Address:377 Madison Avenue, Penthouse 708 Neighbourhood: Casa Loma Agent:Bruno Soares, Re/Max Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage Price: $2,795,000
The place
A pristine two-level penthouse with Casa Loma views. The living area on the main floor has 11-foot-high ceilings and a balcony just above a tree canopy. The second level has a huge bedroom suite and a 1,200-square-foot terrace.
The history
The owner has never actually lived here. The condo hasn’t registered yet, so this unit is being sold on assignment.
Here’s the kitchen and dining area:
A closer look at the kitchen:
The living room has a wall of wrap-around windows:
The main-floor bedroom:
And the balcony:
Big selling point
Both bedrooms are luxurious enough to be considered the master. Each has an ensuite bathroom, a walk-in closet and heated floors.
Here’s the upstairs bedroom, with its wall of windows:
The upstairs bathroom:
And the rooftop terrace:
Possible deal breaker
There’s no separate office or den, which could make this place impractical for someone who works from home.
The buyers: Amanda Moskowitz, a 34-year-old stay-at-home mom; her husband, Adam, a 39-year-old auctioneer; and their three young children.
The story: Adam grew up vacationing on Lake Muskoka and wanted to continue the tradition with his wife and kids, but their existing cottage was too small for their growing family. It was time to trade up. Amanda was concerned about the kids’ safety: she wanted a place located on a bay, with minimal boat traffic and calm water. Their budget of $1.5 million needed to cover the purchase price as well as any renovations.
The buy
Lake Muskoka, Gravenhurst
This one-and-a-half-storey cottage had been vacant for about four years. The previous owners had started a reno but never followed through, leaving the interior gutted and ready for construction. Amanda and Adam loved the idea of having a blank canvas to renovate as they pleased, and the bay location meant tranquil water for the kids. They crunched the numbers and figured they could afford to finish the reno if they got the place for a little less than list price. There were no other bidders, so they were able to win out for $49,000 under asking. A year later, their renovation is almost complete.
Anthony Munk, senior managing director at investment giant Onex (and the son of Barrick Gold founder Peter Munk), appears to have had a change of heart about his palatial Rosedale pad.
After buying his modern home at 361 Inglewood Drive for $4.25 million in 2007 and fixing it up with a partial third-storey addition, Munk purchased the property next door, at 359 Inglewood—an older house, with a brick exterior. Munk evidently had no intention of living in it. Before closing on the home, he applied to the city for a permit to demolish it. In a letter to the city’s building department, Munk’s architect explained that Munk intended to use the spare land to build a two-storey extension on the west side of the house at 361 Inglewood, “in order to address the needs of his family.” The new wing would have given Munk an additional 3,300 square feet of floor area.
But the city never issued a demolition permit, and Munk’s application was cancelled in 2014. He sold the house at 359 Inglewood for $2.845 million in 2016. Now, 361 Inglewood is up for sale, too, with an asking price of $8.38 million.
Even without a west wing, 361 Inglewood is impressive. It sits on a ravine lot, and the living room has floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the lush tree canopy. The master bathroom has the same view, and the treetops serve as a natural privacy screen.
The house has four bedrooms, plus a chic office space on the third floor with a wood-burning fireplace and access to a rooftop deck. There’s a spa with a hot tub and sauna, and an in-ground pool in the backyard.
Munk’s real estate agent, Corinne Kalles, couldn’t be reached for comment.
Address:1587 Dupont Street Neighbourhood: Junction Triangle Agent:Matt Manuel and Paul Johnston, Right at Home Realty Inc., Brokerage Price: $2,395,000 Previously sold for: $425,000, in 2009, prior to a major renovation
The place
A newly built home in the Junction Triangle, close to the Union Pearson Express and the West Toronto Railpath.
The history
Once a storefront with a residence on top, the home was converted to a single-family dwelling by Soma Studio in 2010.
Here’s the entrance:
The dining area and kitchen:
A view into the living room and atrium:
The library:
There are two bedrooms on the second floor. This is the master:
The master ensuite. Don’t ask us what’s up with the bird (keep looking if you haven’t spotted it). We have no idea:
A rear view of the atrium:
Big selling point
The courtyard’s tall fences and newly planted trees create privacy while allowing light to stream into the two-storey living room and atrium:
Also, out back, a studio space atop the two-car garage has a bathroom and a roughed in kitchenette. It could be used as a gym space, home office, or in-law suite.
Possible deal breaker
The home is a semi, which might be a deal breaker for anyone who expects a detached home in exchange for their $2.4-million outlay. But the property is, at least, on a 24.42-foot-wide lot, making this one of the wider semis in the west end.
Drink like the Royals do with this fruity gin based drink. Pimms is a Britsh liqueur that is best enjoyed mixed as a summer cocktail. Here’s how to make the perfect Pimms.
Directions:
Fill a pitcher half full of ice
Pour in just under half the bottle of Pimms (about 300 mls)
Fill the rest of the pitcher with lemonade
Add sliced cucumber, mint, strawberries and any other fruit you would like
Stir, sip and enjoy!
Lemon Shandy
Can’t decide between a beer or lemonade? Well, now you don’t have to! The lemon shandy will solve all of your summer drink problems. Not only are they delicious, they are ridiculously easy to make.
Directions:
Fill a beer glass up halfway
Fill the rest with lemonade
Garnish with lemon and enjoy!
Fruity Ice Tea
If you are looking for a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage it can be hard to find a drink that isn’t packed full of sugar and chemicals. This recipe is a healthy alternative to store-bought ice tea.
Choose your favourite fruit tea (we recommend blueberry or peach as they have a strong flavour)
Brew a tea pot with a few tea bags and let it steep it until cold
Add in desired fruit to the tea. You can add natural sweeteners like stevia if you would like to add some sweetness. C21 recommendation- sliced strawberries and fresh peaches which both add lots of flavour
January was a long time ago and the resolutions that we set for ourselves have mostly likely been forgotten by now. Life gets busy and, although you had the best intentions in January, it can be difficult to follow through with your resolutions. A 6-month check-in will help you get back on track and ensure success for the next 6 months. Follow these tips to make the next 6 months your very best.
Make your goal plan attainable and realistic: Look at what your resolutions were and see what is realistic to achieve in the next 6 months. Think about the goal you set in the first place, and also why you wanted to accomplish it. When you are reviewing your resolutions ask yourself the following questions:
What am I trying to achieve?
Why am I trying to achieve this?
What have I done so far?
What should I continue to do?
2. Set monthly milestones: For the next 6 months set a milestone goal for each month and have an incentive for achieving that goal. Write down each milestone so you can clearly see it every day. Having your milestones written out and visible will keep you stay accountable and also give you daily motivation to reach and exceed your resolutions!
3. Make it a habit: The best way to ensure success even after you’ve achieved your resolutions is to make them a habit. Successful people form long-term habits; they don’t initiate a burst of activity and then burnout. If your resolution was to lose 20 pounds, keep up your healthy eating and exercise routine after you have achieved the goal so you don’t fall back into old habits. By making those small changes a part of your daily routine you will stay on track to not only achieving your goals but making them a lifelong habit.
The team at CENTURY 21 Professional Group Inc. is getting ready for a busy spring after their merger with an independent brokerage, Associate Realty Brantford Inc. The acquisition brought 10 agents from to the team.
CENTURY 21 LEGENDS INC. opened their doors this April and are now serving clients in the GTA. The office is managed by broker/owner, AJ
Lamba. The office was an existing independent brokerage and after seeing the new C21 brand AJ decided to make the change to C21.
Joe Montaleone, and his team of ten, are now part of the CENTURY 21 brand in Windsor, Ontario. Joe has been in real estate for 29 years and is a highly
respected name in the industry. He is an award-winning broker who has owned franchises with both Royal LePage and RE/MAX.
One of the best ways to enjoy the summer season is to get outside, share stories around a campfire and sleep outside under the stars. Camping trips should be fun, but they can be stressful and uncomfortable if they aren’t planned properly. Follow these tips to plan a fun and successful camping trip.
Pack for all different types of weather
Even if the weather says it will be nothing but sun for the duration of your vacation that could quickly turn and you don’t want to be caught unprepared in the rain. Do a check to make sure you are covered no matter if the temperature dips or spikes while you are away. Make sure you pack an extra jacket, extra socks, raincoat/boots as well as sunscreen and a hat just in case.
C21 camping hack: Buy a bunch of ponchos from the dollar store. They’re cheap and will keep you dry in a pinch. Plus, they look hilarious!
Bring extra
One of the best and worst things about camping is that anything can happen, that’s what makes it such an adventure. Pack extra food, water and batteries just in case. You never want to be stranded without food and water. It will allow you to adventure with better peace of mind.
C21 camping hack: Bring a bag (or an extra bag) of Doritos to use as emergency fire starters. If all your kindling is wet, the Doritos will work wonders to get your fire going and you can snack on them while you do it!
Get a good night’s sleep
The idea of sleeping outside under the stars sounds idyllic but the reality can be far from it. If you aren’t properly prepared then you could be in for an uncomfortable and sleepless night. Investing in a good sleeping bag and sleeping mat can make all the difference. Sleeping bags are not one size fits all so make sure you get one that fits you properly. The type of sleeping mat you get will depend on the type of camping you will be doing and the space that is available to you. If the space in the car permits it and you aren’t doing backcountry camping then it might be worth investing in one or two big air mattresses if the whole family will be sleeping in the tent. This will ensure that everyone is comfy and will limit grouchy kids in the morning!
C21 camping hack: Use foam floor tiles for a softer, more comfortable tent floor.
Menu planning and prep Hungry campers are unhappy campers! Meal planning and preparation is possibly the most important thing that you can do for your camping trip. If you have reserved a campsite then you will know what utilities are available to you and you can plan accordingly. If are planning a more backcountry trip then you need to bring a stove and have a plan to make a fire. Prep what you can before leaving for your trip– with limited daylight you don’t want to be chopping veggies in the dark. One thing that a lot of campers forget are the cooking essentials such as oil, spices/ seasonings, salt and pepper.
Entertainment Don’t forget to have fun! Bring some books, music and games to play while you’re camping. Some great travel games are bananagrams, cards and UNO. One of the greatest aspects of camping is seeing your kids engage with nature and be inquisitive with their surroundings. Play some games that encourage them to learn more about their environment such as a nature scavenger hunt.
C21 camping hack: A fun game to play at night is glow stick ring toss. Pick up some glow sticks from the dollar store and use a branch as your target.
There is nothing more satisfying than planting some seeds, watching them grow, harvesting the veggies and then eating them for dinner. Farm to table life is not only good for your health but also your wallet and the environment. This idyllic lifestyle might seem like an unrealistic dream for those that live in cities, work a 9-5, have a family or simply don’t have the time to “farm” their food. The good news is there are plenty of veggies that are easy to grow and that don’t require much space.
Tomatoes
The great thing about tomatoes is they can be grown on a balcony or in a garden. If this is your first time growing tomatoes we recommend buying starter plants rather than growing them straight from seeds. This will give you a good idea of how much water and sun they need and then the following year you can try growing them from seeds.
Onions
Onions grow very quickly and are easy to take care of. Plant them in a row and you will be able to harvest some green onions in a couple weeks. There is very little care required for onions, simply plant the bulbs, water and enjoy! Once harvested, onions like to be kept in a cool, dry place.
Peas
The best time to grow peas is right now, so here’s how to do it so you can start today! Peas like to be grown upright and on a climber so they can have something to wrap their vines around (a wooden ladder or metal pole would work well). They thrive in cooler weather so it’s best to grow them in the spring rather than the summer, time to get growing!
Lettuce The difference in taste between store bought lettuce and homegrown is staggering. Homegrown lettuce has a rich, fresh taste that store bought can never compete with. To grow lettuce, simply just sprinkle the seeds into your garden ( or garden box if you don’t have a backyard) and pick the lettuce once it comes up to promote new growth.
Basil
Basil can be grown pretty much anywhere. It not only tastes amazing but it will make your whole house smell heavenly (if you are growing it inside). Basil can be either potted or grown in a garden bed depending on the space available to you. Pluck leaves and use immediately, you can also dry the herb and use it in cooking all year round.
“The unconditional love of a pet makes it hard to place a value on a cute little puppy or kitten. But according to a recent RateSupermarket.ca study, the cost of a pet in its first 12 months of is approximately $2,600 for a puppy and $1,900 for a kitten.” https://www.ratesupermarket.ca/blog/the-cost-of-owning-a-pet-in-canada/
Get a dog, they said. It will be easy and not that expensive, they said. Just some food, treats, a leash and some shots right? The cost of pet ownership is a sneaky thing, so it’s important to budget and plan ahead for unforeseen expenses.
Here’s the breakdown of the unexpected costs for your first year of pet ownership:
Adopting/ Purchasing your pet
$500.00 (minimum)– purebread (cat or dog)
$85.00- $100.00– adoption (cats)
$135.00-$275.00 – adoption (dogs)
Training and licencing: $800.00 (average for a dog) $400.00 (for a cat)
Puppy classes can run anywhere from $100.00- $500.00 depending on the class and duration.
If you opt for pet insurance, budget approximately $500.00 per year for a puppy, and $357.11 for a kitten.
Essentials: $1000.00 (dog) $900.00 (cat)
Leashes, bowls, toys, crates, litter boxes, etc. can really add up. To keep costs low, try to find as much as you can from second hand stores before buying everything new.
Vaccines: $650.00 approximately (puppy and kittens)
The preliminary vaccines are very expensive but highly necessary. This cost includes microchips, getting them spayed or neutered and heartworm prevention.
Injuries/ Illnesses : $200.00-$800.00
As much as we all hope it never happens, it’s important to consider possible injuries and illnesses. A broken bone can cost a minimum $200.00 to fix it.
Chewed/ damaged furniture and clothes : $250.00- $500.00
Cheeky little puppies are very cute but can also be highly destructive. Try to puppy-proof as much of your house as possible before brining the pup home to avoid possible destruction. As much as we prepare, there will be messes and chewed up belongings. Hide all expensive bags and shoes so they will escape the innocent but deadly jaws of your pup. Oh the joys of pet ownership!