Blog Real Estate Listings - Too Self Serving?

I recently started blogging. As I began, I asked many top realtors who blog what they have found to be effective. Many include open house information and new listings. Is this too self serving?

When I first began looking into blogs many years ago I was under the assumption that to blog is to discuss your thoughts and ideas about different things you are interested in. Now it appears that there is more of a self-promoting aspect. But hey, I guess that is what I'm doing right now. Because, who else would be so motivated to scour the internet to find this little blog about Toronto Real Estate?

Anyhow, as my little blog about Toronto Real Estate grows from it's infant state I suppose I will begin to get answers for what people really think about the promoting of listings....

Until then...I will see what works and what comes of each attempt.

Toronto Bikers Unite!

Toronto Bike Plan - series of new bike lanes approved by the City of Toronto - City Councelor Adam Giambrone has stated that a total of 4.4 kilometres worth of new bike lanes were approved for Royal York Road, Simcoe Street, Stanley Avenue and Birchmount Road. The City intends to add 50 kilometres of new bike lanes for 2008. The overall goal is to build 1,000 kilometres of bikeways in the City.

Here is to hoping that cyclists will be given the respect of drivers in our city. Legally a cyclist has the right to an entire lane as per the highway safety act.

Toronto Real Estate Market Update For November 2008

TORONTO, November 5, 2008 -- The Greater Toronto Area resale housing market reported 5,155 sales in October, Toronto Real Estate Board President Maureen O’Neill announced today.
This represents a 35 per cent decline from the 7,915 sales reported in October 2007 and a 25 per cent decrease from the 6,876 transactions that took place during the same period two years ago.

In the City of Toronto, there were 2,136 sales, with sales activity down 38 per cent from the 3,455 transactions recorded last October.

In the 905 Region 3,019 sales were recorded, with sales activity down 32 per cent from a year ago when 4,460 homes changed hands.

With 68,570 transactions to date this year, sales are within 16 per cent of the 81,563 transactions noted a year ago. The 2007 market referred to was a record breaking year with each month breaking records for the entire year. Putting into perspective 2008 figures are indicative of a return to a more balanced market.

In the City of Toronto 27,324 sales year-to-date are within 18 per cent of the 33,441 transactions recorded last year at this time.

In the 905 Region the 41,246 sales to date are within 14 per cent of the 48,122 homes that changed hands up to this point a year ago.

In the City of Toronto, the current average price of a home is $376,896, down 13 per cent from last October’s average of $434,022 and within three per cent of the October 2006 average of $386,807.

In the 905 Region homes are selling for an average price of $336,049, a decline of eight per cent from October 2007’s average of $364,142. Prices in this area however, remain one per cent higher than the October 2006 average of $332,822.

“Earlier this year the International Monetary Fund undertook a study of housing markets in 17 countries and found that Canada was one of only two nations in which house prices are supported by the economy,” said Ms. O’Neill. “There’s no doubt that real estate will continue to be a solid long-term investment in our country.”

*excerpt taken from: Toronto Real Estate Board

Best Time To Buy Real Estate In Toronto?

Plain and simple: When you are ready and you have the necessary financing in place. As the global economy has proven in recent months you cannot predict what the future will hold. All you can do is decide what you wish to do today, whether that be to pay your own mortgage (assuming you require financing) or pay your landlord's mortgage. But, please do not get too concerned about the best time to buy as there is a time and a place to buy - and that is: when you are ready. On the flip side there is a time and a place to rent.

Here is a link to more info: Buying a home in Toronto