The four remaining public health regions, Toronto Public Health, Peel Public Health, York Region Public Health and North Bay Parry Sound District, will remain in the shutdown and the Stay-at-Home order. They are anticipated to transition into the Framework on Monday, February 22, 2021.

Find out what level and which regional public measures are in place for your area on the OREA COVID-19 Information Hub.

Even with the Stay-at-Home order ceasing to apply in some regions as of Tuesday, February 16, everyone is strongly advised to continue to stay at home, avoid social gatherings, minimize travel between areas with different rules, and limit close contacts to their household.

How Does This Impact Real Estate?

If your public health unit region is in the levels Green-Prevent, Yellow-Protect and Orange-Restrict, open houses are permitted. While the option to host an open house is available to you, REALTORS® should continue to use digital and virtual technology first and to the greatest extent possible.

For regions that are under Stay-at-Home order, Red-Control and Grey-Lockdown, open houses are not permitted. Scheduled in-person showings are permitted, provided they follow all health and safety guidelines.

For guidance on Safe Open House Practices and Safe In-Person Showings Protocol, go to the OREA COVID-19 Information Hub.

Information about residential evictions and short-terms rentals is available on the OREA COVID-19 Information Hub.

As always, please stay tuned for future messages from OREA on government announcements and how they impact real estate in your region. 

Thank you and stay safe. 

Sincerely,

Sean Morrison
OREA President

The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS®, and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this email is not meant to be relied upon as legal advice by REALTORS®, or others. Members wishing further clarity or advice should seek independent legal advice specific to their circumstances. Due to the quickly changing regulatory environment during the COVID-19 emergency, this information may not be current or accurate by the time it is read.

The post Breaking COVID-19 Changes for Real Estate Industry appeared first on Baldo Minaudo, Broker.

A new and separate regulator for home builders and vendures has been established to ensure that the industry is held to professional standards. This is to provide greater confidence for buyers and owners of new homes by helping them be well-informed and better protected by:

• Licensing of new home builders and vendors;
• Expanding the existing Ontario Builder Directory to provide regulatory compliance and warranty information about builders and vendors across the province; and
• Implementing a formal complaints process for the conduct of new home builders and vendors. 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: 

• The Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) regulates new home builders and vendors in Ontario.
• The HCRA is designated under the New Home Construction Licensing Act, 2017.
• The creation of the HCRA as a separate authority addresses consumer concerns about potential conflicts of interest within Tarion, Ontario’s new home warranty and protection program administrator.
• The Rebuilding Consumer Confidence Act, 2020, passed on July 14, 2020, promotes higher quality new home construction. It intends to reduce defects and new home warranty and protection claims, while better-protecting consumers from bad actors.
• Tarion will administer Ontario’s new home warranty and protection program.
• Together, the HCRA and Tarion will provide more robust consumer protection for Ontarians.  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

Read Ontario’s Residential Condominium Buyers’ Guide.

Find out about how Tarion protects new homeowners.

Read the New Home Construction Licensing Act, 2017

Read the Rebuilding Consumer Confidence Act, 2020

The post ONTARIO NEW HOME INDUSTRY BIG REGULATORY CHANGES appeared first on Baldo Minaudo, Broker.

You’ll find this bright, sun-filled, Multi-Level Townhouse in the heart of the City. Located near Alexandra Park, it’s on the edge of the Kensington-Chinatown neighbourhood. It is conveniently close to Kensington Market and the Fashion District.

Also, it is conveniently less than 3 kilometers from the financial district. This home is perfect for young professionals or investors in rental properties catering to high-income downtown professionals.

This house is freshly painted & cleaned from top-to-bottom. Also, it has an upgraded kitchen with stainless steel appliances, wine rack and granite counter-top. Enjoy open concept living and dining with a wonderful Juliette balcony overlooking the courtyard. The large rooftop terrace with gas hookup makes for special summer experiences. Gather with family and friends, while taking in the incredible south facing view of the city and famous CN Tower. It is also close to shops, hospital, schools, and streetcars.

The complex has 24-Hour security. Home comes with fridge, stove, built-in microwave, built-in dishwasher; stacked washer and dryer; all window coverings, all electric light fixtures and underground parking.

Do you want a townhouse in the heart of Toronto, close to the financial district and diversified neighbourhoods? Do you like being near young professionals and a happening atmosphere? This home is ready to move in and its affordable. Contact me if you’re ready to buy and would like to see the home.

ABOUT TORONTO’S CHINATOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD

Bustling Chinatown has a variety of Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese restaurants offering a selection of cuisine from dim sum and pho to modern fusion. Animated Asian-style open-air markets and shops along Spadina Avenue offer fresh fruits and vegetables, along with herbal medicine and souvenirs. Chinese New Year celebrations and live stage shows, martial arts demonstrations and live dances draw tourists.

ABOUT TORONTO’S KENSINGTON MARKET NEIGHBOURHOOD

Kensington Market is a pedestrian friendly, walkable bohemian-type neighbourhood. No wonder that it draws artists and tourists to its vintage boutiques, indie shops, and arts spaces. In addition, the Market is home to a wide range of specialty grocers, bakeries and cheese shops. While hipsters frequent trendy bars, cafes and international restaurants, students and families fill the Victorian houses along tree-lined streets. As a result restaurants range from casual to fine dining experiences.

According to Toronto Life, Kensington-Chinatown neighourhood ranks 40th amonth Toronto’s 140 communities for quality of life. It was given a score of 100 for Shopping, 98.6 for Entertainment, 97.2 for Education, 95 for Transit, and 82.9 for Health.

ABOUT TORONTO’S FASHION DISTRICT NEIGHBOURHOOD

In the historic Fashion District, are old textile factories and warehouses which now house fabric stores, clothing boutiques, artists’ studios, offices, and condos. The neighbourhood has a mix of trendy international restaurants and old-school diners, which make for a busy dining scene. Also, King Street West’s dance clubs are known to draw late-night crowds. Colourful, frequently changing street art defines ‘Graffiti Alley’, a popular name for a long lane found in the neighbourhood.

ABOUT ALEXANDRA PARK

Alexandra Park is a compact district in downtown Toronto. Conveniently, lots of casual restaurants, cocktail lounges, and karaoke bars line the busy streets that outline the community. Enjoy some intimate live music venues, modern Canadian plays at the Theatre Passe Muraille. The park, who’s name defines the neighbourhood, contains a playground, outdoor pool with splash pad, and a winter ice-skating rink.

Ready to buy your home in Toronto, let me help you make it an enjoyable experience, the right decision for you. 416-564-0245.

The post For Sale: Townhouse in Heart of Toronto at Affordable Price appeared first on Baldo Minaudo, Broker.

Welcome to Flaire Condos at The Contemporary Urban Village at The Shops At Don Mills. 

This one bedroom unit on the 10^th floor has one of the best views in the building. The South West Facing view captures the core of Toronto’s cityscape with the CN Tower and surrounding high-rises, the Yonge/Eglinton and Yonge/Sheppard clusters, and the expansive vista of detached homes and landscapes in between. The unit offers a clean layout with functional and elegant linear kitchen, state of the art ventilation system, and movable bedroom corner walls. This fashionably designed unit is ready for you to make your abode with your personal touch and character.  

This unit is unfurnished and does include window coverings. Appliances include washer, dryer, stove, refrigerator, cooktop oven, microwave, parking and storage locker. Includes Heat, Water, Air Conditioning, Parking, Storage. Tenant pays for own use of Hydro and Cable/Internet.

Amenities

Flaire provides great amenities including: 24 hour concierge service, impressive upscale lobby, Gym, Cable, Internet/TV. Movie Screening Room, Rooftop Terrace with BBQ, party room, security guard and lots of visitor parking. 

Step outside into the Shops at Don Mills with its upscale shops, restaurants, cafes, VIP Screening Room Cineplex Theatre, Centre Square and the wonderful seasonal sculpture and events. Take a walk to discover nearby walking trails, parks. Very close to DVP and TTC.

Lifestyle

This unit is perfect for the young professional looking for lifestyle in a diversified community of fashionable professionals of cultures from around the world. Great place to make new friends, stay at the forefront of innovations and develop your network.

Whether you’re a corporate executive, professional, entrepreneur, writer, artist or social media influencer, this building and this neighbourhood will provide you with both the inspiration and environment to produce, relax and excel. For more information on the neighbourhood visit Living At The Shops At Don Mills

Only $2300 per month!

If you’re a AAA tenant, don’t miss this exclusive listing opportunity. Application form, credit check, proof of income and/or employment is required.

Listed through Baldo Minaudo, MBA, Broker, Real Estate Homeward 416-564-0245

*** Not intended to solicit clients under contract with a broker***

The post For Rent: Upscale 1 Bedroom Flaire Condo Apartment at Shops at Don Mills in North York appeared first on Baldo Minaudo, Broker.

Interested in Real Estate Investing? Join me at our VIP Client Event on Delta Hotels (formerly Novotel), 3670 Hurontario St., Mississauga (Burmanthorpe & Hurontario) Wednesday, Feb. 26. We’ll teach you about building wealth through investing and you’ll get VIP access to an amazing, turn-key investment that I think is great for my friends and clients. Positive cash flow within as little as 30 days. PLUS you get a chance to win a free Condo when you attend.

If interested email me at baldo@baldominaudo.com.

#EasyInvesting #investmentrealestate #rentalproperty

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This post will help in guiding you to become more aware of both the health and financial issues of living in proximity to a nuclear power plant. You will be made aware of sources for information about potential health hazards to you, your family and employees. In addition, you will be made aware of potential consequences to owning a home or business in proximity to a nuclear power plant.

Living in Proximity to the Pickering Nuclear Power Plant

This map depicts a 10 km radius around the Pickering Nuclear Power Plant. This distance was used because The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) now requires that all homes and businesses within 10 km of a nuclear power station receive a supply of potassium iodide (KI) pills.  I am not aware of why they chose a 10 km distance or the difference in impact to a 15 km distance.

Map of 10 km distances from Pickering Nuclear Power Plant

Home Value Near Nuclear Power Plant

It is not unusual for homes in proximity to Nuclear Power Plants sell at lower prices than similar homes outside the 10 km radius of the plant. This difference in price is due to the stigma of being near a potential source of radioactivity and potential for a major incident. Though some people can live their daily lives with this concern, many would rather pay higher prices to live with the belief that they are safer from these risks.

The reality is that if there were to be major incident at a nearby nuclear power plant, then the value of nearby homes would be significantly impacted. In cases where long-term or permanent evacuation were mandated, the property would be pretty much useless. Unfortunately, homeowners insurance does not cover nuclear or radiation damage.

Of course, there would be law suits filed. But, these take years to work through and if the owners don’t die during the incident, they may be dead by the time any lawsuits are settled. It is unlikely that the true damage to one’s family and life could be recouped from any lawsuit. Lives could be destroyed.

If you are one of those individuals that is not willing to live with the potential hazard and stress of living within a 10km radius of the Pickering Power Plant and you would like to move, I provide a full service that includes assessing the value of your present home, identifying neighbourhoods you may want to move to and creating a plan to get you moved within the budget and resources at your disposal. You can contact me via email (baldo@baldominaudo.com) or by telephone to book a complimentary consultation session.

Employees, Tradespeople and Sales People

There are many employees that work daily within the 10km radius of the Pickering Power Plant. There are also many tradespeople (plumbers, electricians, drivers, etc.) that come in and out or through the area every day. The area also covers a large portion of Highway 401 which has hundreds of thousands of cars moving through it every day.

Be Prepared For An Incident

Meanwhile, you might want to read the post from MetroActive for how to prepare for an incident and what to do if one happens. Also, check out the “Security and Safety” Links in the “tools & links” section of this website for how to order free treatment pills from the government for radiation poisoning.

Information Only

This post was prepared strictly for awareness of potential issues and not to alarm any individuals or create panic. It is highly unlikely that a massive nuclear radioactivity incident were to happen at most nuclear power plants. It is your sole responsibility to conduct your research to be fully aware of the potential consequences and mitigating options so that you can make an informed decisions for yourself and your family.

Sources of Information

Nuclear Radiation and Health Effects

Radiation Health Effects

Pickering Nuclear Generating Station

https://preparetobesafe.ca/

Disclaimer

This is not an exhaustive discussion of issues and consequences of living or working near a nuclear power plant, but simply meant to get you started on your research. I am not a medical, nor nuclear professional and it is your responsibility to verify any information that may be provided in this post. This post does not represent the opinions or viewpoints of Real Estate Homeward Brokerage or any other entity.

The post Living Near A Nuclear Power Plant appeared first on Baldo Minaudo, Broker.

Background

The financial statements are a result of decisions and plans that were created and implemented from years ago when the Lowe’s acquired RONA. Combined, Lowe’s now had 539 stores. That’s almost three times more than Home Depot’s 182 Canadian stores.  In a news release dated May 20, 2016, Lowe’s highlighted previously stated commitments as part of its acquisition of RONA, including:

• headquartering the Canadian businesses in Boucherville, Quebec;
• maintaining RONA’s multiple retail store banners;
• enhancing distribution services to dealer owners;
• continuing RONA’s employment of the vast majority of its current employees and maintaining key executives from RONA’s strong leadership team;
• continuing RONA’s local and ethical procurement strategy and potentially expanding relationships both Lowe’s and RONA have developed with Canadian manufacturers and suppliers; and
• continuing to support Canadian communities through RONA and Lowe’s charitable and environmental initiatives.

Analysis of Lowe’s Operations

From my perspective a a business consultant with expertise in locating operations, commercial realtor, residential property manager and homeowner, I have much more to share about Lowe’s than I’m going to publish in this post. Overall, I’m grateful for Lowe’s and RONA and would shop there more often if the stores were better located or if the online ordering process was better. However, I can share the generalities of what I’ve seen of Lowe’s and examples from others experiences:

1. Lowe’s Distribution Network – instances where online orders take up to 2 weeks for delivery, distribution centres not knowing what store to ship to, re-routing of shipments,  product sent to stores that aren’t closest to the destination. All these result in greater operating costs and damage to reputation among frequent purchasers of hardware items. Here are some examples of these consequences: Nov. 2, 2019, Nov. 13, 2019, Nov. 18, 2019,
2. Product Offering – products in stores often don’t match the demand for those products in that area. This indicates that whoever is doing the ordering for those stores isn’t in touch with the local market.
3. Retail Locations – great discrepancy in success of different locations. Some locations are inconvenient to get too. Some pulling areas are concentrated, while others are too distant.
4. Corporate Decisions – Lowe’s decided to have their headquarters in Montreal rather than the economic headquarters of Canada and where there is the greatest economy for renovations and construction. This also impacted the ability to attract top management talent and operating efficiencies. The preservation of retail banners also impacted the ability to leverage marketing and consumer behaviour.

Of course, significantly impacting the situation is the prolonged devastation to the Albertan economy from the collapse of oil prices. Reflecting this is Lowe’s higher per capita closure of stores in Alberta compared to other provinces. Further impacting the situation is the economic circumstances in other provinces. Had Lowe’s considered the cyclical nature of the Albertan oil-based economy and looked at the situation with the Tar Sands projects and price of oil, they would have acted more quickly. The question in my mind is who was responsible for looking at such significant considerations and why didn’t they hire someone like me to help with the research and analysis?

Here’s What I Would Do If I Were Running Lowe’s

1. Take a more rational and efficient approach to distribution and logistics. With increasing trend to online purchases, improved online ordering and processing systems. This includes the integration of AI into marketing programs. Rather than push out discount notices to the buyers, use phone apps and client data to recommend purchases and locations in real-time. Many property managers, trades people and realtors, who account for much of hardware store sales. They are frequent and volume buyers who in many cases purchase on a daily basis and must do so in between meetings and tasks. Integration of AI into real-time marketing and co-ordination with supply-chain and logistics will not only provide competitive advantage directly with consumers, but also create powerful operating efficiencies. Improve on product handling and delivery!
2. Get to know the customers better, especially by buyer types, but also by local community. Having the right product in the right place is the KEY to any retail success. Online buying is one thing, but if I’m dealing with a leaking faucet or flooded basement and I need to get some supplies right away, I just can’t wait for next day (or longer). I’m also willing to pay extra for those products at that time. Some neighbourhoods are more prone to flooding or icing in certain  months. Make sure that the store managers and purchasing managers are aware of these trends. Also, make sure the distribution system can act quickly so that it can have the product in the store when its needed. For example last year there was a major icy snow storm and for two weeks de-icing salt for pavement was completely sold out across the GTA. I, and others, would have gladly paid double the price to have a supply available. There isn’t any reason why supplies or inventory couldn’t have been re-routed to have product in store the next day. Once in store, I would likely pick up other items that I may need, like a new pair of work gloves, windshield wiper fluid, etc. These are items I’m picking up anyway from whatever store I’m in.
3. Hire an expert to help with locating stores. Locational Analysis is a necessity that U.S. retailers entering the Canadian Market either fail to conduct or don’t have the expertise to properly undertake. This is painful for me, someone trained in urban economics with experience in locating operations, to see. Yet, by  hiring someone like me to conduct this work, it will make the difference between failure or success to foreign retailers in Canada. Retail Locations are the  most important for most end-use consumers. When I’m picking up a new wire for my weed-wacker which ran out in the middle of trimming my lawn or oil for my motorcycle, I’m going to want to go to the nearest retailer. Also, trades people don’t like to go out of their way when picking up supplies, so they tend to go to locations near highway entry points. Many trades will pick up items in the morning on their way to different jobs. So, locate stores where these trades people tend to live. I know neighbourhoods that are heavily populated with trades people who would do just that, but with no hardware store nearby.
4. Always make corporate decisions based on ability to best identify and service customers, followed by operating competency and competitive advantage, and finally with an eye on operating efficiencies and profitability. Make sure it’s all in that order because each one relies on the previous consideration. Of course to have the right expertise with knowledge of key markets, like the Greater Toronto Area, requires you to hire someone in that market or with extensive experience in that market.

How Can I Help?

When Wal-Mart bought out the Woolco Stores, I worked with Bank of Montreal to analyse the impact it would have on the remaining Canadian retailers from their sales and operations to their financial performance. In a matter of weeks I had dissection and analyzed the impact on every major retailer across Canada and translated that into the impact on their financial performance. How I did this is for another much more detailed post.

In short, I analyzed every single retail outlet of every major retail chain which included: 1) consumer threshold, 2) product-mix overlap, 3) local pricing sensitivity, 4) psychological and geographical traffic boundaries, 5) traffic flows and much more. Then I cross indexed the information and translated it into the financial performance. Finally I conglomerated the data by retail chain to product financial projections for each one. The report went up to the Bank of Montreal Board of Directors and the information was then used to dictate risk appetite and credit exposure among the major retailers.

As part of my analysis, I drew two powerful conclusions, one of which was contrary to what Bank Executives were expecting at the time. If it were not for that analysis, the bank would have made different decisions, created different lending policies, which would have significantly affected Canadian retailers and their employees.

What Should You Do Before You Locate or Acquire a Location in Canada?

Contact me to have someone on your side who can help with every aspect of what needs to be done. But, most importantly, who can get you the right information, with proper analysis and solutions so you can make the best decisions for your business success!

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