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Cristina Piccirillo’s journey in the world of finance began 15 years ago. As a reputable mortgage broker with Dominion Lending Centres, she has developed a devoted clientele that depends on her expert advice for their most important purchase. “Helping my clients achieve their goals is truly rewarding,” says Piccirillo, who’s committed and dedicated to achieving client goals and satisfaction.

Whether you’re buying or refinancing a home, weighing the pros and cons of a vacation property or managing your home during a difficult time, Piccirillo delivers first-rate service in a timely, professional manner. “Your mortgage is one of your biggest expenses, which is why we’re here to help provide people with the best interest rate and mortgage terms that we possibly can,” she says, adding that clients can save a substantial amount on the term of their mortgage by Read more

Neece Electrolysis & Laser Studio

Everyone wants to achieve his or her best self yet, but the challenges of daily life make it hard to keep up with appearances. Neece Electrolysis founder Angela Martino takes her clients from flab to fab in just 45 minutes with a star treatment readily available at her clinic. A firm start to your day begins with VersaSlim, an innovative body reshaping treatment that breaks down fat cells to contour your curves and promote inch loss. While the level of benefit varies within each individual, VersaSlim provides a non-invasive, pain-free option for rapid results in as little as eight sessions.

Following this treatment, Martino shakes things up by incorporating the T-Zone Vibration Machine. This highly effective device complements the body reduction efforts of VersaSlim while increasing metabolism, burning more calories and stimulating the Read more

GTA is the Place to Be!

Over the past three years, housing prices have appreciated in the vast majority of regions across the country. This solid growth has generated a general worldwide consensus that Canada’s real estate market is safe and sound.

Toronto’s market fared notably well during this period. When compared to August 2011, selling prices for August 2012 increased nearly 6.5 per cent to an average of $479,095 per home. This substantial growth was propelled by the city’s low-rise home segment, which includes a 15 per cent price increase in single-detached homes.

Overall, sales may have been down this year in the GTA, but new listings were as well. Accordingly, market conditions held firm due to Read more

All Smiles with Dental Works 4 Kids

Dental Works 4 Kids is creating an exciting buzz in the Vaughan community. With the introduction of orthodontists Dr. Ajeet Ghumman and Dr. Sunny Dhingra, the office has become one of the first pediatric and orthodontic dental clinics in Ontario. Longtime friends who met early in their dental careers, they had always envisioned a place where patients could be cared for by a team of specialists as opposed to the traditional single-specialist clinic. Their vision for this type of successful practice has now become reality. “What first drew us to this profession is working with kids,” says Dr. Ghumman. “It’s a rewarding experience. We’re helping create beautiful smiles, we’re helping their whole outlook on life and their self-esteem.”

Working with pediatric dentists Dr. Jill Oxner and Dr. Karen Stallaert, the specialists have taken a unique approach to preventative care to Read more

Summer of Superheroes: The experts explain our fixation on fictional characters

If you make yourself more than just a man, if you devote yourself to an ideal and they can’t stop you, then you become something else entirely. A legend, Mr. Wayne. – Ra’s al Ghul, Batman Begins, 2005.

This line, so eloquently delivered by Liam Neeson in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, the 2005 reboot of the Batman film franchise, is the existential nudge directing a once lost and disillusioned Bruce Wayne down the path towards dark knighthood — a storyline that wrapped up this July in the highly anticipated blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises.

It was the simple yet powerful push Wayne needed. Like a forest being born again in the aftermath of wildfire, this counsel guided his gaze to the set of ideals that could, if embraced, grow from tragedy. Principles that are put to the test when al Ghul places a blade in the young billionaire’s hand, ordering him to execute an alleged murder. Read more

DreamCare Medicial

A medical revolution is stirring in Vaughan — and it’s being led by DreamCare Medical, a novel concept that’s rocketing the standards of health care to new heights.

Offering services that range from family health care and walk-in clinics, rapid access specialist appointments with medical and surgical specialists, to medical spa treatments and weight-loss assistance, DreamCare is equipped to meet — and exceed — all client expectations. Promising full client education on its services while erasing the lengthy wait times common in other Ontario facilities, the possibilities are endless at DreamCare.

With a diverse range of services headed by friendly, expert staff, clients are treated with professional care and treatments that make for a unique medical spa experience. “Our goal is to offer a full Read more

House Rules

Maximum Amortization Period Maximum amortization has been reduced from 30 years to 25 years

What does this mean? It’s the third time amortizations have been slashed in just four years. Canadians saw a decrease from 40 to 35 years in 2008. Then, in January 2011, they were reduced again, down to 30 years max. Finally, we are back at 25 years as it was in 2003.

A lower amortization period will mean a slight increase in monthly payments; however, a substantial decrease in the amount of interest paid over the life of the mortgage. Keep in mind that the increased challenge of affordability will only be felt by those who are looking for a 30-year amortization who have less than a 20 per cent down payment. Conventional mortgages will still be offered on a Read more

Improve Canada

It’s not surprising that the man who’s spearheading one of Canada’s biggest retail projects is in high demand, but the sound of Oleg Chekhter’s cell phone ringing for the eighth time in less than an hour solidifies it. Dressed in a pinstriped navy suit, the retail industrialist is relatively relaxed, despite the fact that he’s standing on over 300,000 sq. ft. of impending innovation. “We’re lucky that we got this place,” he says of the Vaughan structure, which sits at the nexus of Highway 407 and Keele Street. Chekhter and his two partners’ vision for Improve — the nation’s largest home improvement centre — will materialize in the summer of 2013.

What stemmed from Chekhter’s personal frustration in renovating his own properties evolved into plans for a full-service centre that will act as a beacon of light for fellow homeowners who lose time and money through improvement ventures. No longer will consumers have to Read more

Getting the Grade with Kumon

The home is a place where parent and child learn lessons of family, growth and education. When children are struggling at school or need to be challenged, they bring their concerns to mom and dad. Toru Kumon was a math teacher, but his station in life was being a father. It was in this role that he decided to create short daily assignments for the benefit of his son and gradually, for children around the world.

Since opening the first centre in his home in 1956, Kumon’s method struck a global cord, reaching 47 countries and over four million students. On the company’s global success, Lisa Kaul, president of Kumon Canada, says, “I think that there’s a universality to parents’ desires to have their children be successful. So I think it’s really fundamental and important to know that the program was started by a father who was interested in having his own children be successful, and that’s very much what drives the philosophy that we have towards learning.”
Read more

Condo Talk

Q: The media has been talking about the condo market bubble bursting. What are your thoughts?
A: Supply and demand is always a significant factor. Until supply and demand level off to a healthy medium, we will see an adjustment in the market. This is the best time to buy! Buyers have more selection and should be taking advantage of this. In addition, if you compare the value of the GTA market and Toronto with other world-known cities, you will find that we are still underpriced. This keeps the momentum of our market moving in a positive direction. Despite seasonal highs and lows, we still end up with positive results. Let’s not forget that condos are an amazing housing option, one that appeals to first-time buyers, downsizers, retirees, investors, families, and people of every demographic. Read more

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