Inside the GTA – a look at development in and around Toronto in March 2022

Lakeview Village in Mississauga was recently awarded the Award of Excellence in Sustainable Development at the 2022 National Urban Design Awards. The jury commended the project, recognizing its meaningful and long-standing commitment to sustainability. The brownfield site, which is located just east of Lakeshore Road and Cawthra Road on the site of the former Lakeview Generating Station, will soon be home to Canada’s first “15-minute city” – a connected, environmentally conscious and socially responsible community.

This transformative 177-acre revitalization project will revolutionize the way people live, visit and experience the waterfront through its thoughtful design and curated collection of housing, retail, office and recreational programming. mylakeviewvillage.com

Reina breaks ground in Etobicoke

Canada’s first all-female development team has broken ground on its Reina community in Etobicoke.
Having quickly reached more than 85 per cent sold, construction is ready to begin, and the signature Quonset-style sales centre on The Queensway will soon be demolished to formally kick off construction.
Taya Cook of Urban Capital and Sherry Larjani of Spotlight Developments say this trailblazing project rethinks the multi-residential living experience.

Cook and Larjani combined forces to build an exceptional female leadership team across industries such as construction management, architecture, interior design, engineering (including structural, civil, mechanical and electrical), legal, surveying and sales to develop Reina. Doing so, they hope to change the narrative and inspire more women to join the industry. reinacondos.com

Vandyk Start Program aims to help first-time buyers

With demand growing, the GTA market has become incredibly competitive, making it tough for first-time homebuyers.

To help, Vandyk Properties has launched the Vandyk Start Program, a collaboration with the City of Toronto that is now available at Vandyk’s Grand Central Mimico master-planned community in Etobicoke.

The Vandyk Start Program works with eligible first-time homebuyers by:
• Reducing upfront deposit requirement to only 10 per cent compared to the traditional 20 per cent deposit for a market-priced condo
• Extending the deposit structure to more than 540 days
• Providing an interest-free, payment-free loan in partnership with the City of Toronto

At closing, buyers’ interest-free and payment-free loan is applied as a “silent mortgage” amount based on the unit type. The loan is provided by the City of Toronto.

vandyk.com

Andrew Brethour appointed to Abraham Global Peace Initiative board of governors

Canadian human rights organization, The Abraham Global Peace Initiative (AGPI), recently announced the appointment of PMA Brethour Executive Chairman, Andrew Brethour, to its Board of Governors.

The Abraham Global Peace Initiative is the voice for the oppressed and all who call out for freedom, democracy and human rights. Its exclusive purpose is to contribute and advance the moral and ethical development of the community, work to preserve human life and uphold the administration and enforcement of Canadian law in all this entails.

“I am deeply honoured to be appointed to AGPI’s Board of Governors,” says Brethour. “AGPI is a leading Canadian advocacy organization, and I am humbled to play a small part in their fight to uphold and advance human rights globally. It has long been a cornerstone of my beliefs to give back to those in need, and AGPI is a champion of that cause.”

Brethour is a former director and executive of the Toronto, Ontario and Canadian Home Builders’ Associations. He is the founder and former chair of the Toronto and National SAM Awards and has been the recipient of several awards, including the prestigious Maple Leaf Award honouring Canada’s top associate member.

To learn more about AGPI and its mission, visit the website. agpiworld.com

Tips for first-timer buyers from amy youngren of northgroup.com

Amy Youngren is the founder of North Group, which has partnered with The Real Brokerage Inc. (REAL), to offer technology enabled services and marketing solutions for the ever-evolving world of real estate world. Here are her top tips for condo shoppers, particularly first-time female buyers. northgroup.com

1. Know what you can afford: Affordability is the starting point. Before looking at specific opportunities or even searching online, consult with an expert to get clarity on what you can afford.

2. Create your must-haves vs deal-breakers: Next, create a wish list of your ideal must-haves vs deal-breakers. This list can be adjusted once you get a better idea of what properties are selling for, based on your criteria, but ultimately, clarity is power – especially when it comes to buying real estate.

3. Be informed – do your research: Research is a critical component to homeownership and investing. It’s important to lean on experts for knowledge and their professional advice, but do your own due diligence throughout each step of the process. The more research you do, the more informed your ultimate decision will be.

4. Get your ducks in a row: You know what you can afford (check) and what you’re ideally looking for (check-check!). Now it’s time to ensure that you have everything in order, so that when the right opportunity comes along, you can take quick action. GTA real estate often moves very quickly, so being prepared is critical. One essential tip to keep in mind is to have your deposit in an account where it can be accessible immediately (and not in an RRSP). This will ensure that you don’t face any delays when it comes to accessing your funds.

5. Interview an expert – it’s free: Did you know that hiring a real estate professional to guide you through the process is free? There is no cost to you, as a buyer. Realtor fees are covered in full by the seller/developer. So, when you find a sales representative you’d like to work with, interview them. Ask questions to ensure you are hiring the right professional to represent you, in what is likely to be one of the largest purchases of your life.