KINNEAR'S KOMMENTS

Vol. 19, Issue 5,
  September 2011

"Labor Day is a glorious holiday because your child will be going back to school the nextday. It would have been called Independence Day, but that name was already taken." 

~Bill Dodds

Julie's Scoop

Photo by David Wiley

Happy Fall! Happy back to school! Hope you had a fantastic rest of summer. I know I enjoyed a lot of cottage time and spending quality time with family and friends. You'll note from the Market Watch, it was in fact a very successful summer real estate market wise, despite the gloomy stock market roller coaster.

All's well with the team – we all took some time off, and we're all set for a busy Fall market. It has started off with a bang – plenty of new listings and buyers. It was great news for mortgage rates that will be staying low for the forseeable future. Certainly gives us all a chance to either lock into a low rate, pay down our principal and gain some safeguarded equity.

Our team prides itself in continually learning and implementing. One of the ways we do that is to read quality business books to improve our level of business and service. This summer we finished The Trusted Advisor – fabulous, and right up our alley as it focuses on developing truly special relationships with clients. Makes you really think – and we found ourselves deep in discussion. One of my favourite mantras is "positive in results in positive out". That essentially means that if we keep feeding our brains and souls with healthy input – our minds and thoughts, words and actions are positively affected.

Murphy

One of the most beautiful things that has come out of our loss of our dog Bella – was that we opened our home and hearts to a new puppy – Murphy. She's a black and tan cockapoo with big "bear paws" and is experiencing the world through her mouth! Yes chewing lots and bringing energy and wild abandondment of enthusiasm for life. Not sure if our other 3 pets are quite as enamored -haha. As my Mother says - "when one door closes a window opens". She just started puppy training with Follow the leader – on Roncesvalles.

Being a proud Torontonian, it is frustrating to witness the way our city is being managed right now and all the negativity surrounding Toronto and its future. I have always been so proud of our cultural diversity, the equality for all (Our Mayor Rob Ford's behaviour around the Gay Pride week was embarrassing and personally offensive), and now we're onto cut, cut, cut, so much that has been built and bolstered our quality of life. I'm all about build, attract, improve, grow. It is definitely time to support & volunteer and promote each of our own personal causes and reach out to help keep our incredible, world class atmosphere, whether it is supporting the arts, the parks/zoos, the less privileged, and the independent people and communities that make this place such a wonder. Let's make a difference. Not sure if I can stand to think that we may have a conservative municipal, provincial and federal government – so remember to VOTE on Thursday October 6, 2011!

Julie

Strong August Home Sales in the GTA

MARKET WATCH excerpts from Toronto Real Estate Board

Photo by Guilherme Ritter

September 2011 – There was a 24% increase in August over sales from August 2010 through the TorontoMLS® system. New listings were up by 20 per cent compared to August 2010. Market conditions remained tight as sales growth outstripped growth in new listings.

"Home sales in the GTA have stood up well despite a less certain economic outlook,"said Toronto Real Estate Board President Richard Silver. "Home sales will be bolstered by low mortgage rates moving forward. The Bank of Canada is expected to be on the sidelines until the second half of 2012 or even into 2013. However, home ownership affordability in the City of Toronto could be further improved with the removal of the City's land transfer tax. This tax currently represents a substantial upfront cost for home buyers."

With market conditions remaining tight in the GTA,the average selling price continued to grow strongly in August – up by more than 10 per cent year-over-year to $451,663.

"We remain on pace for the second best year on record for sales."said TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis Jason Mercer. "Major home ownership costs, including the average monthly mortgage payment, remain affordable despite the strong price growth experienced so far this year."

Chit Chat

P.S. Everyone loves this column – so be sure to submit yours news!

Photo by Klearchos Kapoutsis

• Meredith Birchall - Spencer & Rhys Spencer are so excited to announce that they moved into their new fab home on Seventh Street in August. Welcome home!!

• Best wishes & heartfelt congratulations to Courtney Band and Jiles Chamberlain who were married July 31st, 2011, in Tofino, BC. Wow!

• Zafri Cosentino is the new owner of the Midnight Sun tanning salon at 1910 Yonge Street at the corner of Davisville & Yonge 416-932-8877 www.midnightsuntans.com. Good luck on your new business venture!

• Looking for a great contractor/builder? We recommend Harvey Minuk – he loves his work and it shows! Whatever your needs are be it a new kitchen or a full gut renovation well he's your man. First Place Capital Inc. 416-489-4083 or have not only referred Harvey, our clients have referred him, and that is sign of trust and quality. Harvey prides himself on Concept, Commitment and Completion. He helps you create a concept & vision, tweaks the design, articulates the work, offers clever solutions, confirms the final details, then commits to construction, quality, communication, cooperation, and finally completes the work.

Babies! Sincere Congratulations!!

Photo by Meagan Jensen

• Jodie & Ben Hughes have been blessed with a little baby girl Margot Virginia Hughes born 5 weeks early 5 pounds 9 ounces on August 8th, 2011. Everyone is doing great!

• Daniela Montoni and Eugene Peters are the proud new parents of their new baby boy Quentin born in July, 2011.

Are you feeling like Giving Back?

Charity of the Month – Right To Play – www.righttoplay.com

Mission - To improve the lives of children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world by using the power of sport and play for development, health and peace.

Vision - To create a healthier and safer world through the power of sport and play.

Right To Play

Values - Right To Play's values reflect the best practices of sport and play. Co- Operation, Hope, Integrity, Leadership, Dedication, Respect, Enthusiasm, Nurture

Right To Play International
65 Queen Street West,
Thomson Building, Suite 1900. Box 64
Toronto, Ontario, M5H2M5 Tel: 416-498-1922
General:
Donations:
 

Did You Know?

Many of our clients have had their personal experiences with The JKT caught on video instead of the regular written word – they're even posted on Youtube! We so appreciate your kind testimonials. Our Youtube channel is growing exponentially – and has had now over 55,859 hits!

Mortgage rates

Courtesy of Carrie Davidson AMP, Dominion Lending www.carriedavidson.com Phone: 416-693-6946
Fax: 416-693-4103

CURRENT VARIABLE RATE IS 2.25%
CURRENT PRIME RATE IS 3.00%

Some conditions may apply. Rates subject to change without notice. *O.A.C. E.& O.E.

Our Purpose

Our purpose is for you to be so outrageously happy with the service we provide that you gladly refer us to your friends and family before you've even bought or sold with us!

July 2011 editorial by JKT member Claire Hartviksen

Photo by Kevin Dooley

It was a great hot summer but now we may feel the end of summer blues. It always seems each year to go by even faster than the summer before! Time to say goodbye to shorts, flip flops, summer cottages and those long warm nights. Back to the hustle and bustle of traffic and daily routines!

With all that being said there are several things that I will not miss about summer like mosquito bites, buzzing bees and who could forget all the city construction.

We are truly fortunate for the 4 seasons that we do get and all the fun things that come with each. There is nothing more beautiful than the changing colours of the trees and of course watching your kids have a blast making leaf piles to jump into! Fall comes along with some of the best scents that I can think of like fresh apple pies, cider and wood-burning logs in the distance.

So many great holidays to look forward – Thanksgiving, Halloween, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and even Christmas but let's not get ahead of this Fall season!

Enjoy the season with your family and friends and look for our annual Julie Kinnear Team upcoming Halloween dress up and pumpkin give away in October!

What They Got!

A continuing column of the Julie Kinnear Team's sales…

11 Morningside Avenue

11 Morningside Avenue - Swansea
Asking Price: $1,150,000
Selling Price: $1,200,000

10 Glenaden Avenue

10 Glenaden Avenue – Sunnylea
Asking Price: $749,900
Selling Price: $803,000

657 Merton Street

657 Merton Street – Davisville Village
Asking Price: $789,000
Selling Price: $812,000

435 Davisville Avenue

435 Davisville Avenue – Davisville Village
Asking Price: $549,000
Selling Price: $546,000

53 Fortieth Street

53 Fortieth Street – Long Branch
Asking Price: $479,900
Selling Price: $475,000

2 Fieldway Road 405

2 Fieldway Road #405 - Islington West
Asking Price: $349,900
Selling Price: $345,000

See a For Sale Sign/Sold you were wondering about? We are happy to let you know about houses in your neighbourhood - feel free to contact Steph at:
 

The Julie Kinnear Team's GEMs (Genuine Evidence of Merit)

Photo by Kim Love

"Dear Julie, We have been in the process of relocating from Vancouver to Toronto for what, at the time, seemed endless. Our light at the end of the tunnel, our spark, was Holly. She was a vision in her car, zooming us around the real estate nuggets and hot spots, guiding us to not only the most desirable homes but also giving us restaurant tips along the way. We finally moved in this past Saturday and couldn't be more pleased. She is a real gem that Holly and we appreciate her very much. When we are ready to move again, we have her on speed dial.

Another huge thank you to Stephanie for all of her awesome administrative work. We signed many papers and Stephanie kept track of every initial. We loved our moving cards (so cute!) and our Home Depot gift card (we bought a sprinkler for the first time! Coming from a condo to a house, this was a big deal for us!). Thank you so much to your entire team."

- Margaret & Bryan

The JKT – A few of our Favourite things:

Jen-

Photo by Kara Allyson

• Pet portraits by Joan Gray. Joan has done many dog portraits of my friend's dogs and two of my own dogs. Joan recently did a water colour of my horse, Nellie. It is absolutely beautiful! Joan is able to capture the personality and essence of her subjects. An amazing talent! Grayter Art Services – www.joangray.ca

• Crow Lake by Mary Lawson– A fantastic novel set in Northern Ontario. I haven't quite finished it yet but I'm loving it. Mary Lawson is a fantastic story teller.

Holly -

5 in 1 dress

• Thieves 5 in 1 dress. So comfortable, beautiful and versatile. Designed by Toronto's very talented Sonja den Elzen of Thieves boutique on Queen West. Check out the youtube video for 20 ways to wear it! The perfect thing to take travelling.   www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjFQqW7CVzw

• My new personal trainer Kyle Ardill who works out of Kim Gym in Port Credit. He is very knowledgeable, intuitive and motivating. He does a fierce boot camp Tuesdays and Thursdays and praises the mostly female participants by calling them "beasts".

Stephanie -

Photo by Richard Taylor

• Flowers– When you are least expecting them!

• The long weekend on Lake Catchacoma with my family and friends to wrap up the cottage season. The end of the summer season is NOT one of my favourite things.

• The Zach Brown Band!I cannot get enough of their songs. You can sing and dance to them with a smile on your face!

Claire – 

Photo by Elizabeth Albert

• Luttrellstown Castle just outside of Dublin Ireland. I have fallen in LOVE with this Castle. I am so looking forward to going with my friend Crystal to a wedding there. It is the same place that David Beckham had his wedding… we will leave out his wife haha.

• Back to school! Although I am sad the summer is over I am happy my son is back in school before his brain turned to mash potatoes!

• Adele– She is my new favourite singer. There is not one song on her new album that I don't like. My 2 favourites are Rolling In The Deep and Someone Like You. Her voice is so unique what a talent.

Julie -

The Help

• The Help– the novel by Kathryn Stockett– that is getting rave reviews for the movie version that came out this summer. It is written in such a mesmerizing storylike way – and gives a personal insight into the world in the early 1960's – in the deep south and the intimate yet sometimes very painful relationships of the African American nanny's and the families that they work for.