Home Trends From Amir Baxaria

Amir's Monthly E-Newsletter

Don’t wait to buy real estate. Buy real estate and then wait!!

Direct: 647.878.4684 Office: 416.321.2228 amir@rltramir.com www.rltramir.com

Vision Realty Inc., Brokerage Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated 1051 Tapscott Rd Unit 100B, Scarborough, ON M1X 1A1

WHERE TO SPEND AND WHERE TO SAVE

There are numerous home renovations you can do before listing, but not all will give you the return on your investment that you want. The following are a few examples of where to spend your money and where to hold back. • Painting is a great idea if you use neutral colours that will go well with any decor scheme a buyer will choose. Adding a lime green focal wall in the bedroom might hinder the chances of someone instantly falling in love with your home. • Updating the kitchen can result in an 80% ROI. However, a whole kitchen makeover isn’t necessary. Simply replacing cabinet doors and countertops can go a long way to modernizing the kitchen without breaking the bank. • Bathroom upgrades are common but again don’t need to be too invasive to be effective. Replace older toilets for water-saving models, upgrade lighting fixtures and replace cracked or worn mirrors. Leave the installation of a bidet or high tech shower to the new buyer. Scour the internet or give me a call for more information on what other home improvements can give you the biggest return on your investment.

Direct: 647.878.4684 • amir@rltramir.com • www.rltramir.com

THE WONDER THAT IS A ZELLIGE TILE You may have heard of Zellige Tiles when researching home décor trends recently. They are quite popular in kitchens, bathrooms, entryways even laundry rooms in homes throughout the country. The glazed, terracotta tiles are from Morocco and are not the smooth, perfectly square tiles often used in home décor. Because they are kiln-fired and made by hand, they are all unique in shape, colour and texture which makes them a popular design choice for those looking for something a little different. Another way they differ from traditional tile is they are typically installed right next to one another with little to no space between tiles for grout. It’s best to keep these tiles on walls and counters as opposed to the floor as the uneven surface will be uncomfortable on the feet and shoes can damage the tiles. It's not impossible to use them on the floor, just be aware high traffic areas and Zellige Tile don’t go together nicely. When installing them, it’s best to get an expert with experience working with Zellige Tiles to do the work for you. They do require special care and the average DIYer may find themselves in over their heads with this particular installation. Once installed, they are relatively easy to maintain and should last years with proper care and maintenance.

Direct: 647.878.4684 • amir@rltramir.com • www.rltramir.com

TAXES AND SCAMMERS Almost every Canadian that has ever filed taxes knows that April 30 is the deadline to not only file your taxes, but also pay any amounts owing. But did you know that as of February 19, 2024 you can start filing your 2023 tax returns online or via paper? If you or your partner is self employed, you have a bit of extra time and can file up until June 15, 2024 (technically you have until the 17th because the 15th is a Saturday) but payments are still due on April 30, 2024 if you want to avoid interest charges. Unfortunately, with everyone thinking of taxes during this time frame, scammers are prone to contact Canadians in hopes someone will fall prey to their techniques. Be extra vigilant when interacting with communications from the various branches of Government including Service Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency, etc. Scammers can reach out by phone, text, mail or email and can be very convincing. If you're contacted by someone sending you a link to click, demanding immediate payment, asking for personal or financial information and you’re unsure if it’s legitimate, check it out directly with the CRA. You can learn what to expect when the CRA contacts you here: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/security/protect-yourself against-fraud/expect-cra-contacts.html. Plus, there is a very informative section on the Canada Revenue Agency website where you can learn about common scams, how to protect yourself or even sign up for CRA scam alerts. Go to https://www.canada.ca/en/ revenue-agency/campaigns/fraud-scams.html for more information.

Direct: 647.878.4684 • amir@rltramir.com • www.rltramir.com

REFRESH YOUR LIVING ROOM Refreshing the look and feel of your living room can be pretty simple and a great project to tackle one snowy weekend. Here are a few design ideas to bring new life to one of the most popular rooms in your home. • Incorporate texture. From soft blankets and pillows to fuzzy area rugs, adding a mix of texture to the room will add personality. Texture can also come in the form of accents like lamps, vases and wooden side tables. • Enhance natural light. Do so by keeping the ceiling white, the floors light and using light coloured fabrics for curtains. • Rearrange the furniture. Use what you have or incorporate new pieces to change the orientation, layout or functionality of the room. • Create a focal point. This is probably the most universal design tip and goes for every room. Too many things to look at can be overwhelming. Instead, create a single focal point (accent wall, statement piece of furniture, artwork, etc.) to draw attention. • Use colour. Add colour to a rather neutral room in the form of lamp shades, artwork, accents or even the furniture itself.

Direct: 647.878.4684 • amir@rltramir.com • www.rltramir.com

GTA REALTORS® Release January Stats

AVG. SALE PRICE Single Family Dwelling $1,350,828

AVG. SALE PRICE Condo/Townhouse $792,834

ACTIVE LISTINGS 10,093

DAYS ON MARKET 37

GTA REALTORS® February 2024 – Home sales were up in January 2024 in comparison to January 2023. “We had a positive start to 2024. The Bank of Canada expects the rate of inflation to recede as we move through the year. This would support lower interest rates which would bolster home buyers' confidence to move back into the market. First-time buyers currently facing high average rents would benefit from lower mortgage rates, making the move to homeownership more affordable,” said TRREB President Jennifer Pearce. There were 4,223 sales reported through TRREB’s MLS® System in January 2024 – an increase of more than one-third compared to January 2022. The number of new listings was also up year-over-year but by a lesser annual rate of approximately six per cent. Stronger sales growth relative to listings suggests buyers experienced tighter market conditions compared to a year ago The MLS® Home Price Index Composite in January 2024 was down by less than one per cent year-over-year in January. The average selling price was down by one per cent year-over-year to $1,026,703. “Once the Bank of Canada actually starts cutting its policy rate, likely in the second half of 2024, expect home sales to pick up even further. There will be more competition between buyers in 2024 as demand picks up and the supply of listings remains constrained. The end result will be upward pressure on selling prices over the next two years,” said TRREB Chief Market Analyst Jason Mercer. Source: Toronto Regional Real Estate Board | Market values stated are of the average of Toronto and surrounding region. Individual home market values will vary and are affected by factors such as location, size, interior and exterior condition. Please call to get an up-to-date evaluation of your home.

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Direct: 647.878.4684 • amir@rltramir.com • www.rltramir.com

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