20 The Montrealer, May 2013 • theMontrealerOnline.com

There is so much to see and do when visiting Toronto (www.seeto-rontonow.com). On one of my most recent trips, I made my first visit ever to the iconic and massive Ontario Science Centre (www.ontariosciencecentre.ca), home to interactive experiences with sci-ence and technology.

The Science Centre aims to enrich people’s lives and their understand-ing by engaging them in science that is important on local, national and global scales. They do this by offering top sci-ence experiences, memorable exhibi-tions, engaging programs and breath-taking films so that visitors can do far more than observe. They can interact and participate.

Built into the slope of the Don Valley, the Science Centre contains an array of inspiring spaces. The Weston Family In-novation Centre puts discovery, literally, in the hands of visitors – and in spring 2012 evolved with all-new, fascinat-ing exhibits. KidSpark is the extremely popular hall designed for children under eight to learn, explore and create.

In Space, find the wonders of the gal-axy, the quests of astronauts and a state-of-the-art planetarium. A Question of Truth challenges beliefs and Mind-works delves into the mysteries of the human brain. Living Earth delivers nat-ural wonder, including a simulated tor-nado and a full rainforest environment. The Science Arcade is a fan favorite

with a complete hands-on science experience that includes the famous elec-tricity demo. A rich va-riety of programming is presented throughout the year. And of course, they have what is still Ontar-io’s only IMAX® Dome

theatre – reason in itself to visit. We watched Born to Be Wild, a wonderful documentary narrated by actor Morgan Freeman.

The Science Centre remains ever-in-novative and is now developing a new permanent exhibition, called The Human Edge, to be unveiled soon. My favorite spot was the Rain Forest, an enclosed area which could definitely pass for the real thing for a movie shoot.

We stayed at the Delta Chelsea Hotel (www.deltachelsea.com), which during low traffic periods is an easy 15 minute drive to the Science Centre via the Don Valley Parkway. This is Canada’s largest hotel and it offers a variety of options in guestrooms and meeting space. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto at 33 Gerrard Street West, it is within walking distance of the College subway station, the city’s central business district, gov-ernment offices and the hospital commu-nity. For tourists, you also happen to be only minutes from the city’s best shop-ping districts, notably the Toronto Eaton Centre, Yonge-Dundas Square, fantastic live theatre, vibrant nightlife and excit-ing attractions

There are an incredible 1,590 rooms in all at this facility. Business travel-ers can take advantage of a compli-mentary hotel shuttle. This should

be booked at least one day in advance. As of July, this will no longer be part of the Delta chain and be renamed the Eaton Chelsea Toronto, operated by Langham Hos-pitality Group.

It is easy to maintain your fitness routine while staying here. Their health club gives you unlimited access to cardio and weight training equipment while enjoying a panoramic view of downtown Toronto. There are two pools: one, like the heath club, for adults-only (with a whirlpool as well) and their big draw, a second floor Family Fun Zone featuring a family pool with a 130 foot indoor ‘Corkscrew’ waterslide, Club 33 teen lounge and Kid Centre.

ad_vert_v2.indd 1 22/04/13 9:07 AM

A youngster tries the Rocket Chair at the Ontario Science Centre.

MiKE CohEn

Travel Spotlight

Ontario Science Centre a “must see” attraction while in Toronto

Continued on page 28

28 The Montrealer, May 2013 • theMontrealerOnline.com

So to sum it up, we are seeing very high numbers in inventory. Buyers have a lot to choose from at the mo-ment. Sellers are competing with each other rather than Buyers having to compete with other Buyers. And Sell-ers can’t change their Location to compete; they can however adjust the price.

Important Note for First Time Buyers: Even though we are in a more dominant buyers market and this is a good time to be buying a property, Buyers Beware! Once you go to a financial institution for a pre approval, the number you will receive is the maximum you can be ap-proved for to get a mortgage. But do not stretch yourself too thin, if the interest rates increase in the upcoming years, being able to pay for your mortgage should be a priority.

Notre Dame de GraceThis Month let’s look at the NDG market in depth for

our analysis. The market in NDG was difficult in March as we had sold about half as many properties as in the two previous years. During the month of April we sold 5% more properties than in 2011 and 2012. And we also managed sell for a fraction more than last year’s average in terms of value, up by 0.2%. The construction of the new Glenn Campus is having an impact on sales, but that wave has mostly come and gone at this point. The market in NDG is currently going well. Indications are that May should be a good month if history repeats itself, and hope-fully we can make up for February and March this year.

Please call me if you are looking to sell your home or buy a new property, my knowledge and experience will surely be of value to you. Philip Clement 514.708.4056

Dear Montrealers, well I think it is safe to say now that we are in a Buyers’ Market. Off the island of Montreal we have twice as many properties on the market as past years and in some areas price is being lowered to compete to get the buyers. On island we are ex-periencing the same impact on a slower scale, even though some communities are in a similar situation, my main areas of business ie; Westmount, NDG, and Montreal West continue as a more stable mar-ket with similar prices as last year’s even though inventory has doubled.

Let me use an example from the month of April to describe the impact of a “Buyer’s Market”. I received an e-mail from a client of mine last month to list their property in a community impacted by the change in market. They wanted to know how much I could get them for their property and in how much time. After looking up the comparable sales in the area, I explained why I would list the property at a price about 5% lower than last year’s market. Imagine a street with about 35 homes on it, all built in the same period; a great street to live on no doubt – but there are currently 6 other properties for sale on the same street, and many more in the surrounding area.

As an interested buyer for this area, obviously you will be visiting most of these other properties to get a good idea of value. Now let’s say that you have nar-rowed it down to three properties on this street, keeping in mind they all have relatively the same layout and dimensions. The most important factor in the purchase of a property is Location. We can rule that factor out be-cause they are all in the same place and, second is Price. This is how you will choose where you will begin and most likely end your negotiations.

Real Estate R e p o R t

PhiliP ClEMEnt

Real Estate Update

The buyers’ market is here – prices still stable in the West End

Philip ClementResidential Real Estate Broker

514.708.4056phil@pclement.ca Downtown, $374,900, MLS: 9566147

A g e n c e I m m o b i l i è r e

R e a l E s t a t e A g e n c y

H E R I T A G E

Downtown, $374,900, MLS: 9566147

Specializing in Westmount, NDG, Montreal West and DowntownWestmount, $549,000, MLS: 9553807Montreal West $1,849,000 MLS: 9076690

 

   

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# Houses Sold 2011

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Notre Dame de Grace

They even have a Camp Chelsea, an all day camp for children aged five to 12, with activities including time at the waterslide, games, arts and crafts, a lunch and dinner buffet, two snacks and even behind the scenes tours of the hotel. All rooms here feature extraordinarily comfortable beds, with luxurious pillow top mattresses, white striped bedding, plush duvet, designer cummer-bund and accent pillow. There is a work desk, compli-mentary high-speed internet, an iron and ironing board, coffee/tea maker, bathrobe and hairdryer.

There are free accommodations here for children aged 17 and under when staying with a parent or guardian. Children under six get to “eat for free” from the special kids menu. Those aged seven to 12 “eat for half price” from the regular menu, or at list price from the special children’s menu. Small- to medium-sized cats and dogs are permitted for a nominal fee. Their indoor parking lot is also very convenient. You can get in and out privileg-es. While in town we had to go to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The concierge told me it would be at least a $25 cab ride each way or $14 for parking. Considering the fact we went to two shows there, the total cost was $28 for parking versus a potential $100 cab bill. For more information call 1-888-890-3222.

Mike Cohen’s email address is info@mikecohen.ca. Follow his travels at www.sandboxworld.com/travel and on Twitter @mikecohen.ca

Ontario Science Centre continued from page 20