Aerial view of Toronto showing low density surrounding urban core The City of Toronto is facing a housing crisis despite building a record number of units every year. The reality is, however, that most of the units built are condo units designed for individual purchase. A good portion of these … [Read more...]
Province continues to mandate Toronto to increase density near major transit hubs.
The latest Provincial Policy Statement, which governs land use planning throughout Ontario, came out in the beginning of April 2023. The statement, unfortunately, eases many restrictions to develop ‘greenfields’ passed by the Liberals in 2017. It also waters down the density requirements of the … [Read more...]
Zoning changes in Toronto will allow multi-family properties in single-family home areas.
Filling in the 'Missing Middle'. How Toronto plans to increase density in ways besides building huge condo towers. Toronto's population continues to grow at one of the highest paces in North America. Most people would be surprised to learn that many neighborhoods in Toronto are actually losing … [Read more...]
Toronto’s Modular Housing Initiative – A Rapid Response to the Need for Affordable Housing
The City of Toronto is moving forward on its plan to increase the supply of affordable housing across the city. As part of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan, the City committed to create 1,000 new modular homes in Toronto. The Modular Housing Initiative is an innovative and cost-effective way to … [Read more...]
Transit-Oriented Communities: Why We Need Them And How We Can Make Them Happen.
Matti Siemiatycki and Drew Fagan from the University of Toronto wrote an interesting white paper on development near major transit hubs in Ontarion. Here is an excerpt: The provincial Places to Grow regional growth plan and Metrolinx’s Big Move that date back about 15 years both … [Read more...]
Landlord Tenant Board during Covid
The Government of Ontario has passed legislation to freeze rent at 2020 levels. This means that rents will not increase in 2021 for the vast majority of rented units covered under the Residential Tenancies Act. The permitted rent increase for 2022 has been set at 1.2%. … [Read more...]
King Street Pilot Data Seemingly Contradicts Complaints From Business Owners
Toronto officials say data from debit- and credit-card machines show total consumer spending inside the city's King streetcar-priority zone is in line with the rest of the city – even though some King Street restaurateurs complain the pilot project is killing their … [Read more...]
Evaluating Creditworthiness
In the many strip malls nationwide, owners might deal with one supermarket or big box store - a rated tenant - and dozens of smaller businesses that are non-rated tenants. Although nonrated tenants such as restaurants, nail salons, boutiques, and office tenants may be creditworthy, no … [Read more...]
Real Estate Asset Protection
Ownership of real estate has many benefits from an investment and tax standpoint. There is downside risk, however, since the value of real estate holdings may be significant and can be used to cover damages awarded in a lawsuit. Therefore, it’s important to consider asset protection … [Read more...]
5 reasons to love the Bloor W bike lane project
On Wednesday, May 4th, City Council voted to install a pilot bike lane on Bloor St W, between Shaw St. and Avenue Rd. The lanes have now been in place for a couple of months. The pilot will be monitored for 1 year. Top 5 reasons to build bike lanes on Bloor St even if you don't ride a bike: … [Read more...]
Cloud based Property Management solutions for do-it-yourself owners.
Why Use Property Management cloud based solutions? As a property owner, you know the name of the game is organization. You have to manage lease applications, rent payments, maintenance requests and listings of vacancies, among other things. Whether you’re using a pen-and-paper manual … [Read more...]
How are Realty Taxes calculated fo mixed-use buildings in Toronto?
This update is from the City of Toronto Website. 2016 Property Tax Rates Your final 2016 property taxes consist of a City levy, education levy and transit expansion levy. Residential Properties The City levy has been calculated by multiplying your property's 2016 phased-in … [Read more...]
Ontario Gets Failing Grade for Commercial Property Taxes
Nov 24, 2015 The Globe and Mail reports that the C.D. Howe Institute has handed out report cards on Canada’s business property taxes – and Ontario gets a failing grade. The Toronto-based think tank’s third annual business-tax-burden report gave Canada’s biggest province “Fs” for both the … [Read more...]
Artscape – Making Housing More Affordable for Artists on Queen W.
Sept. 24, 2015 One of the ugly truths about gentrification is that those that start the process of urban renewal are eventually displaced as the neighbourhood becomes pricier. This is certainly the case for the artists who were located in the live/work loft buildings in the area known as the Queen … [Read more...]
Bathurst Street – Built Form and Land Use Study.
June 10, 2014 The City has been working with stakeholders to come up with a plan to amend the zoning on Bathurst Street to allow for, in some cases, higher density and mixed uses. The street has been divided up in to 8 different areas that the city feels have unique characteristics. Different … [Read more...]
OREA Reports Toronto Land Transfer Tax has a Huge Negative Economic Impact.
June 10, 2014 New research released by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) says the city's Municipal Land Transfer Tax is causing a 'massive loss of economic activity in the City of Toronto and a corresponding loss of thousands of jobs." The report conducted by Altus Group Economic … [Read more...]
Alexandra Park Revitalization Project has Started
May 22, 2014 The first phase of the revitalization of Alexandra Park has begun! There are few opportunities left in downtown Toronto where redevelopment can actually change the streetscape of the city. The revitalization of Alexandra Park promises to be one of the most profound - if development … [Read more...]
Cyclists and Bike Lanes Have a Positive Impact on Shopping.
May 20, 2014 It turns out that cyclists and Bike Lanes are GOOD for business. The Toronto Cycling Think & Do Tank together with the School of the Environment at the University of Toronto completed a study in November 2013 on the economic impact of cyclists and bike lanes on local retailers and … [Read more...]
U. S. Commercial Real Estate Market in Recovery.
May 8, 2014 This is an article in the April addition of CCIM magazine about the recovery in the secondary US Commercial Real Estate markets. These were the areas hardest hit by the recession. Urban areas like Manhattan and San Francisco didn't dip significantly and prime properties are trading … [Read more...]
Why Richard Florida is dead wrong about Island airport expansion
May 6, 2014 Although I agree with almost everything Richard Florida has to say about urban studies, I disagree about his position on Jets at the Island airport. Here is an excellent article by KEN GREENBERG in NOW Magazine: "We need to open the lens a little wider to see the true … [Read more...]
Hot pockets: The Top 10 neighbourhoods for condo construction in Toronto
May 6, 2014 This article from The Buzz Buzz Report - an excellent site focusing on new condominium sites in Toronto - recaps the growth of condo development in Toronto and forecasts where construction will take us throughout 2014 and in to 2015: "The construction crane may as well be the de … [Read more...]
