Toronto facts
Toronto is a city with 3.8 million people. However, Toronto is a clean and safe city. It is a cosmopolitan city with a wonderful network of parks, recreational, and cultural facilities. Toronto is the home of four professional sports teams (Maple Leafs, Raptors, Blue Jays, and the Argonauts) and the third largest English-speaking theatre district in the world, behind New York and London. One of the world's most ethnically diverse cities, it is home to more than 80 ethnic communities from Africa, Asia, and Europe. Toronto is also the business centre of Canada.
The City of Toronto has 277 million sq ft of industrial space, approximately 40% of the industrial space in the GTA. This places the Toronto GTA 3th in North America for amount of industrial space.The City of Toronto has 114 million sq ft of office space, approximately 73% of the office space in the GTA. Making Toronto the largest office centre in Canada.
Toronto is a city of neighbourhoods. Some of the most desirable neighbourhoods are located in walking and bicycling distance of the downtown. House prices in the City of Toronto are higher than in the rest of the Toronto region and most of Canada; however, they are still very reasonable compared to similar sized American cities.
With annual retail sales of almost $50 billion, the Toronto region is Canada's largest retail market. It is also a market that is more monocentric than most North American cities of similar size. "The Toronto downtown thus remains the most important agglomeration of commercial nodes in the GTA".
Toronto, Ontario homes
Toronto homes for sale on average sell for $290,000 and can range in price from as low as $200,000 to several million for Toronto luxury homes.Toronto offers many investment opportunities. With a slow stock market and a boom in the housing market, Toronto is the ideal place to make an investment in resale homes. Toronto resale homes prices range $200,000 to several million with most commonly homes for sale in the high 200s range.
Condos (Condominiums) in Toronto, GTA, Ontario
Toronto condos are found mainly in downtown Toronto though many condo developments are happening along the 401 as well. A condo is the case where an owner has a deed for unit, has a separate mortgage, pays property tax on the unit plus a percentage of the common areas and pays a monthly maintenance fee. A 
board of directors governs the complex with the owner having one vote. The condo owner has a fee simple absolute unrestricted ownership and is individually responsible for property taxes and maintenance fees. Use the sales price of condominiums with similar size, appeal, age, neighbourhood in Toronto, incurring similar maintenance fees, etc. to determine market value. Ask owners in the complex what they like and dislike about both the unit and the complex. How good is the sound proofing? End units and upper units generally sell for more when sound comes into play. How is its location in the complex? Is it near downtown Toronto or will you have to commute? Next to an access street, parking facility, pool? Look for units that are not adversely affected by these. Stay away from predominantly rental condo complexes in Toronto, those having more occupants that are renters. They are often poorly maintained as absentee owners usually vote against improvements and increases in maintenance fees. When buying condos in Toronto, it is always good to ask lots of questions.
In Toronto the condo market is booming. Toronto condos offer an affordable alternative to home buying. The average price for Toronto condos is $300,000, but one can find condos ranging from $150,000 to several million.
Click here to see Toronto, GTA, Ontario condos
Toronto Ontario Cooperatives
Most Toronto co-ops are incorporated and a board of directors governs the complex with the owner of each individual unit having one vote. The owner has no deed, only stock and a proprietary lease which has a term from 10-50 years renewable automatically or at the discretion of the shareholders. He/she cannot refinance his unit as a condo owner can. Mortgage, property tax and maintenance fees are paid pro rata by the owner according to the percentage of the overall size of the unit. Property tax appeals involve the corporation and the stockholders. A housing cooperative is formed when people join with each other on a democratic basis to own or control the housing and/or related community facilities in which they live. Usually they do this by forming a not-for-profit cooperative corporation. Each month they simply pay an amount that covers their share of the operating expenses of their cooperative corporation. Personal income tax deductions, lower turnover rates, lower real estate tax assessments (depending on applicable Ontario tax laws), controlled maintenance costs, and resident participation and control are some of the benefits of choosing cooperative homeownership.
Ask owners in the complex what they like and dislike about both the unit and the complex. How good is the sound proofing? End units and upper units generally sell for more when sound comes into play. How is its location in the complex? Is it near downtown Toronto or will you have to commute? Next to an access street, parking facility, pool? Compare monthly association fees with other similar condo complexes and what amenities are included. Find out if any increases in fees or special assessments are planned. Is the condo homeowners' association in good financial condition. Before making a purchase offer, obtain the latest financial statement from the homeowners' association. Look for units that are not adversely affected by these. When buying into a cooperative in Toronto, it is always good to ask lots of questions.
Unlike Toronto condos, cooperatives are very rare in Toronto. Though this is changing as home buyers seek more housing options.
Townhouses in Toronto, GTA, Ontario
Townhouses in Toronto often can make an excellent "middle ground" between a detached single family home and a full fledged condominium because, to some degree, they offer attributes of both. A townhouse by definition is a home that is attached to one or more other houses, but which sits directly on a parcel of land that you also own (if you don't own the land, it is a condominium). For this discussion, townhouses can 
ranges from duplexes and triplexes all the way through huge townhouse communities consisting of hundreds of similar homes. There is a good degree of variance in the way townhouse communities are structured. It may be a simple agreement (as is often the case of duplexes and triplexes) that each parcel of land and the home that sits on it is separately owned. In the case of larger townhouse communities, you will generally have an additional shared ownership in the common areas of the complex as well as any amenities such as swimming pools, park areas, etc. This ownership you will share jointly with all other townhouse owners in the complex. In any townhouse purchase that involves a Toronto Homeowners' Association, it is vitally important to get as much information as you can, since the association can have a considerable impact on your ownership experience.
Toronto townhouses are a popular Toronto housing option with average price ranges $150,000 to $300,000. New townhouses are being built throughout Toronto.
Click here to see townhouses in Toronto, GTA, Ontario
Toronto, Ontario Luxury homes
What do Toronto luxury home buyers consider when looking for the luxury home of their dreams? Many want homes in which they can entertain their friends, so an open floor plan with a spacious kitchen is preferred. Some affluent buyers consider a pool and a large backyard important features in the home they'd like to buy. Other factors, such as proximity to the airport and vacation homes, might also need to be considered. Here are some more factors that customers should consider when buying a luxury home: Is there fine dining nearby? What types of entertainment are close by? Theatre, orchestras, boating, skiing, etc. Does the homeowner want a serene environment? Then seclusion and natural beauty is a consideration. Is a gated community preferred over a non-gated one? Is it in close proximity to country clubs and golf courses, as well as desired employment? Is distance to a vacation home a consideration? The right location could save valuable time that would have been otherwise spent commuting. Will there be an au pair or live-in servant staff? If so, then consider a property that provides separate living quarters. Although the primary reason for buying a home is almost always personal enjoyment, the acquisition of a Toronto luxury home or property also opens a door to an investment return, all the more reason to work with a Toronto real estate professional specializing in Toronto luxury homes for sale.
Toronto luxury can be found in the following areas and the following average price ranges:
Rosedale homes sell for $2.5 - 3.5 million
Moore Park homes sell for $.9 - 1.4 million
Forest Hill homes sell for $2 - 3 million
Lawrence Park homes sell for $1.5 - 2.5 million
The Bridle Path homes sell for $2.5 - $3.5 million
Another area which is becoming popular for Toronto luxury homes is Oakville. Oakville real estate offers a more affordable option and an easy communte to by Go-train to downtown Toronto. Oakville luxury real estate ranges in price from 1.5 - 2.5 million.
Lofts in Toronto, GTA, Ontario
A true loft for Toronto (or "hard" loft) is a conversion of a vintage factory or warehouse, having a harder edge of either concrete construction, or "mill" construction of exposed brick and original wood posts, beams and floors. Ceilings should be over ten feet high at least. This is increasingly very important for loft purchasers, as developers are now building condos with slightly higher ceilings than in the past. It is the height that helps give a loft the feeling of air and space. Larger windows and open concept layouts also help. Ceilings are unfinished and pipes and heating ducts are exposed. Do not expect to find a 1,000 square foot loft divided up into two bedrooms and a den. It will much more likely have a kitchen and a bathroom with the rest of the space left as one large open room, which you can work with and use according to your own functions and needs. Some people think a loft means you have a second mezzanine level overlooking the floor below, but this is simply one style of loft. The other great thing about lofts is that most of them are zoned live/work, which makes it easier to operate a business out of your home. Check whether there are Ontario or federal tax 
advantages or write-offs available. Another type of lofts in Toronto are newly constructed lofts (or "soft lofts"), which are for the most part "Condos With High Ceilings", and are examples of Toronto condo developers trying to cash in on the popularity of lofts. Most Toronto lofts built from scratch have very little character, and in most cases, the ceilings aren't even all that high. The quality of construction is sometimes disappointing, and quite often the location is really the only selling point, since vintage lofts are usually a little off the beaten track, not in the best neighbourhoods of Toronto.
In Toronto lofts are becoming a very popular housing option. Toronto lofts are an affordable real estate option with prices ranging from $175,000 to $275,000. Toronto lofts are being developed on King St. West and in the area around Spadina and Wellington.
See lifts for sale in Toronto, GTA, Ontario
Property investment in Toronto, GTA, Ontario
It is becoming a popular trend in Toronto to buy a home as an investment property. Toronto homes with a pleasant view of the horizon often sell at a premium above similar homes without the view. Even though most real estate value is usually concentrated in the building, the lot is important, too. Obviously, it should be as level as possible. Assuming the property is in a typical neighbourhood, the lot should be rectangular – no odd shaped lots or oddly situated lots. Yard sizes are smaller in modern homes than in older homes, but there should still be a decently sized front and back yard. Do not buy a house where the entire back yard is taken up by a swimming pool, for example. Do not purchase an over-landscaped property, either. You would normally pay a premium for that, which you may not be able to recover when you sell. You will get your best value if the house is moderately landscaped or under-landscaped for the area. You can always improve the landscaping during your ownership by improving the grass and adding bushes and trees. This will improve the 
value of your Toronto investment property. In each Toronto residential neighbourhood, houses will vary in size and rooms, but they should not be too different. When resale value is important consideration, you should not buy the largest model in the neighbourhood. When determining market value, the homes nearest to yours are most important. If most of the nearby houses are smaller than your house, they can act as a drag on appreciation. On the other hand, if you buy a small or medium house for the neighbourhood, the larger homes can help pull up your value. This is one of those times where determining your "wants" versus your "needs" can be extremely important. Buying what you need in a more prestigious neighbourhood may provide more financial reward than getting what you want in a less desirable neighbourhood of Toronto.
Three and four bedroom houses are the most popular among homebuyers, so if you can stick in that range you will have more potential buyers when it comes time to resell your Toronto investment property. Five is okay, too, as long as you do not have to pay too much extra for the additional bedroom. There should always be at least two bathrooms in a house, preferably at least two and a half. One bathroom with a place to wash up for day-to-day visitors, one for the master bedroom, and at least one to be shared by the other bedrooms. Walk-in closets are extremely desirable for the master bedroom. For the rest of the house, just be sure there is plenty of closet space. Don't forget space for linens and towels.
Garages add to the resale value to your investment property and you should always make sure to get at least a two-car garage. Lately, three-car garages have become desirable in some areas of the country. The laundry facilities should be located somewhere convenient on the main floor of the house, but not in a place it will create an eyesore. Think about whether future purchasers will want to walk up and down stairs when carrying loads of laundry.
Family activity centers around the kitchen, so this is the most important room of the house. Larger kitchens are better, and they should be provided with modern appliances. Obviously, the dining room and breakfast nook should be located adjacent to the kitchen. In newer Toronto houses, the family room should also be extremely close to the kitchen. There should be easy access to the back yard, as there will be occasions for barbecues and outdoor entertaining. In addition, it should be a short trek between the garage to the kitchen so hauling groceries in from the car does not become a horrendous chore. Swimming pools do not provide as much added value as they once did. Safety issues about families with younger children have become more publicized than in the past, so families with small children tend to avoid homes with pools. As a result, having a pool may actually reduce the number of potential homebuyers when you try to resell the home in Toronto.
Toronto offers many investment opportunities. With a slow stock market and a boom in the housing market, Toronto is the ideal place to make an investment in resale homes.
Duplexes (also known as semi-detached homes) in Toronto offer an affordable housing alternative to a detached house. Duplexes are buildings that consists of two dwelling units, one above the other under the ownership of a single person. Usually each unit has each own separate lot and entrance. Duplexes can be found throughout Toronto. Prices for Toronto duplexes can vary greatly depending on location. For example while the average Toronto duplex sells for $200,000-$500,000, a duplex on Young & Davisville would on average sell for $400,00 to $500,000.
Triplexes (also known as row homes) in Toronto offer an affordable housing alternative to a detached house. This is a building which consists of three units, all owned by the same person. Usually each unit has each own separate lot and entrance. In Toronto triplexes are not as common as duplexes though many new triplexes are being built to the north of the city or in nearby communities of Vaughan, Mississauga, Pickering, and Scarborough.
Click here to see investment properties on Toronto, GTA, Ontario
Bungalows in Toronto, GTA, Ontario
There are two commons types of bungalows in Toronto. The first a detached, single family dwelling with one level above ground, on its own lot, and completely separated from any adjacent housing. The other is a semi-bungalow. Semi-bungalows are detached, single family dwelling with one and a half levels above ground, on its own lot, and completely separated from any adjacent housing. This is sometimes referred to as a storey and a half. Some home buyers prefer bungalows because of their cozy home feeling.
In Toronto bungalows are difficult to find in the main part of the city. Though there are bungalows mainly built in 50s which are found mainly in the central part of Toronto, which have average asking prices of $300,000. Places like Vaughan, Richmond Hill, and nearby cities of Oakville and Hamilton are good places to find bungalows for Toronto. These bungalows usually sell for $150,000 to $300,000. Prices vary greatly on location and size.
Click here to see bungalows in Toronto, GTA, Ontario
WELCOME TO TORONTO, ONTARIO!
You are welcome to ask any questions.
Call Alex & Anna Cell: (416) 723-9383 E-mail: amalkhass@rogers.com
Alexandre Malkhassiants, Sales Representative & Anna Falileeva, Sales Representative
Right at Home Realty Inc., Real Estate Brokerage
YOU NEED A BUYER'S SALES REPRESENTATIVE!