Music, Memory & Dwellings

It can be said that music is the soundtrack of our lives. Every moment of our lives can be summed up by a song, whether it was playing at that point or if the moment matches a tune. Think back to a point in your life, whether it is that big sporting event you won, a wedding, graduation or perhaps that first kiss. Now try to associate a song with it. Pretty easy is it not?


Now why do we as humans have this sensory system where events can link our minds to music? One could say we are born with this ability, one could say we learn it. All this said it is a powerful ability that most people possess.

Now if events can be linked to music what about a house or apartment? The place you live? Could you have a deep sensorial attachment to the place in which you dwell? I for one think so.

When I think about the houses I have lived in over the years of my life I can 100% link songs in my head that make me recall incidents and events in the different homes. For example hearing The Beatle’s song “8 Days a Week” reminds me of how I used to study for exams in my basement and loop the song over and over; Hearing Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s “Our House” reminds me of doing house chores in the backyard; And of course hearing Gordon Lightfoot’s “Winter ‘s Night” makes me remember being 6 years old curled up in front a window at night staring from the warmth of my house into the snowy streets.

Music can really transform where we live. Now you give it a try! Pick a place you once lived and pick a place in the house. Now try really hard to think of a song that describes your memories and feelings. It is not that hard!

Music is the soundtrack to our lives and even more so the soundtrack of where we live and have lived.

Deja Vu

I sit and type as rain pours on the window pane at the office. The rain hits the pavement and makes a noise so distinct people in the office can hear it. As I stare out the window I notice a condominium building across the street and I realize something—I have seen it before around the city!
Now I do not mean in any way that I have seen the exact same structures, but I am finding that other than a handful of different and out there conceptual condominiums a lot of the new ones going up have a sort of familiarity to them.

Now I do not want to diminish the great job done, but I think a building with a bit of originality adds a bit of spunk and pizzazz! I think a little bit of a difference really can open the eyes of people viewing and make for an engaging sight to see.

So for me it is the condo’s that dare to be different (Excuse the cliché) that in my books are tops.

I Am Just a "Lookie-Loo"!

What a beautiful day! Days like these just do not come often, so we all have to enjoy them! One of my favorite things to do on a brisk evening as tonight will no doubt be is to walk around the neighborhood along Sheppard (between Yonge and Bayview) and house hunt. Now don’t look too much into this! I have no intentions of buying any of the attractive little bungalows or more modern developments. I simply enjoy a good walk deconstructing each house on my path.
Truly, what is wrong with that? Nothing in my opinion! I am a “lookie-loo” as they say, a passer-by who enjoys checking out the houses. It does not even matter if the house is “For Sale” or not, I enjoy seeing what works for me.
One thing that I have noticed in the Willowdale locale is that the area started off several decades ago as quaint bungalows with a lot of land in the back and front. Now with people’s needs changing and sales of these humble abodes in droves, people are bull dozing down old and building bigger, fancier new homes. So the area is really neat since you have your older homes mingling with the newer homes.
It is quite a site to see this going on in these neighborhoods. The area is so multi-cultural and each house (whether old or new, small or big) has a flavor all of it’s own. It is a neighborhood that definitely has something for everyone and is neat to walk around.

Looming HST

HST is so close; many can feel its mighty roar just around the corner. People are preparing themselves for the months ahead and it has become quite the hot button topic. Who will it affect? What will the repercussions be? Will people cut down their spending? Will people be more conservative on purchases? It is a big question mark that looms over our heads. I sit here and ponder, how will it affect real estate? That’s a big one. Time will tell!

Have You Seen the Sign? --By Shawn Shapiro

What do you think of when you think of Real Estate agents signs on a lawn? Words that come to my mind are: “Big”, “Bright”, “Explanatory” and “Written”. What have we come to know from these signs? First off we have come to understand that the information they convey from open houses to how you can reach the agent. What though, if there was more a sign could do? Crazy you say? I would have thought so too until last week when I saw a seemingly similar sign that blew my mind and changed how I looked at real estate signs forever!


It was 6:30 pm on Thursday May 6th, 2010 and I was driving in a car in the Bayview and Sheppard area. As our car passed by the houses we looked at all the signs that announced houses “For “Sale” or “Sold”.



There was one house that was different though. On the sign there was a button. Curiosity was on our side as we got out of the car and pressed the sign. To our astonishment it was a recording welcoming people to the house and giving information about the house. Our faces were struck with amazement? WOW! Yes, it seems simple and it does seem like the viable next trend but I just was not expecting it.

We quickly got back into the car and went up and down the streets searching for another talking sign. Was this one just a anomaly or are there more out there?



I ask, Have you seen this sign?

Spring to Summer

In many ways the spring season is switching gradually and quietly into summer. We see it in the weather patterns, we see it in the real estate market, we see it even at Shapiro & Cho in our offices. Is it coincidence or planned that all our recent and new clients are suddenly buying and selling property? Did they wait specifically to the start of May on purpose? What is it about summer that brings people to the forefront of the real estate market? Well this year unlike others we soon have the premiere of the HST tax and thus people are trying to beat it to the punch. There are so many reasons why on this day we see so many signs on lawns. It has been a great year so far for real estate, and we like everybody else hope it keeps up. Houses also show better in the summer when front and backyards look their best.


Our office in the past week has seen the hustle and bustle of the late Spring, early Summer rush and it has been invigorating. With smiles on our faces and hard work ethics we are making sure this is the best summer yet.

SPRING CLEANING

As the sun peaks through the bay windows at our Bayview and Sheppard office, the law clerks and lawyers bustle and work hard on a busy Thursday in April. What makes this day different than all others outside though? Looking out the window one can tell the beautiful weather has brought people out of their houses and apartments to do some spring cleaning. This is especially being the case for the rows of domiciles sporting a For Sale sign. It seems as if with every gradual raise in temperature the number of signs expands. Coincidence? I think Not! Spring cleaning time is the perfect time to sell your place! The nice weather allows for quality painting, washing and gardening time. So what are you going to use this weather for?