Chris McMartin, Author at Toronto Rentals | Renting Toronto

Freedom Debt Relief Explains Your Options for Relieving Debt

Posted in Renting Information on October 6, 2017 by Chris McMartin

While getting into debt is relatively easy to do, getting back out of it isn’t. It often involves a change in habits, lifestyle, or other sacrifices that many struggle to make. Ultimately, many Americans end up staying in the vicious cycle of debt year after year. Fortunately, there are options available to help you, even if you don’t have the discipline to budget well and slash your expenses. The three most popular and widely used resources for getting out of debt are debt negotiation, debt counseling, and debt negotiation. Freedom Debt Relief explains what each of these programs involves.

Debt Negotiation
Debt negotiation is generally performed through a debt negotiation company, such as Freedom Debt Relief. If you enter this type of program, you will stop making payments to your creditors and instead save money in a dedicated account. The debt negotiation company will contact your creditors to settle the debt, typically for much less than what you owe. The process generally takes between two and four years to complete. The benefit of this is that you could reduce the amount owed and pay it off within a few years. The downside is that until each balance is settled, creditors could still call you or even pursue legal action until the debt is settled. Additionally, this program could have a negative impact on your credit. However, it does not impact it as negatively as a bankruptcy would. And if you are already struggling to make minimum payments, or have fallen behind on your bills, then this could be a good option for you.

Credit Counseling
A credit counseling company could help you set a schedule for paying down your debt. The credit counseling agency uses a debt management plan (DMP) to help reduce the monthly payment. They often do this through prearranged plans with the credit card companies. The way this program works is that you would deposit money each month with the agency and they would, in turn, use it to pay your creditors at a lower concession interest rate. Ultimately, you would pay off your debt in full to each of your creditors plus interest at the lower, concession rate. The benefit of this program is that collectors will stop calling you and you will have one, lower monthly payment each month. The downside to this program is the amount of money you’ll end up paying. This amount includes 100 percent of your debt that is owed, plus interest, plus a monthly fee of around $10 to $15 to the credit counseling agency. So, while the payment will be lower, it could still be significantly higher than what you would pay in a debt negotiation program such as Freedom Debt Relief.

Debt Consolidation
With a debt consolidation program, all of the debt that you choose to consolidate would be grouped together into the amount of one loan and one monthly payment. Sometimes people do this with a balance-transfer program through their credit card. Others may take out a personal or home equity loan. And some people work with debt consolidation companies. The sister company of Freedom Debt Relief, Consolidation Plus, offers debt consolidation services. The benefit of this type of program is that it allows you to make one monthly payment at a lower interest rate in a specific amount of time. The downside to this program is that if you have poor credit, you may not be able to qualify.

Different people need different solutions for their debt issues. Freedom Financial offers a variety of debt reduction solutions that could help you eliminate your debt. In addition to the Freedom Debt Relief Program, we also have programs for unsecured loans and debt consolidation. Contact us to find out more about our programs.

Toronto’s Best Diet Delivery Program

Posted in Around Toronto on December 1, 2016 by Chris McMartin

Tired of eating the same old take out that isn’t healthy or nutritious for you? Look no further than www.HealthyDietDelivery.com … This program offers 16 different diet types (Celiac, Vegetarian, Low Carb, Atkins Inspired too name a few) and they deliver them direct to your door before 6AM. All the meals are prepared fresh on the delivery nights (Sunday & Wednesday) and all you do is put them in your fridge and re-heat. Starting at about $9 per meal, Healthy Diet Delivery is an excellent choice if your on a budget. Even better, they offer customization based on your eating lifestyle gluten-free, low carb, high fiber, low sodium, Atkins, low cholesterol, low fat, South Beach – you name it, they can make it happen. Give them a call today at 647-352-3002 or check out there website at the link above.

Cold Salads from Healthy Diet Delivery

Bill 106 – Protecting Condominium Owners Act

Posted in Uncategorized on May 27, 2016 by Chris McMartin

Big changes are coming to the condo industry in Ontario. Bill 106 (The Protecting Condominium Owners Act) was recently passed and no one knows when exactly it will take place or become law however technology looks to be the main theme as to how condos will be governed at that time.

Compared to other provinces, Ontario laws are revered as one of the most advanced. The new bill is written with modern realities in mind and embraces technology in this sector. A large portion of the amendments to the Condominium Act gear to increase communication and transparency between board members, property managers and residents. Once the new amendments are rolled out the use of “electronic mail”, “databases” or “electronic communication” will enable these changes. The provisions will become clearer but it’s safe to say that this will, in a lot of cases mean software.

Here are five ways that the coming changes to the Act will require the use of technology

Mandatory to formally provide preliminary notice of owners meetings 20 days prior to sending out the actual meeting notice. Electronic options will be provided for delivering important condo documents, notices, disclosure statements, status certificates and material change notices.
Condo developers will be required by the Act to make public proposed documents, community rules, a search function for keywords & terms and corporation bylaws. This will help prospective buyers understand what to expect from a condo community that is to still be constructed.
Increased communication to the owners regarding high-level information such as reserve fund budget and other financial information and the need for owners to be kept in the loop regarding all day-to-day happenings in the community.
In order to keep up with the times the Act will make it possible to hold a valid board meeting via teleconferencing or virtual board meeting without having to pass a bylaw.
Condo corporations will be able to have there owner vote electronically by telephonic or electronic means which includes emails, faxes, computer systems, phone app or automated touch-tone systems.

This new Bill will pave the way for new tools and update the legislation to acknowledge a role for existing technologies that have yet to make inroads into the condominium industry. This is important because tools are designed to promote better communication, which is exactly the intent of they laws.

When a tenant goes on a Month-to-Month Lease term with a rental increase

Posted in Renting Information on March 4, 2016 by Chris McMartin

As a new Landlord it can get confusing when a tenant’s lease term comes up as they have already paid there last month’s rent deposit. Some owners think that they don’t collect rent for that last month and get the tenant to pay a month later as they continue on in a month-to-month lease. The system is designed to give the tenant the ability to save a deposit for the next place they might move into … keep in mind that the last month is always moved to the end or bumped forward on a month-to-month lease.

In this example the tenant signed a lease in the amount of $1650.00 starting on May 1, 2015 and currently paid the following;

May 2015 – First Month’s Rent ($1650.00)

April 2016 – Last Month’s Rent ($1650.00)

If the tenant continues on a Month-to-Month term after the original lease they would give a Cheque in the amount of $1650.00 for April 2016 and April 2017 becomes his pre-paid last months rent.

Let’s say the tenant wants to stay for another 6 months and you have advised them of a rent increase (2% for 2016 as set by the Ontario Landlord Tenant Board) 90 days in advance (June 2016 is the rent increase for example) … here is how he would pay;

April 2016 – $1650

May 2016 – $1650

June 2016 – $1683 + $33.00 ($33.00 is applied to the last month’s pre-paid rent deposit – this brings up the deposit to the new rent increase)

July 2016 – $1683

Aug 2016 – $1683

Sep 2016 – $1683

Oct 2016 – Now becomes the pre-paid last months rent or $1683.00

Of course the tenant can keep bumping the last month if they decide to stay longer. The initial lease signing is still applicable and the tenant always needs to give 60 days notice even when on a month-to-month term.

Ten projects that show Toronto condo development is still going strong

Posted in Renting Information on October 30, 2015 by Chris McMartin

When plans for an 80-storey Toronto condo development at the southwest corner of Bloor and Yonge were unveiled earlier this year, Torontonians reacted with a predictable range of emotions, including deep worry and angst. Online commenters fretted not only about the physical appearance of the proposal – dramatically named ‘The One’ – but also the congestion it might bring to the neighbourhood, the shadow it would cast, the effect it might have on the bird population, and, of course, the shadowy, ubiquitous threat of “Manhattanization.”

While some reservations are understandable when confronted with a proposal of this stature, Globe and Mail columnist Marcus Gee wrote on March 18 that “Toronto has finally found the confidence to act like a big city,” perhaps suggesting that The One ought to be celebrated, if only for its ambition.

In that spirit, let’s have a look at nine more confident projects:

One Bloor East

Directly across Yonge Street from the possible future location of The One sits One Bloor East, a 257-metre, 76-storey mixed use space which is nearing completion. Urban Toronto recently shared some images from the unfinished penthouse suites of the building, and the views are spectacular.

Mirvish+Gehry

Before ‘The One,’ the Mirvish+Gehry was arguably the most controversial proposal in Toronto. The massive, two-building Toronto condo development (the taller of the two towers will reach over 300 metres) is likely to be located in the heart of downtown, at 260 King St West. The preservation of the Princess of Wales theatre is an important aspect of the proposal, as earlier plans included its demolition.

1-7 Yonge Street

At the foot of Yonge St, in a space currently dominated by the Toronto Star building and several parking lots, Pinnacle International is hoping to erect an impressive selection of six new buildings. The proposal would redefine two underused city blocks, and the tallest new building would be the third on this list to reach 300 metres.

Ten York Street

Ten York is particularly interesting for its shape: the 67-storey, wedge-shaped building is located immediately south of the notorious Gardiner Expressway, and directly north of the Yonge-Bay-York off-ramp. While living between two separate portions of the Gardiner may not appeal to all, the building is indicative of the densification Toronto’s southern downtown core is experiencing.

Massey Tower

Expected to be completed next year, the 207-metre Massey Tower incorporates two historic bank buildings in its design. The Bank of Commerce on Yonge St just north of Queen will be restored and will serve as the new condo’s lobby.

385 Yonge St

The development proposed for 385 Yonge St may be the most shocking design proposal on this list. It includes two towers at 62 and 73 storeys, respectively, which will be joined by a large platform roughly two-thirds of the way up the shorter of the two. Situated just north of Yonge and Dundas Square, this Toronto condo development could be a true architectural landmark.

Eau du Soleil

Eau du Soleil is the furthest Toronto condo development from downtown on this list, located on Lake Shore Blvd West, on the Humber Bay Shores. The striking, two-tower design of the building will stand out among smaller, more conservative developments in the area.

88 Scott Street

Currently under construction, 88 Scott St will top out at approximately 200 metres, and will feature a range of amenities to go along with an outstanding central location. The podium levels will include retail, restaurants, and commercial office spaces below 525 residential units.

33 Gerrard West

The 33 Gerrard West Redevelopment is the newest proposal on this list. Currently occupied by the Eaton Chelsea Hotel, the location could soon feature four new towers at heights of 80, 74, 50, and 46 storeys. For the moment, details on the proposal are scant, but early renderings suggest an international style-influenced design which would stand out beside glassy neighbours Aura and 385 Yonge.

Each imaginative Toronto condo development on this list will contribute to the growth and maturation of Ontario’s capital. Visit Renting Toronto today for listings of available condos for rent in Toronto. We’ve been in the business of connecting qualified tenants and reliable landlords since 1999.

Toronto condo rentals offer a variety of fitness and wellness options

Posted in Renting Information on October 19, 2015 by Chris McMartin

Photo credit: localfitness.com.au

Living in the big city is fun and exciting. Strolling through the downtown core of a bustling metropolis can make you feel like you’re part of something bigger than yourself, and convenient access to world-class restaurants, bars, and galleries makes urban life culturally rich and roundly inspiring. But is living downtown healthier than the alternative? Years ago, when cities were dirtier and more dangerous, this may not have been true. But today, many Toronto condo rentals are located steps from grocery stores, bike paths, and public transit. Living within walking distance of your favourite downtown haunts contributes to an overall healthier lifestyle than is available in most rural or suburban communities.

While urban-dwellers can be at higher risk of stress and often breath less clean air than their rural and suburban counterparts, they’re also less likely to become obese, less likely to be injured in an accident, less likely to commit suicide, and enjoy better health and happiness into old age. A 2009 San Diego State University found that “those who live in an urban neighbourhood are twice as likely to be physically active than those in the suburbs.” Downtown folks take their health seriously, which impacts their decision making as they browse Toronto condo rentals for a place to live.

As many young, health-conscious professionals opt for condo rentals as affordable and convenient alternatives to suburban home ownership, condo developers are beginning to put more of an emphasis on providing state-of-the-art fitness facilities.

Here are a few quick examples (via Now Toronto):

1 Yorkville:

This 58-storey development, scheduled for completion in 2018, will contain two floors of health and fitness amenities, including a 14,000-square-foot spa area, with a steam room, juice bar, and hot tub; and a 5,000-square-foot fitness area complete with fully equipped gym, yoga and dance studio, and a cross-fit studio.

“People are a little tired of just walking on a treadmill or sitting on a bike,” 1 Yorkville interior designer Allen Chan told Now Toronto. “We want to give them options. cheap hotels http://rentingtoronto.com/toronto-condo-rentals-offer-a-variety-of-fitness-and-wellness-options/ http://rentingtoronto.com/toronto-condo-rentals-offer-a-variety-of-fitness-and-wellness-options/ http://rentingtoronto.com/toronto-condo-rentals-offer-a-variety-of-fitness-and-wellness-options/ http://rentingtoronto.com/toronto-condo-rentals-offer-a-variety-of-fitness-and-wellness-options/The developers wanted to create something that isn’t offered anywhere else. They were willing to dedicate this huge space to it, which is something you don’t see every day.”

Minto 30 Roe:

The fitness amenities of this Yonge and Eglinton-area development are specifically targeted to 20- and 30- somethings. The building’s 6,000-square-foot “Movement Haus” will feature a kinesis wall, spin studio, Pilates machines, and a cool-off room.

Aura:

Canada’s tallest residential development kept their fitness-minded tenants in mind when partnering with Madonna’s Hard Candy Fitness to incorporate a massive, 42,000-square foot wellness facility. Under the agreement, Hard Candy received a substantial rent cut in exchange for offering free access to all Aura residents.

While most Toronto condo rentals won’t be able to offer the expansive fitness amenities of these high-end locations, there’s no reason why condo-hunters shouldn’t include a solid, functional gym on their list of wants. A good fitness facility will include ample, modern equipment in a spacious setting; a friendly, well-lit space that addresses sound concerns of nearby tenants; and in some cases a team of health and fitness professionals.

Whether you’re a fitness buff who trains six times a week, or a casual athlete who enjoys the occasional spin a stationary bike, you should consider the quality of fitness amenities when scanning listings of Toronto condo rentals.

Visit Renting Toronto today for listings of available condos for rent in Toronto. We’ve been in the business of connecting qualified tenants and reliable landlords since 1999.

Ontario’s A Place to Grow Act turns ten: what does the policy mean for the Toronto condo rentals market?

Posted in Renting Information on October 12, 2015 by Chris McMartin

Photo credit: SimonP/Wikimedia Commons

The term “urban sprawl” defines the grey, wandering expanse of commercial properties, strip malls, and suburbia that stretches endlessly from the heart of significant urban centres. The words have long been associated with environmental degradation, aesthetic and cultural emptiness, and urban planners’ bad dreams. In the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding Golden Horseshoe – Canada’s most populous region – creeping sprawl has consumed thousands of acres of prime farmland, raising widespread concern. As David Suzuki put it in a 2013 Toronto Star editorial: “continued sprawl threatens the health and well-being of our communities and the ecosystems that sustain us.”

In 2005, the Government of Ontario instituted the Places to Grow Act, a massive, multi-year program that “supports economic prosperity, protects the environment and helps communities achieve a high quality of life across the province,” according to official provincial literature. By creating a 7,300 square kilometre green belt around the Golden Horseshoe and implementing strict limitations to development outside existing municipal boundaries, the Ontario government sought to curtail unrestricted suburban expansion. In the past decade, Places to Grow has redefined the GTA housing market, and contributed to a steep rise in condo ownership and Toronto condo rentals.

In terms of pricing, the Canadian real estate market is divided into two categories: Toronto and Vancouver; and the rest. The price of a single family home in Vancouver is more than double the national average, and Toronto doesn’t lag far behind. In both cases, a primary pricing factor is land availability. Out west, the Pacific Ocean and Rocky Mountains restrict Vancouver’s ability to grow outwards, while Toronto is bounded to the south by Lake Ontario and to the north by the Places to Grow-instituted greenbelt.

“It’s essentially a grow up not out approach to the region’s future,” said RealNet Canada president George Carras in an article from the Business News Network. “If housing requirements over the next 20 years call for another 2.4 million people to move here, the kind of housing you’ll have is driven by the kind of housing you can create. You can expect more high-density, less low-density, and the price behaviour is going to vary between those two because of supply and demand.”

At the end of 2014, just 7,200 single detached homes were under construction in the GTA, compared to 57,000 condo units. As a result, the February 2015 price gap between new houses and new condos reached $300,000. This is good news if you’re looking into Toronto condo rentals, but significantly less positive if you’re planning to purchase a house. Climbing prices have made traditional bedroom communities like Markham and Vaughan largely unaffordable to first time home-buyers, who are looking as far afield as Kitchener and Barrie in pursuit of a front yard.

The detached housing market is expected to be put under further pressure as millennials continue to age into prime candidates for suburban migration. http://rentingtoronto.com/ontarios-a-place-to-grow-act-turns-ten-what-does-the-policy-mean-for-the-toronto-condo-rentals-market/ http://rentingtoronto.com/ontarios-a-place-to-grow-act-turns-ten-what-does-the-policy-mean-for-the-toronto-condo-rentals-market/ http://rentingtoronto.com/ontarios-a-place-to-grow-act-turns-ten-what-does-the-policy-mean-for-the-toronto-condo-rentals-market/ http://rentingtoronto.com/ontarios-a-place-to-grow-act-turns-ten-what-does-the-policy-mean-for-the-toronto-condo-rentals-market/In the next ten years, the widespread availability of Toronto condo rentals (25,571 units were completed in the GTA in 2014) will push the housing price gap to an expected $750,000 to $800,000.

“Condos will continue to play an important role in the GTA property market for three reasons,” explained Carras in a Toronto Star op-ed. “They represent the primary source of affordable home ownership options; they’re still a key source of rental-unit supply; and they represent a proven property-investment opportunity.”

Photo credit: Rick Harris/Flickr

A Place to Grow might not bode well for developers or prospective buyers of detached family homes, but the environmental realities of unchecked urban expansion makes the legislation nothing less than a necessity. Although the act is up for review in 2016, its forward looking statement peers ahead to 2041, calling for “compact development that makes the best use of our limited land supply and offers a diversity of choices for living, working and enjoying culture.” As such, the Golden Horseshoe’s residential housing market is likely to become increasingly competitive and expensive for the foreseeable future, while Toronto condo rentals will continue to offer a convenient, affordable alternative to home ownership.

If you’re interested in Toronto condo rentals, or are seeking to rent out your condo unit, contact Renting Toronto today. Our company has been in the business of connecting great tenants with competent, qualified landlords since 1999.

Toronto condo rentals, weather, and transportation: everything you need to know about moving to the city

Posted in Renting Information on October 5, 2015 by Chris McMartin

The City of Toronto is booming. Canada’s financial and cultural capital recently became the fourth largest city in North America, and in February the Toronto census metropolitan area broke the 6-million person mark. Throw into the mix a thriving music and arts scene, an up and coming food culture, a successful 2015 PanAm Games, and the fact that Toronto is one of the world’s most multi-cultural cities, and it’s safe to say that now is a prime time to consider a Toronto condo rental.

Whether you’re making the move for career purposes or are simply anxious to experience the excitement of a growing city, here are some helpful tips to make your search for a Toronto condo rental and your move to Toronto in general a positive experience.

Sun, snow, or rain, there’s always something to do

There’s no use denying it: Toronto winters are cold, though not as cold as in cities like Montreal, Ottawa, or Calgary. And while chattering teeth will come as no surprise to a Toronto newcomer, the summer heat might. Temperatures often rise above 30 degrees, giving residents a chance to enjoy the city’s many public beaches, pools, and parks. It doesn’t cool off much at night, so consider a unit with AC for your comfort.

Regardless of the weather, there are always fun and exciting ways to fill your days in Toronto. To name only a few, the city is home to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), a world renowned Pride Week, Caribana, Nuit Blanche, and the NXNE music festival.

Getting around

The Toronto Transit Commission – or TTC, colloquially – includes a system of streetcars, subways, and busses that can deliver you to nearly everywhere you’ll need to go. The majority of downtown Toronto condo rentals provide easy access to the TTC, making your commute to and from work a breeze. AutoShare, Zipcar, and Bike Share are all convenient and affordable ways to get around town as well.

Many downtown residents also choose walking or cycling as their transportation methods of choice. http://rentingtoronto.com/toronto-condo-rentals-weather-and-transportation-everything-you-need-to-know-about-moving-to-the-city/ http://rentingtoronto.com/toronto-condo-rentals-weather-and-transportation-everything-you-need-to-know-about-moving-to-the-city/ http://rentingtoronto.com/toronto-condo-rentals-weather-and-transportation-everything-you-need-to-know-about-moving-to-the-city/ http://rentingtoronto.com/toronto-condo-rentals-weather-and-transportation-everything-you-need-to-know-about-moving-to-the-city/Downtown Toronto is becoming increasingly bike-friendly, and some brave commuters will cycle year-round. The city’s simple grid pattern makes finding your way around easy, and you can nearly always use the CN Tower as a compass pointing south.

The city is expensive, but…

Like all world-class cities, Toronto is expensive to live in. As is the case in much of Canada, housing prices have soared over recent years, and the average price of a detached home is upwards of $1-million. However, Toronto condo rentals are a viable alternative to home ownership, one that young professionals and millennials are increasingly open to. Opting to rent over buying gives you more freedom to choose which neighbourhood you live in, will free up money to go out and enjoy the city’s amenities, and will give you the flexibility to move as you see fit.

At Renting Toronto, we’ve been in the business of placing qualified tenants in owners’ and landlords’ properties since 1999. There’s never been a better time to live in the city, so check out our extensive Toronto condo rental listings and feel free to contact us today.

Why a Toronto condo rental may be a better choice than home ownership for millennials

Posted in Renting Information on September 28, 2015 by Chris McMartin

In a recent study released by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, The Demographics of Wealth, the U.S. Federal Reserve suggested that young Americans may be better off delaying their first home purchase. The report, which is based on data collected from 40,000 households interviewed between 1989 and 2013, says that “buying a home too early is putting young families on a trajectory to be poorer than all previous generations.”

In an August 7 article by the Financial Post’s Jason Heath, the author argues that the reserve’s position applies equally to young Canadians. “Homes cost more in Canada (averaging $453,560 nationally vs approximately $311,619 in the U.S.), and household debt is higher here as well,” Heath writes. http://rentingtoronto.com/why-a-toronto-condo-rental-may-be-a-better-choice-than-home-ownership-for-millennials/ http://rentingtoronto.com/why-a-toronto-condo-rental-may-be-a-better-choice-than-home-ownership-for-millennials/“Canadian millennials should pay close attention to the advice being doled out by the U.S. central bank.”

These figures reinforce the financial soundness of young peoples’ decision to maintain an apartment or condo rental long past the age when their parents moved into the buyers’ market. With millennials making less money than previous generations, putting together a down payment is no easy task, and high mortgages make it difficult to save for retirement. ip info . A reasonable apartment or condo rental, coupled with a dedicated savings plan and wise investing, may make more fiscal sense than pursuing the traditional path to home ownership.

As the Federal Reserve report puts it, millennials ought to “delay purchase of a home with its attendant debt burden until it (is) possible to buy a house that (does) not make the family’s balance sheet dangerously undiversified and highly leveraged.”

Per a September 2014 Conference Board of Canada report, the current income gap between younger and older workers has expanded to a point where young working Canadians are poised to be the first generation worse off than their parents. The average disposable income of 50- to 54-year-olds is now 64 per cent higher than Canadians aged 25 to 29. Meanwhile, the average price of a detached home in Toronto reached $1.052 million in June 2015, making home ownership an economically unsound proposition for many young Torontonians.

To be sure, home ownership has become a societal norm in Canada, and many young Canadians are drawn to the idea. For those able to safely make the investment, home ownership can be an excellent forced savings plan. But for a generation struggling to find a financial footing, premature home ownership poses substantial risks.

In Toronto, a condo rental offers a wider range of locations to choose from (most millennials won’t be buying a house in West Queen West any time soon, but relatively affordable rentals are plentiful), and allows the tenant to avoid costly expenses like renovations and home insurance on top of a mortgage. An apartment or condo rental also means less obligation and more freedom to relocate should your career, family, relationship, or itch to travel necessitate a hiatus from Toronto.

Renting Toronto has been in the business of placing competent, qualified tenants in owners’ and landlords’ properties since 1999. Whether you’re looking for a condo rental in a great Toronto location, or have a property you would like to rent out, our full-time, dedicated agents will find the best fit for you.