DEC 11th to 13th – Procter and Gamble Warehouse Sale / Proceeds going to United Way

My Blog’s One Year Anniversary!

Sorry P & G Warehouse sale, but I just noticed that it’s my blog’s one year anniversary, so I will post your information at the end of the post. Feel free to scroll down and read my ramblings another time.

So has it been one year already? I remember one of my earliest posts was about the P & G Warehouse sale. I remember it because I got 100 hits in one day and that erased all my doubts about blogging.

This blog I started as an experiment has turned into something I really enjoy doing. In the beginning, all my colleagues had template websites and urged me to get one for $50 a month. I visited various types of these template websites and they were all so generic. “Cold” was the word that first popped into my mind. These websites hide the agents behind a curtain and if someone wanted information they had to submit a form so that the agent will contact them. I did not like that concept so I started this blog where I would post all information I found interesting, free of charge and free of taking your contact information.

Since this blog is on WordPress, it’s free for me and my only costs is my time. For this past year, this blog has more than paid off for itself. The best part is that I met a lot of nice people, some of them became clients and others became friends.

Thank-you to everyone for a successful first year. For 2010 I’m going to make a few changes. Hope you all will enjoy it!

P & G Warehouse Sale

When:

Friday December 11^th:

• 3pm – 8pm – P&G Employees, Retirees, Friends and Family

Saturday December 12^th:

• 9am – 11am – P&G Employees, Retirees, Friends and Family
• 11am – 6pm – Public

Sunday December 13^th:

• 10am – 3pm – Public

Where:

International Center – Hall 6
6900 Airport Road
Mississauga, Ontario
L4V 1E8

Early pass?

Donations through www.pgunites.ca now receive a pass to come early to the December warehouse sale! Spread the word, there’s only 2 weeks left to give!!

You will receive a ‘thank you’ note from Tim that you can use for early entry, when you donate through www.pgunites.ca

Please note: Warehouse sale information is from P & G and Kirby Chan has not verified nor guarantee this warehouse sale.

Happy Christmas Shopping!!!

Kirby Chan
Sales Representative
Forest Hill Real Estate
info@kirbychan.com
www.KirbyChan.com
416.305.8008

By the way… I’m never too busy for your referrals.

 

Buying a Home in Today’s Market.

Some of my clients are looking to buy a home in this market where nobody knows if the market is going up or down. What I sense is that the supply at the moment is quite low. So I tell my clients that if they find the house that they like than just put in their best offer. Everytime I work with my clients on an offer I ask them, “‘If someone buys the house for $10,000 more than you, how would you feel.” This is one of the ways I can find the maximum amount my clients are really willing to pay for a particular property.

Many of my clients are worried about multiple offers and having to bid higher for the homes. That is where the news media are really being trouble makers. Remember when property prices dropped slightly, the media said it was the lowest in 20 years. And just recently the market recovered slightly and the media made it out like there was a buying frenzy and concentrated on a sale that had 20 offers. Do not be affected by the media and do not be affected with people saying, “There’s been 20 showings on so and so property on the first day of showing”. Hype is generally just hype. I had one client that was not going to put in an offer because of that. My advice was to put in an offer with an amount and conditions that they were satisfied with. I said, “Maybe someone outbids you and maybe not. If you don’t try, you can’t buy.” In the end we put in an offer and it was eventually sold to someone else that paid in my opinion way above market value.

If you know anyone that you think will benefit from my services, please either send them my contact information or contact me about your referral.

Kirby Chan
Sales Representative
Forest Hill Real Estate
info@kirbychan.com
www.KirbyChan.com
416.305.8008

By the way… I’m never too busy for your referrals.

Ride For Heart – Sunday June 7, 2009

This Sunday I will be participating in the Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart on Sunday, June 7, 2009 and I am trying to raise funds to support breakthrough medical advances, social change and health education.

I am asking for your support for a worthy cause that is very close to my heart. My grandfather passed away last year and I will riding in his honour. I am participating in the 50KM bike ride up and down the DVP.

Click on this link to get to my personal web page and donate what you can.  Thank-you for your donations.

Did you know that heart disease and stroke is responsible for 1 in 3 Canadian deaths each year? It is a staggering statistic. With your help the Heart and Stroke Foundation can continue to lead the way in protecting the health of millions of Canadians at risk of heart disease and stroke – today, and for generations to come.

Can I please count on your support? Your donation funds results that change lives.

Follow this link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. Thank-you for your donations.

Sincerely,

Kirby Chan
Sales Representative
Forest Hill Real Estate
info@kirbychan.com
www.KirbyChan.com
416.305.8008

Ultima at Broadway – 4968 Yonge Street / 4978 Yonge Street

4968 / 4978 Yonge Street

Ultima at Broadway is located on the West side of Yonge Street in between Sheppard Subway Station and North York Subway Station. There is an underground pathway to the subway station.

I lived in this building when it was brand new and i had no complaints. My wife and I moved out after a year because we quickly outgrew our cozy 540 sq. ft. one bedroom unit.

Amenities include an indoor swimming pool, sauna, fitness centre, aerobics room, billiards room, outdoor terrace, party room and meeting room. 2 Guest suites are available for visiting guests.

Ultima at Broadway Condo Prices

One Bedroom units start at $226,900 for sale and $1,300 for lease.

One Bedroom + Den units start at $269,000 for sale and $1,400 for lease.

Two Bedroom units start at $320,000 for sale and $1,650 for lease.

Two Bedroom + Den units start at $379,900 for sale and $2,000 for lease.

Please contact me to obtain the MLS listings or to view any of the units at Ultima Condos for sale or for lease.

If you prefer a to buy a new construction, I’ll be covering Menkes Savvy Condominiums in a future post.

Kirby Chan
Sales Representative
Forest Hill Real Estate
info@kirbychan.com
www.KirbyChan.com
416.305.8008

By the way… I’m never too busy for your referrals.

Richmond Hill Off Leash Dog Park

Other than being a real estate sales representative, I am also active in my local community. I volunteer as the Treasurer of The Richmond Hill K9 Klub.  For months we have proposed a Leash-free Dog Park to the City Council. It was finally approved and a suitable site will now have to be finalized. After the budget meeting, we were asked to give the  council 2 weeks and the issue will be followed up by Councilor Lynn Foster. Ward 3 Councilor David Cohen does not appear to support the idea of an off-leash dog park.

Click Here – For more information and to join the Richmond Hill K9 Klub

Want to move to Richmond Hill? Contact me and we can discuss the benefits of living in this great town.

Kirby Chan
Real Estate Sales Representative @ Re/Max
info@kirbychan.com
www.KirbyChan.com
416.305.8008

Leash Free Dog ParkRichmond-HillKirby Chan

10 Bellair Street Condominiums Yorkville Condos in Toronto

10 Bellair Street

Today I will be featuring one of my favourite condominium buildings in Downtown Toronto at Olde Yorkville Village. 10 Bellair Street is an upscale luxury condominium built in 2003 by Tridel and Brookfield. It is conveniently located right in the heart of Yorkville Village at the intersection of Yorkville Avenue and Bellair Street. 10 Bellair presents a most distinguished presence for those who appreciate the value of an extraordinary address.

There are 26 stories plus two penthouse units that are two levels each. Units consist of studio, one, two and three bedrooms units up to 4000+ sq.ft. suites.

The Bellair Club is a 2-storey 5-star fitness and spa centre which includes a landscaped sky garden terrace. Amenities include a “Bellair Club & Spa”, billiard room, Havan lounge, ballroom, 2 guest suites, golf simulator, glass pavilion, conference room, party room and complete exercise facilities featuring an indoor pool, sauna and gym. Residents and their guests may enjoy the recreational room and rooftop terrace with bbq’s. There is security and concierge services operating 24 hours a day. Executive concierge and valet parking.

In my opinion, this is certainly one of the best condominiums in Toronto. It offers lavish suites with superb amenities in a convenient location.

No studio nor 1-Bedroom suites available for sale/lease at the moment.
Available 2-Bedroom suites start at $1,195,000 (approx. 1,500 sq.ft) upto $6,000,000 (approx. 4000 sq.ft.)
2-Bedroom leases starts at $5,300 / month.

<Click here to view units for rent>

<Click here to view units for sale>

If you would like more information on 10 Bellair or to view available units to rent or buy, please contact me.

Kirby Chan
Real Estate Sales Representative @ Re/Max
info@kirbychan.com
www.KirbyChan.com
416.305.8008

AlphaInventions.com

What is AlphaInventions.com?

The site looks for updated blogs, and displays them. I think of it as an automatic blog surfing device.  If you like reading interesting blogs give them a try. Approximately every 10 seconds a new blog will be previewed, unless you pause to read it. Feel Free to leave me a comment if you found my blog through AlphaInventions.com

I am a Real Estate Sales Representative for Re/Max serving Toronto and surrounding areas. I work for Re/Max Canada and we sell over 1/3 of the properties in Canada. If you are looking for a property in Canada, my colleagues and I are here to serve you.

Kirby Chan
Real Estate Sales Representative @ Re/Max
info@kirbychan.com
www.KirbyChan.com
416.305.8008

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everybody.

Have a safe and warm holiday.

Remember to check for air leaks in the house. Use caulking or rubber strips to insulate your home. Saves money and the environment.

Kirby Chan
Real Estate Sales Representative @ Re/Max
info@kirbychan.com
www.KirbyChan.com
416.305.8008

TFSA – Tax-Free Savings Account

Beginning in January 2009, Canadians will have an extra incentive to save money. It’s called the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). Canadians will be able to contribute up to $5,000 annually to the TFSA, where returns and withdrawals are not subject to income tax. I can see how the TFSA would be useful for my clients. For example a couple wants to renovate their house in 3 years. In 2009, 2010, 2011 they each contribute $5,000 in their own TFSA and invests the money conservatively. By 2012, when it comes time for the renovations, they would have $33,000 instead of $30,000. In 2013, our couple here would have the option to re-contribute in full what they withdrew.

How the TFSA Works

• Any Canadian resident 18 years or older can open a TFSA
• You are allowed to contribute up to $5,000 a year
• Your earnings within the plan are completely tax-free
• You are not taxed on withdrawals
• Your TFSA contributions are not tax deductible
• You can withdraw money for any reason
• Your withdrawals can be re-contributed, in full, in a later year without affecting your regular annual contribution room
• Your withdrawals have no impact on government benefits such as Child Tax Benefit or GST credit

It seems like it’s not much but every little bit counts, especially with the power of compound interest. My economics teacher told me a story about compound interest that I never forgot.

One day little Kirby was thinking of ways to increase his $20/month  allowance.  So he thought of a plan and he suggested it to his father, ” Daddy, let’s change my allowance to a daily allowance. You’ll give me 1 penny on the 1st, 2 pennies on the 2nd and doubling it every day.” Kirby’s father counted and it was only 64 cents after the first week, so he agreed to it. Can any one tell me how much Kirby’s father owes his son after 30 days?

Kirby Chan
Real Estate Sales Representative @ Re/Max
info@kirbychan.com
www.KirbyChan.com
416.305.8008

The Unfair Tax? – Toronto Land Transfer Tax

As you all know the City of Toronto approved a Municipal Land Transfer Tax and (LTT) was effective February 1, 2008. It is applied in addition to the Province’s Land Transfer Tax.

The follow chart is how the LTT is calculated.

Value of Consideration	MLTT Rate
Up to and including $55,000.00	0.5%  plus
$55,000.01 to $400,000.00	1.0%  plus
Over $400,000.00	2.0%

The rebate for first time purchasers is up to a maximum of $3,725.

The analysis of the Toronto Land Transfer Tax was conducted by respected economists from the C.D. Howe Institute and the University of Toronto. It determined that this tax is directly responsible for reducing sales in the City of Toronto by 16 per cent. You can click the link to read the report yourself.

Of course I think the tax is not doing the economy any good but I doubt it has reduce sales by 16 per cent.  I believe the sluggish economy is more to blame for the reduced sales.

However, please keep it in mind for the upcoming municipal election campaign, that the LTT should be eliminated.

Kirby Chan
Real Estate Sales Representative @ Re/Max
info@kirbychan.com
www.KirbyChan.com
416.305.8008