The document discusses home sales and prices in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for April 2013. It reports that home sales declined modestly by 2% compared to April 2012, indicating demand is strengthening after double-digit declines earlier in the year. The average home price in the GTA rose 2% to a new high of $526,335, with price increases across all housing segments. The condo apartment segment in Toronto saw a 6% price rise and was a major driver of overall price growth. This strong condo performance and price increases could mean stronger price growth in the second half of 2013 than previously forecast.

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for more detailed GTA statistics: jamesmetcalfe.info
416-931-4161
James Metcalfe BROKER
www.OurHomeToronto.com | Service@OurHomeToronto.com
REAL ESTATE UPDATE
Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.
Johnston & Daniel Division, Brokerage
477 Mount Pleasant Rd., Toronto, ON M4S 2L9
MAY 2013
After experiencing double-digit volume declines in both February
and March, the month of April witnessed a modest 2% decline
in sales (9,811 transactions versus 10,021 in April 2012). The
strengthening volume trend indicates that some households who
put their buying plans on hold following the July 2012 introduction
of stricter mortgage lending guidelines are now once again
wading into the market. This augurs well for a strengthening of
home ownership demand during the second half of 2013. Volume
performance was uniform by market segment: single-detached
homes (-2%), semi-detached homes (-1%), townhomes (-2%)
and condo apartments (-3%). The condo apartment performance
is particularly encouraging given the recent softness in that
segment and its importance to the vital first-time buyer group.
The average price of a resale home in the GTA in April was
$526,335 - which represented a 2% increase versus the April
2012 average price of $515,888.This represents a new high water
mark for the GTA resale market, with the previous all-time high
price of $519,879 having occurred in March 2013. Modest price
growth occurred across all key market segments: single-detached
homes (+1%), semi-detached homes (+3%), townhomes (+3%)
and condo apartments (+3%). The condo apartment segment
within the City of Toronto recorded a 6% price increase versus
last year, and was the major driver of overall price growth in April.
This, once again, is a very encouraging sign for the market as a
whole and could mean that price growth in the back half of 2013
may be stronger than previously forecast.
GTA AVERAGE RESALE PRICE
8 9 10 11 12
GTA Resale Home Sales
APRFEB JUN OCT DECAUG
201320122011
$400,000
$540,000
$420,000
$440,000
$460,000
$480,000
$500,000
$520,000
GTA RESALE HOME SALES
8 9 10 11 12
sale Home Sales
APRFEB JUN OCT DECAUG
3,000
1,500
4,500
6,000
7,500
9,000
10,500
12,000
201320122011

2. A new type of home history report is now available on the
market, and it has the potential to become an industry standard
in every residential house transaction.
The report, compiled by HomeVerified (homeverified.ca), a
company based in London, is available for homes in every major
municipality in Canada. Distribution and sales of the reports
are being handled by Teranet, the company which owns and
operates Ontario’s electronic land registration and title search
services on behalf of the province of Ontario.
A typical home history report will include the following
information:
• The home’s insurance claims history for current and prior
owners.
• The insurance claims record for the neighbourhood.
• Local school rankings.
• Local demographics and amenities, such as banks, coffee
shops, transit and shopping.
• Contact information for politicians, including the mayor,
MPs, MPPs, and municipal councillors.
• Any history of a grow-op in the house or condominium unit,
showing results from a Canada-wide search for marijuana
grow-ops.
The grow-op registry may be the most valuable component
of the home history report for home buyers. HomeVerified’s
comprehensive database has been assembled from countless
Freedom of Information requests made to police forces across
the country. (Disclosure by some police forces has not been as
complete as hoped for, but the database includes all addresses
that are currently available.)
The HomeVerified report may well eventually being used for
every Canadian mortgage and refinance application by those
lenders who do not compile their own database of grow-op
properties.
Alex Weiner, owner of HomeVerified, started this venture
because “we were amazed that anyone conducting their due
diligence when buying a car could obtain a vehicle history
report with insurance claims and other information, but there
was no report for a resale home, which is usually the single
largest purchase most Canadians ever make.”
A sample report is available on the company’s website
at homeverified.ca.
The insurance claim portion of the report is assembled from a
database of 8 million insurance company records. Each report
will disclose whether the home has been the subject of a claim
for water or fire damage, burglary or theft, windstorm or hail,
vandalism or malicious acts, glass breakage, building collapse
or any other type of damage.
The HomeVerified report is available to real estate agents,
lawyers, banks and other Teranet subscribers for $39.95.
Homeowners and non-Teranet subscribers can buy the reports
for $69.95, plus HST.
This article was contributed by Bob Aaron, a Toronto-based real estate lawyer. Please visit him at www.aaron.ca
NEW RESEARCH TOOL INVALUABLE TO HOME BUYERS
2
HOUSE
SMART

3. t
HOWTO DESIGN A KITCHEN
3
When designing a kitchen, you need to take into consideration
the architecture of the house. There has to be integration
between the architecture of the house and the interior design to
create harmony. Relatively neutral monochromatic colours work
well because they act to unify a house. Good design requires
harmony and unity.
Whether doing traditional or contemporary, everyone loves
a classic white kitchen with some glass fronted cabinets.
Open shelving, a pantry or a coffee station can add some visual
interest.
Colour trends start on the runways in Paris and trickle down
to interior design. Therefore a neutral kitchen allows you to
accessorize with your favourite or current colours. This allows
you to personalize your kitchen or change things up according to
seasons or holidays.
As you begin to design your kitchen you should spend time
in discovery. Trying to understand all that is important in your
life. These are the questions that you should ask yourself to help
you understand your own particular needs and also to help you
avoid problems.
Suggestions For Kitchens
What are your general preferences?
1. Do you like everything to be put away - or do you prefer open
shelves?
2. Would you like an eat-in kitchen, either a table or stools at an
island?
3. Would you like to be able to close off the kitchen after cooking?
4. Do you want your guests nearby when you are cooking?
5. Would a TV or computer station be integrated in your kitchen?
6. Do you need multiple workstations?
Sinks
1. Do you need more than one sink?
2. What sink depth and size works for you?
3. Would a sprayer be useful for cleaning?
4. Do you need water filtration or soap dispenser built in?
Appliances
1. What do you prefer; gas, electric or a combination?
2. Do you need a microwave?
3. If you entertain often do you need more than one oven or
dishwasher?
4. Would you need a wine refrigerator or a kids’ drawer for
snacks?
5. How about a coffee or tea station?
Storage
1. Do you need a pantry for extra storage?
2. How do you buy your food, do you need extra freezer space.
Countertops and Backsplash
1. Always view the full slab when choosing stone
2. Backsplash is installed last, make sure that it blends with your
countertop and that grout lines are tight.
3. Remember that all stone needs to be sealed.
Paint
1. Paint for kitchens should be very durable and washable
(Benjamin Moore- Aura is a good choice).
Renovating a kitchen is an expensive endeavour, and a lot of
decisions have to be made. This checklist should make it easier
for you to plan your kitchen. The most often asked question is
“what style should my cabinets be?” The answer is simple in
a perfect world; your garden, the facade of your house and the
interior should all correspond, creating harmony and unity.
This article was contributed by Andrea Gray, a Toronto based interior designer. Please visit her at www.andreagraydesign.com
TRENDY
CORNER

4. 4
James Metcalfe BROKER
416-931-4161
www.OurHomeToronto.com | Service@OurHomeToronto.com
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Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with a broker. The
information and opinions contained in this newsletter are obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The publishers assume no responsibility for errors and omissions or for damages resulting from
using the published information. This newsletter is provided with the understanding that it does not render legal, accounting or other professional advice. Statistics are courtesy of the Toronto Real Estate Board. Copyright © 2013
Mission Response Inc. 416.236.0543 All Rights Reserved. K0191
“YOUR REFERRALS ARE SINCERELY APPRECIATED! THANK YOU!”
Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.
Johnston & Daniel Division, Brokerage
477 Mount Pleasant Rd., Toronto, ON M4S 2L9
GTA Res
With summer on the horizon, now may be a good time to
make sure that your air conditioning system is in good working
condition. Here are a few suggestions:
• Inspect, and clean/replace the blower fan filter (usually
located in the return air duct at the furnace). You should
actually be doing this every 2 months, or as recommended
by the manufacturer;
• Vacuum or brush clean the outdoor coil to keep it clear of
dirt, leaves, and grass clippings. The coil can be carefully
cleaned with a garden hose after debris is vacuumed off;
• Both the blower fan and outdoor fan should be cleaned
and lubricated where applicable, following manufacturer’s
instructions; and
• If there is a humidifier damper, make sure it is closed for
the summer to reduce the unnecessary addition of
moisture-laden air to the home.
If, after completing these suggestions your air conditioner is
performing poorly, you should hire a qualified contractor to
undertake a more thorough servicing, such as checking the
refrigerant level or making electrical or mechanical checks and
adjustments. As with all mechanical equipment, regular servicing
by a qualified contractor in accordance with manufacturer’s
specifications is recommended.
Also if you are considering purchasing a new air conditioner,
look for the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) for the unit.
A high SEER indicates a more energy efficient air conditioner.
New air conditioners sold in Canada have SEERs ranging from
10 to 17, with 17 being the most energy efficient and 10 being
the least.
As usual, your client referrals are both highly valued and much
appreciated. Until next time, take care!
“If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead.” – Johnny Carson
“If love is the answer, could you please rephrase the question?” – Lily Tomlin
“What’s another word for Thesaurus?” – Steven Wright
“She got her looks from her father. He’s a plastic surgeon.” – Groucho Marx