Kinnear's Komments

Volume 17, Issue 4
July 2009

We are still masters of our fate.
We are still captains of our souls.

Winston Churchill

Julie's Scoop

There is always a silver lining. We like to live by that adage - and with this fairly cool summer so far, my air conditioning bill is almost non existent! The big news currently is of course the City strike. With my wife Mary being in a management position with the Parks & Rec dept with the City of Toronto, she is working, collecting garbage in the west end parks. It has certainly put a damper on some of our cottage plans. Good news there is that she is actually making a living, while the strikers are missing their normal pay. (Just don't ask about the smell.)

The market has been humming along just as most of the media articles report. We are enjoying the same resurgence, thankfully. It really feels like the spring market came later this year, as most summers are not as active as this one. Multiple offers are happening especially in the first time priced condos & smaller homes. It is hard to believe how crazy some anecdotes are. Buyers are feeling the most frustrated again, as the market has shifted back to a seller's market with a lack of inventory. This is true in all price ranges if properties are positioned well, condition, location, price, marketing etc.

Team photo

It seems like ages ago now when The Julie Kinnear Bike team participated in the Ride to Conquer Cancer, on June 13 & 14. What an amazing experience. It was a personal challenge for each of us to commit to both raising of the $$ and taking the time to train and complete it. We were so impressed with how well the event was organized as well - in total the Toronto weekend raised over 14 million dollars. WOWEE. The spectators who cheered us along the route inspired me to keep going and their enthusiasm was infectious. To those of you who supported us, our little team together raised $22,644, from 264 different supporters. I am very proud to be a part of that! Thanks again.

View from Quails gate

Update on the JKT - I recently returned from the Okanagan in BC. Mary & I completed one of our "Bucket List" items - and toured the enchanting world class wineries and enjoyed a stunning & beautiful Canadian vacation. We drove from Calgary through the Rockies on the way there and the Kootenay's on the way back. We experienced Canada's only desert - the scorching hot Osoyoos region, stayed in a beautiful cottage in Summerland and visited with friends and family. Jen is just returning from a canoe trip up in the far north on the beautiful Yukon River, where she spent time with a number of other women for an empowering experience. They enjoyed the physical challenges, the numerous Inukshuk's on the route, seeing Grizzly bears in real life and the dusky evenings that never go dark. Holly is working hard these days with many out of town clients and trying to fit in all her training for her 2 half iron man races coming up. KJ & Tori and their family are planning some downtime having a "staycation" to enjoy all Toronto has to offer, then heading up to Mont Tremblant in August.

Julie attended an inspiring conference in June in San Francisco, and has come back with a new morning "smart start" routine that really gets the day started on the right track. This summer is full of fun and projects and I look forward to connecting with many of you.

Wishing you a smiling safe summer,

Cheers,Julie

Chit Chat

• Tiff Daniels and Leah Smith married in Vancouver on Granville Island on May 30th 2009 and they'll be back in Toronto and Muskoka for 2 weeks of business and pleasure for the last 2 weeks of August.
• Michael Ma & Amanda Cheng got married on June 20th, 2009!  They haven't had a chance to get away for their honeymoon yet, but hope to sometime in October.

• 

  Craig Machel was excited to be selected to participate in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay in December! You can still enter the competition at www.carrythetorch.com
• JKT member Jennifer Palacios (& her furkid Nessy) wholeheartedly adopted Oscar, a 5 year old blond retriever looking rescue dog into her home.
• Our client Amanda Cheng's wedding business is flourishing. If you know anyone that is in need of flowers, cupcakes or hair/make-up services for weddings, please pass on her info. Check out the pics & prices at www.peonyroom.com

Babies

Baby girl Jordan Dunning Aris

• Suzanne (McMeans) & John Settino are thrilled to introduce the latest member of their family Eva Mackenzie Settino, born May 20, 2009. A little sister for Gillian!
• Michael Norman Angus Donaldson is the thriving son for Meredith Vuchnich & Chris Donaldson born May 23, 2009. His big sisters Sophia & Rachel adore him & smother him in love.
• Mandia & Sebastien Moise and older brother Julien are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter Sandrine Eve Moise on May 24, 2009.
• Janine Stephens & Mike Pickersgill are overjoyed to announce the birth of their daughter Katherine (Kate) Margaret Pickersgill on June 28, 2009.
• Natalie (Mills) & Jason Aris and big brother Matthew happily welcome their little girl Jordan Dunning Aris on her due date of July 3rd, 2009.
• Amy Halpenny & Jeff Magwood ecstatically announce the arrival of Gavin Ross McLean Magwood. Born July 6th, 2009 at home in quick order. He's already received lots of kisses from big sister, Signy!

Are you Feeling like Giving Back?

Q: How do you achieve lasting satisfaction that money can't buy?
A: By supporting a great cause!

This economic slump/bump hits the charities hard. Please be generous. Our charity of choice this month is Canadian Diabetes Association. On a personal note, Julie's Mother Brenda was diagnosed a couple of years ago with type II, and unfortunately the #'s continue to grow. Through the generosity of its volunteers and donors, like you, the Canadian Diabetes Association is able to provide world-class research support, outstanding outreach programs, and valuable services to people living with diabetes.

Mortgage rates

- courtesy of Carrie Davidson of Dominion Lending

Current variable rate is 2.55%
Current prime rate is 2.25%

MARKET WATCH

GTA Resale Housing Market Posts Best June on Record

In June 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported a record 10,955 sales, up 27 per cent from June 2008.

"The record result in June is testament to the fundamentally sound housing market in the GTA," said TREB President Tom Lebour. "An increasing number of households have been confident in purchasing a home in the region's affordable and diverse resale housing market."

The average price for June transactions was $403,972 - up by two per cent compared to the same month last year.

"The re-emergence of seller's market conditions has exerted upward pressure on home prices," explained Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "Look for sales to remain high relative to listings in the second half of the year. This will keep home prices growing."

Median Price - Interesting Note
In June the median price was $345,000, from the $335,250 recorded during June of 2008.

Did you know?

Each load of laundry you do at home costs over $1.00. At an average of seven loads per week for a large family, the expense can add up quicker than you think. With this eco-friendly adjustment, you'll get clean clothes without cleaning out your wallet

Switch to cold water.
Heating up water accounts for as much as 90% of the energy needed for each washer load. Running loads with cold water not only conserves energy, it also saves almost $200 a year!

Excerpt from Pillar To Post - PostNotes, Home Inspectors

Competitive Advantage Series
(=more reasons to refer!)

Is there value in working with our top team?
Another Julie Kinnear Team Advantage... Neighbourhood Knowledge!

Leslieville Toronto

Location, location, location - Just about the most important factor in real estate. You really want your real estate consultant to understand the local neighbourhood that you're in. Knowing our neighbourhoods is of upmost importance to The Julie Kinnear Team. Having each one of us living in a different area of the city - KJ in Riverdale, Holly in Bloor West Village, Julie in Roncesvalles/High Park, Jen in Leaside and Steph on the Harbourfront, we can share our "locals" knowledge amongst each other & our clients. Add that to the fact that Julie grew up in Lawrence Park & lived downtown for years & KJ in Bennington Heights, we've got many areas covered. We know the best restaurants, shops, schools, etc. Naturally, we are extremely familiar with all the other neighbourhoods, but there is even that extra bit of knowledge about the area that you live.

Since we stress location, location, location so much, we have created another competitive advantage for you to receive from The Julie Kinnear Team - the extensive Toronto Neighbourhood information on our website about the neighbourhoods that we work in. To help you track the house values in each area, you can check-out what the average sale price was for the last 3 months of a detached home in your neighbourhood, or what a semi-detached home sold for last year at this time. Looking for a place to eat? See what restaurant was recommended in your hood. Have a business or activity to recommend?
Check out our custom neighbourhood guide @ www.LovelyTorontoHomes.com today!

Curious George

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)

I just wanted to send you a brief note with gratitude and admiration for your skill and expertise in selling our home so quickly and with such a good result!  I am impressed with the efficiency, professionalism and thoughtfulness of everyone.  The pictures turned out great (I thought the living room one was particularly brilliant).  It was very gratifying to see all my hard work show so well.  The flowers were amazing and the cookies were delicious too!  Thank you so much!

F. Bender

What They Got! A continuing column of the Julie Kinnear Team's Sales

306 Queensdale Avenue

East York

306 Queensdale Avenue
Asking Price $489,000.
Selling Price $470,000.

238 Greer Road

North Toronto

238 Greer Road
Asking Price $595,000.
Selling Price $573,000.

43 Garnock Avenue

Riverdale

43 Garnock Avenue
Asking Price $679,000.
Selling Price $670,000.

10 Bearwood Drive

Edenbridge/HumberValley

10 Bearwood Drive
Asking Price $819.900.
Selling Price $810,000.

72 Constance Street

High Park

72 Constance Street
Asking Price $649,000.
Selling Price $647,500.

496 Rushton Road

St. Clair West

496 Rushton Road
Asking Price $518,000.
Selling Price $510,000.

JKT - A few of our Favourite things

Steph:
My mornings have become one of my favourite things. My walk through High Park is amazing every morning. Grenadier Pond is so pretty during sunrise. I then a stop off for my McDonalds coffee and sit on my porch with my coffee and breakfast (not from McDonalds, it would defeat the purpose of my walk!). I am also into The Twilight series. I am on book 3 and cant wait to get into bed every night to see what's happening with my vampires and werewolves!!

KJ:
My new found road ride out of the Jet Fuel coffee shop on Parliament. Ride leaves every Monday, Wednesday & Friday promptly at 5 50am. 2 nice loops approximately 32 km and back for a quick coffee!

Holly:
Painting en plein air with my friend and artist Tara Shelton.  Learning about bike racing with the Midweek Cycling Club and riding down big hills on my bike at 75km/hr. 

Jen:
Enjoying the solitude of paddling a canoe. Sleeping in a tent and cooking over an open fire... and flush toilets when you get back home!!

Wine Shop Mares Jules

Julie:
Free wine tasting samples ? Executive class lounge with Air Canada - Seeing the sailboats out on Lake Ontario on a summer evening. Julie REALLY loves it when the City of Toronto is back to work normally.