My listing featured in the Toronto Star

I have some very exciting news to share with you today. My listing at 33 Kelso has been featured in the Real Estate section of today's Toronto Star!!! 

I am very proud to be associated with this wonderful property.  Not a detail has been spared in this exquisite home! This home was designed and completely renovated by locally coveted firm Eurodale Developments, Toronto’s Renovator of the Year (2011 by BILD).  

Due to the high-energy efficiency level of the systems, the insulation and window/door package that was installed, this house will cost less to operate in comparison to other homes on the market. Located in the Bedford Park community, this house is within walking distance to Avenue Road, local shops, bakeries, and restaurants. Please view the link for more information on this amazing property.

http://www.thestar.com/yourhome/news%20&%20features/article/1221676--home-renovations-should-cover-functioning-of-house

End of June not such a happy time for some children

The end of June, when most children can't wait for the holidays, can be a very unhappy time for some kids who are moving in the summer. This may be the last time they will be with their friends.  Don't wait for moving day to introduce your child to the new neighbourhood and to new friends.  Perhaps the following ideas may help:

• Enrol your child in summer camp or lessons in their new neighbourhood.
• Play in the playground and go swimming in the pool near the new house.
• Older children can use Google maps to locate parks, movie theatres, malls nearby.
• Use Skype to maintain contact with long distance friends.
• Explore the city and neighbourhood. See Family Guide to Toronto.

The home as a system

Wake Up Buyers!!! Forget the wall colour and focus on the systems in a home!

Many buyers in the Toronto market are getting too wrapped up in the aesthetics of a home and not taking the time to consider the internal systems and how these systems affect the physical and financial health of the occupants. Most buyers and owners do not realize that often builders are putting materials and systems into new and renovated homes that are to their detriment. Eurodale Developments, winners of BILD Renovator of the Year refuse to do so as exemplified in their latest home renovation at 33 Kelso Avenue.

Brendan Charters and Jim Cunningham co-founders of Eurodale Development chose to take a holistic approach to renovating this house in the Avenue and Lawrence community. They treated moisture and air management through waterproofing and an air/vapour barrier, they created air sealing and insulation upgrades to existing non insulated masonry walls with high density spray foam (to avoid potential mould issues with cellulose based insulation) and also increased efficiencies with a high efficiency boiler to heat floors and domestic hot water. This allows for reduced dependency on the forced air heating system and the elimination of a wasteful traditional hot water tank. Complete air sealing with foam and caulking and tape in areas of air and vapour barriers, as well as new energy star window and door installations were a sizeable replacement to the old leaky units. Once they had a tight home, they addressed air quality with material selections such as formaldehyde free cabinetry and low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints to reduce off gassing. The ventilation systems in the home were also improved to ensure proper exchange of air inside the living space.

Due to these upgrades it will now cost the owners substantially less to run the home. It will also be more comfortable as there will be less of the exterior forces of nature able to affect the humidity levels and temperatures inside the space.

 In a hot real estate market like this, location, most commonly referred to as the most important factor in any real-estate deal, may not prove to be everything – you need to start looking at how the house works as a system. The house at 33 Kelso Avenue has both a great location and great system design, making it the perfect combination.

For more details on this listed property check out: www.33kelsoavenue.ca

Relocating to Toronto - How can I replace my old neighbourhood?

 Is your biggest concern transferring your family to Toronto and finding a suitable Toronto neighbourhood for you and your children? Even though it is barely April moving the family to Toronto for the next school year is coming up quickly.

Whether it is an unexpected surprise or the opportunity you have been waiting for, moving to the Toronto Metropolitan area of 5.5 million people stretching over 630 sq kilometers is a very intimidating prospect. Throughout the spring, I will be  writing a series giving a general view of  how Toronto works and giving some practical pointers for newcomers.

See Toronto neighbourhoods

Moving to Toronto Series- What about my child's access to good schools in Toronto?

One of the main concerns for parents moving to Toronto is their children's access to good schools.

Fortunately Toronto has two main publicly funded school boards as well as many private schools and others affiliated with religious or cultural groups. Both public boards have programmes for special groups of children.

Teachers are generally highly qualified, many with M.Ed degrees or specialization certificates. Students are required to take standardized achievement tests in grades 3 and 6 and in High School and are required to follow the Ontario curriculum. Elementary Curriculum > Ministry of Education

See Toronto neighbourhoods

What facilities does the City of Toronto have for kids?

 For those of us who are starting young families we often rely on word of mouth to find sevices and activities for our children. I recently checked out toronto.ca the official site of the City of Toronto  which offers advice and information on  health and safety, evaluation of  child care facilities, and recreational facilities. To access see City of Toronto family portal