Vol. 40, Issue 8, December 2025
- Julie's Scoop
- Krazy Kontests
- November Real Estate Market
- Support Local
- What we have
- What We've Been Up To - Annual Santa Christmas Brunch!
Julie's Scoop
Best of the season to you and yours! Wow—Christmas is just a week away! Can you believe it? Time seems to fly even faster during the holiday season.
This December has been a whirlwind of joy, from the excitement of the One of a Kind Show to our now-annual Santa Brunch—a wonderful tradition started by the Farquhar Advantage (more details later in the newsletter!).
At the same time, we've been reminded of life's challenges through our work with incredible organizations like Daily Bread Food Bank and Haven on the Queensway, not to mention the difficult world news. These moments make us even more grateful for the blessings in our lives.
Let's use this special time to cherish moments with friends and family, and to sincerely thank all of you—our amazing clients and supporters—for your trust and partnership throughout the year.
Jay & Julie at Santa Brunch
Catch Ruairi’s 5-minute Market Update video
He breaks down exactly what is going on and behind the headlines and this month’s Market Watch from the Toronto Real Estate Board. We are all here to help you interpret the current and future potential opportunities.
One of a Kind Show 2025 - amazing artisans. Ran into friends/clients ML & Jill.
A few personal December highlights…
Many of you will remember my mom, Brenda—who inspired me to get into real estate all those years ago. Of course, Brenda is also the wife and partner of Jay Banks on our team, and they just celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary. It was an amazing wedding held at Windows on the penthouse level of the old Four Seasons back in December 1983!
Brenda is an avid traveler, and we've spent much of this year celebrating her 80th birthday. We recently returned from wonderful pre-holiday visits with family and loved ones in Vancouver.
Julie & Brenda West Vancouver December 2025
Vacant Home Tax
Friendly reminder to fill out your form online at the City of Toronto Website to avoid any hassles.
Holiday Staging Tip of the Month
Make it feel like a cozy escape, not a cold house
- Crank the heat to 72°F before showings (buyers will feel the warmth the second they walk in).
- Light the fireplace (or use a plug-in one if you don’t have a real one).
- Put out fresh cinnamon or pine-scented candles/stovetop simmer pots.
- Play soft holiday music quietly in the background—buyers linger longer when it feels festive.
And if you’re buying in winter…
- Be sure to ask for the heating bills between December & March
- Get out there when the weather is not so fine so you can make a deal when everyone else is hunkering down!
Let's use this special time to cherish moments with friends and family. Sending sincere appreciation to you—our amazing clients and supporters—for your trust and partnership throughout the year. Cheers to 2026!
guiding you home™,
Julie
P.S. Please reach out if you have any questions or feeling like you need for trusted guidance.
Krazy Kontest Winners…Kongratulations!
Krazy Kontest Winner… Love supporting LOCAL! We are continuing the theme with all winners getting to choose their favourite neighbourhood restaurant for the $75 JKT gift certificate.
Kongrats to our December Krazy Kontest winner:
📊Toronto Market Insights - November 2025
Market Insights from Ruairi:
📩 Latest Market Insights
- Sales remain historically low, but activity was slightly higher than the same period in 2022 and 2023, two of the slowest years on record. This reflects cautious, selective buyers rather than a broad market rebound.
- Average prices are down just over 6% year-over-year, continuing the market’s correction toward 2021 price levels after the excess of the ultra-low-interest-rate years.
- Inventory remains elevated, giving buyers more choice and leverage, while putting pressure on sellers to price and position properties strategically.
- Many buyers and sellers are waiting for borrowing costs to fall; however, five-year fixed mortgage rates have begun to trend upward, and the Bank of Canada continues to hold the overnight rate steady.
- At the current pace, GTA home sales are expected to total just over 60,000 this year, which would mark a 25-year low in annual transaction volume.
- In this environment, success comes from having a clear plan, staying informed on current market conditions, and working with a team focused on risk management and long-term outcomes, not headlines.
👉 Curious how this impacts your buying power or your home’s value? Let’s connect.
Support Local
Haven on the Queensway is a community-based organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Through housing support, outreach, and essential services, Haven helps people rebuild stability, dignity, and hope.
Spreading Holiday Magic
Every holiday season, we like to spread a little extra magic by supporting Haven on the Queensway and the vital work they do in our community.
Help us make a difference use our link below to donate today and support those who need it most. DONATION LINK
WHAT WE HAVE...
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WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO...
Our Santa Brunch was a wonderful success! 🎅✨.
Click here for the super fun VIDEO recap!
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day so special your holiday spirit truly made it unforgettable. We’re grateful to all who joined us and helped create such a joyful celebration! Watch video HERE.
Want to know how to get an invite next year?
If you didn’t receive an invite this year, feel free to reach out and we’ll be happy to let you know how to get on our invite list! You can simply reply to this email.
It’s been an exciting and rewarding year for the FA + JKT partnership!
Together, we've combined our strengths to deliver exceptional service, creative solutions, and real results for our clients. From seamless collaboration to tailored strategies, our partnership has elevated what we’re able to offer and the feedback has been incredible.
READ HERE -> -> THANK YOU TO ALL CLIENTS
If you’ve worked with us before, now may be the perfect time to reconnect. We’d love to show you what’s new and how we can support your next big move.
Curious about what’s happening in your area? Don’t wait—reach out anytime! We’re here to chat, answer questions, and keep you in the loop on the latest market trends. Let’s stay connected!
