How to Hire a Contractor
From licences and terms to contracts and reference checks, hiring a contractor for your home gets a little easier with these great tips.
Licences and Insurance
Each contractor who comes onto your property should have a valid licence. Make sure you ask to see it and inspect it closely. Licences are offered by the government and expire yearly, so make sure you check to see if their licence is valid. The government supplies permits for renovation, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling. The licence doesn't insure quality but it is the first step in investigating your contractor.
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Keep insurance top of mind when renovating your home
Canadians love to renovate their homes and almost two-thirds (62 per cent) of homeowners are planning home renovations over the next two years, according to RBC's 2010 Renovation Poll.
"Renovations can increase the value of your home and may require an increase in the amount of home insurance coverage you'll need," said Rino D'Onofrio, head of Canadian Insurance Business, RBC Insurance. "So it's important to protect that investment and update your policy to reflect the actual value."
The poll also shows that six-in-ten (63 per cent) renovators didn't update their home insurance policy following completion of their home renovations and that eight-in-ten (78 per cent) households who renovated within the past two years didn't contact their insurance provider prior to beginning the project.
"If you were to spend $30,000 on basement renovations without notifying your insurance company and an unexpected incident resulted in water damage, you might not have sufficient insurance to cover the loss," added D'Onofrio.
Before beginning any renovation project, it's important to call your home insurer to discuss possible changes to your policy and what you may need to do to prepare for any upgrades - no matter the size of the project. You also need to ensure that your builder has proper liability insurance in case of a personal injury during the renovation and any other construction-related liability risks.
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Winterlicious: January 28 to February 10
Winterlicious starts on January 28, but the restaurants are currently taking reservations.
The Drake, Nyood, Ultra and Noce are all taking part.
Click here for a full list of participating restaurants. Bon Appetit!
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DNA3 Units Released
We've sold 10 units at DNA 3 so far!
There are a limited number of suites still available, but we think they'll be sold out before long.
Call us at 416 947 0777 for a private viewing.
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Market News
TORONTO, January 6, 2011 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,395 existing home sales for the month of December, bringing the 2010 total to 86,170 - down by one per cent compared to 2009.
"Market conditions were anything but uniform in 2010. We went from super-charged sales activity during the first four months of the year, to a marked drop-off in transactions in the summer and then in the fall saw sales climb back to levels that are sustainable over the longer term," said TREB President Bill Johnston.
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Totally Reno'd Home at King/Niagara
12 Stanley Street
Unique Property Just Steps From Stanley Park/King West. Completely Rebuilt. New Floor Joists, Wall Studs & Plywood Sub Flooring. New Electric & Plumbing Systems. New Kitchen Has Caesar Stone Counters. New Wood And Vinyl Windows. Walls And Ceilings Have New Insulation And Drywall. Floors Are Solid 3/4" Rift Cut White Oak. Carpet Floors Are 100% Wool. 4 Pc Bath Has Heated Floors. New Exterior Stucco At Front & Rear. Parking Via Laneway.
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Two Beds and Two Baths at DNA One
1 Shaw Street #829
 Sought After DNA Phase One, 2 Bedrooms, 2 Full Baths (Rain Forest Showerheads), 9 Ft Concrete Ceilings, 2 Walk-Outs To Spacious 100 Sq.Ft. Balcony With Sunrise, Cn Tower And City Views, Gas Bbq Hook-Up, Stainless Steel Appliances(Gas Stove), Granite Counters, Laminate Flooring, Designer Kitchen And Bathroom Tiling, Unit Controlled Heating And A/C, Mesh Roller Blinds, Owned Parking And Locker. Click here for the full listing |
Three Bedroom home at Queen and Ossington!
5 Rebecca Street
 Trendy Ossington/ Queen/ Art Gallery District. Walk To Trinity Bellwoods Park, Ossington Eateries & Queen Clubs/Drake Hotel. Attractive Urban Home, Bright And Spacious, High Ceilings, Hardwood Floors & Eat-In Kitchen Has A Walk-Out To A Private Courtyard. Click here for the full listing |
Rental Corner
231 Fort York Blvd
 We Listed and found the tenant for this great unit
Beautiful Large 1 Bedroom + Den, parking and locker included, approx 700 sqft Stainless steel, Granite and Hardwood. Great Facilities! Indoor Pool, Fitness, Theater, Pool Tables and Roof Top Terrace to have front row seating to great Ontario Place events such as, The Toronto Honda Indy, Fireworks displays, The Toronto Air Show and The Famous Canadian National Exhibition!!
Close to everything, Rogers Center, ACC and TTC at your Doorstep!
The Best Toronto Night life at your fingertips in King and Queen west. 17th Floor spectacular views of city and lake (Un-obstructed North facing view)
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Urbanlife 2.0
Urbanlife Realty has joined the social media revolution!
You can now follow us on Facebook and Twitter, where we'll be posting up-to-date information on the housing market, mortgage rates and happenings in West Queen West, Liberty Village and King West!
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