If you are interested in moving up to your "forever" home in Toronto, start your process online by filling in our form below.
Every time you move homes, it represents a monumental life change. This feeling is amplified if you're moving from a home you've loved for years of your life. This will add to the stress of moving from the home you are in to the one where you will spend the rest of your life; your "Forever Home".
Like every other move, you have to consider all of the usual issues with moving: financial costs, legal fees, home layout, preferred neighbourhoods, all part of the huge list of things to consider.
No matter whether you've become an 'Empty Nester' or are planning for your future life together, the planning for your Forever Home doesn't have to be as stressful as it sounds.
With some careful planning and consultation, you can not only find your perfect Forever Home, but can save money in the process.
Here are a few considerations for you.
HAPPY CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Felicia and Brian
Julie had a great JKT experience
Kevin & Jennifer - Happy Julie Kinnear Team clients
Thinking of moving up in homes? Hear Lorin's thrilling experience with their real estate team
Mary Lou bought and sold with the JKT!!
Jessica & Alex building multi-generational urban dream home in Downtown Toronto
Allan MacDonald, COO of Canadian Tire-Amazing Client Testimonial for his realtors
Family Sells & Buys in Roncesvalles High Park with The JKT
Megan & Scott are moving up homes with The JKT
Private video
Dave & Belinda sold their condo & bought another in downtown Toronto with The JKT
Kevin & Alissa tell why they used The Julie Kinnear Real Estate Team in Toronto
Sean and Katherine and daughters move up homes with The Julie Kinnear Team
Bree & Trevor and family loving High Park
Matt and Ulana loved working with Holly and the Julie Kinnear Team
Theresa is thrilled with her new loft in Roncy
Happy in their fantastic North Leaside home, Toronto!
Rhys and Meredith love the JKT!
Beth and Maddie
Laura - found the spirit of her own home
Linda and David found the perfect house
Robert and Hayley rave about Holly Chandler from The Julie Kinnear Team
Anne and Paul bought a house in East Danforth with the help of the Julie Kinnear Team
Nat raves about the JKT Pumpkin Patch
Patty was referred and now is a huge FAN of The Julie Kinnear Team!
WHAT DOES YOUR "FOREVER HOME" LOOK LIKE?
When thinking about your Forever Home, what do you see? Picture it in your mind.
- Do you see yourself in a semi-detached or detached home? If so, have you considered the amount of maintenance it will require?
- Would you consider a condominium with no exterior upkeep required?
- Did you want to be close to the downtown core, or is suburb living in your future? What amenities do you need?
These are the types of questions that will help you pare down your options to what it is you want.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR A HOUSE
You may decide a semi-detached or detached home is in your Forever Home future. When picturing your house, think of the layout you want to meet your lifestyle. For example, consider what the impact of several flights of stairs will have in your later years. You may want to consider looking at single-floor bungalows instead of multi-flight houses.
Think of the number of rooms you'll require for yourself or any guests over the holidays you'll want to have stay over. You may also want to consider quarters for in-home caregivers.
Look for homes requiring little-or-no maintenance, unless you enjoy working with your hands and doing the renovations yourself to stay active. If renovation is required, consider this when you are budgeting for your home.
Also, think of the exterior maintenance required for your home. Snow shovelling, lawn mowing, gardening and raking are great ways to exercise, but also consider any health conditions you may have.
CONDOMINIUM LIVING
Condominiums provide single-floor living with elevator access and no need for exterior work. No need for mowing lawns or shovelling walkways anymore. Condos are becoming more and more popular with people looking for their Forever Home.
However, consider the amount of space for your belongings. You've lived a lot and have acquired items with a lot of sentimental value. Make sure you've got the space to bring them with you.
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE?
Always consider the location you always pictured for your Forever Home. Consider the view you always wanted. Whether it's rolling hills in the country, or the bright and vibrant city line, pick the home location meeting your expectation. For example, even though you picture yourself in the country for retirement, you may find you've got the "city in your blood" and won't want to leave from all the treats of an urban centre.
Make sure you do some soul-searching to determine your locale. One way to start this exercise is to take out a piece of paper and mark out columns for every day of the week. In each day, write down how you picture filling your day; golf dates with friends, volunteering at a local charity, runs in the country, weekly book club or board game nights with friends. Once you consider how your "Forever Days" look, you'll have a better sense as to where you want to spend them.
Also consider the facilities and services you want nearby when determining your location. Access to groceries, activity centres and parks may be some of the things you consider when you're looking for a place to live.
WHAT ARE THE COSTS?
When budgeting for life in your Forever Home, make sure you consider the ongoing costs. Yes, this is the "last home you'll ever buy", but make sure you budget for all of the costs you'll face going forward:
- Property taxes on houses
- Monthly maintenance fees for condominiums
- Any ongoing mortgage payments
- Utilities, cable and phone costs if not included
- Budget for maintenance
Consider these additional costs and consider how much your savings will be impacted.
TELL YOUR PROFESSIONALS WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR
As you can see there's a lot to consider here. This is where the trained professionals at the Julie Kinnear Team can help with the details. Our team can help you find the right neighbourhood and domicile you're looking for. We'll work with you and your budget and help you plan for life in your Forever Home.
The more honest the discussion you have, the better your choices will be. All of this is important when trying to get you to the home you'll want to live the rest of your life in. Let the Julie Kinnear Team get you there.
If you're tired of moving and you just want to settle down and let down your roots, we can help. Everyone of us wants to have their own space, where they can spend precious moments with their families and create new memories to last for generations to come. Here are some of our happy clients who have found their "forever homes".
