With Toronto entering Stage 2 of reopening, we are starting to see life in the city begin to emerge. If you've been cooped up all week and are looking to get out this weekend, here are a few things to look out for.

10km of Road Closures for Pedestrians and Cyclists

Toronto residents looking to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend will be able to take advantage of over 10 km of roads closed to traffic as part of the City’s ActiveTO initiative.

From Saturday July 4 at 6 am until Sunday July 5 at 11 pm, residents will be given extra space along select roads to physically distance while getting exercise outdoors.

Parts of major roads in Toronto will be closed this weekend, Sat. 6 am until Sun. 11 pm:
- Lake Shore Blvd. W.

With the spring market coming to a close after an abnormally slow season, many potential buyers are asking themselves if now's a good time to buy. It’s a fair question, since the latest data suggests that activity might warm up heading into summer, and sales have increased by 55.2% from April to May.

If you find yourself in this position, there are a few factors to consider before making a decision. 

Better Price vs. More Variety

Pent up demand will likely result in a busier summer than usual. If you want to beat out the competition, now would be a good time to jump into the market. With less people competing, your chances of sparking a bidding war are much lower, and would likely result in a better closing price for a home.

On the other

The future of Toronto's housing market may be uncertain, but there are clear signs that activity might warm up heading into the summer. 

According to the latest MLS data, home sales shot up by 55.2% from April to May with 4,606 transactions in the GTA. The number of new listings also increased by 47.5% compared to April, with a total of 9,104. 

The average selling price rose 3% year-over-year from May 2019 to $863,599. 

Since the spring market started later than usual, there’s a good chance that we’ll experience a busier summer market as a result. 

While we don’t expect to see a record breaking year as was once predicted prior to the health crisis, we are optimistic that the housing market could accelerate as the economy reopens.

Stay tuned for more

Buying a home is a huge commitment, and likely the most expensive purchase you will ever make. The first financial cost you can expect is the down payment. A down payment is the amount of money put towards the purchase of a home, which represents a part of the total payment often covered by a mortgage loan.  

How much is a down payment?

In Canada, the down payment amount depends on the price of the home. The minimum down payment is 5% on the first $500,000 of the home price and 10% on any portion exceeding $500,000, up to $1 million. Homes priced above $1 million require a minimum 20% down.

The more you can put for your down payment the better. Benefits of a bigger down payment include lower monthly mortgage payments, paying less

As technology evolves and improves over time, online home listings get more sophisticated. Now more than ever, viewing a home online has become necessary as new rules and regulations encourage social distancing. But finding your dream home online without seeing it in person can be a challenge. 

Here are the top 4 things to take into consideration when viewing a home virtually:

Virtual Tours

If a physical walk through isn't an option, then a virtual tour can be a great alternative. This will give you an opportunity to get a better feel for the home, and explore the floor plan and layout without having to actually set foot on the property.

Some realtors even offer virtual showings, where they visit the property on your behalf and give

Finding a real estate agent can be a challenge, and the recent events of COVID-19 hasn't made it any easier. While a portion of the market is waiting on the sidelines for the health crisis to pass, a large number of people still need to move. A real estate agent is essential during these times, as their knowledge will help you navigate the constantly changing market.

Luckily, most real estate agents are easily found with a simple online search. What's not so simple is choosing who to trust with possibly the largest and most important transaction of your life. Here are a few things to look for when finding an agent online to ensure they have the tools and experience to achieve your home buying/selling needs.

Check Their Online Presence

The

With new rules and regulations encouraging us to stay at home, and grocery stores becoming particularly busy during these times, the idea of growing your own fruits and vegetables is especially appealing. A Victory Garden is a great way to supplement your own groceries, while exercising the stay at home orders encouraged by the government.

Whether you are looking for a new hobby, or are an avid gardener, here are the top 4 tips to starting your own Victory Garden:

Plan Your Garden

The first step is to create a garden plan. Not only will this help you decide what you should plant and where you need to plant it, but also when you are going to plant throughout the year.

Do some research on the types of plants you're interested in and

Greetings from the safety of our self isolation to yours. As we continue to practice social distancing and follow the latest health recommendations, we wanted to ensure you that we’re here to answer any questions you may have as a buyer or seller during these uncertain times.

We are still able to show properties if necessary, and are now offering virtual showings to service our clients from the comfort of their home. Although it's not ideal, we are adjusting to the new normal and will do everything in our control to ensure your peace of mind when entering the market. 

While we cannot predict exactly how the market will respond to the new rules and regulations, we can still offer some insight into what we can expect in the short- and long-term of

Keeping a home in good shape can pay off significantly when you’re ready to sell. At the same time, you don't want to over spend on updates that add very little value to the property. The key is to focus on the most important repairs to ensure every dollar you spend supports a higher asking price.

Here are the top 3 repairs to make before listing your home:

Paint

Paint is one of the most effective ways to update the look of your home without breaking the bank. You don't even need to hire a professional painting company. By watching a few online videos, you’ll be well equipped to tackle the task on your own.

Neutral paint colours make your home seem larger, cleaner, and far more appealing. Potential buyer’s also find it easier to

Working from home has become extremely common as businesses in Canada adjust to new social distancing measures. Creating a work space that fosters good work habits is an important part of your home office design.

Here are the top 3 tips to help achieve maximum comfort, productivity and efficiency when working from home:

Upgrade Your Office Chair

In your home office, comfort is key. Finding the right chair is an investment in your health and well-being that will keep you at your most productive self.

When selecting a chair, choose one that has been designed to maximize good posture. Chairs with multiple settings will allow you to adjust the position to your body type. Since you will be sitting for long periods of time, it is crucial to