It may come to a surprise for some, but seasoned buyers and sellers know that a routine part of the buying/selling process for a condo or loft is the inspection. Not just reserved for houses, a home inspection is necessary to ensure the buyer won’t be facing any unexpected and unpleasant surprises.

What does the home inspector do?
Don’t think that the inspector just goes straight to the unit. The entire building will be checked.

First, the home inspector will check the outside and inside of the condo. Outside of the condo, the facade will be checked to make sure it is in good shape. Things like crumbling bricks, cracked glass/windows and damaged stone will be noted. The roof, one of the most important structural elements of any building, will be examined. If there is an underground or attached parking lot, that may also be inspected for problems, particularly leaks.

On the inside of the condo/loft building, it’s not just the unit that will be checked. Wiring, heating systems, ventilation systems, and plumbing will be examined. Common areas are also examined to ensure proper maintenance and service.

Then, finally, it’s off to the unit.

And remember: before the home inspector arrives, make sure to ask the property manager for access to any areas that may be locked.

Bloor West Village is a quintessential old Toronto neighbourhood. Quiet residential streets are populated with conscientious artist types who have outgrown the bohemian lifestyle or bypassed it altogether in favour of growing a family. Strollers and dogs may threaten to outnumber the people but this neighbourhood is anything but suburban. The cool factor still exists in the historic architecture of the large, well-tended houses, the hum of the streets and the citified culture of its residents.

But it’s the shopping district that puts the “village” in Bloor West Village. More than 400 retail outlets include greengrocers, butchers, delis and bakeries interspersed with interesting boutiques, bookstores, pubs, cafes and restaurants. The village’s European roots are felt in the quality of the wares: some say the city’s finest cuts of meat, best selection of pastries and superior deals on fresh flowers are found here. Shops offer unique, higher-end merchandise not found at the mall. Weekends bring a festival-like vibe to the area, with sidewalks crammed with pedestrians strolling leisurely, running errands or catching up with friends.

In deference to its chief residents, the schools are reputed to be some of the best in the city. And High Park – Toronto’s biggest and best known park – is downright legendary. With 398 acres of parkland, a small zoo, historic Colborne Lodge and Grenadier Pond, regulars are routinely joined by visitors across the city looking for green space in which to revel.

The village’s Eastern European heritage is showcased at the wildly popular annual summer Ukranian Festival when Bloor St. is shut down for musicians, vendors, crafts and art shows. The constant thrum of activity coupled with a rich heritage means that this family-friendly neighbourhood is never a dull place to be.

Bloor West Village Lofts
Though houses typically rule the village, a new mid-rise condominium will join the neighbourhood this summer. Located at 592 Annette St. between Runnymede Rd. and Windermere Ave., this five-story brick building will feature 25 suites starting at 700 square feet. Amenities such as bicycle storage will be a must to cater to the residents who will no doubt want to take advantage of the small-town feel of the area.

Other transportation options include the TTC; residents can hop on at Jane, Runnymede or Old Mill subway stations. For drivers, all major highways are less than 10 km away.

Whether you came up short on Valentine’s Day or you just need to inject some romance into your relationship, we’ve got some spectacular date ideas designed to dazzle just about every taste.

A sexy twist on dinner and dancing
Start with orchestra seats to Dirty Dancing, Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W. By 10 p.m. your hips will be begging to sway to a beat of your own. Head straight to Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., where pumping world music will have you hot for each other on the dance floor. When your feet can take no more, wind down at Coca Tapas and Wine Bar, 783 Queen St. W., to indulge in exotic tapas before heading home for an intimate dessert.

Winter getaway for sports enthusiasts
Take advantage of winter weather by immersing yourself in the white stuff. Bundle up and head north to Blue Mountain in Collingwood for an action-packed day of skiing, snowboarding and skating. When the slopes close, retire to a chalet on the Blue Mountain Village strip for a long soak in the hot tub before visiting the Beaver and Bulldog sports pub and “wingery”, 195 First St., Collingwood, to sample a few of their 14 types of wings.

For the pampered princess
For the woman who has everything – and wants more – a day spent on the Mink Mile goes a long way. Indulge her with an afternoon accompanied by a personal shopper and a gold card at Holt Renfrew’s flagship store, 50 Bloor St. Take her hand as she steps into a luxurious limo waiting out front to whisk you away to Susur, 604 King St. W., for an exquisite meal with exceptional service. Complete the pretty woman experience by stopping off at Tiffany’s, 85 Bloor St. W., for a trinket before ending the evening in a deluxe suite at the Four Seasons Hotel, 21 Avenue Rd.

Spa day
Melt away stress as a couple with a day at the Elmwood Spa, 18 Elm St. The Euphoria for Two package promises a retreat designed to help you reconnect as a couple. With a 50-minute couples’ aromatherapy massage, deluxe pedicures and a private lunch at the Terrace restaurant, that loving feeling will have no choice but to be recaptured.

Carnal night out
Only one thing can possibly be on your mind on a date at Laide, 138 Adelaide St. E. Food and sex are intricately connected at this resto lounge featuring a nude photo montage, kama sutra posters and even a stripper’s pole if you’re feeling particularly inspired. When dinner is done, stop off at Come As You Are, 701 Queen St. W., a premiere sex toy, book and video store, to pick up a few goodies before heading home to put them to good use.

Looking for a good reason to spruce up your condo this winter? How about improving your mental health? This is the time of year when up to 20 per cent of people experience the winter blues or SAD – seasonal affective disorder. Surprisingly, it is most commonly onset in urban dwellers and people who are in their early 20s.

SAD is characterized by regularly occurring episodes of depression during fall and winter, including increased desire for sleep, a bigger appetite, weight gain and irritability. It’s unclear what exactly causes it, but studies indicate that the disorder is connected with light exposure.

Brighten your mood this winter by filling your condo with light. Here are some ideas to make sure you’re getting maximum exposure:

Whatever your solution to bring more light into your life, it fortunately doesn’t have to be long-term. SAD typically disappears with the advent of milder weather and sunnier days.

Prices for homes across Canada have been predicted to rise by a modest 3 to 5% this year, to an average price of roughly $317,288. Though 2007 was one of, if not the, hottest years for real estate in the GTA, experts believe that the market will slow down due to a number of factors, such as waning affordability and the new Municipal Land Transfer Tax.

Modernist design is the serene simplicity of straight lines of Corten steel sheathed in glass, free of unnecessary ornament. This is gläs condominiums, in the heart of the Entertainment District at Spadina and King.

The suites of gläs are a combination of patented lofthouses, chic flats, and sprawling penthouses. Each suite features an exposed concrete structure, open concept spaces, airy ceilings at 9′ to 20′, and terraces or balconies. Its glass walls serve not only to create a delightful architectural element – it is also to allow the maximum amount of natural sunlight into each suite. Finishes include Italian-design kitchens, stainless steel appliances, and hardwood floors.

Contact Chad Bradley and the Free Condo Guide Team for more information about glas.

At our office, a good chunk of our clients are female professionals who are looking to buy a condominium or loft. While there are hundreds of thousands of home buyers yearly across Canada, the high number of female professionals that we see may be indicative of current national trends in real estate.

Apparently, a recent poll conducted by TD Canada Trust has found that of the 20-45 year old females that were surveyed across Canada who purchased a home independently (rather than with a partner), 82% were single and 80% had no children. Women purchased their first home at an average age of 29.

The main reasons the surveyed women purchased a home were because they believed it was a good investment, it gave them financial security and a sense of independence.

And the most popular type of housing they purchased? 42% stated a condo, probably for the same reasons as many other buyers prefer them: their affordability, location, and convenience. Condos were the top choice for women in Toronto and Vancouver. In other major cities, houses shared the top spot or outranked condos in popularity.

The other types of housing included a house at 34% and townhouse at 13%.

The poll was conducted by Ipsos Reid online by 713 women.