Toronto Real Estate Newsletter March 2020

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Vol. 29, Issue 2, March 2020

Julie's Scoop

I’m writing this on #NationalPuppyDay which is way more fun to think about than obviously what is on everyone’s mind - the COVID-19 pandemic. See further along in our newsletter for options on how you can help donate to the Canadian charities that need our good will at this time. These charities are on the front lines both medically and in serving our most vulnerable populations.

Julie with Mickey & Murphy

What I have noticed more than anything is our need to feel close despite being in “self-isolation” or quarantine. Community can happen in many ways and this week Mary & I were invited to our first “Virtual Cocktail party” which we are very much looking forward to! And Jen is receiving a lot of help as she self-isolates. It is absolutely inspiring to see all the creative and brilliant and amusing things posted - to help us stay healthy, happy and connected. The athletes, entertainers and companies out there who are being so generous with their information, webinars, online concerts and opening up premium options for free on many apps, deferring mortgages, unlimited data, eliminating time shifting, etc. etc. There is a lot of good coming from this around the world. And many lessons to be learned. This is history in the making.

Those are what can help shield us from fear, heartbreak, job losses,  and many stories of hardship out there. Trying to let go of the disappointments of having to cancel trips, family reunions, milestone celebrations, weddings, fundraisers, operations, school & sports to name a few. I think it is ok to be sad. I’m sure kids are very sad. And parents are nervous, and overwhelmed. So that is why I keep remembering a quote about manifesting good in our lives:

Background photo by
Evelyn

We have learned a lot in a short time about our options of selling real estate through the wider use of virtual technology. Although some people might find it offensive to be even discussing “sales” at this at this time, holding onto hope, and future planning is extremely healthy for all of us and will help us through the present uncertainty. Our JKTeam has already learned and implemented many different health measures as far as social distancing, disinfecting, limiting in person interactions, and staying within the guidelines of the Government of Ontario along with the recommendations from Public Health & OREA. Real Estate was deemed an essential service, so we will carry on and serve our clients in their time of need. The really good news for our peeps is that we have been embracing leading edge technology for many many years!

Check out Holly’s most recent video to give you more clarity on how we are now working, and how we can help you. We have had great success for years by selling our properties “on-line” with some out of town buyers never viewing the property in person prior to purchasing, based on our extensive videos, floor plans, inspection information, expenses, etc. Buying online has continued to soar, and real estate has now gone virtual. We can even do virtual staging, use FaceTime live for open houses and many other tools so you too may avoid going in person.

Check out Holly's video to see how we work now

guiding you home™,
Julie

P.S. Please keeping washing your hands! Keep your social distance. Keep boosting your immune system. Check if anyone around you needs help. We are all in this together. Xo

Our clients are looking for the best quality information about deciding on best schools and neighbourhoods - that is why we've partnered with a SchoolQ providing invaluable resources! Visit schoolQ.ca/juliekinnearteam & let us know what you think!

Quote of the Day:


Background photo by Jonny Kennaugh

Earth Day


Full Disk Earth, Apollo 17, 1972. Photo by The New York Public Library on Unsplash

Oh! Reminder to turn off your lights for Earth Hour, Sat. March 28, 8:30 pm.

Fur Babies…

In honour of #NationalPuppyDay this week, thought we would highlight some new puppies!

  • Michelle and Scott Pennock & family - welcomed Salty - a Lab, Huskie, Shephard mix from Manitoba and a ball of fun!
  • Chris O’Toole and Julie Ross O’Toole & family welcomed Guinness - a Whoodle (Wheaton/Poodle mix)
  • Jim and Kirsten Blokland & family welcomed Ivy - a pure-bred Havanese
  • Chris and Allan MacDonald & family welcomed Florence - a pure-bred Black Labrador

Krazy Kontest Winner…

This Month was the BIG draw - all entries for the year also got included - Congratulations to Megan Acsai and Niranjan Logsetty who each won $500 at any shop/food at any of the fancy Cadillac Fairview Malls!

Market Watch ~ February 2020 Stats

March 4, 2020 - (Please note the information below was written & released prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. We continue to study the current sales, and thankfully there have been quite a number of sales, multiple offers & record prices. Contact us today for up to the minute information to help you make a decision for yourselves on what is the best strategy for you at this time.)

In line with the forecast contained in the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board’s recently released Market Year in Review and Outlook Report, TREB President Michael Collins announced a very strong year-over-year sales and price growth in February 2020.

Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 7,256 residential transactions through TRREB’s MLS® System in February 2020, representing a 45.6% increase compared to a 10-year sales low in February 2019.

However, February 2020 sales were still below the 2017 record result. Year-over-year sales growth, for the GTA as a whole, was strongest for ground-oriented home types.

After preliminary seasonal adjustment, February 2020 sales also exhibited positive momentum, up by 14.8% compared to January 2020.New listings amounted to 10,613 in February 2020, a 7.9% increase compared to February 2019.


This moderate annual growth rate was much smaller than that reported for sales, which means market conditions tightened considerably over the past year.

As market conditions tightened over the past year, competition between buyers has clearly increased. This resulted in a further acceleration in year-over-year price growth in February. The MLS® Home Price Index Composite Benchmark was up by 10.2%. The average selling price for all home types combined was up by 16.7% to $910,290. Double-digit average price growth was experienced for most major market segments, including detached houses and condominium apartments.

Feeling like Giving Back?

CanadaHelps.org has set up an easy way to donate to a variety of Canadian charities that are responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic Response.

These amazing charities are working with local Governments, WHO and other agencies to either stop the spread along or providing aid and medical supplies or supporting local communities and those most vulnerable populations.

Your support will fund crucial research and expand the community measures today.

Donate here: www.canadahelps.org/en/donate-to-coronavirus-outbreak-response

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

A company's success is strongly impacted by the customer reviews and for those of us in real estate, Google reviews and Facebook reviews create the biggest impact. We are asking for your help to go online and add your input and we will happily donate to a charity of your choice for your efforts!

You can do it on Google Maps here (it's very very important that you write a comment as well in addition to the rating), or you can also leave the same review on JKT's Facebook page here by clicking on "Yes" next to the "Do you recommend the JKT?" It's true, 5* reviews are almost as precious as a referral nowadays!

"We would absolutely recommend Lisa Taliano of the Julie Kinnear team to our friends & family. She was able to find us a lovely "forever home" that fit our budget in a very tight market. It still hasn't sunk in! We felt confident having her negotiate on our behalf - she is experienced & dedicated.

In particular Lisa went above & beyond by providing a personal touch, making sure we were comfortable & in control of all decisions during the ups & downs of the offer process, which can be very stressful. Lisa was always quick to respond to questions & continued to help us even after our deal closed. Her team also connected us with a great mortgage broker & lawyer, covering all the services associated with the purchase. We will miss Lisa Taliano for now but would definitely call upon her services again if we decide to sell or buy real estate in the future.

- Jeff & Melissa

Interested in new build condos and townhouses? We have access to pre-public sales of new developments. Be sure to get in touch to take advantage of this leg up!

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

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

29 Princeton Road ~ Kingsway

List Price: $1,975,000

Sold Over Asking

40 McGill Street ~ Downtown Core

List Price: $1,149,000

Sold Over Asking

98 St Hubert Avenue ~ East York

List Price: $799,000

Sold Over Asking

37 Glory Crescent ~ West Hill

List Price: $619,900

Sold Over Asking

29 Corbett Avenue ~ Rockcliffe Smythe

List Price: $599,000

Sold Over Asking

1185 The Queensway #202 ~ Etobicoke

List Price: $498,765

Sold Under Asking

Did You Know? We have a large number of awesome trusted realtors in different towns and communities across Ontario, Canada and Internationally. Just get in touch so we can introduce you.

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.

The JKT's Featured Furry Friend – Julie’s dog Murphy

Murphy is the other half of our twosome of Mickey and Murphy. You can check our January newsletter for Mick.

The Murphster, (or Jesus Murphy in some of the more trying moments) is an 8 year old very athletic black cockapoo from a fabulous breeder up near our cottage in Bancroft. From the first moment we met her she was always aching for attention, looking you right in the eyes and wanting to be close. And she has never changed! It is her best quality, because literally everyone responds to it - she just sets her eyes on you, and warms right up and seems to just love every person equally (not so much other dogs though)! Murphy makes people feel super special and is especially fond of little children, often running up to them in High Park or on the street sitting or lying down, hoping that they might give her a pet. Murphy & Mickey are inseparable, and love to run in the woods, in High Park, swim in the lake - (Murphy swims way way out, Mickey tends to just wade) and pretty much do everything together. We are blessed with these two little fur babies who make our lives so much more full.

The JKT - A few of our Favourite Things:

Claire

  • Healthcare workers, grocery store workers and delivery drivers – Truly selfless heroes that go to work every day to ensure our safety that we have food and our basic needs are delivered right to our front door.

Jen

  • Friends and family  – Since returning from Mexico, I have been in self-isolation. On my return home, Elena (my sister) bought me groceries and left them in my condo. I picked up my groceries and my dogs and headed to Caledon. Since I’ve been here, my friends have been checking on me and asking if I need anything. I’ve had fruit and groceries dropped off (on my porch), as well as warm pancakes and banana bread from my neighbours. Love! Xox
     

Holly

Lisa

  • Grocery Delivery Service - it’s really important now, more than ever, in the midst of this virus. I have never used this service until this recent weekend. There are many services and more companies are offering it to help prevent the spread and keep people home. Some examples in Toronto are: Grocery Gateway, Instacart, Fresh City Farms, Inabuggy (which will deliver from a variety of retailers including LCBO) There are also local businesses now offering delivery in order to be proactive and increase safety and service to customers. Well done!

Brenda

  • Streetscapes in Roncy with beautiful brick homes of every size and condition. Sunnyside Ave is so bright and full of life.

Jay

  • My favourite thing this day is for all Canadians to be safe from the current danger of contacting COVID-19. Essential to be vigilante to practice “physical distancing.” I cannot stress this enough. Implement safe practices and be healthy!
    • COVID-19 - Protect Yourself

Julie

  • SIGNAL is similar to the other options like Facetime/Whatsapp etc as a messaging app and actually does employ end-to-end ecryption for privacy, it is a free and open source app. Great for sending pics, audio/video and encrypted phone convos. Great option for you these days.
  • Steve Jobs Book by Walter Isaacson - I enjoyed all 600 pages. Intense and inspiring - talk about committed to his craft and vision! Alot of different lessons to be learned both positive and negative.
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