The Oulahen Team

Monthly Toronto Real Estate Resale Market Figures

TORONTO, May 3, 2012 — Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 10,350 transactions through the TorontoMLS System in April 2012. This level of sales was 18 per cent higher than the 8,778 firm deals reported in April 2011. The strongest sales growth was reported in the single-detached market segment, with transactions of this home type up by 22 per cent compared to a year ago.

“Interest in single-detached homes has been very high, both in the City of Toronto and surrounding regions. Growth in single-detached listings has not kept up with demand, which means competition between buyers in this market segment increased. With this in mind, it was no surprise that the strongest annual price increase was also experienced in the single-detached segment,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President, Richard Silver.

The average price for April 2012 transactions was $517,556 – up 8.5 per cent compared to April 2011. While price growth was strongest for single-detached homes, the better-supplied condominium apartment segment experienced a more moderate annual rate of price growth, at four per cent.

“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.

Detached home sales soar as condos continue to take over the real estate market

While developers build ever more condominium towers across the city, the classic object of any potential homeowner’s yearning—the detached home—is surging in value at a pace that far exceeds that of the ubiquitous apartment unit. Detached homes have become a “precious” commodity (realtor Richard Silver’s words) as the condo craze has rapidly increased the skyward share of Toronto’s housing stock. According to Moneyville.ca, demand for detached homes is so strong that sales jumped 22 per cent across the GTA. Of course, none of this is much of a surprise—10 years ago one condo was built for every three houses and today there are three condos for every house. Demand meet supply.

TORONTO LIFE May 4, 2012

As a family team we are very busy working day and night at the moment with buyers and sellers of condos and homes. We truly believe in Toronto and the buzz of North York. Of course land is driving the prices. I wanted to share a quote I read in the Toronto Life. Sarah Fulford in the editor’s letter states that the city is in the midst of a cultural renaissance.

She says “Everyone keeps telling me that our real estate market is overheated, and I was stunned to hear about the now-famous Willowdale bungalow that sold for $1.2 million (more than $400,000 over asking). And yet, with everything going on in the city, culturally and creatively, maybe our house prices aren’t so crazy. As this issue illustrates, Toronto is experiencing a golden era. Just as long as you avoid City Hall.”

New Realtor.ca App

For those indiviuals who spend many hours a day on their smart phones, there is now a Realtor.ca App!

The App is free and offers many of the same features that www.realtor.ca offers.

“Put together by The Canadian Real Estate Association, the app allows you to search for pretty much any type of real estate in Canada. Look for properties near you, new listings, open houses, heck, even search for realtors. If you know the MLS # of a property you’re interested in, you can punch it into the app and wham-o, all of the details are displayed to you”

For the full article, please click on this link: http://www.intomobile.com/2011/01/11/realtor-app-ios/

The Oulahen team just loaded three new listing this week at the following buildings:

35 Hollywood Avenue

Brand new two bedroom plus den in the heart of North York. Many upgrades including granite counters, stainless steel appliances, two bathrooms with Moen faucets and two walkouts to balcony from master and living room. Prime location and excellent building amenities, steps away from TTC, Empress Walk, Loblaw’s, Tim Horton’s, shops and restaurants.

30 Heron’s Hill Way

Gorgeous two bed, two bath unit in the new Legacy at  Hwy 401 and Don Valley Parkway. This unit boasts engineered hardwood flooring, beautiful accent walls, and a balcony that spans the length of the entire unit with 3 walk-outs. Countless upgrades throughout. Great building amenities including party room, fitness center, theatre and billiards. Includes one parking space and one locker.

138 Bonis Avenue

Welcome To This Large 2 Bed + Den In The Prestigious Tam O’shanter Condo With Unobstructed West Views Over Golf Course. Steps To Tam O’shanter Golf Club, Go Transit, Tim Horton’s, Shopping, Restaurants & More. 1409 Sqft Unit With Eat In Kitchen, Combined Lr & Dr,French Doors, Solarium, 2 Walkouts To Private Balcony, Master With W/I Closet, 4 Pc Ensuite With Granite Counter. One Parking And One Oversized Locker. Outstanding Building Amenities.

for more information please call 416-222-1212 or e-mail team@oulahen.com

Has Parking  become this much of a Demand in Downtown T.O.?

Would you Pay $100 000 for a 16 X 12 or 196 SQ. FT. Parking garage like this one? Realtor Nick Kourakos bought this parking garage for $12,000 and has Currently listed on the MLS as “Torontos Cheapest Property” at an “eyesoaring” $99,999. The best part is that Kourakos already had an offer of $50, 000 on the property but declined “I said no. I’d let it go for $80,000, but that’s my bottom line.”

http://www.moneyville.ca/article/1160462–toronto-parking-garage-costs-more-than-a-car

Click here to view full article

History of the Willowdale Lansing Community

Lansing was first settled by Joseph Shepard who built a log house on Yonge Street at Sheppard Avenue in 1798. Shepard was a swashbuckling character who traded furs with the First Nations people, fought in the battle of York against the Americans and operated saw and grist mills on the banks of the Don River.

Shepard was a close friend of William Lyon Mackenzie who led the Toronto Rebellion in 1837. Shepard passed away just prior to the rebellion, however his four sons were active participants in this revolt. Joseph and Jacob were captured and spent time in prison, while Thomas and Michael escaped from the Kingston Penitentiary and fled to the United States.

In 1843 the Shepard brothers were pardoned by the Queen and returned to Lansing to carry on their fathers business. In 1860 Joseph Shepard built a general store and residence on the north-west corner of Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue. He added a post office in 1866. This post office was given the name “Lansing” by Shepard’s daughter Saida.

The Lansing general store and post office – later known as Dempsey Brothers Hardware Store – was a fixture in this neighbourhood until 1996 when it was moved to its present location at 250 Beecroft Road where it now serves as a public museum and office for the North York Archives.