Back after a long break!

After a whirlwind condo purchase -- likely just a regular run-of-the-mill transaction, but to a first timer it seemed intense -- I'm back to blogging.

Here are the highlights of my purchase:
- $175,000
- Downpayment of $17,500
- Mortgage of $160,650 (Principle + Mortgage Insurance + PST)
- Bi-weekly mortgage payments of $351.88

So, did I get a good deal?
According to The Red Pin the average price per square foot for a condo in the GTA is $530.  Toronto Real Estate Journal reports the average price in the GTA to be $547/sq ft.

What I paid: $469.17/square foot.

The verdict: Since my building is a "no frills" type of condo (i.e. no fitness centre, pool, tennis, doorman), and I'm located in an up-and-coming neighbourhood I believe that I purchased for a good price.  It is very rare to find a loft for under $200,000 -- believe me, I've scoured realtor.ca and loft websites!  For me, the loft is perfect; it's easy to manage financially, it's 2 blocks from a subway station, a 10-min walk to a large grocery store (a No Frills to boot), and it has all the character that I was looking for in a condo.