Happy New Year! We are all back in action after a great holiday season. In the hopes of creating a new tradition (when we're not in Vancouver), Mary and I spent the entire holidays at Crooked Creek, entertaining our family and friends. December was a wonderful month – my mother, Brenda, came in from BC to spend a week with us, and even met with our Team to share her real estate expertise. There were many fun gatherings throughout the month including our own personal Christmas party which through the generosity of those who attended, we were able to donate a treeful of presents to the Chum City Christmas Wish for needy kids!
KJ spent the holidays with his family in Kingston, and Toronto and a week in Mexico for the New Year. His daughter Cassidy is just beginning to understand the whole Christmas thing! Nicole spent a quiet holidays with her partner Steve and family in Toronto and Peterborough, and a romantic New Year's Eve at Canoe restaurant (working off the effects of all that fine dining is definitely among her New Year's resolutions!)
2005 marked an extra special professional achievement for our Team. For the first time, we were selected for the National Chairman's Club award, (the top 1% of Royal LePage realtors). We are in the top 100 out of 11,800 colleagues across Canada! This prestigious award is the culmination of my 13 year real estate career and marks the beginning of (we hope) a new phase in our business. Please know that this success was aided by you, our cherished clients and friends, who have demonstrated faith in us over the years with consistent business and trusted referrals. Looking forward to ‘guiding you home' in 2006!
Cheers, J.
Chit Chat
Dominic Atkinson and Cathy Lawson, sold their home in High Park with us last year, are settling into their new home with their kids – in New Zealand!
Bill Macrae fulfilled a lifelong dream by visiting India courtesy of their three children – a dual gift for her & Bill's birthdays and 40th wedding anniversary!
Congratulations to Petra Kozel & David Wilson who wed on an island in Muskoka, at David's long time family cottage on June 25, 2005
Jen Palacios would kill me for not mentioning that she is now the Leaside Ladies A Champ for the 3rd time running
Nikki Bridgland has expanded her Ottawa Sport & Social Club to Kingston
Madhu & Kedar are delighted to introduce a new family member - Elvis a.k.a Goofy, a mystery hound from the Humane Society.
Babies…
Heather MacInnis & John Pitblado and big brother Luke
welcomed Aiden David on July 14th, 2005.
Dan Kiss & Lisa Stuart and big sister Emma
are thrilled with new daughter Katherine Julia (aka Katie) born at home in Bloor West Village on August 31st, 2005.
Leigh & Paul Ashworth
welcomed their 2nd son Calum, born September 2005, favourite new brother for Finn.
Nicole and Darren Kirk
lovingly welcomed their first child Tyler Brian on September 20th, 2005.
Jen & Randy Comish
are ecstatic new parents of daughter Jaycee Lily, born December 6th, 2005.
Mike and Sandra Harris
are excited to introduce their first born Ruby Dena, born December 6th, 2005.
Jen Shearn & Fausto Presta
got an early Christmas present - baby Madeleine, born December 21st, 2005.
Wedding bells…
Anna Nachbar & Gary Vossen
were married on July 1, 2005 in Vancouver BC.
Erin Kuttner & John Zubac
were married on August 13 on the Cabot Trail!
Lorna Cuthbert & Heather Giffen
were married on September 10 in Toronto.
Market Watch
By mid-December, 2005 had already set the record for the greatest number of re-sale transactions in the Greater Toronto Area, surpassing the previous record set in 2004, Toronto Real Estate Board President John Meehan announced.
"The phenomenal number of sales this year demonstrates that consumers continue to have confidence in the real estate market," said Mr. Meehan.
Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation predicts that next year that the GTA real estate market will continue its strong performance.
TREB President John Meehan says that even more important than the figure itself, the market's performance in 2005 illustrates an important point: ‘that an increasing number of families in Toronto recognize that investing in a home is the most sound decision you can make.’
Seal the Cold Air Out
from About.com
Are your doors and windows leaking air in the winter, wasting energy and money? Poorly fitted doors or windows can allow a lot of heat to escape your home. The best solution to winter heat escaping through your windows and doors is to install storm doors and storm windows. These devices not only seal tightly around the edges, but also prevent heat loss through the window pane itself -- or in the case of doors, through any window in the door or the door material.
Another option is weatherstripping. Before you buy and install weatherstripping around your doors or windows, you'll want to consider expense, durability, ease of installation, and long term effects.
Self-Adhesive Foam Weatherstripping
Self-adhesive foam weatherstripping is the easiest to install and usually the cheapest weatherstripping available, but it's nearly useless on doors and useful on windows only if you're not going to be using them at all during the season.
Rolled Vinyl or Felt Weatherstripping
Rolled vinyl or felt weatherstripping is a little more challenging to install, about as effective, and a bit more expensive than self-adhesive foam strips, but it is more durable.
Spring Metal Weatherstripping
Spring metal weatherstripping is more expensive and more difficult to install than self-adhesive foam or rolled vinyl or felt weatherstripping, but is more durable and less visible. It is good for doors and casement windows.
Interlocking Metal Strips
Interlocking metal strips provide excellent weatherstripping but are difficult to install because you have to precisely match the two strips. Interlocking metal strips are especially good on the top of a door, and can be used on doors or casement windows.
Adjustable Threshold
An adjustable threshold, a pillowy tube on the threshold where the door stops, is often the best for the bottom of the door. These are very durable and not too difficult to install.
Door Sweeps
Almost as good as the adjustable threshold are door sweeps, which cover the gap between the door and the threshold rather than filling the gap. For the bottom of the door, look for the kind that drop down when the door is completely closed and that raise up when the door is being operated, to clear the carpet or door mat.
Be the change you want to be in the world
Mahatma Ghandi
News Flash!!
Feeling political? Did you know you can beat the rush to vote in the federal election on January 23rd? If you'd like to get your ballot in early and conveniently, there are a range of options available. Visit Elections Canada on the web.
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 Nicole directly at:
What They Got
A continuing column of
our recent sales
280 Sherbourne Street #14
C08 - Cabbagetown Area
Asking price - $289 900
Sold price - $294 000
232 St George Street #16
C02 - Annex
Asking price: $359 000
Sold price: $355 000
46 Glenwood Avenue
W02 - Bloor West Village
Asking price: $529 000
Sold price: $513 000
Julie's GEMs
GEMs are Genuine Evidence of Merit - These are actual testimonials from Julie's clients:
Thank you for all your hard work helping us throughout this process! Thanks so much! It was smooth and comfy.
