Marilyn Monroe Condos, Mississauga

Fraud Awareness Month - True Stories *names have been changed to protect identities*

Everyone has heard them - those awful, gut wrenching stories of fraud victims and how they came to be.  With March being fraud awareness month in Canada, I've decided to share some of the stories that I've heard first hand and from my best friend's-mom's-uncle's-neighbour's-sister's-friend.  The names have been changed to protect the victims' identities (personally, I really like their new names)

Kendrick and Kennifer had lived in the same cul-de-sac home for decades.  Kennifer was a bookkeeper, and was always meticulous with their records and finances.  One day, while she was completing their monthly budget, she logged on to their credit card account to see that charges of over $10,000 were made to their line of credit.  Panicked, she called her bank.  The gentleman who answered the phone went through the routine identity checks - first name, last name, date of birth, and address.  When he got to the address, he advised her that what she was providing was incorrect.  She told him that they had lived there for over twenty years.  He said the address was recently changed.  After digging deeper, Kennifer and Kendrick discovered that someone had gone to the post office, and filled out a change of address form.  All of their mail was forwarded to this new po box.  The frauders then ordered new cards, had them sent to the po box, used them within the month, and Kendrick and Kennifer were none the wiser.  In the end, they used $23,000 worth of credit from the cards they ordered.




Kennilyn wanted to leave the nest.  At 23 years old, she was itching to move downtown, sick of her daily commute.  Her budget was rather limited, she wanted to stay within $1100 a month.  She started her search on kijiji.ca, and was realizing that she could not find the glamourous condo that she dreamed of with her budget.  Until she found an ad that was featuring a beautiful unit in a central area for only $1100 a month - all in!  She quickly responded to the ad, asking to see the unit.  Within a few hours, she received a response from a pastor, saying that he and his wife lived there, but were currently on a religious retreat overseas.  He pledged his honesty, and asked that she be honest in return - as he's out of the country and would not be able to keep tabs on his property.  He sent her more pictures and a virtual tour, said that he's unable to show the property because he is on his religious retreat.  He told her that there was someone else interested, and the unit would go to whomever sent him the deposit first.  He said he uses DPD Express, and that the process is completely secure.  She sends the money, he sends the keys - neither are released to the other until approval is received from both parties.  Kennilyn googled DPD Express, and decided that they were okay to use.  She sent her first and last month's rent, and he sent the keys.  She got verification from DPD Express that the keys were received, and she released her money.  When she went to her unit, the keys did not work, and someone answered the door, surprised that someone was trying to get into their home.  Kennilyn never heard from the pastor again.




Kenstopher was really strapped for cash.  His car broke down, his payments were behind, and he was running late on his rent.  He had already taken out cash advances, and the payments were digging him deeper and deeper.  He had 'tender' credit, and couldn't get granted any more loans.  He had heard about high interest lending - institutions that would lend larger amounts of money with high interest to people with poorer credit.  He just needed one fair sized lump sum to get his feet back on the ground.  So, he decided to apply.  He got an approval for $10,000, and sighed a breath of relief.  Things were finally looking up for Kenstopher.  He filled out the forms, provided his bank statements, and corresponded with the friendly staff.  They were quick to return emails and phone calls, and expressed how happy they were to be able to help him.  They instructed him to send a deposit - $100 for every $1000 he needs to borrow.  This will be the interest paid up front.  Kenstopher thought, 'what's a thousand dollars compared to the ten I can borrow?  I really need it right now'.  They told him that if he sends a cheque, money order or bank draft, it will take 7 business days to release his funds, so if he needed it sooner rather than later, he should send cash.  He was a little weary of sending cash in the mail, but if he's sending his last thousand dollars, he needs the money as soon as possible.  So, he sent the cash.


It's easy to read these stories and think that the victims are stupid.  However, frauders target people who are vulnerable and down.  In Kennilyn and Kenstopher's case, they capitalized on the emotion behind the act - you want to move out, and you're excited; you're low on cash, and you're really in a bind.  What are ways to avoid fraud?  Add passwords to all of your credit cards - verification is getting easier and easier to provide.  Anyone can find out someone's address and date of birth.  Know your balances and finances - make it a second nature to check within the month instead of waiting until your monthly bill arrives.  This will help to catch any fraudulent activity before it gets worse.  Step back and think - if something is too good to be true, it's too good to be true.

Home Decor Turns Couture

Canadian home decor company Korhani has done it again.  They've transformed their cutting edge designs for your home into cutting edge designs for the runway.  They turned pieces from their Mongolian inspired collection into couture for Fashion Week this week.

Korhani is based out of Toronto, with their manufacturing site in Montreal.  It's such a unique twist, and a great way to differentiate themselves from any other home decor company.  It really encompasses an all around personal style - not just clothing, or not just decor.

Ever Wish You Could Play Ball With The President??? Now you can...

I love March Madness.  It's some of the hardest basketball you ever see played.  Every team plays their heart out, and the crowds are just as into it.  It's not just me who loves it, Barack Obama is a huge fan as well.  This year, he's invited people to enter a friendly pool with him.  You can register your picks on his website, and, if your predictions beat his, your name will be published on BarackObama.com as having beat the President of the United States...when I win, I'm putting a print screen of it on a t-shirt!!!

Prohibition Alive In Toronto Til 1998??

When I think of prohibition, my mind automatically shifts to black and white -  I picture Al Capone, moonshine and riots on the streets.  What I do not picture, is prohibition in a time recent enough to have online articles reporting it's demise - maybe newspapers, smoke signals and morse code, but not during the internet era.

I was keeping up to date with the revitalization of The Junction (west of the city, around Dundas West and Keele), when I stumbled upon an Eye Weekly article dated November 19, 1998.  The writer was chronicling the first beer served in The Junction in 94 years!  This is insane to me.  What's even more insane is that it was the people's choice!!

"In 1966, a group of hotel owners in favor of legalized booze spent $100,000 on a referendum that failed miserably. Referendums in 1972, 1984 and 1988 also went against booze, and the Junction remained dry.
Prohibition, explains Fancher, became self-perpetuating. "People would gather together of like mind" in the Junction and oppose selling alcohol, and an oddball coalition of unionists and prohibitionists retained a powerful presence in local politics.
By 1994, prohibition in the Junction began to fall apart as citizens around the St. Clair West area voted "wet" in a municipal referendum. In last November's municipal elections, residents in the High Park and Davenport areas of the Junction also got to vote on temperance. Voters were asked if they approved of government-run liquor outlets and restaurants selling alcohol. High Park voters OKed both measures; Davenport gave thumbs up to liquor stores and thumbs down to alcohol in restaurants, leaving the area the only partially dry section of once anti-booze Toronto." 

I'm neither a drunkard, nor a capitalist, but I can only imagine how this must have hindered their restaurant and bar sales.  Entertainment does so much for our city, and alcohol plays such a large role in that, it's hard to imagine going to a restaurant and not being able to order a glass of wine or a beer.

You can check out the full article here, it's really interesting to see the perspective from when the ban was actually lifted.

Prayers And Condolences For The Loss Of Toronto Olympic Hopeful, Nik Zoricic

Canada's ski community has experienced another tragic loss today.  Torontonian Nik Zoricic succumbed to his injuries after crashing into safety netting and piste in Switzerland.  Zoricic, coached by his father, had been hoping to compete in the 2014 games.  This is a shocking and dreadful loss, and my prayers are extended tot he Zoricic family and friends.

The Star - Full Article

IKEA + Ideabox = Prefab Home

Ideabox has turned to IKEA as their inspiration for a new prefab home - Aktiv.  The homes are "designed by Ideabox, and appointed by IKEA".  The kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom are all equipped with IKEA's state of the art cabinetry, flooring, appliances and furniture.

Aktiv is 745 square feet, and costs only $86,500.  Here's the best part - you don't have to sit on your floor with a huge instruction pamphlet flipping it around to find the english section.  The home, and everything in it, gets delivered to your lot in one or two pieces.

The home will be available across the United States.  Do I think this will eventually migrate to Canada?  Yes, it makes sense that IKEA will initiate a similar low cost housing model for us, but I don't particularly think that something similar to Aktiv will work in our metropolis.  The home has striking similarities to those found in a trailer park.  To me, that seems to be the only way you would have a home like Aktiv, without paying ridiculous prices for a lot.

IKEA has been manufacturing pre-fab homes in Sweden since 1997.  Since then, they have grown in popularity and spread all over Europe.  Their concepts have embraced row housing, and multi level units.  They've minimized the lines between regular housing and pre-fab housing, and quality or design is anything but sub-par.  I would love to see this in Toronto.

Smithsonian's 9th Annual Photo Contest - Vote now!

The photos this year are breathtaking - theses are a few of my pics!  Voting is open until the end of the month (don't worry, it's a really simple process!)

vote here!

Tax Breaks for Public Transportation, Musical Equipment, Exercise, Tools and Computers

Did you know that you can get a tax credit for using public transportation?  Did you know that you can get a tax credit for enrolling your child in a program of physical activity?  Did you know a tradesperson can deduct the cost of their tools?  Did you know businesses can claim 100% of their computer costs (including software)?

Now that it's tax season, make sure you're savvy to all of the things that could potentially help save you money or maximize your refund.  Do a bit of research.  Go through your receipts and see what is related to work, the environment and health.  Get a good accountant.

Here's a great article I found -

2012 tax season 12 tips to get the biggest refund

1. Claim medical expenses

This is my personal favorite, only because everyone has a question about their medical expenses. People miss claiming common expenses like Blue Cross, and fees paid to medical practitioners like speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and acupuncturists. Ambulance fees are expensive and claimable; so is the cost of tutoring services for the learning disabled. You can also claim the lesser of $5,000 and 20 per cent of the costs of a van adapted to transport the wheelchair bound and moving expenses incurred to a more suitable dwelling to a maximum of $2,000. When in doubt, check it out.

2. Moving expenses

If you have moved at least 40 kilometers closer to a new work location, you can claim the costs of selling your home, including real estate commissions and penalties for paying off a mortgage. Even the costs of a vacant old residence, to a maximum of $5,000 is allowed. The costs of moving to the new location and temporary living accommodations for up to 15 days can be claimed too. But, as this is often a five-figure number, expect to be audited.

3. Maximize babysitting deductions

Claiming the child-care deduction can be complicated. Should it be the higher or lower earner who claims it? It depends, actually. Usually it’s the lower earner, but if there is a separation during the year, or the lower earner is going to school, or hospitalized, it’s possible the higher earner may make the claim. The maximum dollar amounts claimable have not changed this year, still $4,000, $7,000 or $10,000, which depend on the child’s age and health. Claim the lesser of what was actually spent, your earned income (sorry, EI benefits won’t qualify) and the weekly and monthly dollar limits specific to higher earners and students. Keep receipts handy, too, in case of audit.

4. Don’t miss employment deductions

If you get a T4 slip and are required to pay out-of-pocket expenses as part of your employment contract, a deduction may be possible on your tax return. Here’s the catch: you must be required to pay your own expenses under your contract of employment and the employer must certify this on Form T2200 Declaration of Conditions of Employment. Lots of taxpayers forget to claim back the GST/HST paid on tax deductible amounts using the GST/HST 370 Form. Expenses can include accounting and legal fees, motor vehicle expenses, travel costs, parking, supplies used up directly in your work, office rent or certain home office expenses as well as amounts paid to an assistant, which could be a family member.

5. Your principal residence is tax exempt

The increase in value of a property designated as a principal residence is tax exempt. It’s easy to qualify your properties if you own more than one —just live in each for a couple of days each year. You can have more than one residence that qualifies, but only one can be designated as your principal residence for any given year. The choice of which is made on t2091 when you dispose of a residence. But if you’ve been flipping residences for profit, you could be assessed as being in the business of buying and selling homes. Be ready to defend this by showing your intention in acquiring the properties and the circumstances around the reasons for the dispositions.

6. Disabled? Use your RRSP Home Buyer’s Plan

The Home Buyers’ Plan is an RRSP feature that allows first time home buyers to withdraw up to $25,000 from their RRSP tax-free, for the purpose of buying or building a home. Note that you qualify as a first time home owner if you move to accommodate a disabled person. The withdrawals may be a single amount or the taxpayer may make a series of withdrawals throughout the year as long as the total does not exceed the $25,000 maximum.

7. Minimize tax on severance

If you’ve lost your job, your severance package can help but it can also put you into a high tax bracket because it’s usually paid in a lump sum. One way to reduce your taxes is to maximize your RRSP contribution room. Another is to write off your legal fees if you fought a wrongful dismissal. In some disputes, you qualify for lump sum averaging to reduce taxes. Better yet, ask the HR department to annualize the bonus to average down taxes payable for the period. Best to see your tax advisor first, to ensure you keep as much as possible, after-tax.

8. Control credit crunches: write off interest

Is your investment portfolio still in the red zone? You can still write off the interest on your full investment loan, even if your portfolio has diminished in value, providing there was a reasonable expectation of income from property: interest and dividends for example. Also, be sure to take advantage of capital losses to reduce capital gains of the current year. Unabsorbed losses may be carried back or forward to offset capital gains in the carry-over year. Don’t cash in RRSPs if you can help it—this will cause a tax problem next year.

9. Optimize pension income splitting

If you received a pension from your company plan or started periodic withdrawals from your RRSP or RRIF this year, you may elect to transfer up to 50 per cent of your pension benefits to your spouse. This can be very lucrative. Those receiving periodic pension benefits from employer-sponsored plans can take advantage of pension income splitting at any age; if periodic income comes from RRSPs, RRIFs or other annuities, you’ll have to wait to age 65 to income split.

10. Reduce tax installment payments

Take control of the first dollar you earn—keep more by paying only the correct amount of tax throughout the year. If you pay income taxes by making quarterly payments, review your payment requirements. If your income has dropped since you last filed a tax return, you can reduce your payments. Simply write a letter to let CRA know you will estimate installments payable on current year. This is a much better way to manage your cash flow and stay invested during market turmoil. First payment for 2012 comes up March 15; so now’s the time to act.

11. Claim the new tax credits for children’s activities

There are new amounts to be claimed on the tax return for enrolling your children in the arts or sports activities. You can claim public transit charges for them to get there too. Because the Children’s Arts Amount is new, you’ll need to remind yourself to dig out the receipts.

12. Adult artists and writers can claim deductions, too.

Employed artists and musicians can claim expenses for composing dramas, musicals or literary works, performing and creating works of art. Expenses can include things like ballet shows, art supplies, computer supplies and home office costs. The maximum claim is 20 per cent of net income or $1,000. Musicians can also make claims for the maintenance, rental, insurance and capital cost allowance for musical instruments.

Site Seeing - Part III

Here's a third part to The Star's Site Seeing

Back to Site Seeing

Site Seeing

March 02, 2012



Allison Harness

Condos

1. ALLURE CONDOMINIUMS: 2800 Yonge St. north of Davisville Ave. Builder: Greenpark Homes. A 10-storey condo with 197 units. Prices (locker included): from $318,900 for 560 sq. ft. to $503,900 for 906 sq. ft. Fees: 50 cents per sq. ft., plus hydro and water. Amenities: 24-hour concierge, spa and fitness studio, party room with catering kitchen, terrace, billiards and card room, media room, guest suite, dining/board room and sky deck with a fireplace, barbecue and lounge seating. Sales: 75 per cent sold. Status: construction starting spring 2012. Occupancy: estimated January 2014. Sales centre: 2008 Yonge St., 416-487-7600, www.allurecondos.ca

2. THE AVENUE: Avenue Rd. and St. Clair Ave. W. Builder: Camrost-Felcorp. A 19-storey 73-unit limestone and brick building. Prices (parking and locker included): from $850,000 for 1,115 sq. ft. to $4.7 million for 3,750 sq. ft. Amenities: indoor pool, whirlpool, club room, library, lounge, dining room, catering kitchen, 24-hour concierge, valet/porter service, guest suites and landscaped garden. Sales: 85 per cent sold. Status: built and registered. Occupancy: immediate. Sales centre: 155 St. Clair Ave. W., 416-488-2875; www.theavenue.ca

3. THE AVENDALE: Avenue Rd. and Lonsdale Rd. Builder: Minto. A 19-storey, 78-unit building with a contemporary style and traditional materials. Prices: from $700,000 for 835 sq. ft. to over $6 million for over 4,000 sq. ft. Fees: 85 cents per sq. ft. Amenities: valet parking, 24-hour concierge, party room with fireplace, garden, dining room with catering kitchen, fitness facility, indoor pool, sauna, sun terrace, car wash bay and bike storage room. Sales: Open. Status: construction not started. Occupancy: July 2014. Sales centre: 215 Lonsdale Rd., 416-913-5201, www.theavendale.com

4. THE BENVENUTO: Avenue Rd. St. Clair Ave. W. Builder: Benvenuto Residences. A seven-storey, 119-unit building originally designed by Peter Dickson in 1955 as a classic modern icon. Prices (parking included): from over $1 million for 1,600 sq. ft. to over $3 million for 3,436 sq. ft. Fees: from $1,068 to $2,238 per month. Amenities: valet parking, day porter, concierge, gym and Scaramouche Restaurant. Sales: 50 per cent sold. Status: built and registered. Occupancy: immediate. Sales centre: by appointment, call Janet Lindsay or Andrew Zimet at 416-925-9191, www.thebenvenuto.com

5. THE BERWICK: Berwick Ave. and Duplex Ave. Builder: Andrin Homes and the Brown Group of Companies. A 17-storey building with 205 units and 20 townhouses. Prices: units from $374,990 for 651 sq. ft., townhouses (parking and locker included) from $944,900 for 1,830 sq. ft. plus 574 sq. ft of outdoor space. Fees: condos 50 cents per sq. ft., townhouses 44 cents per sq. ft. Amenities: 24-hour concierge, media centre, lounge, card room, party room, dining room, outdoor patio with barbecue, fitness room, yoga studio, his/hers steam and change rooms and guest suite. Sales: 95 per cent sold. Status: construction to start soon. Occupancy: June 2013. Sales centre: 2034 Yonge St. north of Glebe Rd. E.

6. BLYTHWOOD AT HUNTINGTON: Bayview Ave. south of Lawrence Ave. E. Builder: Tridel Concert. A luxury nine-storey building with 118 units. Prices: from $755,000 for 1,121 sq. ft. to over $1.9 million for 2,312 sq. ft. Fees: 57 cents per sq. ft., plus heating, cooling, hydro and hot water. Amenities: party room, outdoor terrace, dining room, fitness, weight and yoga studio, swimming pool, steam rooms and guest suites. Sales: 70 per cent sold. Status: under construction. Occupancy: spring 2013. Sales Centre: 1900 Bayview Ave., 416-485-1900, www.tridel.com

7. CHURCHILL PARK: St. Clair Ave. W. and Spadina Rd. Builder: Tower Hill Developments. A 14-storey curved building with 45 units. Prices: from the $900,000s for 1,077 sq. ft. to over $3 million for 3,350 sq. ft. Fees: 62 cents per sq. ft., plus hydro. Amenities: 24-hour concierge, fitness facilities, steam room, private treatment room, guest suite, party lounge and dining room with catering kitchen and meeting room. Sales: 85 per cent sold. Status: completed. Occupancy: immediate. Sales centre: 336 Spadina Rd., 416-966-9080, www.churchillparkcondos.com

8. 530 CONDOS: Bathurst St. and St. Clair Ave. W. Builder: The Goldman Group and Lash Development Corp. A 19-storey glass and precast concrete tower with 155 units. Prices: from the $472,990 for 931 sq. ft. to the $493,990 for 986 sq. ft. Fees: 56 cents per sq. ft., plus hydro. Amenities: fitness centre, saunas, whirlpool/spa, terrace with barbecues, board room, multimedia room, guest suite and concierge. Sales: 98 per cent sold. Status: under construction. Occupancy: early 2013. Sales centre: 521 St. Clair Ave., 416-868-0500, www.530condos.com

9. CRANBROOKE VILLAGE: Lawrence Ave. W. and Bathurst St. Builder: Deltera Inc. A 341-unit precast concrete building. Prices: from $157,499 for 465 sq. ft. to $368.197 for 1,110 sq. ft. Fees: 38 cents per sq. ft., plus hydro, heating and cooling. All purchasers qualify for second mortgage program which provides 13 per cent of unit price towards down payment. Amenities: rooftop garden, multi-purpose room with kitchen, library, lounge, boardroom, Sabbath elevator and solar heating. Sales: over 80 per cent sold. Status: demolition underway. Occupancy: summer 2013. Sales centre: public information sessions every two weeks by appointment, call Options for Homes at 416-867-1501 ext. 221, www.optionsforhomes.ca

10. THE IMPERIAL PLAZA: 111 St. Clair Ave. W. Builder: Camrost-Felcorp. A 22-story limestone building of architectural distinction to be restored. Prices: from the mid-$300,000s for 3,000 sq. ft. to 6,000 sq. ft. Fees: about 45 cents per sq. ft. Amenities: 24 hour concierge, landscaped courtyard with outdoor lounge and barbecues, fitness centre, squash courts, indoor pool and whirlpool, change rooms, recreation lounge, screening rooms, golf simulator and sound studios. Sales: preview selling. Status: construction not started. Occupancy: spring 2013. Sales centre: by appointment, 416-925-2501, www.imperialplazatoronto.ca

11. THE MADISON: Yonge St. and Eglinton Ave. Builder: Madison Homes. Two condo towers — one with 260 units, one with 230 units — with eight-storey podium with 154 units. Prices: from the mid-$300,000s for 500 sq. ft. to low $600,000s for 1,000 sq. ft. Fees: 54 cents per sq. ft, plus hydro. Amenities: indoor lap pool, co-ed sauna and steam room, hot tub, gym, yoga room with outdoor terrace, change rooms, movie theatre, demonstration kitchen, dining room with fireplace, party room, computer/meeting room, barbecue areas with cabanas, lounge and fire pit, garden retreat with a water feature. Sales: West Tower 95 per cent sold; East Tower just opened. Status: construction not started. Occupancy: spring 2015. Sales centre: 90 Eglinton Ave. E., 416-482-8090, www.madisoncondos.ca

12. MYC: Yonge St. and Merton St. Builder: Cresford Developments. A 25-storey tower and townhouses with 205 units in total. Prices: from the $300,000s for 519 sq. ft. to over $1 million for 2,000 sq. ft. Fees: 50 cents per sq. ft., plus hydro. Amenities: theatre, fitness centre, party/games room, 24-hour concierge, rooftop terrace and guest suite. Sales: N/A. Status: under construction. Occupancy: spring 2012. Sales centre: 2111 Yonge St. 416-484-1900, www.MYCcondo.com

13. NEON CONDOMINIUMS: Yonge St. and Eglinton Ave. Builder: The Pemberton Group and Felcorp. Prices: from the low $200,000s for 310 sq. ft. Fees: about 52 cents sq. ft., plus hydro. Amenities: 24-hour concierge, terrace with barbecue stations, party lounge, theatre, fitness centre and guest suite. Sales: N/A. Status: 90 per cent sold. Occupancy: spring 2013. Sales centre: by appointment, 416-987-7878, www.neoncondos.com

14. RISE: St. Clair Ave. W. and Bathurst St. Builder: Reserve Properties. A 25-storey building with a Mondrian inspired pattern. Prices: from the mid-$200,000s for an unknown square footage. Fees: about 52 cents per sq. ft. Amenities: sculpture garden, infinity pool, cabanas, fire pit, barbecues, dining room, library, fitness and yoga studios and his/hers change rooms with showers and saunas. Sales: previewing. Status: construction not started. Occupancy: 2015. Sales centre: registration only, 501 St. Clair Ave. W., 416-546-7399, www.risecondos.com

15. RUSHTON RESIDENCES: St. Clair Ave. W. and Rushton Rd. Builder: The Goldman Group and Lash Development Corp. A nine-storey glass and precast concrete building with 26 units. Prices: from $340,990 for 662 sq. ft. to the $434,990 for 823 sq. ft. Fees: 64 cents per sq. ft., plus hydro. Amenities: fitness centre, terrace and party room with catering kitchen. Sales: 80 per cent sold. Status: under construction. Occupancy: early 2013. Sales centre: 521 St. Clair Ave. W., 416-868-0500, www.rushtonliving.com

Freehold

16. ALEXANDRIA: Bayview Ave. north of Post Rd. Builder: Hush Homes. Twenty executive freehold townhouses. Each unit has a basement level with parking, plus three floors of additional living space plus a rooftop patio. Prices: from $2.3 million. Fees (for common elements): $600 per month. Sales: just opened. Status: construction slated for spring 2012. Occupancy: November 2013. Sales centre: by appointment, 416-789-0288, www.hush.ca/alexandria
Though we try to provide the most up-to-date information available, we cannot guarantee all buildings or features are listed. Please contact builder for latest details. To update information please email condosonthemarket@rogers.com.