New Website Launch!

Click here to visit the new website!

I'm thrilled to have this new site up and running. Thanks to all the clients who submitted their testimonials. This is the beginning of a whole new business system that we are implementing. Much more in the works. Enjoy!

Future of Window Cleaning - Avoiding Repetitive Stress Injuries

Click to view Video: Window Cleaning High Tech Innovations

Here's an innovation from Europe that, if properly used, could greatly reduce repetitive stress injuries. The backstory on this video is very interesting as well. 

Pure Water Window Cleaning - 6 stories!

This was a huge job at Bathurst and Eglinton in Toronto several weeks back. We were brought on board to assist with Parker's Window Cleaning, as this was definitely a two-man project.

No lifts or ladders were necessary and the entire project was completed in one day with no inconvenience or interruption to tenants.

Historic Storm Window Cleaning Project

This home had very difficult to remove old wooden framed storm windows.  

Here's a few pictures as an overview. I wanted to document this to show the variety of jobs that have come across my plate.

Does your network need a boost?

Follow up request - I'd like to offer my service or expertise to others
Follow up request - I have a contact to share
Follow up request - I need a contact

The diagram above is from an outstanding website (www.brainpickings.org).

Whether we realize it or not, nurturing, cultivating, and caring for the relationships we have with others is a powerful way to live.

In a practical sense, when we need something, often the place we find it is within a circle of trusted friends.

Does your network need a boost? Whatever the need, I probably know someone who can help.

It's been said we are all just 6 degrees of separation away from every other human being on the planet!

Click on any or all of the above links and I promise to follow up.

Summer in Review

On our free days, we had a chance to try a new ice cream shop that opened up near our house.

We also found a hidden trail that leads out to a fantastic lookout point on the Grand River.

How was your summer? 

High-Speed Window Cleaning after Construction

Window Cleaning Aug 2016 - Waterloo On

Click on the link above to see what happens when a window cleaner drinks a great Americano before starting the job.

Back to Window Cleaning!

Window Cleaning Aug 2016

After 2 years, I am now fully focusing on window cleaning.

Thanks to everyone who supported us during the time I had my mortgage broker license. I learned quite a bit. However, window cleaning was very good for our family and I am confident it will be again. 

I am happy to travel anywhere in the Golden Horseshoe, including the GTA.

Here is Shea helping me setup our new pure water cleaning system. 

Over the next few months, I will be explaining more about how it works and why it's a great way to have windows cleaned.

Enjoy the video of the system in action! Click "WIndow Cleaning Aug 2016" to view.

A spa - not quite in the country...

Just south of Brantford, there is a quiet little village called Mt. Pleasant. What a great place for a "spa" getaway...pictured here is the "scape" spa (I like to call it S - cape...) 

They were happy to have clean windows. I appreciated the day in Mt. Pleasant!

Pictured here is also our trusty 2007 Hyundai Tucson. Never had a problem with this vehicle and it's great for window cleaning.

Power of Sale, Foreclosures and Unique Properties

165KKeeleCondo
168K-SheppardBathurstCondo
194K-VicParkCondo
199KBrock
199KHumberCondo
199K-VicParkCondo
218KMississaugaCondo
219KMississaugaCondo
234KOshawa
259KEastGTACondo
269KQueenswayCondo
324KQueenDovercourtCondo
329KMimicoCondo
347K-RichmondHillTownhouse
348KGeorginaCottage
349K-KingShawCondo
359KBramptonTownHouse
379K-MarkhamCondo
393K-WillowdaleCondo
399KMississaugaPenthouseCondo
399K-Newmarket
410KMeadowvaleSemi
459KBurlingtonTownhouse
489KBrampton
497KBloorJarvisCondo
499KScarboroughLawrence
499KSpadinaQueensQuayCondo
549KVaughnCondo
559KChurchAdelaideCondo
599KJarvisFrontCondo
659KMartingrove
659KOakville
759KBrampton
770KParliamentGerrard
799K-Cedarvale
826KVaughn
925KWhitby
935KMississauga
949KMississaugaLornePark
979KOakville

Every month, Daniel MacQuarrie scours the MLS for these unique properties. Although hidden gems can be foundhere, some of these can be a challenge to finance. Instead of going into it alone, make sure you use an independent and well-equipped advisor if you choose to go ahead.

Million and More - Rare Finds?

1.4MKleinberg
1.4MStouffville
1M-TrumpTowersCondo
2.3MThorncrestKiplingRathburn
2.4MCaledon10Acres
2.6M-Milton13AcreEstate
2.8M-JarvisHeritageHome
3.8M-Mississauga

Strange to say, but the "Million Dollar" home is actually more and more common.

Again, in this price range, financing can be a bit of a head scratcher...but if you are working with a professional, the transaction and process can be relatively smooth sailing.

Thanks again to Ed Keiser and his team at First National for being very generous with time and advice on these large dollar value and commercial-type transactions.

Unique, As Is, and Power of Sale Properties

179K-IslingtonFinchCondo
224K-McCowan401Condo
224K-RexdaleCondo
239K-Oshawa
243K-PickeringCondo
269K-MississaugaTownHouse
274K-BramptonCondo
285K-QueenswayCondo
338K-WellingtonBlueJaysWayCondo
399K-MississaugaCondo
409K-JaneHeightsTownhouse
479KBrampton
479K-YongStJosephCondo
529K-Morningside401
579K-Danforth
579K-MavisRoadSemiTown
599K-Mississauga
659K-Westway
679K-WestonLawrence
759K-Oakville
829K-Warden401
839K-Vaughn
899K-KingstonRd
958K-Mississauga
999K-Mississauga

Every month, Daniel MacQuarrie sifts through the MLS for unique, as-is, and power of sale listings. 

There can be gems in the rough hiding if you know where to look. 

As challenging as it is to find these properties, it can be an even greater challenge to obtain financing.

Fifteen minutes on the phone with a licensed independant financing professional can save you weeks and months of headaches down the road.

Let's talk...glad to help.

Fixer Upper Mansions?

1.3M-DonMills
1.5M-Bellwoods
1.5M-Mississauga
2.4M-Caledon10Acres
3M-Vaughn

For a variety of reasons, properties like these end up for sale at bargain prices. 

Whether it's in your budget or not, you may enjoy viewing what Daniel MacQuarrie has found in this price range.

Unique Properties & Power of Sales- Nov 2015

160K-HumberTownHouse
175K-WestonSheppardCondo
267K-Scugog
274K-Oshawa
342K-Brampton
367K-RichmondHillTownHouse
389K-KennedySheppardCondo
389K-WestonCommercial
403K-WestonCommercial
419K-KennedyTownHouse
425K-FinchTownHouse
429K-Danforth
456K-LibertyStrachanCondo
465K-Pickering
479K-Whitby
500K-Warden
519K-MeadowvaleSheppard
549K-Morningside
579K-Whitby
679K-Oakville
699K-MississaugaSemi
699K-YongeLawrence
738K-BramptonKennedyQueen
739K-Danforth
779K-Brampton
839K-Vaughn
869K-Mississauga
975K-Whitby10Acres

Thanks again to Toronto realtor Daniel MacQuarrie who diligently searches the MLS for unique properties as well as those listed as power of sales.

Note: These types of properties often require creative financing solutions. Pro-bono consults are available to qualified investors.

"AS IS"...Did You Know?

I'd like to address a common misconception about AS IS properties.

A realtor was told by his in-house mortgage broker when a home is listed AS IS, the banks won't touch it.

Is that categorically the case?

Fact is - It is NOT true, it usually just means that the inspection report might be required by the lender as well as an appraisal.

One exception is when there's a history of a drug lab or "grow op". In that case, one needs to know which lenders will accept these types of properties. It's also important to remember when obtaining a mortgage on these types of properties, lenders generally require a high down payment (think 30-35%) and often charge high interest rates.

Each situation like this is completely different, so it’s always advisable not to pre-judge properties.

Bottom line: With an AS-IS sale, you just need to know why it’s as-is, and proceed with a licensed, qualified, independant mortgage professional you know and trust.

HandyMan Specials 139K and up...

139K-Hamilton
200K-Clarington2AcresLand
262K-HaltonHills
289K-Oshawa
369K-Uxbridge10Acres
399K-Burlington
442K-Brampton
499K-MarkhamFormerGrowOp
559K-DupontDovercourt
599K-MorningsideLawrence
650K-BeachesStorefrontplusApartment
659K-WardenLawrenceHugeLot
670K-Whitby
685K-Oakville
699K-KitchenerCommercialZoned
715K-Beaches
899K-Burlington
959K-Markham

Thanks again to Daniel MacQuarrie for putting these together. Each week he scours the MLS looking for unique properties. Some of these are power of sales, others handyman specials, others have unique development potential for investors. 

Some have all 3 characteristics. Enjoy.

Dad's Vintage Guitar Sold...

To get you up to speed, our family loves music. My dad and I have come across some cool instruments.

Pictured here is a 1968 Martin 12 string that has been in our family awhile.

Pat Sansone from the band Wilco is holding it because he just bought it.

It's the only way we'd let it go. We're glad it's in good hands.

Thanks Pat! Enjoy.

After the Goldrush (or, "Summer Rush")

Ok, now that we've got the Neil Young reference out of the way...

We were able to find a really nice family that rents a really nice cottage. The real discovery is that weekly rates are substantially lower...after the long weekend in September. 

The weather was great, water stayed warm, all around we had a great time.

Bank of Canada Overnight Rate Announcement

Can we talk about the elephant in the room?

That's me and Kelly in Thailand, Spring of 2008. Seven years ago! Wow.

Now how about the other elephant?

The Bank of Canada will make their next overnight lending rate announcement tomorrow at 10 A.M.

The consensus seems to be that there will be no change-because we are in a technical "recession" (thanks, low oil prices). I won't talk about Iran here, because that would delve into Mid-East politics. Not gonna even touch that...

However, in bigger news, the U.S. Federal Reserve (a.k.a. "The Fed") IS expected to raise their rate, signaling a strengthened economy south of the border.

So, to sum up, don't get used to cheap money.

Use a licensed independent professional when signing a contract to borrow hundreds of thousands of dollars to be repaid over seversal decades.

That's all :)

Early 1930's Jacobean Desk and Chair - Offers?

Any Antique Hounds out there?

This is a 1930's Jacobean desk and Chair in great shape.

Our grandparents just don't have the room for it anymore.

Give me a shout 416-985-6339 and we can work out a price and delivery.

I would say a starting price is $550. Surprise me with an offer!

A typical weekend.

Kelly and I are slowly re-discovering all of our old West Toronto (Etobicoke) food spots through the fun-loving lens of our three-year-old.

Never a dull moment with this little guy.

Unique Properties- July 2015

156K-Oshawa
174K-KeeleStCondo
179K-DixonKiplingCondo
179K-WilsonJaneCondo
199K-KeeleEglintonCondo
204K-AuroraTownhouse
209KWestonSheppardCondo
261K-VaughnCondo
279K-MissisaugaRathburnDixieCondo
300K-HaltonHillspdf
319K-Brampton
320K-HaltonHillsCondo
325K-FinchIslingtonTownhouse
329K-Leslie401Condo
356K-TorontoWellingtonBlueJayWayCondo
369K-QueenDovercourtCondo
374K-Brampton
399K-BathurstLakeshoreCondo
399K-Caledon
399K-MississaugaTownhouse
399K-WellingtonCondo
404K-RichmondHillCondo
419K-CaledonCottages
419K-TorontoMalvern
421K-Brampton
449K-MississaugaBloorDixieCondo
469K-MissisaugaTownhouse
470K-ChurchAdelaideCondo
530K-LakeshoreBathurstCondo
619K-BloorJarvisCharlesStCondo
699K-Oakville
824K-Stoufville
949K-WestwayHugeLot

Thanks to Daniel MacQuarrie for assisting with these property searches. As a licensed Realtor, Dan can customize a 24/7 MLS search on behalf of clients looking for unique properties.

This month features condos that can be found for under 200K in the GTA.

Having a team of professionals you trust is recommended when looking into any type of real estate investing.

Renting? Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post about how this approach to investing can benefit you even if you are not planning on owning a home.