I recently read two different articles that focused on time management and maximizing the time we have in our busy lives, and I had to share something that was a major point in both articles.

Schedule in your down time to make the most of it.

One article, on Mashable.com, was about how one very busy entrepreneur manages to be so productive despite a hectic schedule. The entrepreneur is Elon Musk, who owns Tesla Motors and also runs a privatized space program. He splits his workdays between the companies, and he credited strictly keeping to a schedule as a means to get things done more efficiently.
One of the things he does is schedule weekend time for family activities. His schedule includes no work on weekends.
The other article focused on scheduling as a necessity for productivity, too. This article went even a step further than the interview with Musk. It said that not only is scheduling down time – as Musk does – important, but it’s also important to sometimes schedule out what that down time will be.
Think about it. We all schedule things like vacations and weekend get-aways, sometimes following an itinerary down to the last letter. Most of the time, it’s because we want to get the most out of our vacation time.
But how many hours out of the year do we spend on vacation? Most of our down time is NOT spent on vacation. The overwhelming majority of the time we spend away from work is just regular old time off – evenings, weekends, holidays, etc. But aside from a list of to-do’s, perhaps, a day off is usually not planned out, is it?
I think this is probably a mistake. Sure, it’s nice every now and then to have a lazy day, when nothing is planned and we just let the time take us where it takes us. But just like you have things you want to accomplish with your work, you probably have things you want to accomplish outside of work, too. If you use a schedule to get done the work-related things, why wouldn’t you use a schedule to help yourself get done the non-work things?
You hear things from time to time about nobody being on their death bed and regretting not working more. You instead might guess that things such as not traveling enough or not spending enough time reading or doing family activities are the things that come as regrets.
If you want to avoid that, then those things have to go on your schedule. You want to spend more time with your spouse and kids? Well, then pencil in it in. Don’t just assume because you have some down time and they have some down time that you will end up spending quality time together. If that is a goal you want to accomplish, then put it on a schedule.
If you want to read more but find yourself never to getting around to whatever book it is you keep meaning to get to, then schedule it. If you keep meaning to pick that hobby of yours back up but never seem to get around to it, then schedule it. It’s sometimes amazing to think that we all seem to schedule the things we HAVE to do, but most of us don’t schedule the things we WANT to do. We’re slaves to our calendars for so many hours of every day, but when we have time to do what we want, we don’t manage that time as well as we do the time that’s not ours.
Don’t misunderstand; there are plenty of people who try to be better at this. It’s great, for example, if you make it a policy to not check your work email on weekends or ignore your cell phone after 6 p.m. But what are you doing with that time? You’ve made it so that work doesn’t encroach on that time, which means it’s at least somewhat valuable to you, but do you plan it out?
Most people don’t. And what ends up happening is you waste valuable time. Actually, the MOST valuable time if you buy that death-bed notion of not regretting that you didn’t work more. You wouldn’t thing of going through a work week without a calendar and list of tasks to be accomplished, but you trust yourself enough to manage this valuable personal time without those tools.
Maybe the easiest way to do this is to treat regular time off like you would a vacation. Just like you might follow an itinerary on vacation, make and follow an itinerary for, say, your Saturday afternoon. Play a game with your kids from 1 to 1:30. Take a walk from 2 to 3. Get that nap at 3. Planning these sort of things will make it far more likely you will do them, rather than allowing the day to just get away from you.
Also, don’t plan the “have-tos” into the down time schedule. Going to the grocery store or doing yard work might be things you do on a day off, but they are not part of your down time. They are things that must be done, so you’re likely to schedule them anyway. Just schedule them separately from the things you WANT to do, and you will get more out of your down time.
When it comes to schedules, that should be everybody’s goal!

Schedule Everything, Even Your Down Time is a post from: Toronto Real Estate | Toronto MLS Listings | Toronto Homes For Sale

This week, Toronto city council approved a 2.5 per cent residential tax increase for 2012. And to follow the example that all major local news outlets are using, this would add $60 to the current Toronto property tax bill for a home that is assessed at $447,090 – or what’s considered average.

Dust off the old calculator - should you get a Toronto property tax assessment?

Now, $60 isn’t a huge pile of money, but it’s still more than you were paying before. And, you might actually already be paying more than your fair share. Your property tax amount is based on your property tax assessment, which can be too high. An appeal of a property tax assessment that is too high can lead to literally thousands of dollars saved.

Homes along the residential streets of downtown Toronto are more likely to experience a tax assessment that is incorrect and too high. This is because in the sometimes monotonous suburbs, all the houses are of similar size and value because they were often constructed at the same time and by the same builder, as is the case with many neighbourhood developments. These homes are likely to all have the same property tax assessment and can be compared to one another easily.

In downtown Toronto, the homes are very unique and different across the board. You could have new construction, a single-detached older home and a small bungalow all on the same street.

If you’re concerned about your property tax assessment being too high, chat with nearby homeowners who live in homes similar to yours with respect to size, age and design. A discrepancy between tax assessments in similar homes could raise a red flag, but keep in mind that things you can’t see inside of the home – such as a brand new kitchen or master bathroom renovation – can also affect the home’s overall value and therefore the property tax assessment.

Note that for this tax year, the deadline to file a Request for Reconsideration (RfR) with the City of Toronto is April 2, 2012. This review is free of charge. Visit the City of Toronto website for more information.

Getting Your Toronto Property Tax Assessment is a post from: Toronto Real Estate | Toronto MLS Listings | Toronto Homes For Sale

Photos and video displayed on that listing play an important part in how excited a buyer might get when they view them and how keen they are to go and view the property in person!

One of the problems with the Toronto Real Estate Board system in the past was the restriction on only being allowed to show nine photos of a listing.

Now Our Team Can Promote Our Listings In Several More Ways

Even with small condos or 2-bedroom houses I often have as many as 12-15 photos and sometimes as many as 20-25 that I could display if given the chance.

With the new system just implemented by the Board, I can now link the listing on the public site, Realtor.ca, to all XX photos I have of the house and neighbourhood or the condo suite and building amenities. 

I can also display the full-colour 6-page feature sheet we create for each of our listings AND link to the video we do with our high-definition camera with wide-angle lens PLUS connect to the floor plans for each level of the home.

Many agents who either take zero or a few poor photos only will find that they’re even less likely to be providing their seller clients with the high quality marketing that’s needed in today’s competitive real estate market.

Click on the links to see how Toronto’s Real Estate Team – Thomas & Sally Cook PLUS markets our  house listings and our condo listings.

New Toronto Real Estate Board Options Allow Technology Minded Agents To Market Their Listings More Effectively is a post from: Toronto Real Estate | Toronto MLS Listings | Toronto Homes For Sale

After you’ve had your fun poking the little cartoon animals in Google’s Earth Day banner and had your fill of free Starbucks (people who bring reusable mugs to Starbucks today can have it filled with free coffee or tea… although having your stainless steel travel mug filled with a caramel macchiato on the house is not unheard of…) there’s still plenty homeowners can do to keep Toronto looking good – all year round.

Keep Toronto healthy and declutter your home at the same time.

For example, Toronto’s city services offer quite a few options for homeowners looking to throw out extra clutter (which is also a great way to begin the home staging process if you’re looking to sell) that are actually quite convenient.

Electronics

Electronics should not be thrown out with your regular trash, because they can contain heavy metals and toxic materials that leach into the ground. If they’re still viable, the electronics can be donated to one of the charities or organizations listed here.

Otherwise, households around Toronto have received special green e-waste bags to put electronics in for curbside pickup. If you’ve used your green e-waste bag already or have lost it, you can pick more up for free at a Community Environment Day. A list of Toronto Community Environment Days is available here.

Household Hazardous Waste

Household Hazarous Waste includes batteries, chemicals, paints, syringes – anything that shouldn’t be heading to the landfill. If it’s time for you to clean out your garage, you can drop off your household hazardous waste at a Toronto Household Hazardous Waste Depot.

You can’t put these things out with your regular garbage or recycling in Toronto – however – Toronto also operates The Toxic Taxi, which will pick up household hazardous waste from Toronto residents up to a certain amount for free. Make an appointment with the Toxic Taxi by calling 311.

Big Stuff

Large, cumbersome items can actually be picked up for free with your regular garbage. These oversized items just need a bit of prep before being collected, like being separated or taken apart where possible. For a list of oversized items and how to get them ready for garbage day, click here.

City Of Toronto And Earth Day: Keeping Toronto Healthy And Clearing Clutter is a post from: Toronto Real Estate | Toronto MLS Listings | Toronto Homes For Sale

Renting a hot water heater in Toronto

Why rent a hot water heater? Well, think of it in terms of renting an apartment. When something goes wrong, you just call the company (or landlord) and have it fixed at no cost to you. In most cases, Toronto real estate owners can call the hot water heater company for a free replacement or repairs if the hot water heater breaks down.

What do Toronto real estate owners do when a rented hot water heater leaks?

But when a rented hot water heater leaks and causes damage to a home, what happens then?

Personal Finance Columnist Ellen Roseman wrote a great article in the Toronto Star two weeks ago about who pays when a rented water tank leaks.

According to the article, 1.3 million homes in Ontario rent hot water heaters from Direct Energy for between $15 and $25 per month, and according to Direct Energy, if there is a problem, a technician can come out and inspect or repair the tank for free. And, if the tank leaks and causes water damage to a basement:

“We will reimburse customers where it is found that a water tank rented through us has caused damage to their property or belongings. Customers have two options if they wish to file a property damage claim – either file through our claims department or through their home insurance, provided they have coverage for such an event.”

Despite this, the article told the stories of several Ontario homeowners who had trouble getting the company to pay for the damage. But Roseman says, “Direct Energy will cover damage claims, but only for those prepared to get their voices heard.”

On the Direct Energy website, it specifically says the company is not responsible if for a leak if there is no drainage, however, the spokesperson quoted in the Star article also said, “One of the major benefits of renting a water heater from Direct Energy is that we will reimburse a customer where it is found that a water tank rented through us has caused damage to their property of belongings.”

Toronto Homeowners Are Entitled To Compensation By Direct Energy If Their Hot Water Heater Leaks is a post from: Toronto Real Estate | Toronto MLS Listings | Toronto Homes For Sale

Imagine a completely modern home with all the bells and whistles!  Completely connected to the outside world and completely organized in every room inside.

Life with all this would be pretty interesting.  Take a look at this video to see what the future will look like.

Future Toronto Houses Could Have Some Amazing Features is a post from: Toronto Real Estate | Toronto MLS Listings | Toronto Homes For Sale

Majority Of Ontarians Feel Real Estate Is A Good Investment

The 18th annual RBC Home Ownership Study was released this week, detailing Ontarians’ plans for home buying in the coming year and how they feel about owning real estate in general.

Ontario home buyers feel confident in the real estate market this year.

Some highlights for the Ontario real estate market include:

• 46% of Ontarians feel the housing market is balanced.
• 28% of Ontarians are planning on buying a home within the next two years, but 80% of those looking to buy a home will be buying one in the next two years – the highest number in Canada.

“Ontario’s housing market has experienced quite a bit of volatility over the past two years so buyers are being a little more cautious,” said RBC.

• 56% of Ontarians think buying this year makes sense as opposed to waiting until next year.
• 89% of Ontarians feel that real estate is a good investment.
• 71% of Ontarians think that their families could handle a drop in prices.

Most people in Ontario who are planning on buying a home will be buying a detached house (66%), followed by condominiums or lofts (13%), semi-detached houses (8%) and townhouses (10%).

For the full report, including highlights from other provinces across Canada, click here.

Majority Of Ontarians Feel Real Estate Is A Good Investment is a post from: Toronto Real Estate | Toronto MLS Listings | Toronto Homes For Sale

The National Home Show in Toronto wrapped up last weekend, and it showcased everything new and happening in design and decor for Toronto Real Estate owners.

National Home Show in Toronto: Boulevard of Dreams

This Boulevard of Dreams home is a 1,640 square-foot, prefab Careleton house built by Quality Homes.

Boulevard of Dreams Bedrooms and Bathrooms

It brought stylish living to a smaller space while also giving those touring the home an idea of how lovely a prefabricated home can really be. It’s also perfect for those looking for decorating and design ideas for their bedrooms and bathrooms in a small bungalow or condominium.  They also provided some great staging ideas for those looking to sell their Toronto home in the coming months.

View our gallery of the bedroom and bathroom decorating and staging ideas showcased at the National Home Show’s prefabricated Carleton home here (click any image for a full-size, high quality version):

You don’t need an interior decorator or huge budget to come up with clean-looking, quality decor for your home. All of the decor seen here is from Sears, and similar knick-knacks, throw pillows, artwork and other decorations are available at nearly any home store – suitable for any budget.

Looking to make your Toronto Real Estate really shine before selling? Visit our Toronto Real Estate Team website for home staging videos and ideas.

Bed And Bath Ideas From The National Home Show In Toronto – Perfect For Toronto Real Estate Sellers is a post from: Toronto Real Estate | Toronto MLS Listings | Toronto Homes For Sale

The National Home Show in Toronto wrapped up this weekend, and it showcased everything new and happening in design and decor for Toronto Real Estate owners.

National Home Show In Toronto: Boulevard of Dreams

There was quite a lineup to tour these homes, but it was well worth it (especially if you were a Toronto Real Estate Team VIP, which allowed you to sneak the front of the line). The Boulevard of Dreams included an accessible bungalow in a Muskoka-esque setting decorated by Sears.

Boulevard of Dreams Kitchen, Dining and Living

This Boulevard of Dreams home is a 1,640 square-foot, prefab Careleton house built by Quality Homes. It brought stylish living to a smaller space while also giving those touring the home an idea of how lovely a prefabricated home can really be. It’s also perfect for those looking for decorating and design ideas for their small bungalow or condominium (click images for full size):

Unique kitchen lighting in the model home at the National Home Show in Toronto.

A gorgeous, spacious-looking kitchen in a small space at the National Home Show in Toronto.

The home is also accessible and all on one floor, making it easily geared towards seniors, families with small children or those otherwise needing a home without stairs. All of the furniture and decor by Sears is meant to be extremely low-maintenance, and the majority of it is organic. The home is only 60 feet by 26 feet, but there’s a lot going on inside. Each of the three bedrooms are large, and the dining and living rooms are big enough to enjoy and entertain in. It also includes a full kitchen, two bathrooms and and laundry room.

Dining room ideas for a small space at the National Home Show in Toronto.

The living room just off of the kitchen offers a great space to entertain in the model home at the National Home Show in Toronto.

This is a great example of a reasonably-priced and beautiful home that anyone can own (the total package price of this home is $259,000) thanks to the affordable decor. Check back later this week for more bed and bath ideas for small spaces from the National Home Show in Toronto.

Highlights From The National Home Show in Toronto: Stylish Living In A Small Space is a post from: Toronto Real Estate | Toronto MLS Listings | Toronto Homes For Sale

Thinking about buying Toronto real estate? Visit the National Home Show

It’s the time of year again, when the National Home Show in Toronto is almost upon us. Whether you’re a new homeowner or are only beginning to think about jumping into the Toronto real estate market, the National Home Show has something for everyone. From the latest interior design trends to energy-efficient home renovation planning, everything to do with home and garden can be found here.

The Toronto National Home Show starts in just a few weeks.

The National Home Show is presented by RE/MAX and runs from Friday, February 18th to Sunday, February 27th at the Direct Energy Center at Exhibition Place. Over 10 days, more than 700 experts, retailers, specialists and celebrities in the home and garden industry will be gathered at the National Home Show in Toronto. Guests can see the latest trends up close in one of two model homes and specially-designed gardens and even get sneak peaks of new products that aren’t available to the general public yet.

If you head over to the National Home Show on Family Day, free child care is available on this day only. Returning again this year is also the Neighbourhood Marketplace, which allows guests a chance to see and purchase home accessories, fashion and jewelry from Ontario communities.

Tickets can be purchased online at $3 off or at the door. For more information, visit the Toronto National Home Show website here.

Get Ready: National Home Show in Toronto is a post from: Toronto Real Estate | Toronto MLS Listings | Toronto Homes For Sale