 or email me at LisaMovesYou@Rogers.com 

If you are out of my service area or province. I can help suggest some agents for you to interview.


Have a great weekend!


Sales Average Price New Listings Sales Average Price New Listings

City of Toronto ("416") 3,265 $578,575 5,913 3,435 $553,417 6,697

Rest of GTA ("905") 5,796 $504,784 9,651 5,694 $479,546 9,885

GTA 9,061 $531,374 15,564 9,129 $507,342 16,582

Source: Toronto Real Estate Board

June 1 - 30

Summary of TorontoMLS Sales and Average Price

2013 2012

416 905 Total 416 905 Total

Detached 1,137 3,411 4,548 866,326 598,708 665,613


Semi-Detached 380 623 1,003 618,194 411,877 490,043


Townhouse 379 1,054 1,433 443,126 378,264 395,418

Condo Apartment 1,329 556 1,885 366,532 288,604 343,546

Always Something To Give

Wednesday June 26, 2013




Always Something To Give


A student once came to his teacher and said, “Many of your lessons speak of the blessings that can come through sharing, but I have nothing to give! I have no skills, so I have no work. I have no work, so I have no money.”



The wise sage told his student to stand outside of a nearby building, and to simply say hello and shake hands with each passerby for an entire day. By nightfall the student returned, exclaiming that not only had he made so many friends, but he also had miraculously been given a new job. The manager of the building had seen the student’s warmth, kindness, and generosity towards others, and offered him a position as doorman.



The lesson is that we always have something to give, even if it is just a smile or a helping hand.

MEMBER/Public ALERT: Open House Theft - Mississauga- June 11th , 2013

As a Real Estate Agent for over 25 years in the Mississauga area, the issue of safety has always concerned me and many of my colleagues and clients.

There are some steps that realtors can take to protect their clients. The General public can help us by not getting offended when we ask for I.D at the time we have you sign our Guest Register. The Seller can help by removing all valuables and agents can help themselves by placing a sign on the door so that only one showing occurs at a time. If people are serious, they will wait 5-10 minutes (I learned that tip from Sam McDadi, another Veteran agent) Thank you, Sam for always sharing great information with your colleagues. I always share the tips I learn from you and other full time experienced agents because one candle loses nothing by lighting another.

Guest registrars make our Sellers feel more comfortable knowing who has been through their home and because I don't want to interfere with another agents buyers- I have an opt out section so I will not call you unless you want me to.

I think public perception is we want your names so we can put you under a spell and force you to buy or call you more times than is necessary to follow up.

The professional realtors I know, are not in the business of harassing prospects and the days of high pressure sales like you can see in the movie Glengarry/Glen Ross are far behind us.

So here is what happened. Fortunately, there was injury or loss of life and "things" can be replaced. Still, I wanted to make sure many of you are aware of what happened.

MEMBER ALERT: Open House Theft - Mississauga.

June 11, 2013 -- A Member has reported a theft that occurred at an open house, which took place in the Eglinton Avenue East and Kennedy Road area of Mississauga on June 8.



During the open house, the Member’s laptop computer was taken from the dining room table, which he had been using as a workspace.



Although the open house attracted several potential Buyers at the outset, a quiet period followed, during which the Member began using his laptop. Thereafter, a couple arrived to view the home and immediately after they left, the Member discovered his laptop was gone.



The Member overheard the couple talking outside the front door prior to their arrival; however, upon introducing themselves, they claimed that they did not know each other.



The male indicated he was a local contractor and after signing the registry, immediately went to view the basement.



The Member remained with the female and after she had signed in, he accompanied her to view the basement. As they reached that area, the male quickly went to the home’s second level using a separate staircase.



As the Member and the female followed to the second level, the male returned to the home’s main level and promptly began putting on his shoes to leave. The Member called down from the second level, inquiring as to why the male was leaving so soon. He replied that the house was not for him.



Immediately thereafter, the woman indicated her intention to leave, stating that the house, which was 2800 square feet, was too large for her and her husband. She indicated that she was newly married and lived in a townhome nearby.



After accompanying her to the door, the Member returned to the dining room to find his laptop had gone.



Although the homeowners were present during the showing, they remained in the family room, not within view of the laptop’s location, and as such, they did not witness the theft.



Upon attempting to reach each of the individuals at the telephone numbers they provided, the Member found that both numbers were unassigned.



The male is described as being in his early 30s, approximately 6’ tall with an athletic build. He had dark hair and was well groomed. He wore jeans and a t-shirt and carried a tape measure.



The female is described as being in her late 20s, approximately 5’8” tall with dark hair. She was very attractive and casually dressed in jeans and a dark top.



Members are reminded to consider keeping a guest registry at all open houses, requesting visitors’ identification as part of this process.



In addition to safeguarding their own possessions, it is suggested that Members also advise their clients to remove all valuables from the home, including jewellery and electronics, prior to any showing rather than attempting to hide them.



This incident has been reported to police.


Do not hesitate to contact me for additional informatrion. Visit www.lisamovesyou.ca  or call me at 905-568-2121

P.S For my movie buff clients, colleagues and readers of this blog, this is a great film! Have a great week!

Today more than one billion people from around the world will take part in Earth Day

Happy Earth Day Everyone!

I wanted to take this opportunity to address the most important home of all. It is the home we share together and often take for granted.

We all need to educate ourselves to the facts and act responsibly. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

Earth Day 2013 - Climate Change

Today more than one billion people from around the world will take part in Earth Day, an annual event which celebrates our amazing planet and encourages people to take positive actions to protect it.



It is easy to think of climate change as a remote problem but the reality is that it is impacting people, places and species all over the world, and the numbers are increasing. The theme of Earth Day 2013 is ‘The Face of Climate Change’, which was chosen to highlight the increasing impacts of climate change on individuals around the world.This year to mark Earth Day we have selected our own ‘Faces of Climate Change’ in order to raise awareness about some of the many species affected by climate change.

Polar bears

Climate change is the biggest threat facing the polar bear, the world’s largest living land carnivore. The polar bear is dependent on sea ice for its survival, but climate change is causing drastic reductions in the extent of ice cover across the Arctic region. This reduces the polar bear’s access to prey, forcing them to spend more time on land and rely on stored fat reserves. Less food also means bears will give birth to fewer, smaller young.

Coral reefs

Climate change is already having measurable impacts on coral reefs worldwide.Coral bleaching, a process where corals lose their symbiotic algae due to the stress of being exposed to extreme temperatures, is becoming more frequent as the sea temperatures rise.

Climate change is also responsible for ocean acidification, a term used to describe the decrease in pH of the world’s seas as more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is absorbed into the ocean. This increase in acidity reduces the ability of corals to build their limestone skeletons.

North Atlantic right whale

Despite its large size, the North Atlantic right whale has a relatively narrow diet, comprising of tiny planktonic prey. As sea temperatures increase and ocean currents are altered due to climate change, the prey of the North Atlantic right whale is likely to move location or reduce in quantity. This could have devastating consequences for the species, with the change in food availability already affecting the reproductive rates of this highly endangered whale.

Sea turtles

The gender of sea turtle hatchlings is determined by the temperature at which the eggs are incubated in the nest, with cooler temperatures producing more males and warmer temperatures more females. Increasing temperatures, due to climate change, will result in a disproportionate number of females in a given population. Sea turtle’s nesting beaches are also at risk with rising sea levels and increased storm activity threatening the beaches.

Golden Toad

  



The extinction of the golden toad is thought to have been caused mainly by climate change and the disease chytridiomycosis. Amphibians are sensitive to even small changes in temperature and moisture, with changes in global weather patterns altering breeding behaviour and affecting reproductive success. Climate induced changes in habitat may also decrease amphibians’ immunity to disease, as well as increasing their sensitivity to chemical contaminants.


Here is a song from one of my favourite documentary's. Carpe Diem!