Kinnear's Komments
Vol. 26, Issue 3, May 2017
Howdy & Happy May 2-4 Weekend!
I hope everyone had a lovely Mother’s Day celebration last weekend. There are definitely benefits to social media - it was amazing to see all the tributes and warm feelings out there for all our beloved Moms.
May 2-4 for Mary & me means work weekend at the cottage. Our place in Haliburton Highlands East on Deer Lake is winterized, but there are always projects, and as they say many hands make light work…. We are very grateful to have friends and family to help out. This year there seemed to be a lot of damage to the trees etc with the repetitive freeze and thaw. The best part about this time of year is that it is boating season again! Woohoo! Now for some warmer weather please…Of course that comes with black flies and bugs etc, so there are silver linings to the cooler weather and frosty nights.
Last week our JKTeam and office participated in the World Wide Keller Williams annual “RED DAY” - the 2nd Thursday of every May - which is one of the many reasons KW inspires us - that commitment to giving back. KW RED Day - is meant to improve our local communities where we work. RED Day isn’t about cleaning up a park or a community centre. It is a one-day expression of what happens 24/7 in the Keller Williams culture. It is seeing a need, discovering who can meet that need and then getting it done.”
As far as the Toronto real estate market goes - it certainly is never dull in this business. After that major frenzy in February & March, the whole “supply & demand” rule came into focus. Obviously the media was going on and on about prices climbing and many people decided to try their luck in the spring market. We have seen the number of listings substantially increase after Easter. It has definitely changed the atmosphere from a total sellers market - to a more balanced market.
And with change, it has brought a bit of fear - especially the negative press re: Ontario government Fair Housing Rules (some being very logical, some issues not addressed but that’s another blog!), the banks being slightly downgraded, the unsustainability of the price hikes, the unaffordable lifestyle in Toronto etc. Prices have not radically changed although it has softened, and who knows how long this will last, but it is finally a good opportunity for buyers without massive bidding wars. This is welcome news for many! Let’s also remember how critical the real estate industry is to the economy, and not hope for doom and gloom. It is many people’s largest asset, and we all need to be ensure that real estate as a whole stays healthy.
On another note, have you seen the May 2017 issue of R.E.M.
(Real Estate Magazine)? The JKT was honoured to be the feature cover story editorial on how we built a business by your referrals! Thank you for making us a positive example for other realtors across Canada.
We wish you good health and to all the families with kids in school, a happy end of school track meets, productions, tests and exams and many exciting graduations!
guiding you home,
Julie
P.S. Thank you to Christina and Josh Murray for their generous Spa gifts to the JKT - check out the Chit Chat section.
P.P.S. Special shout out to the Giving Back section - this month we chose the registered Canadian charity Cafa. It is so inspiring to learn more about what this amazing group does. Our clients and cottage neighbours up North - Karen & Murray Jones have been heavily involved in helping these kids in Peru survive and thrive and celebrate life after the devastating, life altering experience after their burn accidents.
YOU can help TODAY by donating or simply buying one of the beautiful, and incredible quality items that they brought back from Peru. Check out this picture of my nephew Constantin who came to visit from Austria/Slovakia at the end of March modelling the beautiful sweater that we bought for him - so gorgeous and unique. There are beautiful scarves, sweaters, hats, for kids and adults.
QUOTE of the day:
Chit Chat...
Our fantastic clients Josh & Christina Murray are so excited to have recently purchased the Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa in Leaside. They have generously offered to help JKT friends and clients add a little more R'n'R to their lives. Book one of their Certified Estheticians or Registered Massage Therapists to provide you with a truly decadent experience of a Classic Women's, Men's or Teen Facial, or a 50 Minute Massage for only $49.95 (50% off of the regular price!).
Located as 85 Laird Drive in the Leaside Village Plaza (near Longo's). Call 647.748.8853 or visit them online and mention the JKT Newsletter when booking!
They have also generously donated one of their Classic Facials (a value of $113) for our May Krazy Kontest a big congrats to the winner Fredericka Wilkinson-Wai.
MARKET WATCH
Strong Growth in New Listings in April
May 3, 2017 - Toronto Real Estate Board President Larry Cerqua announced that GTA REALTORS® entered 33.6% more new listings into TREB's MLS® System in April 2017 compared to the same month in 2016. New listings were up by double-digits for all low-rise home types, including detached and semi-detached houses and townhouses. New listings for condominium were at the same level as last year.
Total sales for the TREB market area as a whole was down 3.2% year-over-year. One issue underlying this decline was the fact that Easter fell in April in 2017 versus March in 2016, which resulted in fewer working days this year compared to last and, historically, most sales are entered into TREB's MLS® System on working days.
"The fact that we experienced extremely strong growth in new listings in April means that buyers benefitted from considerably more choice in the marketplace. It is too early to tell whether the increase in new listings was simply due to households reacting to the strong double-digit price growth reported over the past year or if some of the increase was also a reaction to the Ontario government's recently announced Fair Housing Plan," said Mr. Cerqua. The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Composite Benchmark Price was up by 31.7% year-over-year in April 2017. Similarly, the average selling price for all home types combined was up by 24.5% to $920,791.
"It was encouraging to see a very strong year-over-year increase in new listings. If new listings growth continues to outpace sales growth moving forward, we will start to see more balanced market conditions. It will likely take a number of months to unwind the substantial pent-up demand that has built over the past two years. Expect annual rates of price growth to remain well-above the rate of inflation as we move through the spring and summer months," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Director of Market Analysis.
Our Youtube Channel
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 332,280 views!
Feel like giving back?
CAFA - Canadian Friends of Aniquem Health Development Corporation
Founded by Karen and Murray Jones CAFA is a Canadian registered charity helping kids who go to the not for profit burn clinic called ANIQUEM in Lima. The kids come from all over the country, and CAFA helps with transport to the clinic, emergency food and lunch the day of their visit, twice yearly camps for kids to get away and make friends, scholarships and more.
They also sell the sweaters, scarves of all types, hats, and silver jewelry. All donations and proceeds from the sales go 100% to the programs in Lima, the board even pays for their own travel costs. Tax receipts for all donations.
To Donate go to: www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/canadian-friends-of-aniquem-health-development-corporation/
From personal experience, it is extremely easy and rewarding to help out by purchasing any of the beautiful, and incredible quality items that Karen & Murray & the Board have brought back from Peru. Check out this picture of my nephew Constantin who came to visit us from Austria/Slovakia at the end of March modelling the beautiful sweater that we bought for him - so gorgeous and unique.
Constantin wearing his CAFA sweater
There are beautiful scarves, sweaters, hats, for kids and adults. Literally between $20-$50. Contact Julie today for your orders!
The JKT Recipe of the Month
Jen's Best & Easiest Salad Dressing
This is a winner for its simplicity alone!
Ingredients (equal parts):
- balsamic vinegar
- extra virgin olive oil
- maple syrup
Excellent!
The Julie Kinnear Team's GEMs
(Genuine evidence of Merit)
Dear Julie, Thank you for the great efforts in the sale of our house in Roncesvalles. Frank and I would like to extend our sincere thanks to you and your team for a job well done. Hosting the Agent’s Open house with flowers, getting the cleaning crew in, house inspections, and the numerous follow up with the tenant (and feeding her cat!) are just some examples of your great work that we want you to know has not gone unnoticed. Leading up to closing, I’m sure there are still plenty of ‘behind the scenes’ stuff that you are handling and we appreciate it too. Honestly, you guys are fantastic. We have told others in our office if they’re looking for top-notch realtors to head your way.
Linda & Frank
What they got! More of our happy buyers!
A continuing column of the Julie Kinnear Team's sales...
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45 Borden Street ~ University Downtown Core Sold Over Asking |
120 Rosedale Valley Road #305 ~ Rosedale Sold Over Asking |
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249 Renforth Drive ~ Markland Woods Sold Over Asking |
2 Fieldway Road #608 ~ Islington City Centre Sold Over Asking |
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270 Scarlett Road #1505 ~ Lambton Square Sold Over Asking |
51 Trolley Crescent #623 ~ Moss Park List Price: $379,000 Sold Over 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 – Courtesy of Carrie Davidson
Dominion Lending Centres Service First Mortgages #12089 License #M08003121
www.carriedavidson.com| Phone: 416-693-6946 | |
The JKT – A few of our Favourite things:
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Tyler
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Claire
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Holly
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Jen
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Julie
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