Martin Slofstra

Toronto

Editor, New Homes and Condos at Toronto Sun

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Articles

Colin and Justin: Outward bound

1 week ago | torontosun.com | Martin Slofstra

Time spent in pursuit of leisure – at the cottage, in a trailer or simply pottering in the garden – does something for the psyche that’s underscored by mind salving adventure and emotional repair. It’s why the greenhouse (as well as being home to your seedlings) can be a disencumbering haven as clocks tick faster. It’s why the garage, more than somewhere to station your car and stash your tools, can feel like a portal to an escapist dimension. It’s why walking barefoot on grass feels curative.
Colin and Justin: The great outdoors made even greater

2 weeks ago | torontosun.com | Martin Slofstra

We certainly don’t wish to jinx the currently temperate barometric gauge, but have you looked outside lately? Blue skies? Sunshine? It’s little short of bliss, if somewhat unseasonal. Yes indeed, across Canada, patio season has begun in earnest. And for that al fresco opportunity, we’re wildly grateful. Long may it continue… Sunshine in mind, we’re turning our attentions to the great outdoors. Without further ado, herewith a roster of patio pointers and back yard tips.
Who should pay more for infrastructure and services in the GTA?

3 weeks ago | torontosun.com | Dave Wilkes |Martin Slofstra

Throughout the federal election campaign — and as I have written about in previous columns, the negative impacts of sky-high development charges (DCs) on housing supply and affordability in the GTA featured prominently. In our region, these fees, which are rolled into the cost of new homes and passed on to new home buyers, are not just the highest in Canada, but in North America.
Attention potential home buyers: It's your market

3 weeks ago | torontosun.com | Barbara Lawlor |Martin Slofstra

In a recent discussion, Benjamin Tal, Deputy Chief Economist of CIBC World Markets Inc., said loud and clear that as far as new housing goes, we are in a Buyer’s market. Developers and builders are arming us with incentives and negotiating as we sell down inventory. Our industry is building very little at present, so when we get through the existing inventory, there will be demand and no supply.
The intentional home

3 weeks ago | torontosun.com | Martin Slofstra |Sara Duck

At a recent event (hosted by label maker brand Brother) exploring The Psychology of Home Organization, family therapist turned interior designer and best-selling author Anita Yokota shared a perspective about intentional design that hit home– literally. She revealed that how we arrange our physical environment impacts how we think, feel and connect – with ourselves and others. It was one of those Oprah a-ha moments.
Colin and Justin: When not to curb your enthusiasm

3 weeks ago | torontosun.com | Martin Slofstra

As far as curb appeal is concerned, it needn’t be costly. Sometimes, lurking in the hungry depths of your basement, or that mountainous landfill you call the garage, are the requisite components of a successful update. By combining a few new items with surplus paint, spare furniture and discarded accessories (kit which you thought would never again feature ‘front of house’) you can create surprisingly results. First, though, some real estate mathematics.
Colin and Justin: Testing, testing

4 weeks ago | torontosun.com | Martin Slofstra

Do you ever dream of a new life, far from the madding crowd, eagles soaring overhead and the forest in every breath? Or does a pared back existence in a windswept ocean cabin make your heart beat faster? But what of the associated risks? Might your ‘dream’ existence prove less than expected? Might you regret upending an otherwise happy situation? Hmm. Before ditching your metropolitan norm’ to permanently commune with nature, appraise the highs and lows of your proposed ‘shift’.
Feeling the luxury vibe

1 month ago | torontosun.com | Martin Slofstra

So, you’ve got people to come to your booth at a design show and to look at your products, but how do you stimulate their senses and stir their imagination? It’s a challenge Amanda Aerin, luxury designer and host of CTV Life Channel’s Find My Country Home, seems to relish. Says Aerin before hosting me on tour of the JennAir booth that she had created for the Living Luxe show which ran April 22-25 at Toronto’s Congress Centre, it all starts with getting plugged into the way people are thinking.
Colin and Justin: Junk and disorderly

1 month ago | torontosun.com | Martin Slofstra

“A place for everything, and everything in its place.” So goes an oft’ touted maxim of Auld Betty, our wee Scottish granny, who – even now, in her senior chapter – maintains an orderly home that would put Japanese organizer Marie Kondo to shame. Betty positively joys in her ability to edit and retain only that which she needs, utilizing itemized lists to ‘pinpoint’ possessions whenever required.
Condo market at slowest sales point in 30 years

1 month ago | torontosun.com | Martin Slofstra

The Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA) new condo apartment market reported a total of 533 sales in first quarter of 2025, its lowest quarterly total since 1995, and the 215 new condo sales in the City of Toronto in Q1 fell to its lowest level since 1990, reports Urbanation Inc., a source of market analysis on the condo market. Only two projects launched for presales in first quarter totaling 275 units.