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Toronto Real Estate


Of course, everyone dreams about having it’s own apartment or a house. It does not matter whether you arrived to Toronto recently or have been living here for a long time – Real Estate business may be more or less familiar to you. So, the question arises – what to buy and how much will it cost?

Apartment rental in Toronto

One could argue, that rental has nothing to do with buying, but it actually allows to become more familiar with Toronto Real Estate, as it can reveal several certain things about Toronto. This is a very common way of finding shelter for new immigrants who come to Toronto. They have not yet accrued information about Toronto Real Estate, so they prefer to rent a place.

Depending on location rental fee will be higher or lower. Downtown or places close to subway stations, for example, are considered to be expensive. Apartment buildings are very practical and dense in Downtown Toronto, so this type of real estate is prevailing in downtown Toronto. On the other hand, one-family houses are very popular in other areas in the city of Toronto.

Studio, one bedroom, two-bedroom and three bedroom apartments are the most common types of apartments in Toronto. Apartments with 4 bedrooms are very rare, if any, since it is easier to buy a house with the same square footage, rather than an apartment. Of course, more spacious apartment you pick, higher price will be. Rental fee for studio in Harbour Square, which is a luxury and prestige place to live, can be 1500-2000 CAD. The same price you can pay monthly for one bedroom apartment in Etobicoke.

The main reason for people renting an apartment is that they have to understand Toronto Real Estate, make a choice regarding buying their own place. Just because a mortgage fee will be approximately the same as rental fee in Toronto.

House rental in Toronto

A house rental is a good solution for people with large families (more than 5 members), who have not bought their own house. However, this case is very rare, as it is reasonable for really big families.

At the same time apartment rental is very common. There can be 3-4 apartments in one house and such houses can be located outside downtown Toronto, which lowers their rental fee. Basement rental, for example, is a very cheap solution, but it can be the solution for students with moderate budgets.

Depending on a location, a rental fee for a basement can be 400-700 CAD. However, needless to say that such a place can be wet, can be colder, it may not even have a window.




Buying an apartment, a condominimum (condo) in Toronto.

Everyone wants to own a house or apartment. Mortgage fee are close to rental fee, but at the same time you are living in your own property. As usual, the price is formed by the location.

Small properties in good area are considered to be a better deal, than a spacious place in a bad area. The quality of the area will affect your entire life, so people to try to move to good areas. More parks, schools, hospitals, restaurants and shops – the better.

Price for a studio in the heart of downtown Toronto starts from 200K CAD. A floor accounts for a good chunk of the price – on the average one floor higher will cost you one thousand CAD more.

If your apartment has a lake view, then it costs approximately 15-20K CAD more, than the same apartment without a lake view. Moreover, not just a lake view is important, but every water view accounts for price increase. Since it is very comfortable for a human eye, apartments with such an ability will always cost higher.

For the most part, apartments in downtown are condominimums or condo. That means, that you will have to pay a maintenance fee as well as you will receive a certain package of services – garbage removal, swimming pool maintenance, 24/7 concierge. Maintenance fee usually start from 150 CAD, but it may be much higher for old buildings, which require a considerable amount of work. This fee is mandatory, even though you may not use a pool or gym.

Prices for condo become lower as you move from downtown Toronto. You may even see apartment buildings, but not condo. Apartments in such buildings are cheaper, but living there is less prestige than in condo buildings.

It does not matter whether you live in a condo or in a usual apartment, you will have neighbors around you. One cannot help, but notice that reducing neighbors influence can be done by moving to your house or townhouse.

Buying a townhouse in Toronto

A townhouse can be a good deal for a family, who is not ready to move to their own house. It is not already an apartment, but not yet a house. You become an owner of several floors, a land and you have only a couple of neighbors! You may even have just one - if you bought the first or the last segment in a row. However, prices for such townhouses in Toronto higher than for regular ones.

A lot of townhouses have fireplaces and land. These are the most remarkable differences people want to see, when they start thinking about moving to a townhouse. You may even have more than one fireplace.

Location matters, as usual. Areas to north from downtown Toronto are considered to be expensive, expecially along Yonge Street. St. Clair, Rosedale, Forest Hill or Eglinton have always been luxury places to live. Prices for townhouses in such areas starts from 400-500K CAD. Luxury East regions, for example, The Beaches offer the same level of prices. However, a good area does not necessarily mean an expensive one – there are a number of different areas in Toronto with developing infrastructure and moderate prices.

Buy a semi-detached house in Toronto

It is not a townhouse, and you will have only one neighbor. Also land is usually larger. Living in such properties is more prestige and they cost more, than townhouses or condo. Essential that they are cheaper than detached houses.

Depending on a location, area and infrastructure a price for semi-detached house in Toronto may start from 250-300K CAD.




Buying a detached house in Toronto

This is the most luxury property in Toronto, especially in a good area. The price is higher, but it is worthwhile – all land is yours, since no neighbors are around to share it! Due to high prices for detached houses in Toronto, it is a good deal of investing your funds into such properties. Sometimes you can sell your house three-fold after some time. However, a Toronto Real Estate experience is needed to choose such properties in Toronto.

Call me at 416-450-7572!

I hope, I managed to show a very interesting part of Canadian business – Toronto Real Estate. I am ready to answer all your questions, so please do not hesitate to call me anytime. I am ready to help you!

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© 2009 Yuriy BALKO
yuriy@balko.ca

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