Sad day for York Regional Police. Our condolences to the Officer's family and Colleagues.

CP24 - A York Regional Police officer who was struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop Tuesday morning has died of his injuries.

The fatal collision occurred on Highway 48, which is closed in both directions between Mount Albert Road and Davis Drive, east of Newmarket.

Police said the officer was struck by a vehicle while he was conducting a traffic stop on Highway 48, near Herald Road, in East Gwillimbury at about 4:45 a.m.

The officer was standing outside of his vehicle when he was struck. He was pinned under the vehicle.

Paramedics rushed the officer to hospital in Newmarket. His name hasn't been released.

'Significant loss'

York police Chief Eric Jolliffe gave a brief statement to reporters, saying the officer's death is a "significant loss" to the police service and York Region.

Some York Regional Police officers learned of their colleague's death while they were at the scene of the collision. Some broke down in tears. Others hugged and consoled each other.

Footage from Chopper 24 showed a light-coloured van off of the highway in a field. The van had significant damage to its front end.

One male has been taken into custody by police.

Ontario Provincial Police said Highway 48 is expected to be closed between Mount Albert Road and Davis Drive for most of the day.

Two deaths in four years

Two York Regional Police officers have died in the line of duty in the last four years.

In August 2007, Det. Const. Robert Plunkett died when he was struck by a car while attempting to stop a man who was stealing airbags.

Nadeem Jiwa, 23, was convicted of manslaughter at trial in April. He is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday.

This is the second consecutive week a police officer has been harmed in the line of duty in Ontario.

Last Wednesday, Peterborough police Const. Keith Calderwood was shot and wounded while police conducted a drug raid in Lindsay, Ont. Calderwood has been released from hospital.

Corey Aaron Armstrong, a 21-year-old Toronto resident, was shot and killed in the raid.

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit said at least one of the bullets that struck Calderwood was from another officer's gun.

To leave a message of condolence for the fallen officer's family, friends and colleagues, click here.

With a report from CP24's Cam Woolley and Sue Sgambati

Asif Khan, Sales Representative
Re/Max Hall of Fame
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc., Brokerage

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Weisleder: Realtors already back more competition

Canada's real estate industry has been changing its rules to open up competition, writes Mark Weisleder.

DARREN CALABRESE/CANADIAN PRESS
By Mark Weisleder | Mon Jun 06 2011

As I read the latest application by the Competition Bureau against organized real estate, I thought of the great line used by Ronald Reagan when he won the debate over Jimmy Carter in 1980. “There he goes again,” or in the commissioner’s case “there she goes again.” Let me start by disclosing that besides being a lawyer, I also educate buyers, sellers and real estate agents on how to safely buy and sell a home.

In the first application, launched in February 2010, the commissioner, Melanie Aitken, decided to go public with a complaint about access to Multiple Listing Service (MLS), even though she was told that the real estate boards across Canada were in fact meeting to clarify their rules to permit access.

The boards clarified their rules in March 2010, permitting access to the MLS system without having to use a real estate firm for the entire transaction. Still the government persisted in their court application, until the matter was settled last October. The settlement was exactly what the boards implemented the previous March. In my opinion, the whole process was a waste of taxpayer money.

Now the competition bureau states that the rules of the Toronto Real Estate Board prevent private brokerages from setting up virtual offices, denying Canadian consumers more choice when buying real estate. They point to selective data from the U.S. on the issue, but conveniently leave out the rest of the important U.S. data.

In the U.S., buyer agent commissions are normally 3 per cent. Some real estate brokerages such as redfin.com, through their own website, make available all local listings, including historical data to buyers who visit their website. This is referred to by the Bureau as a “virtual office website.” It allows consumers to see what homes in the area sold for and how long a listing has been on the market.

When Redfin started around 9 years ago, they advertised that if a buyer found a home on their site and decided to use a Redfin agent, Redfin would give back 2 per cent of the 3 per cent buyer commission, so the actual commission payable by the buyer would be 1 per cent. Redfin lost a lot of money.

Today, Redfin advertises that buyers can get back “up to 50 per cent” of the buyer agent commission when they use Redfin. I get nervous when I see the words “up to.” That means a minimum buyer commission of 1.5 per cent and possibly more. In addition, the National Association of Realtors has released results for 2010 that show that even with all of this information available to buyers, only 10 per cent of real estate deals in the U.S. are done without a realtor.

In Canada, buyer commissions are negotiable, but in many regions, they are 2.5 per cent. So I suppose the commissioner is looking at potential savings of at most 1 per cent, without taking into account all the rest of the services provided by buyer agents.

The Toronto Real Estate Board is legitimately concerned about how to protect the privacy and integrity of all listing information, before permitting it to be used on private websites. We have already witnessed situations where listing information has been fraudulently posted on Kiijii and similar websites, and unsuspecting buyers or tenants are paying money to intermediaries who claim to be representing the seller or landlord.

Personal information could conceivably be taken and used by fraud artists who commit identity theft. I understand that the real estate board intends to adopt new policies to make sure that when this private information is used by a registered brokerage on their own private website, they agree to follow all of these guidelines.

Sellers will have to be informed that when they list their property, it may appear on these other private websites as well. In particular, every consumer who visits these private websites will have to enter some personal information themselves, like a legitimate email address, so that there is a record as to who is using the site. This should work to discourage the fraudsters.

I expect that these new policies will be implemented by the Toronto Real Estate Board by the end of the summer, with no need for any further taxpayer-funded competition tribunal proceedings, where only lawyers make money.

Finally, why would anyone look to the U.S. housing market for guidance or leadership on anything? This is the same market that almost caused the collapse of the world’s financial system two years ago and is still at historic lows.

Last time I checked, the major oil companies were all charging virtually the same price per litre of gasoline, give or take half a cent per litre. Madame Commissioner, why not do Canadians a favour, and look more closely at the obvious companies that appear to be fixing prices?

Asif Khan, Sales Representative
Member of Re/Max Hall of Fame
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc., Brokerage
905-888-6222

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

When One Dream Just Isn't Enough

Home ownership is often referred to as The Dream.  We save, we invest and we borrow as we follow our Dream.  In Canada, The Dream has become a reality to most of us, and as our Economy continues to set the standard for the rest of the world, many Canadians are setting their goals higher.  The time is right for Canadians to realize their next dream, and the next one, and the next. 

With interest rates staying steady and rivalling historic lows, the Canadian dollar continuing to flex its muscle, and neighbouring economies struggling, dreams of vacation properties/investment properties are becoming reality.  RE/MAX Ontario Atlantic just published a report on the strength of the recreation property market, and with that Canadian are scooping up vacation properties domestically, and now looking abroad to take advantage of foreclosed properties.   

Having aligned ourselves with ABRs around the world, we are able to secure phenomenal deals for our clients.  Our network shares potential opportunities with us and we can then determine suitability according to our clients' needs and wants. 

No different from the board game, MONOPOLY, we grew up playing, investing in Real Estate is easy, exciting, and rewarding.  Your dream gets the ball rolling.  We'll  take it from there.  Give us a call at 905-888-6222 and we'll set up a meeting to determine your invesment/vacation property criteria.  Let's bring your dreams to life.  

Asif Khan, ABR

Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc.

 

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Toronto Housing Market Results for May 2011 - Sales & Price Increase

Sales and Price Increase in May

 

June 3, 2011 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 10,046 sales in May 2011 – up six per cent compared to May 2010. This result was the second best on record for May under the current Toronto Real Estate Board service area. The number of new listings in May, at 16,076, was down 15 per cent compared to last year.

 

"Positive economic news and low borrowing costs led to strong sales through the first five months of the year, including the increase in May," said Toronto Real Estate Board President Bill Johnston. "At the same time, the market has become much tighter compared to last year, due to a substantial dip in new listings."

 

Homes were on the market for an average of 23 days and sold for an average price of $485,520– up nine per cent compared to $446,593 in May 2010. The strongest rate of price growth was experienced for single-detached homes sold in the City of Toronto.

 

"We have seen clear-cut seller's market conditions emerge over the past two to three months," explained Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "The robust price appreciation that we have seen will hopefully prompt more households to list, resulting in a more balanced market later this year," continued Mercer.

 

 

 

 

 

See the full gallery on Posterous

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Stage is set for one of the best recreational property markets in years, says RE/MAX.

Greater affordability, increased selection, and pent-up demand also key factors in 2011 season

Mississauga, ON (June 13, 2011) - Canada's recreational property market is gaining serious traction as savvy purchasers take advantage of ideal conditions, setting the stage for what is expected to be the best market in recent years, according to a report released today by RE/MAX.

The 2011 RE/MAX Recreational Property Report , examining sales and trends in 46 markets across the country, found that substantial equity gains and recovering stock portfolios in major centres have contributed to an upswing in demand from coast to coast. Demand rose in 78 per cent of markets, while sales were up or on par in 41 per cent of recreational centres. Inclement weather, including a late thaw and an abundance of precipitation, resulted in a slow start in many areas, but should be offset by stronger peak season activity. While starting prices have remained relatively stable across the board, there are deals to be had in virtually every region - especially at the top end. Luxury sales, as a result, have climbed in at least half the markets examined. Inventory levels are healthy throughout the country, although there has been some tightening reported at entry-level price points in about one-third of markets. Some of the best selection of product in recent years is now available.

Asif Khan, Sales Representative
Member of Re/Max Hall of Fame
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc., Brokerage
905-888-6222

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Toronto Sports News - Ron Wilson Back On Hot Seat?

Wilson's new deal on hold
 
May 27, 2011 00:05:00
Damien Cox      
Sports Columnist     
 
Two months ago, when Brian Burke was telling one and all that Ron Wilson would most certainly be behind the Maple Leaf bench next season, it was indicated and expected that a contract extension for the veteran coach would follow.

Well, it hasn't. And it won't.

Wilson, sources say, won't get more years on his already lucrative deal for a 56th birthday present on Saturday — and if he does eventually get an extension from the Leafs before his contract expires on June 30, 2012, he's clearly going to have to earn it by winning hockey games with far greater consistency than in his first three seasons at the Air Canada Centre.

Once, having a “lame duck” coach working in the final year of his contract would have been anathema to Burke. But something changed.

Maybe the Leaf president/GM looked more closely at his team's situation and Wilson's performance, and reassessed his position. Maybe the corporate landscape around him shifted.

The Leaf boss had to have been watching with interest over the course of the NBA season as his basketball counterpart within Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Bryan Colangelo, twisted in the wind without a new contract beyond the conclusion of the NBA season. When the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan later put their majority stake in MLSE on the auction block without Colangelo getting a new deal, the intrigue deepened.

Earlier this month, the drama ended when Colangelo signed his name to a relatively lean extension, two years plus one more at the club's option.

The message to Colangelo was clear: we want results, and we're not about to tie the hands of a new owner.

Burke isn't in that position himself. But his coach is, or will be next season. As a rule, Burke has believed a coach, in order to have the confidence and support of his players, needs the backing of the team beyond the current season. In other words, if you give the players even the slightest scent that the coach is easily disposable, they'll tune him out at the first bump in the road.

But with MLSE in flux, the support may not be there for Wilson after three straight seasons of missing the playoffs, winning 101 games and losing 145 in either regulation, shootout or overtime.

Yes, with 619 career victories, Wilson is seventh on the all-time NHL wins list, one behind Bryan Murray. But there are also 533 career losses, a figure that balloons to 617 defeats if you count the ones in shootouts and OT. There are 101 ties in there as well.

In 17 coaching seasons, Wilson's teams have missed the playoffs nine times, lost in the first round twice and made it past the second round twice, once to the 1998 Stanley Cup final. His playoff record is 47-48.

Throw in winning the '96 World Cup with Team USA and a silver-medal finish with the Americans at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, and you have a decidedly mixed bag of results when it comes to the Leaf coach, who is at or near the top of the pay scale for NHL coaches.

Does Wilson need an extension to be able to do his job properly?

His experience and substantial reputation in the sport mean he doesn't; clearly Burke now believes that as well, or doesn't believe the MLSE corporate environment allows for any largesse to be extended to Wilson at this time.

Colangelo had to manage the Raptors without a safety net, and ultimately got a new deal despite a lousy season.

New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella worked last season in the final year of his contract, although it was revealed after the Blueshirts were eliminated that the club and coach had negotiated a new three-year deal sometime during the winter.

That's the scenario likely to unfold here, unless the Leafs get off to such a terrible start that Burke finally has no choice but to make a change after steadfastly standing behind Wilson, his old college pal.

Burke didn't hire Wilson but he believes in him, doesn't believe the team quit on the coach last season and interprets the Leafs' strong play in the final three months as evidence of a coaching staff making progress with a young team.

At the same time, Burke knows the win-loss numbers, and he knows that in three years the club has finished 30th, 30th and 28th in penalty killing and 16th, 30th and 22nd on the power play.

Burke has turned this team inside out and he can't do it again for this coach.

So, no extension. Not now. Perhaps in December, or next winter.

But Wilson's got to get there first.

Asif Khan, Sales Representative
Member of Re/Max Hall of Fame
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc., Brokerage
905-888-6222

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Bank of Canada Holds Interest Rates Steady at 1%

CBC News - The Bank of Canada held its benchmark interest rate steady at one per cent on Tuesday, the sixth straight time the bank has opted to stand pat.

"The global economic recovery is proceeding broadly as expected," the bank said in a statement posted on its website Tuesday morning.

High energy prices and tax changes have kept underlying inflation relatively subdued, it said.

The bank also cited increased household borrowing and spending as potential contributors to inflation, but the persistently high Canadian dollar could mitigate that, and put downward pressure on the economic recovery.

The dollar was up almost a cent to trade at 103.36 cents US in the minutes after the rate decision was announced.

"Reflecting all of these factors, the bank has decided to maintain the target for the overnight rate at one per cent," the bank said.

After keeping its target for the overnight rate at a record low of 0.25 per cent through most of the recession, the bank hiked the rate by a quarter of a percentage point at three straight policy meetings in June, July and September 2010 before holding steady ever since.

The rate has a large impact on the rates banks offer to businesses and consumers for borrowing and saving. While it declined to do so on Tuesday, the bank left the door open to rate hikes in the near future.

"To the extent that the expansion continues and the current material excess supply in the economy is gradually absorbed, some of the considerable monetary policy stimulus currently in place will be eventually withdrawn," the bank said.

"Such reduction would need to be carefully considered."

The bank's next decision on interest rates is due on July 20.

Asif Khan, Sales Representative
Re/Max Hall of Fame
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc., Brokerage

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan