All Of The Above - Duncan's Blog

So many things to write about...

I received an email from my Florida pal, George Coloney describing more exciting real estate opportunities and I'm keen to write about that. However, I accidentally came upon the Babs Amiel (I call her Babs, she calls me "who the... Read more →

Condos in Toronto - So much to choose from

FAQ: "I want to buy a condo. What should I buy? New or used?" The best answer has to do with the "when do you want to move in?" question. Pre-builts work well for some but the risks are significant.... Read more →

Florida Condo Update

A few months ago, I reported here that I had two clients who called me asking for advice about their parents' Florida condos. I hooked them up with local Realtors and the news on both counts is sort of good.... Read more →

Where does the money go?

I wondered today what Canadian institution has succeeded in sucking the most money out of my pocket over the years? Canadian Tire? Nope. I do not and will never change my own oil and besides, their lineups are offensive and... Read more →

Radio... good and bad

Yesterday had two notable moments and each related to radio. Firstly, as I was driving, I heard that my precious seniors station, AM 740, which has been recently acquired by Moses Znaimer, is now going for a talk format during... Read more →

Micro Finance is big business

Yes, micro finance is big business. Unfortunately for the lenders, there is no room for profit. It's a lost leader. Michael Wills, the Chair of ACCESS Riverdale (AR) and I met with two impressive micro financing experts at Alterna Savings... Read more →

Get Smart

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of Get Smart, the movie. It was my favourite TV show of all time, except perhaps Green Acres. It was not as big a disappointment as I origianlly anticipated. There were two highlights.... Read more →

Food for all

As summer progresses and I'm privileged to spend much time in the bush country, I would like to honour all those who have enjoyed (and continue to enjoy) vials of my blood. I could write about their common names, where... Read more →

The Internet Brings People Together

There's much about writing a blog that surprises. Besides the terrific comments and emails I receive, this site often pops up on search engines and that too inspires an email or phone call that would otherwise not happen. I've heard... Read more →

Interpret this any way you want

Surveys and statistics are like Plasticine. They can be reshaped to look anyway you want (reminds me of an old Star Trek episode). Therefore, I don't pay much heed when they're used to make a point. However, I will do... Read more →

Angry with newspapers

I've heard recently that there are some in my industry who are upset with some of the newspapers, particularly The Toronto Star. The feeling is, they tend to overplay economic stories and some think this is fear mongering. Yesterday's headline... Read more →

Uncle Beverly Solomon Sturtridge Hambly - 1927-2008

My mother's brother (see right with chicken leg). One more in the family (Nial) to go and then that's all she wrote. I hadn't spoken to him for many many years although I've kept in touch with his lost son... Read more →

Phantom Bidding? Give it a rest!

I'm not sure who to blame for the latest rant about phantom bids. Is it Michael Manley, Owner/Broker of Prudential Properties who ran unsuccessfully for President of the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) last year, or The Toronto Star? Regardless,... Read more →

Words of despair from a simple sufferer

My friend Daryl Sharp is a Zurich trained Jungian analyst, not to mention a publisher (Inner City Books) and prolific author of many books. He came to this trade naturally because he's an incurable romantic. He's made a professional life... Read more →

Torrential rain = wet basements

A few years ago, a client closed on a house and this was a terrific property. It was relatively new and everything was in tip-top shape. Two days later, it rained like it had never rained before. The next morning,... Read more →

Amercian or Canadian agents?

I received an email from a fellow blogger in Vancouver, Larry Yatkowsky. His blog, www.yattermatters.com is one of the few that I read on a regular basis. I've never met the guy but I can tell he's a character. He's... Read more →

Exclusive Cottage Connection in Muskoka

And so the press release began. Once again, this amazing company, RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd. has taken the real estate industry up the ladder another notch. On the initiative of company owners, Debra Bain and Ken McLachlan, RE/MAX Hallmark now... Read more →

This Christian is the "real McCoy"

I've written often about my friend in India, Ravi Kumar. He continues to impress me with is devotion and hard work.. I received an email from him last week. Here he is riding his motorcycle with one of the Habitators.... Read more →

Every ingredient for a good show

If an entertainer of any kind actually entertains, every one can enjoy it. Too often, so called entertainers spend more time amusing/entertaining themselves and so much of the enjoyment value is missing from their performance. There was an act at... Read more →

Much can be done in no time at all

I read somewhere that the life cycle of a fruit fly is a week. If you're a fruit fly having a bad day, that must seem like an eternity. On Canada Day, Karen and I were sitting on a rock... Read more →