Now, what is important to point out is that the number of homes available for sale has been down substantially compared to 2010. I often get asked as to why this is the case — I wish I knew. There has been a lack of inventory for the last 2-3yrs or so and the case has many Realtor's and industry leaders completely stumped. Increased competition between buyers for (a lack of) available listings has really prompted this upward pressure on prices.

Here is a quick summary of sales in May, along-with average prices:

One request I have had from a number of buyers are listings within specific school boundaries (I am looking at you, John Fraser Secondary School). I am finding that there is a lack of inventory in many of these boundaries and there is a huge demand for them. It really doesn't surprise me one bit. Especially around the top schools.

I only deal with current situations. With the Spring market well underway, parents will be looking to purchase their home now in-order to get their kids ready for September. If you are interested in selling your home, give me a shout. Now may be the best time this year.

5 or so Mississauga-based Lion's Club's will be a part of this years walk. My Club, the Churchill Meadows Lion's Club would like to ask you for help.

The details for the walk are as follows:

Date: June 5th, 2011
Time: 11:00AM
Walk Location: J.C. Saddintion Park – 53 Lake Street, Mississauga, ON

View Larger Map View Larger Map

If you would like to register for a walk please click here.
If you would like to make a contribution please click here.
If you would like to learn more about the people who we help, click here.

What I am going to provide is a list of schools in Mississauga along-with their current Fraser Institute (FI) rank. At the same time I will provide the average FI rank in the last 5 years in-order to give you a bigger picture. What might be ranked 2nd this year, may not be ranked 2nd given it's average scores.

So here we go!

*Joint 10th

As you can see, Kenollie Public School ranked the best elementary in Mississauga, closely followed by Hawthorn Public School, Plum Tree Park Public School is third, Sheridan Park Public School and Mineola Public School rank jointly at fourth, and Tecumseh Public School ranks fifth.

Rather than looking at FI ranks every year, does it make more sense to look at a 5-year average? Do we get a better picture with this rank over the yearly change we are seeing? I think so. This provides you a good snapshot. Statistically speaking, what better way to judge how something will perform than how it has been performing in the past.

I'd love to get your thoughts on this – what is your way of gauging? Yearly ranks? Average score ranks?

If you are considering moving now would be a good start to prepare – the schools will be finishing up for the year very and the best time to move is during the summer – before September! If you would like to receive listings in any of the above schools, contact me.

This year is my 2nd year as President. We will be holding an evening of wine and cheese on Tuesday, 31st of May. If you would like to learn about Lionism, network, and just enjoy a relaxing evening, do join us! All contact information are listed in the image above.

Hope to see you there!

The key areas are: The Central Waterfront, East Bayfront, West Don Lands, and the Lower Don Lands.

800 Hectares of land that will be completely revitalized, creating some 40,000 jobs in the process

The Central Waterfront

Quick Snapshot:

• Boundaries: From Bathurst Street to Lower Jarvis Street, south of Lake Shore Boulevard to Lake Ontario
• Size: 2.5 km stretch along most well-developed part of downtown Toronto’s waterfront
• Water’s edge promenade: 1.8 km connected by five timber footbridges
• Martin Goodman Trail: 2.2 km off-street Martin Goodman Trail bike and pedestrian trail next to Queens Quay Boulevard
  (WaterfronToronto)

Central Waterfront

New and improved public spaces in this area:

• Spadina WaveDeck: This new public space opened on 2008.
• Rees WaveDeck: This access was completed in 2009 and provides lakeside access.
• Simcoe WaveDeck: A very cool and dramatic urban dock that opened in 2009.
• Portland Slip: A brand new 130 metre stretch of the water's edge that will connect the Queens Quay to Ireland Park.
• Queens Quay Boulevard (West): This will be the areas main street – the revitalization efforts will allow the area to live-up to it's potential – both from an accessibility perspective, and a real estate perspective.
• York Quay: This will be a multi-phased project that will completely revamp the area into a waterfront destination.
• Five Footbridges: Five iconic footbridges will be created to allow people to walk along the inner harbour, the slip basins and inlets.
  (WaterfronToronto)

East Bayfront

Quick Snapshot:

• Boundaries: From Lower Jarvis Street to Parliament Street, Lake Shore Boulevard to Lake Ontario
• Size:23 hectares (55 acres)
• Features: 6,000 new residential units, 3 million square feet of commercial space, 8,000 new jobs, 5.5 hectares of parks and public spaces, 1 km continuous water’s edge promenade
• Proximity: 10 minute walk to Union Station
  (WaterfronToronto)

East Bayfront has huge potential to be a premier location in Toronto

This area has us extremely excited. The former industrial land in the prime waterfront location of Lakeshore Boulevard from Lower Jarvis Street to Parliament Street is being transformed into a thriving new destination for some 6000 new homes, 8000 jobs, and beautiful promenade and water edge. The area will have two signature parks: Sherbourne Park and Canada's Sugar Beach, along-with a water's edge promenade spanning both parks. Corus Entertainment have already begun constructing it's fantastic new headquarters, but the area will also house the new George Brown College campus – bringing students and jobs to the area. Other exciting developments to come to the area is a brand new project by Great Gulf Homes and designed by the world-renowned architect, Moshe Safdie. Great Gulf plan to create a premier residential and commercial address overlooking Sherbourne Park. The south-east corner is the largest parcel of land developed by Waterfront Toronto to-date. Led by Hines (a world-premier real estate firm), Bayside will be transformed from an industrial area into a hot new neighborhood right on the water's edge (WaterfronToronto).

A 3D rendering of the proposed East Bayfront location. Sherbourne Park will be located between Bayside and Dockside.
Parkside will be overlooking the awesome Sherbourne Park.

West Don Lands

Quick Snapshot:

• Boundaries:From Parliament Street to the Don River, King Street to the Rail corridor
• Size: 32 hectares (80 acres), 6,000 new residential units, 9.3 hectares (23 acres) of parks and public space
• Proximity: 15 minute walk to downtown, next to the Distillery District
• Sustainability: Stage 1 LEED ND GOLD certification under the pilot program established by the U.S. Green Building Council

An artists impression of how the West Don Land's will look once completed

Another area that has us extremely excited and that has already seen some media spotlight due to the 2015 Pan American Games athletes' village and some excellent real estate developments (River City + the upcoming River City 2). This area is a 32 hectare brownfield site between Parliament Street and the Don River, and from King Street to the rail corridor. The plans in-place has it set to become a beautiful and sustainable riverside community. The plan is to feature some 6000 new residential units, employment opportunities, commercial users, and at least one elementary school and two child-care centres. Nine hectares have been set aside to allow for parks and public spaces (WaterfronToronto).

River City – awesome rendering of an extremely popular real estate development in the West Don Lands

Coming back to the Athletes' Vilage, it will temporarily house all of the athletes during the games. Each unit will be divided to allow an athlete some private space. I have been told that the unit's will have kitchen rough-in's (but no completed kitchens!). Afterwards, there are plans to convert the village into housing options. Once the games are over, the unit's will be opened up and kitchens completed – then sold as fully-finished condo suites (WaterfronToronto) - pretty awesome!

Lower Don Lands

Quick Snapshot:

• boundaries: From Parliament St. to the Don Roadway, the Rail corridor to the Ship Channel
• size: 125 hectares (308 acres), 12,500 new residential units, 500,000 sq. ft. of commercial and retail space, 53 hectares (130 acres) of parks/public spaces including 24 hectares (58 acres) of park land with two event spaces
• proximity: 20 minute walk to downtown

The City of Toronto and WaterfronToronto are currently working to develop detailed plans for additional communities in the Lower Don Lands – this area is approximately 125 hectares of industrial land located south of the rail corridor in the City's east-end of the harbour. The City and the WaterfronToronto committee are also working to determine the future of the easternmost section of the Gardiner Expressway. This area is more-than-likely a 10-year plan and we are unlikely to see anything specific for a few years.

As a general overview, we at iMississaugaRealEstate and TalkCondo are extremely excited about this massive re-development. It is perhaps one of the largest waterfront revitalization projects in the world and with some of the thing's planned, it bodes extremely well for the City, the local economy, and the inhabitants.

A BIG thanks to WaterfronToronto for providing us the images.

If you would like to receive updates on this huge redevelopment and real estate projects that are heading there way, contact us below!

SO HERE WE GO!

Top 10 Secondary Schools (Peel District School Board – Fraser Institute Ranking)

Some very interesting results, here! Streetsville Secondary School has made a big jump! It's also interesting and great to see Stephen Lewis Secondary School stay in the top 10 best Secondary Schools in Mississauga. Especially considering that this school is not as old as others (2006!!). It just goes to show you the quality and strides this school has made in the short time it's existed. No surprises with John Fraser – but Gordon Graydon Secondary School has made an impressive jump!

A HUGE thanks to Shoaib Mirza over at Streetsville Living for the photo!

If you would like to receive more information, advice, or even listings in any of these boundaries contact me!

THE DEVELOPMENT HAS LAUNCHED AT VIP LEVEL ON THE 6TH of MAY. CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY FOR FIRST ACCESS TO THIS PROJECT.

CentreCourt Developments is a hot new developer we are extremely excited about. Peter Street Condos is their first foray into the boiling hot Entertainment District. The Development offers fantastic value for investors, with unobstructed south views after the 16th floor – including views of the CN Tower and the Rogers Centre.

View Peter Street Condominiums in a larger map

In-terms of pricing, Peter Street Condos hold's up very well as compared to the competition. It compares quite favourably, with suites on the 25th floor offering amazing south-views comparable in-price to the Podium suites at The Mercer.

The resale market in the Entertainment District current sits at approximately $550+/sqft. Some (Glas, Hudson), are as high as $600/sqft. The Entertainment District has seen very strong appreciation numbers and we feel the additional of the Festival Tower and pending Cinema Tower, this area will continue to grow even further.

Peter Street Condominiums is located in a strong appreciation area.

Contact Us if you are interested in receiving more information about this development including floorplans and detailed pricing.

You may not have heard of them (yet), but we at iMississaugaRealestate and TalkCondo are extremely excited.

CentreCourt Developments is ran by the who's-who of the Real Estate Industry – Andrew Hoffman (President and Founder) was the COO of Menkes Developments Ltd. – a leading real estate development corporation that worked on some HOT projects: The Four Seasons in Yorkville, and the Lumiere just to name a couple. Luke Celuch who has previous management experiences in projects such as DNA 1 & 2 (Canderal Stoneridge), Luna (CityPlace), and West One (CityPlace)  is the Senior Project Manager.

The Entertainment District is currently one of the (if not THE) hottest areas of Downtown Toronto. CentreCourt Developments is the latest player to bring a new development to this area and it's a cracker! Peter St. Condos introduces us to the company and offers exceptional architecture, excellent floor-plans and amazing interior designs.

Awesome Rendering for Peter St. Condos

To give further evidence of why we are excited about this company, they will be teaming up with Lifetime Developments (M5V, Bisha, The Yorkville) to bring us another exciting project in the Yonge/College area (21 Grenville).

Teaser Rendering from CentreCourt Developments for 21 Grenville

If you are interested in VIP access to Peter Street Condos, contact us ASAP!

Earlier today I was actually looking at the official plan for the neighborhood of Churchill Meadow – which I am sure most of you are aware of. Churchill Meadow is located between Winston Churchill and Ninth Line, Eglinton to the south, and Britannia to the north. This area has seen huge development – not long ago it was all farm land and today, homes!

Sometimes you come across a parcel of land that is just sitting there. Most of the time people wonder if it will ever be used for something. In an earlier post, I was speaking about a large parcel of land on the south-east corner of Ninth Line and Eglinton which will be used for commercial and retail

The area I want to speak about today is the south-west corner of Tenth Line and Thomas Street. For those of you are aren't too sure, here's a screenie and a map of the area in question:

Are more town-homes on the way? The Official Plan has this site designated for "High Density Residential"

View Thomas St / Tenth Line in a larger map

    
Screenshot from the Official Plan with the high-density designation

Within the Official Plan itself, this area has been designated for "High Density Residential" – are more town-homes on the way? This site sits directly opposite the Great Gulf Homes town-homes site. Does the area need more town-homes? I would love to hear people's opinions and views. 

Eglinton Avenue / Ninth Line

I have been doing some digging and have managed to find some very interesting information regarding the potential future uses for that piece of land.

View Eglinton/Ninth Line in a larger map

From what I understand, the top-left area shaded in red will more than likely be a gas-station, or other motor-vehicle commercial use.

The dark-blue area around the north and north-east edges will be used as retail space, however the official plan of the City has indicated the following: 

a. The following additional uses will be permitted: 

• broadcasting station; 
• communications and broadcasting establishment; 
• radio and television transmission facility; 
• telephone sales and service establishment; 

b. Retail warehouses will not be permitted. (MPA-40)

The red shaded area on the south-east corner will be used as general retail/commercial space with an additional designation as follows:

a. the physical integration of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) facility with adjacent development will be encouraged. (MPA-25), (MPA-40)

Some very interesting information there for residents and possible future residents to this area – will this entice you to move here? Or put you off? I'd be interested to hear some thoughts on this.