Lori Moscone: ISell Realty Inc.

Last year, an agreement ratified by the Canadian Real Estate Association and the Federal Competition Bureau opened doors for existing homeowners to become more involved in the sale of their properties. This meant that homeowners who wanted to sell solo would no longer have to pay for services that did not interest them. This is where ISell Realty Inc. comes in: an innovative answer to a traditional process – with à la carte services at low costs.

Founded by Lori Moscone, this virtual full-service brokerage is designed for the homeowner who wants to save money by selling privately. For a flat-fee, homeowners can purchase a basic package*, which includes a property posting on MLS.ca®, showing bookings, market evaluation, for-sale sign and social media advertisements, or an upgrade to a Premium Service Package*. While this may seem like more work, ISell Realty Inc. Read more

L’ORO JEWELLERY: The Insiders on Everything Desirable

Luxury is not only defined by the look of something, it is defined by the way it makes you feel. It is not only apparent in a piece of jewelry, but is visible in a welcoming and unpretentious atmosphere. L’Oro immerses itself into these definitions, carrying premium jewelry while valuing the strong relationships it has built. “Our customer is someone who expects and understands quality because they live this in their daily life,” says storeowner Haigo Derian.

With a progressive approach to traditional business, L’Oro has been placed in a favourable position within the jewelry industry. Among its exclusive brands, Chopard is one of the elite jewelry names partnered with L’Oro. “They are one of the few family owned companies left in the watch industry, and the Chopard family has built an incredible enterprise,” says Derian. Read more

La Closette

Whether you need a wardrobe consultant, image advisor or personal stylist, La Closette is opening doors everywhere. La Closette’s dynamic team is powered by the fashion-conscious duo MT Meikle and Liza Amlani. Not only do they have a keen sense of what’s hot and trendy but a realistic view of wearable style.

“We believe women should love what they wear and feel confident and empowered, as well as looking fashionable. We help our clients be stylish and classy with their look but we also want to help them be smart with their fashion choices and not get caught up in trends that won’t take them from season to season,” says Meikle.

Assessing a client’s look using their own personal style, body type, age and lifestyle while introducing current up-to-date fashion into their wardrobe in an intelligent way is La Closette’s Read more

Sellers Market — It’s an Open House for First-Time Buyers

In life and love, there are possibilities that you’ve never imagined, and what better location to nurture that potential than in your very own home? After vows have been exchanged and cake has been served, the most important experience for newlyweds is purchasing their first family home together. An investment for the future, real estate continues to be the most tangible, stable and secure asset one can make. According to the Annual RBC Homeownership Study conducted by Royal Bank of Canada, Canadians, supported by a strong banking system, have a strong interest in purchasing a home over the next two years. This is a positive sign for buyers in 2011: new government mortgage regulations ensure a more stable housing market; as prices rise, equity increases, making for better long-term home investments. The low-interest rates we currently see are enticing, and greater consumer confidence results from stable employment and rising incomes. All this translates Read more

Wood Staining Tips with Claudio Grisolia of Steeles Paint

If there’s one thing that can tarnish your backyard’s good name, it’s a poor-looking deck and fence. Over time, sun and moisture can damage exposed decks and fences, giving an undesirable weathered look. To ensure the longevity and durability of your wooden deck and fence, applying a good quality wood stain is a must. But before the brushing begins, there are a few important points to consider.

First and foremost, the wood must be prepared. If your deck and fence has seen a few winters and you’re looking to recoat the lumber, cleaning is crucial. “It removes any mould, grime and dirt from the wood, and gives the finished product a more pristine look,” says Claudio Grisolia, owner of Steeles Paint.

If this is the first season for your timber, you’re in luck: no cleaning is required. However, if you just recently built Read more

Vivian Risi: Aiming Higher

Inside every individual lies the hope to soar to new heights and fulfill unrealized potential. With arms outstretched, we anticipate the strength to conquer the obstacles that cloud our vision and welcome the materialization of our aspirations. While there are pinnacles that may seem beyond our reach, there are those who can turn the impossible into possible.

Society’s most vulnerable now have a second chance at redemption because of Vivian Risi, owner and founder of real estate firm Royal LePage – Your Community Realty. As chair of Yellow Brick House (YBH)’s Second Shelter, Second Chances capital campaign, Risi’s tireless efforts to house abused women and children have finally paved the way to a much-needed second shelter in York Region, where up until now, there have been no services Read more

Seasonal Allergies: Natural Treatments

The splendour of spring that most of us look forward to all year is finally here. However, for many Canadians, the upcoming seasons bring unwanted symptoms of sneezing, itchy watery eyes and runny noses.

Many allergy sufferers resort to treating their symptoms with over-the-counter or prescription medications. While these medications may address and relieve symptoms temporarily, many of them can lead to undesirable side effects and sometimes even worsen certain symptoms with prolonged use.

If you have suffered from allergies chronically, adding some natural therapies to your arsenal may prove to be helpful. It is wise to see a naturopathic doctor to identify, address and treat your allergies, as well as to ascertain any potential interactions with Read more

Skin Vitality: Reshape Your Life

They say perfection is impossible, but that’s because they haven’t been to Skin Vitality. It starts with a feeling, and that feeling is confidence. “Confidence is the single-most important trait a woman can have. Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent,” says Eleanor Welsh, owner of Skin Vitality. Skin Vitality offers the best cosmetic technology in the world today, with a special emphasis on non-invasive procedures. Some of the more popular non-invasive procedures offered include FDA-approved Vela Shape and Skin-Tightening treatments, as well as Fotofacials. Skin Vitality may not have the fountain of youth, but it does have a cascade of transforming procedures at your disposal.

While expanding Skin Vitality into five luxurious locations – with two more coming soon – across southern Ontario, Welsh became familiar with the daily stresses that can bring a person down. Today, she has made it her life’s work to help people achieve the glow and strut of a confident person with safe and effective treatments. Read more

Woodbridge Dermatology & Laser Centre

As much as we say “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” there are equally strong and contradicting messages from society at odds with such moral statements. Individuals often choose surgery to actualize their desires for beauty, but for wary skeptics, a less abrasive and intrusive alternative is found in dermatology.

For 20 years, Dr. Gail Nield has provided local residents with comprehensive and caring service at her Woodbridge Dermatology & Laser Centre. The first to offer laser hair removal in the area, Dr. Nield is an expert in both medical and cosmetic dermatology. Utilizing modern techniques and procedures, such as the Soft Lift makeover – a combination of Botox and Juvéderm treatments – Dr. Nield has the abilities to rejuvenate and revitalize your skin. “I think everyone is very concerned about how they look,” comments Dr Neild. “If they look good they feel good, and this is possible Read more

The Competition Bureau and the Toronto MLS

The ratification of an agreement between Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and the Federal Competition Bureau on Oct. 24, 2010, has the public, media, and members of real estate speculating on the impact this agreement will have on the real estate industry.

For an agreed fee and with the aid of a realtor, a homeowner now has the opportunity to post his or her property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a member-based database that manages 90 per cent of Canada’s residential housing market. At a glance, this appears to be empowering for a homeowner. “When one carefully investigates the process, it is clear that homeowners need to approach this with caution,” says Vivian Risi, Broker of Record and Founder of Royal LePage – Your Community Realty.

Risi sheds an interesting perspective on this issue Read more

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