Real Estate Investment Info and the best platform to assist

Almost weekly I get questions from private investors and Real Estate professionals on how to gauge the Real Estate market in the G.T.A., it's as if these people felt there was a real mystery on how to get a handle on the new housing market.

Thankfully there is a web based platform that anyone can get access to, you don't need to be a seasoned investor to get an understanding of the New Condo/Housing Market.

Even better than just becoming more informed about the market, this website really helps to build a better relationship with a trusted Real Estate Agent/Advisor.

RealNet Canada, a company that has been around for over 16 years, provides all of the tools that you would want to look at when determining where and how to invest, & just like the 1st time buyer would want to watch how their first investment is growing (or not), RealNet Canada has built the coolest analytic platform available online today!

RealNet's web based product is delivered by a company that knows the Toronto new homes market better than anyone!!

www.realcondoinvestor.ca launched on January 20th, 2011, anyone can get access through their trusted RealEstate professional, all it takes is a call to an agent to be set up, agents get 2 invitations free & they are looking for a dedicated client/prospect.

If you don't want to be committed to an agent you can spend $1200.00 to get an annual subscription on your own, however, I think you are best to link up with an agent to get access and build that relationship. RealNet Also has a Twitter Link - join them and see what they let you know ahead of any other player in the market.

www.twitter.com/realnet_canada

For commercial investors RealNet has a more robust platform available by subscription, I would caution anyone looking to buy a Commercial, Industrial, Retail or Apartment to make sure they get linked up with RealNet's RealInfo platform.

Fanny Chadwicks -a delicious spot -that's super hot

Over this past weekend I had the opportunity to try out Brunch at the newest hotspot on Dupont @ Howland.
Fanny Chadwicks offers up THE VERY BEST Eggs Benedict this city has to offer, I mean that!! They make their own english muffins, incredible eggs from a local farmer that feeds his chickens and hens on real grass in an unheard of flock size -approx 500 birds, these birds are treated to the best environments around and it's reflected in the flavour and look of the eggs.
They have fresh cuts of Canadian back bacon and the most delectable hollandaise sauce of any Toronto establishment (so good in fact I ordered some extra just because you can!)
they have a sticky bun that they bake fresh and it is as close to cinnamon heaven without being overpowering.
If I have to complain about anything, it would be that they need more space as this place had only been open 3 weeks and the lineups are already 20 minutes long, but well worth the wait and the staff were very friendly and working their butts off!

They are located at 268 Howland at the Corner of Dupont and Howland
They are open for Brunch on Weekends, lunch and dinner through the week and weekends but they are closed on Mondays!
Call them to confirm hours at 416-944-1606

And do enjoy, I know I did!

The Best Hollandaise Sauce in the city !

Absence ..does it really make the heart grow fonder...

I must apologize for being absent, I can explain some of it with the fact that my computer went on the fritz, then my camera wouldn't upload after the computer was fixed, but mostly life just gets in the way of doing a daily blog.

I got to thinking about absence, and the old saying that it does "make the heart grow fonder".

I think there is truth in this, as I now think fondly of places I have not visited for awhile or people that have been out of sight.
Even if my last time seeing or visiting a person or place didn't stand out as being the last time I would visit for awhile. ;}



I now can branch into other areas that I have been meaning to review, such as:
Clothing Stores-

Jeans Xpress on Yonge and Dundonald they are a cut rate clothing store with some unique pieces and really great prices, brand name jeans for $30.00 very cool print shirts for $19.00 and up, men's wear and some women's wear. This shop often has $10.00 blowouts -keep an eye on them as I think they get some really cool accessories too.

Discounted Shoes

Directly across the street is the Balisi outlet store..great prices on hard to find end of season shoes..but what I like most is the personal service they offer, knowledgeable staff are unobtrusive yet still very helpful.

Hairstylists

Hairstyling, Fuss studio on Queen and Leslie
This salon is run by 2 of the coolest women on Queen Street (East or West), they carry a great line of hair care products produced in Toronto and Italy.
Stacey is the hair artist that gave this writer the best hairstyle he has had, plus others who I have recommended have all commented on how great a cut/colour they got from this salon. These gals are known for their expertise colour application.

Located at 1093 Queen Street East in Toronto - M4M1K7 Tel # 416-469-0006

In Search of the best Tradespeople

I, like many people I know work from a rolodex , a compilation of who's who in the world of services, but in my rolodex are the names of tradespeople tried and true!

I also have a discounted connection for Paint (house that is) Para and Benjamin Moore.

If you are needing a fence built or some drywall done, a painter or a lead glass window maker an upholsterer a refinisher a cabinet maker, a shoe repair or shoe shine for that matter, Leather repair.

How about a baker, a pasta maker a window company, iron railings firm, a landscape architect, Interior designers, Real estate agent, superb stagers, a singer that has lots of airplay time on the radio even!

You get the idea, I have people that I would recommend because they do excellent work don't break the bank and have reliability built in.

this is the short list there is also a tiler and carpenter, caterer, massage therapist, portait painter, hair stylist and colourist..you name the field I think I've used or have seen their work and tracked them down.

If you ever need a recommendation feel free to ask.



Thanks

Share Toronto- My Dining Experience - Terrazza

Tonight is the first in a series of restaurant reviews focusing on intimate dining spots around the city.

First of all, I'd like to talk about Terrazza, a hidden gem of an Italian restaurant on Harbord Street .

I first discovered this spot over the summer and have been back many times since.

I've introduced a number of friends to Terrazza's menu & we've enjoyed so many of their offerings. The gratis appetizer of olives and bread present a bowl of the freshest and most garlic-laden olives I have ever had! Make sure you have a parsley tree in your pocket.

My favorite pick on the menu is the Caesar Salad followed by their Chicken Penne Pasta which are both absolutely delicious!

Frankie, the head chef always makes the food fresh from scratch. You can taste the quality and the care that has gone into the preparation.

Frankie often delivers the food to your table, though they are staffed with a nice-looking, friendly group of servers.

Frankie seems to enjoy meeting the customers.

The chicken in the pasta is moist and tender, delicately balanced in a creamy tomato and goat cheese sauce.

Terrazza's patio is a natural late night summer's date spot.

It's hidden from the traffic, behind ivy laced with white fairy lights and tables that are spaced nicely apart to provide privacy with candle votives that create very intimate spaces for the many couples that have discovered this place.

If you aren't particularly in the mood for pasta, Terrazza has a great burger called the Lips burger, a meaty, moist delicious burger definitely not for the dainty eater!

This is a big burger with big flavour, or you can design your own custom calzone or pizza, lots to choose from and definitely worth the trip.

Free parking after 6pm, a rarity in the downtown west area, makes this a must try spot!

Terrazza Restaurant (more...)

647-343-3283

372 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON, M6G1H9

Toronto Auction Action

In keeping with loving the area around the Flatiron building, I did a bit of exploration around the eastern area of King Street tonight and was struck by some fond memories.

For the better part of 25 years I found myself drawn to auction houses around King, Sherbourne and Richmond Streets, at first lost in the sea of stuff that seemed to overflow from estates, stores and dealers who just needed to move dead stock! Then, eventually I would happen upon some great deals, and a few duds, though mostly I was getting a great education in the arts, in furniture construction and learning how to identify quality over crap.

For the past 10 years, Toronto (and for the most part the rest of the industrialized world) has seen a decline in auction attendance as well as the quantity of the product found at auction houses.

The current trend towards "Edit Your Life" design has kids snubbing their noses at that solid wood dining table that their parents wanted them to take as a hand me down or the old teak sideboard that was in the basement since they were kids.

It just seemed like the old stuff was baggage. Instead, we as consumers head out and buy that sleek looking fiberboard console from some trendy Queen or King Street furniture shop or some chain store, when we could have taken that sideboard & lamp-table and called the best independant refinishing shop in Toronto Johnny's finishing on Advance off Islington Avenue. That sideboard could look good as new for less than $300.00 and the table would have been around $250.00 to be redone in the oh so current Wenge stain!.

Suddenly these pieces arrive back to you looking more like they were purchased in a boutique shop than any mass-made product found in every store.

I haven't attended any general estate auctions for at least the last 5 years, so was surprised to find a "new" Auction House on King Street East (197 King Street East -The Auction House) operating for about 6 months; housed in a building that was built in the 1880's currently in a state of ongoing renovations.

Owner Francis Satto has big plans for this spectacular space but is still working on drawing in crowds for his regular Wednesday auctions first.

Auctions start at 7 pm every Wednesday and usually are finished by 9pm.

By the time I arrived there were about 10 people in attendance, however sparse crowds often mean great opportunity for good deals on any item you might have your eye on.

There were approximately 150 lots ranging from dishes to dining sets, art and collectables.

By the time of my arrival they were at lot # 135 a large rectangular coffee table, passed over because it was too big for those 600 square foot apartments but perfect if you have a cottage and wanted a $20.00 deal!

I missed most of the items that I would have considered bidding on though did catch the frenetic paced bidding on a carved wood rocking horse 3' tall which eventually sold for $55.00.
I watched as a vintage light fixture from the 30's with classic style (one that's knocked off by lighting suppliers and sold in retail stores for about $350.00) sold for $25.00.

In the end I didn't buy anything but was tempted by a couple of pieces that went well below what they would be in any retail store.

I'm thinking that Toronto needs to find a resurgence in these types of general estate auctions, the original ultimate in "Green" retail. If you're a person with a good eye you could have had a great marble side table, a super chandelier and an original piece of artwork, all for less than $150.00. Now that makes for smart shopping and a guarantee that you will have a signature space when you are done decorating your new home.

King Street continues to reveal some great spots, but next week the posting will move to the west end as I feature a great date spot - see you then.

Cheers,

Philip

Meet Phil

After over forty years of living in what I consider to be the best city in the world, it's fair to say I've come to know it like the back of my hand.

I've come to be known amongst my friends and acquaintances as the 'go-to' person for where to find whatever it is you're looking for - services, restaurants, unique boutiques and product sources.

This blog is my way of sharing the best the city has to offer. My focus will be on independently owned businesses with fantastic customer service.

I'd love to hear your feedback if you've had personal experiences with any of the venues discussed, and hear from you if you have a business that you feel deserves a mention!

This photo shows one of my favourite spots in the city - backing onto the iconic Flatiron building, the fountain has been used in many commercials and as a bathing site for many of the homeless in the downtown core :)

Occasionally, somebody with a sense of humour throws dish detergent into the fountain sending clouds of foamy bubbles down Front Street.

This neighbourhood is about to see a considerable amount of change, what with the new L Tower Condo project by Castlepoint Developments and the just started launch for Berczy Park Condos by Concert Properties- this will be an area to live, work and play.

Home to some very unique shops such as the best Christmas store in the city - The Christmas Market owned by Ted Genova, this business has been going strong for more than 30 years! His store imports some truly unique christmas and seasonal gifts, definitely worth the trip downtown just to see what he has in stock.

Some other notables in the neighbourhood - Nicholas Hoare bookstore, The Sultan's Tent and Le Papillon (restaurants), and of course Saturdays at the St Lawrence Market, on Sunday the Antique Market in St Lawrence North Market full to the brim with Treasures, Trash and collectables.

If the area is unfamiliar take a stroll down here on any Saturday or Sunday in the summer the outdoor patios, and busy street life make this a very unique spot in Toronto.