The Newest of the First Home Communities Launches This Summer

Destination Drive Phase 2: 

The second phase in the latest in The Daniels Corporation's phenomenally popular series of FirstHome communities is getting set to launch this summer!

Destination Drive Phase 2 is located just off of Winston Churchill Boulevard, at Erin Centre Boulevard, in Mississauga.

The FirstHome program, for those who may not be familiar, combines an achievable deposit structure, incentive-driven low monthly carrying costs, and partnerships with financial institutions to make qualifying for a mortgage more accessible, so that individuals, couples, and families from all walks of life can better get a foothold in the housing industry. Units are built before sale, allowing purchasers to experience their actual home before buying - ensuring a good fit between lifestyle and unit.

Check out few pictures of the model townhome at Destination Drive Phase Two

The kitchen is bright, airy and spacious

A charming dining nook leads into wider living space (note the deck off the back!)

Dining

The ample upstairs office 

Attention to detail and quality is evident in the bathrooms, as it is through the whole model

The 130-home first phase of the Destination Drive community sold out last spring in only 5 hours (!), and there's no reason to doubt a similarly enthusiastic (ecstatic, might be a better word) reception for Phase 2's condominiums and townhomes.

Word is the launch date will be set soon. . .

Unit sizes for Phase 2 range from 411-square feet to 1603-square feet and start at $145,900. To learn more about Destination Drive Phase 2, or about the FirstHome program in general, click here. 

Condo Trends By Marissa Ponikowski

When it comes to condos, staying on the cutting edge of style and decor is key. The general perception of what’s hot and what’s not can change daily, so choosing trendy yet timeless decorating styles and furniture pieces is the true challenge for the condo dweller. Always keep resale value in mind when you paint or make upgrades. Chances are, you won’t live in this condo forever and when you do sell, you want the place to be attractive to a wide demographic–rather than simply to those who share the same tastes you do.

What’s Hot: 

Clutter-Free Living
The choice to live in a condo generally means one must commit to living clutter-free. Although most condos have a storage locker and at least one closet, the space for storage is quite limited compared to that of other types of homes. That’s why it’s so important to adopt a Zen-like approach to clutter and possessions. If you don’t need it, sell it, give it to charity or throw it out. If you don’t know where you’ll put it, don’t buy it. Life is much easier without too much stuff, and condos are much more attractive when they aren’t packed with useless possessions.

Flowing Decor
When decorating a condo, choose a theme and stick with it. Condos and condo townhouses are generally open-concept and fairly small, and introducing too many colour schemes will overpower the space. When painting, choose a colour that you can repeat–for example, paint your bedroom the same colour as your washroom to give the impression of an ensuite and then chose a lighter or darker version of the shade for the living area and kitchen.

Dramatic Wood Finishes
It’s tempting to go with deep, dark paint colours when seeking to add drama to your condo decor, but particularly in a small space, this is not a great idea. Instead, stain the floors a dark oak or cherrywood finish. Cupboards can be outfitted with dramatic finish as well and furniture in rich distressed black stain is another attractive way to add depth to your decorating.

Streamlined Storage
Maximize closet space by building shelves and installing closet organizers. Make every square foot count–even under the bed! Buy thin plastic storage boxes which slide easily into small spaces and use them to store seasonal clothing, wrapping paper, gift bags and more. Invest in drawer organizers and cupboard shelves, too.

What’s Not:

Garish Paint Colours
Lime green may be your favourite colour–and very in to boot–but that doesn’t mean lime is a wise paint colour choice. If you love it, don’t shy away completely, but don’t make it the main focus of your space, either, as rich colours tend to dominate. Instead, choose boldly-coloured accessories such as blankets, throws, candles and vases. If you simply must paint in a dramatic shade, choose a single wall to adorn with shocking colour.

Fading Floors
Even if you didn’t upgrade your floors, it’s important to keep them in great condition. Laminate floors should not be washed with water, because it can leak through cracks and cause bubbling. Instead, sweep well and spot clean with a damp cloth. If you have hardwood, keep it in mint condition by cleaning and waxing regularly. If you plan to sell, a floor sand and refinish may be a good investment.

Too Much Bulk
You may not plan to live in a condo forever, and thus would rather invest in furniture that will make the transition from condo to house with ease – but big, bulky, house-size furniture just doesn’t compute in a small condo. Choose your stuff wisely, and don’t break the bank on condo furniture. There are bargains to be had, especially on small, streamlined stuff.

Original Aricle here

Yellow is the new red!

Simon Upton

HELLO, YELLOW | Bright leather upholstery adds snap to custom-made chairs in the London apartment of cosmetics executive Christine d'Ornano.

This just in: Yellow is the new red! Where designers once declared no room complete without a stroke of crimson, now it's a flash of yellow that's required, from the most acidic to the yolkiest tone.

This is a color that you can be bold with. Don't rule it out for upholstery, for example, but keep it as the accent color rather than the canvas. Dining chairs in yellow leather will zing against pale gray walls. Sunny roller blinds will fill the room with warmth on even the dreariest day. California's Raoul Textiles makes fabrics that are as bright as that West Coast sun. Their yellow is suitably named sulphur and the patterns are beautiful for pillows or a slipper chair. Madeline Weinrib's ikat prints are also irresistible and her yellow is a ray of light. Her pillows are a good start, either alone or mixed in with other things, such as Jonathan Adler's tapestried banana pillow.

Photos

View Slideshow

F. Martin Ramin/WSJ

Saffron Mu Ikat Pillow 18 x 18 inches, $450, madelineweinrib.com

Yellow is not everyone's favorite, so if you want to experiment before you commit, put some yellow candles in your candlesticks or fill a vase with a large bunch of mimosa or daffodils and see how it suits your space. (Though who can find anything to say against the daffodil? Not only do they pack a cheery punch but they promise the end of snow storms and the weighty, unattractive clothing that comes with them.) These sorts of things will give you the little pools of color that we so often forget to add. I am always drawn in by them when flicking through magazines and think how easy it is to do—and then completely forget to do it.

For other accents I love West Elm's lacquered trays, which are useful in almost every room. This season they have done a soft custardy yellow. On the poolside bar this summer it will be perfect, especially filled with pretty San Pellegrino Limonata cans. Lars Bolander sells a sunflower ceramic vase that would be great turned into a lamp, particularly if you use a patterned lampshade to balance out the bold block of color. Or you can do a shade in another strong color. I find a lot of inspiration in sorbets—think mango and cassis.

Glass is a lovely way to introduce new colors. I am a massive fan of Laguna B Venetian glasses and the yellow margarita tumblers are just the most divine things. Very whimsical and light (in both weight and color), they're ideal for lemonade or a sparkly gin and tonic with a twist of lemon, of course.

This year's yellow is bold and bright and even a little off. What is important with yellow is the colors you put with it, and this is why I like it as an accent rather than as the main event. It does wonderful things when dropped in the middle of other palettes and even better when the other colors are a different hue. Put a milky yellow with very clear shades of blue. Or a very sharp yellow with dark purples and rusts. Yellow works the best when it challenges its surroundings. And its surroundings work better in return.

—Ms. Konig is a decorator and design writer based in New York.

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New construction in Canada will reach $300 billion by 2014 – Daily Commercial News

New construction in Canada will reach $300 billion by 2014 – Daily Commercial News

Do Blinds or Curtains Help Sell Home? | REALTOR.com® Blogs

Do Blinds or Curtains Help Sell Home? | REALTOR.com® Blogs

Countdown to Spring

By April, we’ve all had enough of Mother Nature’s idea of a bad joke; namely, a long, hard winter. Now, we’re looking forward to warmer spring weather and a chance to get into the garden.
Here’s our checklist to help you get ready for gardening season. We can’t always predict the weather, so some of these tips may need to be ‘seasonally adjusted’ depending on current weather conditions.

Beginning of April

• Clean and sharpen hand tools such as pruners and shovels.
• Sharpen or replace the blade on your lawnmower and buy fresh gasoline.
• Ensure that your electrical cords and garden hoses are in good condition.
• Repot houseplants if they are pot-bound to give them a good start for the growing season.
• Now is a good time to take a look at the ‘bones’ of your garden before everything leafs out. Did you have enough winter colour this year? This spring consider planting trees or shrubs with interesting bark or that produce winter berries for late colour as well as providing food for visiting birds in the depths of winter. 

Mid April:

• Indoors start the seeds of warm weather plants such as tomatoes, peppers, ageratum, alyssum and marigolds.
• Prune fruit trees before new growth begins.
• Apply dormant oil sprays to fruit trees and woody plants to control hibernating insects. Apply it while the buds are swelling, but before the leaves open out.   
• Once you’re convinced the snow and ice storms are over, remove the protective winter covers from trees and shrubs.
• Plant directly into the garden those vegetable and flower seeds that prefer cool weather to germinate. For example, carrots, parsley, lettuce, spinach, dill, peas, bachelor’s buttons and poppies. Be sure to check and follow instructions on the seed packages.

End of April:

• Once the ground has thawed, look for plants that have heaved out of the soil and resettle them.
• Remove winter protection from roses and prune them before they start to leaf out.
• Repair fencing, decks and trellis or lattice work.
• Rake up leaves and other winter debris.
• Cut back ornamental grasses and the dead stalks from last season’s plants.     

Beginning of May

• Fertilize established trees and shrubs.
• Once the soil is workable plant new trees and shrubs.
• Weed flower beds and lawns.
• Edge flower beds.
• Lift and divide large clumps of perennials (like hostas) before the leaves get large. Slice through the root ball with a spade leaving a few shoots on each piece. Replant the sections back at their original level.

Mid to end of May:

• Build up with soil any low spots in your lawn. Re-seed or over-seed damaged lawn areas. De–thatch and aerate your lawn if required, and fertilize with slow release fertilizer.
• Some early bedding plants can be planted while it’s cool. For example, pansies, snapdragons and dianthus (pinks). Wait to plant new perennials and warm season annuals until the danger of frost is past.
• Prune shrubs that bloom in summer and fall on new wood. For example, buddleia (butterfly bush).
• Delay pruning early flowering shrubs such as forsythia and lilac until after they have bloomed.
• Fertilize perennials when two to three inches of new growth is visible.
• Divide summer blooming perennials. 
• Water newly planted trees and shrubs if there isn’t enough rainfall.
• Keep weeding.

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Working with a REALTOR - The Agency Relationship

In real estate, there are different possible forms of agency relationship:

1.Seller's Agent

When a real estate company is a "seller's agent," it must do what is best for the seller of a property.

A written contract, called a listing agreement, establishes seller agency. It also explains services the company will provide, establishes a fee arrangement for the Realtor's services and specifies what obligations a seller may have.

A seller's agent must tell the seller anything known about a buyer. For instance, if a seller's agent knows a buyer is willing to offer more for a property, that information must be shared with the seller.

Confidences a seller shares with a seller's agent must be kept confidential from potential buyers and others.

Although confidential information about the seller cannot be discussed, a buyer working with a seller's agent can expect fair and honest service from the seller's agent and disclosure of pertinent information about the property.

2. Buyer's Agent

A real estate company acting as a "buyer's agent" must do what is best for the buyer.

A written contract, called a buyer agency agreement, establishes buyer agency. It also explains services the company will provide, establishes a fee arrangement for the REALTOR's services and specifies what obligations a buyer may have.

Typically, buyers will be obliged to work exclusively with that company for a period of time.

Confidences a buyer shares with the buyer's agent must be kept confidential.

Although confidential information about the buyer cannot be disclosed, a seller working with a buyer's agent can expect to be treated fairly and honestly.

3. Dual Agent

Occasionally a real estate company will be the agent of both the buyer and the seller. The buyer and seller must consent to this arrangement in their listing and buyer agency agreements. Under this "dual agency" arrangement, the company must do what is best for both the buyer and the seller.

Since the company's loyalty is divided between the buyer and the seller who have conflicting interests, it is absolutely essential that a dual agency relationship be established in a written agency agreement. This agreement specifically describes the rights and duties of everyone involved and any limitations to those rights and duties.

Who's working for you?

It is important that you understand who the REALTOR is working for. For example, both the seller and the buyer may have thier own agent which means they each have a REALTOR who is working for them.

Or, some buyers choose to contact the seller's agent directly. Under this arrangement the REALTOR is working for the seller, and must do what is best for the seller, but may provide many valuable services to the buyer.

A REALTOR working with a buyer may even be a "sub-agent" of the seller. Under sub-agency, both the listing agent and the co-operaqting agent must do what is best for the seller even though the sub-agent may provide many valuable services to the buyer.

If the seller and the buyer have the same agent, this is dual agency and the REALTOR is working for both the seller and the buyer.

Code of Ethics

REALTORS believe it is important that the people they work with understand their agency relationship. That's why agency disclosure is included in a self-imposed Code of Ethics which is administered by the Real Estate Council of Ontario. The Code requires REALTORS to disclose in writing the nature of the services they are providing, and encourages REALTORS to obtain written acknowledgement of that disclosure. The Code also requires REALTORS to enter into a written agency agreement with any sellers or buyers they are representing.

This information was taken from a series of brochures prepared by the Ontario Real Estate Association and is used with permission.

The Canadian Real Estate Association website has excellent information too, see here.