Monday, December 7, 2009

Diane Plant's Snowflake Cookies 2009

Snowflake cookies-my culinary decorating project 2009
Every year my friend has an open house in support of the oncology wing at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. We bring toys for the children who are hospitalized over the holiday season and we bring home made food for the the table.

This year, as well a making my gingerbread men, I decided to undertake a massive project-snowflake cookies. I baked on Friday and spent all of Saturday decorating. The results were quite pleasing to the eye. So for all of you who like a baking/decorating day in the kitchen, I wanted to share the results of some of the cookies.

I have found that the best cookie dough for rolling, be it for sugar cookies or gingerbread cookies should have part unsalted butter and part Criscoe. I find the cookies do not become hard on second, third or 4th rolling.












I proudly server buyers and sellers in the Toronto Neighbourhoods of: Forest Hill, Cedarvale, North York, North Toronto, Summit Heights, Wilson Height, Bathurst Manor, Leaside, Bayview, Thornhill, Richmond Hill and all surrounding areas.


Whether you're buying or selling and looking for a Toronto Realtor or feel free to e-mail or phone us and we will be happy to guide you through your real estate experience.


I’m never too busy for any of your referrals



Diane Plant, Broker
Re/Max Realtron Realty Inc, Brokerage
(416) 782-8882

TORONTO REAL ESTATE WEBSITE





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Monday, November 2, 2009

Housing Starts 2010 predictions-CMHC

Date Released: Nov 2, 2009




C a n a d a M o r t g a g e a n d H o u s i n g C o r p o r a t i o n

Fourth Quarter 2009



Housing starts:

After a slow start in 2009, housing starts will become stronger by the end of 2009 and average 141,900 units. In 2010, starts will increase to approximately 164,900 units.




Resales:

Sales of existing homes through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) have become more robust since the start of 2009. The strong pace of resales reflects, in part, activity that was delayed in the previous two quarters of 2009 and is likely not to be sustained. MLS® resales will be about 441,300 units for 2009, up from 433,990 units in 2008. As far as 2010 is concerned, there will be approximately 445,150 units sold.




Resale prices:

After a few years of strong gains, the average MLS® price moderated in 2008 to $303,607. Recently, however, average prices have recovered. The average MLS® price is expected to increase to $312,950 in 2009 and to $324,500 in 2010.




Ontario Spotlight:

in Ontario will move lower to 47,400 units in 2009 while 2010 will see a strong improvement to 56,500 units. Multiple-family starts will decrease in 2009 to 26,500 units before reaching 32,900 units in 2010.




New home constructionOntario new home construction will trend higher and move closer to demographic demand by the 2011 to 2013 period. New home construction will reach 66,500 units by 2013, upfrom 47,400 units in 2009. A numbe rof factors will support housing starts. Firstly, an improving economic outlook will stimulate labour markets and add to demand for both resale and new housing. Young adults who are part of the "echo boom" generation will be growing in size and improved job prospects will encourage them to leave the parental home to form new households. Household formation will also be supported by stronger immigration. More recent immigrants who have settled in Canada have shown increasing propensities to purchase homes. Finally, unsold inventories of new homes have stabilized. Builders have avoided excess building. As a result, as demand improves, builders will need to satisfyincreasing sales through additional new home construction.



Overview

Ontario's economy will gradually recover later this year and will grow by 2.2 per cent in 2010. Key to a sustainable Ontario economic recovery is improving US business and consumer spending and a pickup in provincial exports which comprise a sizable share (55%) of Ontario's GDP.

Meanwhile, U.S. consumer rebate programs for housing and motor vehicles will help stabilize output in key Ontario forest product and auto sectors. While employment willmoderate in 2009, recent business outlook surveys indicate that employers expect a pickup in demand for their products. Overall, a gradual recovery in Ontario labour markets can be expected as companies look to replenish inventories through 2010. Stronger labour markets in 2010 will lend some support to Ontario economic growth




In Detail



Single Detached Starts:

Single starts have begun to recover and will continue to trend higher until the mid point of 2010. Single starts will be 20,900 this year and 23,600 units next year, thanks to improving economic conditions and declining inventories. As home prices and mortgage carrying costs rise, demand for more expensive housing will moderate in the second half of 2010.

Multiple Starts:

Multi-family home construction will grow to reach 26,500 units this year and 32,900 units for 2010. Construction will be boosted by semi-detached and townhome starts, which represent a more affordable option, particularly when home prices are rising. A backlog of apartment unit sales that have yet to commence construction, combined with low rental apartment vacancy rates, will also support the construction of multi-family units.

Resales:

Ontario existing home sales have staged a strong come back since the early part of the 2009. Sales this year will reach 183,900 units and will be on par with activity in 2008. The strong pace seen in recent quarters reflects, in part, improved affordability conditions. Also, home purchases that were delayed during the onset of the global downturn last fall are now going forward. The level of sales will not likely be sustained and will move better in line with economic fundamentals. Home sales will stabilize and will reach 175,250 units in 2010.


Prices:

After experiencing buyers market conditions in early 2009, Ontario resale markets have tightened and balanced market conditions will be restored. As a result, Ontario existing home MLS® prices will grow to $314,550 this year and to $326,800 next year.


I proudly server buyers and sellers in the Toronto Neighbourhoods of: Forest Hill, Cedarvale, North York, North Toronto, Summit Heights, Wilson Height, Bathurst Manor, Leaside, Bayview, Thornhill, Richmond Hill and all surrounding areas.


Whether you're buying or selling and looking for a Toronto Realtor or feel free to e-mail or phone us and we will be happy to guide you through your real estate experience.


I'm never too busy for any of your referrals


Diane Plant, Broker
Re/Max Realtron Realty Inc, Brokerage
(416) 782-8882 TORONTO REAL ESTATE WEBSITE





BUYING

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Thursday, October 8, 2009

Ontario Housing to Stabilize ReMax Realtron Diane Plant

Queen's Park October

Ontario housing conditions will stabilize

Stable economic conditions across the province will help stabilize housing demand in 2010 according to the 2009 Third Quarter CMHC Housing Market Outlook - Canada Edition.

Highlights of the Ontario forecast include:

• The Ontario economy will stabilize at year end before gradually recovering in 2010

• Ontario resale volumes will stabilize and range between 160,000 and 190,000 unit sales this year and next - reaching 174,000 units in 2009, and 166,750 units in 2010.

• Resale volumes will be down from the peak in 2007 but will be in line with volumes earlier this decade.

• After experiencing buyers market conditions early this year, balanced market conditions will be sustained through 2010 – prices will rise by 1.6 per cent and 0.8 per cent this year and next respectively.

• After declining in 2009, new home starts will edge up and reach 50,000 units in 2010 but owing to economic uncertainty will range between 45,800 and 60,000.

• High levels of affordability will support demand for detached housing in the immediate term but a shift to more inexpensive multi-family housing will occur as affordability erodes in late 2010.

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I proudly server buyers and sellers in the Toronto Neighbourhoods of: Forest Hill, Cedarvale, North York, North Toronto, Summit Heights, Wilson Height, Bathurst Manor, Leaside, Bayview, Thornhill, Richmond Hill and all surrounding areas.



Whether you're buying or selling and looking for a Toronto Realtor or feel free to e-mail or phone us and we will be happy to guide you through your real estate experience.


Diane Plant, Broker
Re/Max Realtron Realty Inc, Brokerage
(416) 782-8882

TORONTO REAL ESTATE WEBSITE








BUYING

SELLING

FREE REPORTS



Friday, May 29, 2009

Toronto Home Sales ending May 28

The dollar value of homes sold this week in the East are up approximately 4% the North are up approximately 30% the Central area is up 4% and the West is up 2% for week ending May 28. The average price of all homes has increased approximately 4%.


The numbers of homes sold have increased. East up 23%, West up 31%, Central up 34% and North up 30%. The increase in total is up 29%.


House Turning animation
















































May 21, 2009

Region



Area Sales



Av. Price



East



554



$320,960



West



913



$370,237



Central



477



$509,497



North



555



$424,665



Total



2,499



$397,582



NOTE: Please note these are preliminary figures. Minor adjustments may be required at month's end.


I proudly server buyers and sellers in the Toronto Neighbourhoods of: Forest Hill, Cedarvale, North York, North Toronto, Summit Heights, Wilson Height, Bathurst Manor, Leaside, Bayview, Thornhill, Richmond Hill and all surrounding areas.


Whether you're buying or selling and looking for a Toronto Realtor or feel free to e-mail or phone us and we will be happy to guide you through your real estate experience.


Diane Plant, Broker
Forest Hill Real Estate, Brokerage
(416) 488-2875

Visit MY Website


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Saturday, May 9, 2009

Get involved-Clean Train Coalition

Metrolinx's "Big Move"

Metrolinx is planning to run more than 350 diesel trains every day on the Union Station to Georgetown rail corridor without fully considering the people who will be affected the most. These diesel trains will be spewing fumes and dividing our neighbourhoods.

Clean Transit is Possible

Our city deserves a clean, effective and modern transportation system. Now is the time to build a transit solution that will benefit all of us and serve our region for decades to come. The solution should:

electric plug graphic Use clean-running, quiet and light weight electric trains

Eliminate the harmful effects of diesel pollution

electric plug graphic Maintain and enhance neighbourhood connections

Prevent the division and isolation of communities along the corridor

electric plug graphic Create accessible and affordable transit for everyone

Ensure this public infrastructure project provides a lasting benefit to us all

What can YOU do?

Are you concerned about the harmful environmental, social and economiceffects of the proposed plan? We need your help to ensure that this transportation project is a clean and healthy solution for the GTA.

Clean Letter Day Header

Join the Clean Train Coalition in its first campaign and make sure the province hears your voice on the Georgetown South Service Expansion and Union- Pearson Rail Link.

Our goal is to send 5,000 letters. Be a part of our movement and help us prove that clean transit is possible.

Please visit this website to GET INVOLVED

http://cleantrain.ca/may4th.php

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I

I proudly server buyers and sellers in the Toronto Neighbourhoods of: Forest Hill, Cedarvale, North York, North Toronto, Summit Heights, Wilson Height, Bathurst Manor, Leaside, Bayview, Thornhill, Richmond Hill and all surrounding areas.


Whether you're buying or selling and looking for a Toronto Realtor or feel free to e-mail or phone us and we will be happy to guide you through your real estate experience.

Casa Loma is Toronto's most prominent historic residence, built from 1911 to 1914. Casa Loma is complete with decorated suites, secret passages, an 800-foot tunnel, towers, stables, and beautiful 5-acre estate gardens

Diane Plant, Broker
Forest Hill Real Estate, Brokerage
(416) 488-2875
Visit MY Website

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Monday, May 4, 2009

How did Toronto sales end April 30?

The dollar value of homes sold this week in the east, west and north are down down approximately 2%. The dollar value of homes sold in the central area is up 2% from week endin April 16. The average price of all homes has decreased approximately 1/2%.

The numbers of homes sold have increased however. East up 36%, West up 24%, Central up 35% and North up 36%. The increase in total is up 31%.

House Turning animation

April 30, 2009

Region

Area Sales

Av. Price

East

469

$299,374

West

765

$368,865

Central

388

$495,639

North

442

$405,070

Total

2,064

$384,659

NOTE: Please note these are preliminary figures. Minor adjustments may be required at month's end.

I proudly server buyers and sellers in the Toronto Neighbourhoods of: Forest Hill, Cedarvale, North York, North Toronto, Summit Heights, Wilson Height, Bathurst Manor, Leaside, Bayview, Thornhill, Richmond Hill and all surrounding areas.


Whether you're buying or selling and looking for a Toronto Realtor or feel free to e-mail or phone us and we will be happy to guide you through your real estate experience.



Diane Plant, Broker
Forest Hill Real Estate, Brokerage
(416) 488-2875
Visit MY Website

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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Canadian Banks Almost Giving Away free Mortgages


This Bank of Canada reduction by a quarter of a point today is at the lowest level ever. In its announcement the Bank of Canada also stated that it expects to hold this policy rate at its current level until the end of the second quarter of 2010, conditional on the outlook for inflation.


While rates for variable rate mortgages are typically impacted by Bank of Canada policy rate changes, what's interesting is that rates for popular five-year fixed rate mortgages have been declining significantly in recent months. The reason behind this drop is an abundant supply of money being put into circulation, as well as guarantees of government agencies to purchase mortgage investments.


A comparison of fixed rates today versus six months ago shows a noticeable improvement in purchasing power.


Six months ago, a competitive rate on a five-year fixed mortgage was 5.75 per cent. At this rate, the monthly payment on a $250,000 mortgage with a 25-year amortization was $1,563. With the five-year rate of 3.95 per cent available today, the monthly payment falls to $1,308, which adds up to a savings of $15,300 in payments over the five year term.


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I proudly server buyers and sellers in the Toronto Neighbourhoods of: Forest Hill, Cedarvale, North York, North Toronto, Summit Heights, Wilson Height, Bathurst Manor, Leaside, Bayview, Thornhill, Richmond Hill and all surrounding areas.


Whether you're buying or selling and looking for a Toronto Realtor or feel free to e-mail or phone us and we will be happy to guide you through your real estate experience.



Casa Loma is Toronto's most prominent historic residence, built from 1911 to 1914. Casa Loma is complete with decorated suites, secret passages, an 800-foot tunnel, towers, stables, and beautiful 5-acre estate gardens.

Diane Plant, Broker
Forest Hill Real Estate, Brokerage
(416) 488-2875

Visit MY Website

BUYERS IN TORONTO NEIGHBOURHOODS


SELLERS IN TORONTO NEIGHBOURHOODS


FREE REPORTS

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