Toronto Real Estate Newsletter July 2017

Kinnear's Komments

Vol. 25, Issue 4, July 2017

Julie's Scoop

Happy Summer! Woohoo! What a weird year for weather - not exactly that consistent heat wave June/July that we are all used to… but hey, the gardens and grass are certainly lush and full!


Julie and Mary in King's Landing, aka Dubrovnik

Mary & I were fortunate to have enjoyed a lovely European holiday - mostly travelling in Croatia on the islands and mainland (it is spectacular and worthy of all the accolades, and certainly popular with Game of Thrones fans too!), as well as visiting my brother Alec & his partner Lucia plus their son Constantin in Austria and Slovakia - so wonderful watching our nephew grow up!! He is now 2 years & 3 months.


Celebrating Canada Day with Constantin, Lucia and Alec in Europe

One of the benefits of the visit was also to mastermind with our website team Foliovision - who do such a fabulous job coming to you all the way from Bratislava. They welcomed me with Canadian flags and a perfect hand drawn pic of our Inukshuk statue :) We celebrated Canada’s 150th birthday in Austria!


Sanela & Julie at Foliovision's offices in Bratislava

Tyler is getting excited about his upcoming trip to Italy in August. Jen has been away working hard with IFAW and the Northern Dogs project in June.


Jen at Northern Dogs Project

Claire spent some down time after celebrating Addison’s graduation from Leaside and one of her best friends weddings. Good times! Holly returned to Aix-en-Provence where she had lived years ago and absolutely loved getting absorbed back into France’s lifestyle & culture for a couple of weeks at the end of May!


Holly's French Holiday in Aix en Provence

Our Keller Williams office has hosted a couple of exciting events including a “best ball” golf tournament fundraiser that our JKTeam entered 2 groups - it was a first for me, Claire and Holly! Such fun, despite the all-to-common wet weather (are we living in Vancouver people?!). And Jen represented us well in our office “Breakfast at Wimbledon” tourney - what a tennis ACE.


JKT at KW Golf Tournament

Thought with all this water this spring/summer that it was a good opportunity to mention sump pumps. If you have water around your foundation and have waterproofed or your house is newer and/or gone under major renos, then you likely have a sump pump. They are such a life saver, especially in floods and these torrential rains that we keep getting. The problem with a sump pump is that it is electrical and needs power. If the power also goes out in a storm… then what? Well it’s time to go down to the basement to see if you have a back up battery system, and make sure it is in good working order. That’s a good first step. FYI - we used to have a lovely big battery sitting right next to our pump, still in the box and not hooked up! Useless. We decided to go big or go home, because it turns out that single battery backups will only last mere hours, and may still be an issue if power doesn’t resume swiftly. The bigger upgrade is with a TRIPLE back up battery system (who knew?), which is your best bet. Much longer protection for your basement and home and easier to sleep at night :)

As far as the real estate market goes - I liked the reports about the interest rate hikes being a positive sign, because it indicates the economy is strong. And the dollar rose too. The key to remember - the .25% increase (from .50 to .75%) will cost you $12 per month per $100,000 you have borrowed or will borrow on either a variable rate mortgage, or a line of credit. Once again these are ridiculous record lows for mortgage rates. Seriously! My first mortgage was 8.25% - in the 90’s which of course is astronomical to people now but was WAY lower than my parent’s home in the 80’s!

guiding you home,
Julie

P.S. Wishing you all happy summer memories and fun!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

Chit Chat...

- A HUGE congrats to our friends and clients Andrew and Crystal Laramy on their recent wedding held on July 8th, 2017. What a beautiful venue, I would highly recommend Black Creek Pioneer Village to anyone looking for a different style of wedding outside of the standard banquet hall. It was a beautiful outdoor ceremony in front of their Town Hall which was conveniently right across from the reception held in the Pavilion. Everyone was very appreciative that it was a one stop wedding venue without having to travel. The best part of having a wedding there is they shut down to the public at 5pm so you and your guests can roam the grounds. Very cool to discover at night, as you feel like you are definitely living in the past! A big congrats and thanks for including me in your wedding party and special day. Claire

- Bessie Mourtzis has started her own party-event catering company which Claire was privy to be a part of twice recently. She completely blew everyone away with her talent and small touches that most people would never think of. If you are looking for someone to cater a birthday party, anniversary, office party, wedding or any other event big or small please do not hesitate to contact her. She is so talented and darn nice. To get in touch with her phone 416-871-3344.


Meet Rusty

- Congrats to new dog owner, Suzanne Godbehere just got a puppy Rusty (aka Russell Crowe)!

Babies..

Shannon Kinch and Cory Breed are so excited to welcome their little miracle Mira Elisabeth Leigh Breed, born on the 4th of July, 2017 weighing a healthy 8 lbs 6 oz. Proud grandparents Anne and Rich Kinch are over the moon. Welcome Mira, you will be truly spoiled!

Market Watch

More Moderate Price Growth in June 

July 6, 2017 - Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 7,974 sales through TREB's MLS® System in June 2017down by 37.3% in comparison to June 2016.

The number of new residential listings entered into TREB's MLS® System, was up by 15.9% compared to June 2016. While this annual rate of growth was sizeable, it represented a more moderate annual rate of growth compared to May 2017, when new listings were up by 48.9% year-over-year.

"We are in a period of flux that often follows major government policy announcements pointed at the housing market. On one hand, consumer survey results tell us many households are very interested in purchasing a home in the near future, but some of these would-be buyers seem to be temporarily on the sidelines waiting to see the real impact of the Ontario Fair Housing Plan. On the other hand, we have existing home owners who are listing their home because they feel price growth may have peaked. The end result has been a better supplied market and a moderating annual pace of price growth," said Mr. Syrianos.

Annual growth rates for MLS® HPI benchmark prices have moderated over the past two months, but remain strong. The MLS® HPI composite benchmark price was up by 25.3% on a year-over-year basis in June. June's average selling price for all home types combined for the TREB market area was $793,915, representing a 6.3% increase compared to the same month in 2016. A better supplied market has certainly been a key factor influencing the moderation in price growth.

"Recent Ipsos survey results suggest that home buying activity in the GTA will remain strong moving forward. On the supply side of the market, it certainly looks as though buyers will benefit from more choice in the second half of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016,” said Jason Mercer, TREB's Director of Market Analysis and Service Channels.

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 JUST HIT over 337,699 views!

Feeling like giving back? CAMP OOCHIGEAS

In 1983 an ambitious group of volunteers banded together to form a summer camp unlike any other in Canada. Exclusively serving children with cancer, it would be privately funded, staffed entirely by volunteers and completely free. A camp where every child, no matter how debilitating their illness, would be provided an opportunity to explore enriching, challenging, fun experiences through what is fondly referred to today as the Magic of Ooch. Jen & Julie were both honoured to volunteer as counsellors there and have the fondest memories of all they learned from the extraordinary campers and medical staff.

To Donate go to: www.ooch.org or phone 416-961-6624 ext 400

The JKT Recipe of the Month 

Tyler & Ashley’s Pesto Pasta Salad with Goat Cheese, Sundried Tomatoes & White Beans

A perfect side dish for any summer BBQ. YUM! Serves 4.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4lb fusilli (or other short pasta)
  • 1 can white beans, rinsed and drained
  • 3/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
  • 1 bunch baby spinach
  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes (from a jar in oil)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup pesto (plus extra if necessary)
  • Directions:
  1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente (has to be al dente or the pasta will get soggy). Drain pasta and rinse under cold water until cool. 
  2. In a large bowl, toss pasta with beans, goat cheese, spinach, red onion and sundried tomatoes. Add in pesto and mix to coat adding more as necessary or until desired amount is reached.  Salt and pepper to taste.  
  3. Put in the fridge for 1 hour prior to serving.  This melds the flavours together but it's not necessary if you're in a rush and want to eat right away. 
  4. Enjoy!

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

Tyler thanks for being a stable and guiding professional through this very stressful time. I would be happy to recommend you to anyone I know who is buying or selling. Thanks!

Ed and Paula

What They Got... More of our happy buyers & sellers!

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


54 Givins Street - Trinity Bellwoods

List Price: $1,498,000

Sold Under Asking


97 O'Hara Avenue - Parkdale/Roncy

List Price: $1,049,900

Sold Over Asking

 

3 Eriksdale Road ~ Markland Woods

List Price: $998,888

Sold Under Asking


800 King St W #603 ~ King West

List Price: $685,000

Sold Under Asking


134 Widdicombe Hill Blvd #204 ~ Etobicoke

List Price: $649,900

Sold Over Asking


245 Davisville Ave #LP04 ~ Davisville Village

List Price: $469,900

Sold Under Asking


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 Claire:


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.


Mortgage Rates

The JKT - A few of our Favourite Things:

Tyler

Tyler

  • Marina Animal Hospital in Mimico- Mogli had to get some dental work done recently, and the Doctor and Nurses there were so friendly and helpful. They even called the next day just to make sure he was doing okay. The Doctor clipped his nails and had a long conversation with me about nutritional eating with me, all free of charge. I can tell they really care about their patients.
Swing

Claire

  • Terroni’s at Yonge & Summerhill – Had my sons graduation dinner there and the food was delicious the service was amazing and the atmosphere is great. The 3rd floor rooftop is a really nice spot if you are looking for a summer patio to have drinks with friends and family.
  • Artistic Hair Lounge on Bayview in Leaside – I was in a wedding party and needed my hair done and what an amazing job they did. Run by a family of 4 sisters I would really recommend Yara she can do any style or updo, check them out!
Swing

Holly

  • Clothing Swap Parties – I hosted one in November and our friend and client Lindsay recently hosted one for summer clothing. These swaps are a fun way to clean out your closets and pick up a new wardrobe without spending a dime! You also get the benefit of styling feedback from the other attendees so you’re less likely to take home something you never end up wearing. Refreshments are usually provided by the host (featured drinks were Bellinis and Sangria!). #sharingeconomy
  • Kir-Yianni Estate Akakies Sparkling Rose from Greece – (thanks for the tip Caitlin and William!) 
Swing

Jen

  • Patio furniture - I just bought a conversation set and I love it. It is like adding another room to your house when you can sit and socialize in your backyard!
  • Canada - Happy 150 Canada!
Swing

Julie

  • Croatia - the spectacular Dalmatian Mountains and coastline - the olive groves (fresh oil), lavender bushes (soaps, oil etc), giant rosemary, the quaint fishing boats, red clay roofs, hilly terrain, Brac stone, the Plitvice National Park.
  • RTCC - What a fantastic experience and organized event. Our uber awesome 14 members of the Proud Mary’s bike team raised over $58,000!! And didn’t we look spiffy doing it? We are ALL working towards Conquering Cancer in OUR Lifetime!
  • Meditation Apps - if you’ve always wanted to try it, or improve your experience or go deeper, check out Headspace or Calm - great for easy, guided meditations.

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