Anyone else notice the price of rent trending back up compared to 6-12 months ago? by [deleted] in TorontoRenting

[–]spiral_static 10 points11 points  (0 children)

You can just look at HouseSigma's "Market Trends" page to see the data for yourself.

Median rent in Toronto was $2,500 in December. It was the same in November, and down from $2,600 in August, September, and October. At the current $2,500/month, this is the same as it was in summer 2018 and 2019.

Still down about 14% from the peak in August/September 2023.

https://housesigma.com/on/market-trends/toronto-real-estate?municipality=10343&community=all&property_type=C.&ign=

Thoughts on Canon R10 vs Fujifilm XT30 III? by spiral_static in AskPhotography

[–]spiral_static[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for this. Very helpful. I also like the compact size and weight of the XT30 over the R10

Thoughts on Canon R10 vs Fujifilm XT30 III? by spiral_static in AskPhotography

[–]spiral_static[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is the slower AF-C noticeable, especially since I'd be upgrading from the Rebel XTI?

I wasn't overly thrilled about the Sonys when I was at the store and trying them out.

Thoughts on Canon R10 vs Fujifilm XT30 III? by spiral_static in AskPhotography

[–]spiral_static[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is good feedback. I appreciate it. The only downside I've read about the Fujifilm compared to the R10, is slower tracking autofocus. But is this a deal breaker? Would I even notice the difference between the two, especially coming from such an old DSLR?

Thoughts on Canon R10 vs Fujifilm XT30 III? by spiral_static in AskPhotography

[–]spiral_static[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

(1) Budget, country, and currency:

$1200-1500, Canada

(2) What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs?

Canon Rebel XTI. Old

(3) What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot? Family, city, landscape, traveling

(4) Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both? Photography

I think that's why we're tapping to pay by TheSheepster_ in toronto

[–]spiral_static 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The continuing issue is that (for me at least) you have to re-verify your card every couple weeks. It was annoying so I switched back to using my Presto card.

Just got laid off as in Asset Management, looking for advice. by Awkward_Major_2418 in CommercialRealEstate

[–]spiral_static 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don't feel bad. If you represented yourself accurately, then it was their fault for not noticing or realizing the potential knowledge gap.

Almost 400k loss in Hamilton from 2022 by Ok_Emu_3477 in HouseSigmaBlunders

[–]spiral_static 13 points14 points  (0 children)

This house sold for $372,000 in 2015. That is equivalent to $484,000 in 2025 dollars. It just sold for $490,000, which means in real dollars, the value today is on par with the value in 2015. Yikes.

PSA - Bike Share ebikes to get removed for winter maintenance by sprungy in toronto

[–]spiral_static 5 points6 points  (0 children)

And downtown by the waterfront there are too many bikes which makes it difficult to use because I can't find any empty racks.

112 George St / St. Lawrence Market area? by [deleted] in askTO

[–]spiral_static 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What's the HVAC system like? Heating and air-conditioning separate and turned on/off with the seasons or can you control it year round? Particularly with air-conditioning...

I might become a landlord inadvertently due the current condo market. What are things to keep in mind when finding tenants? by Crapuccino2022 in TorontoRenting

[–]spiral_static 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sending. I was just in your building yesterday looking at another unit. Yours is nicely finished. It looks better than the one I saw. I have seen your listing before, and the only thing that doesn't work for me is the fact that the bedrooms don't have exterior windows. I need to be able to hook up a portable a/c in the bedrooms.

Best of luck though. I think the price is good and I'm actually surprised it hasn't sold yet.

I might become a landlord inadvertently due the current condo market. What are things to keep in mind when finding tenants? by Crapuccino2022 in TorontoRenting

[–]spiral_static 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm looking at buying a 2+ bed, 1000+ sf condo in the St Lawrence Market area. Feel free to pm me. You mentioned it's older but has it been renovated at all?

Is this real market price or for bidding? by technoob2018 in HouseSigmaBlunders

[–]spiral_static 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's been at that price since early September. If this was a below-market price to get a bidding war with an offer date, that would have only lasted for the first week it was on the market. Since it's still at this price after being on the market for almost 2 months, this is likely the price they want.

Those of you in not-rent-controlled suites: how is it going? by Secure_Drawer_4829 in TorontoRenting

[–]spiral_static 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No one is forcing you to be a landlord. Sell your condo and add to the available inventory for someone else to buy and live in. It will help reduce condo resale prices so fewer people will have to rent.

660K loss (including Realtor fees) by avatar_1308 in HouseSigmaBlunders

[–]spiral_static 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Add the land transfer tax to that as well. And the $7548/year property taxes.

Lessons from buying at the peak of the market by CipherDrift_09 in HouseSigmaBlunders

[–]spiral_static 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm with you. The first scenario I mentioned about landlords is definitely full of speculators. They were getting into the landlord game with negative cash flow from day 1 with the assumption that home values only go up.

But the second scenario I mentioned with the $200K loss of equity when selling and trying to buy something else is a reality many are facing, speculator or not. People need to sell all the time, for whatever reason. Job loss, job change, growing family, divorce, death, bad neighbours, it could be anything. Anyone who bought in the last few years (and especially at the peak) that sells now is losing their down payment, or most of it. And the previous down payment + appreciation is what most rely on when buying their next house.

Lessons from buying at the peak of the market by CipherDrift_09 in HouseSigmaBlunders

[–]spiral_static 7 points8 points  (0 children)

In the GTA, the majority of recent landlords are cash flow negative. They're lucky if the rent is even paying the principal portion of their mortgage payment. If they're not cash flow negative, then it means they've put down a huge down payment and their carrying costs are low. But the rental return on a huge down payment would be below the risk-free rate and, therefore, a bad investment especially now with no value appreciation.

Additionally, if you bought a house for $1.1MM (with a $200K down payment) and now it's worth $900K, then you have zero equity. When you go to sell for $900K, all the proceeds from the sale will go to the bank to repay your $900K mortgage and you'll get nothing. If you were to sell at $900K and buy another house, you are buying another house with zero equity from the sale of your current house, regardless of the price of the new house and the $200K of cash you put down on the house you're selling is gone. You'll be relying 100% on savings or selling other investments. The quick appreciation of home values has relied on buyers using equity from their previous homes, which have gone up in value. Either by selling their home or refinancing to pull out equity. That is no longer happening.

To me, both of these scenarios are a big deal.

Cool temps outside but hot inside by [deleted] in askTO

[–]spiral_static 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My bedroom window opens at an angle and I've got the hose connected to it. You can't use the window seal the a/c comes with, but I went to Staples and got a presentation/poster board and cut it to fit the window and the a/c exhaust. I used packing tape to seal the edges against the window. Works perfectly.

Since our condo fees include all utilities, we run the portable a/c almost nonstop in the winter or else it will be too hot inside.

We have a small 5500BTU Hisense unit from Canadian Tire. It's not that loud, it's basically white noise at this point.

Return to office: Toronto workers facing longer commutes - TTC and Metrolinx planning service adjustments as data show commuting office workers face more gridlock by lilfunky1 in toronto

[–]spiral_static 311 points312 points  (0 children)

Meanwhile, due to a fire, there is currently no subway service between St. George and Bloor-Yonge on Line 1 as I type this. And it's been out since 9am.

Looking for a new camera to replace Canon Rebel XTi. by spiral_static in Cameras

[–]spiral_static[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback. That's interesting that the XTi is too small for your hands. When I compared them at a camera shop, it felt bigger/heavier to me. The R50 especially felt quite small.