Vol. 32, Issue 2, October 2024
- Julie's Scoop
- Quote of the Day
- Krazy Kontests
- A few of our Favourite things
- JKT UPCOMING EVENT
- Real Estate Market
- Mortgage Rates
- Feeling like Giving Back?
- The Julie Kinnear Team's GEMs (Genuine Evidence of Merit)
- Chit Chat…
- What They Got - More of our happy buyers & sellers!
Julie's Scoop
Exciting Announcement!
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope this message finds you & your family well. Haven’t we been lucky with the balmy weather so late in the year? Feeling pretty grateful that we have so far avoided alot of the extreme weather phenomena. As I write this the Gulf Coast of Florida is preparing for a wicked hurricane.
I was pretty thrilled to attend the 100th anniversary in September of the overnight camp that I attended growing up - Camp Oconto. It certainly shaped me in many ways with the skills learned, leadership and practical skills like swimming / lifeguarding. It also started me volunteering as a counsellor at Camp Oochigeas (camp for kids with cancer). I am so grateful for those many years forging deep lifelong friendships that are still with me today. If you need anyone to highlight the virtues of camp, count me in! I am also grateful for camp as it was through Oconto that I met long time JKT member Jen Palacios, and consequently that I met her sister, my wife Mary!! So all around yay! The reunion weather was pretty darned perfect. Double Yay!
There is lots going on at the JKT. We have had a super successful & rewarding year working together with many clients selling and buying. The interest rates continuing to drop helped, along with the pent up demand after a very slow 2nd half of 2023. The Fall market is a little a hit and miss right now as some buyers seem to be waiting / anticipating a further drop in rates. Ironically when buyers are trying to time the market perfectly they often end up buying as home prices are on the rise again. I am happy about some of the new changes also coming - especially the increase of the insured mortgage level from $1 mil to $1.5 mil which makes alot of sense in the city. It allows buyers with less than 20% down to make a move and insured mortgage rates are often significantly lower.
The really BIG news that I am absolutely THRILLED to share is that the JKT joined forces this year with the Farquhar Advantage team led by Courtney Farquhar & Ruairi O’Brien. You know that feeling when the stars align, and everything… just… clicks? That is precisely how to describe the series of events that have led to this moment.
This partnership will represent an alliance between two highly reputable and well-established teams, each of which brings decades of experience and an impressive track record of success to the table.
You can find multiple short videos on the front page of our website of interaction between Julie, Courtney & Ruairi to give a greater understanding of how cohesive and kismet this partnership is.
What does this mean for you?
You will enjoy the same consummate level of client care to which you are accustomed under the expert stewardship of our newly minted team.
You will continue to receive the industry leading expertise that you have always been able to rely upon, but it will now be powered by an even more robust support network as a result of this partnership and the infrastructure that comes along with it.
As for the client response, the reception has been warm and enthusiastic. Says Jane Smith, a long-time client of the Farquhar Advantage “I have always been able to rely on the Farquhar Advantage for consummate client care and up-to-the-minute market advice. Now that their team has grown to include the expertise of the Julie Kinnear Team, I know I have even more resources at my disposal. I can’t wait to do business with this bigger, even better team. From my perspective, I couldn’t ask to be in better hands.”
Do you have questions? We would love to hear from you. Please reach out today so that we can discuss the many ways that our new partnership can contribute to your success.
guiding you home™,
Julie
P.S. The Halloween Movie Matinee is very soon - be sure to RSVP today if you are able to come! We would love to see you and it will be such fun! Sunday October 20th @12pm.
P.P.S. The most important thing to do if you are contemplating your options is to stay up to date and informed. Toronto is full of micro markets, and things are constantly changing.
We are here to help guide you or any of your referrals to understand your specific needs to reach your housing or real estate investment goals. Thank you for your trust!
Quote of the Day:
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 JKT gift certificate.
Kongrats to our previous recent winners:
- April: Heather McCourt chose Tobiko Sushi in the Kingsway
- June: David Hamilton chose Maison T on Shaw Street
- July: Cam Britton chose Curry Twist in the Junction
- August - Claudio Duran chose Honest Weight in the Junction
- September - Carla Nikolovski chose Azarias Restaurant in the Kingsway
The JKT - A few of our Favourite Things:
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JayTook in a Friday night Blue Jay Baseball game versus the St.Louis Cardinals with a good friend from Vancouver in September marking the end of Summer. Looking forward to a rejuvenated Blue Jays in 2025! |
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Julie
JKT's Favourite Things Friday - MiiR 360 Traveler
Skates for your appliances |
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BrendaAs a political junkie in this fraught election season my favourite source for news and commentary and rational thought is The Bulwarkstarted in 2018 by Never Trump Republicans. Great YouTube channel, thoughtful newsletters, fabulous commentators. Lots of fun, great community of subscribers considered to be family. |
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CourtneyI am passionate about exploring new cuisines through dining out and find true joy in entertaining at home. My favourite is to create special meals for friends & family, pairing them with great wine and setting the mood with good music. It's all about bringing people together for unforgettable experiences! |
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RuairiWe've been fortunate to take some incredible family vacations, but one of my absolute favourites was our trip to the Greek island of Paros. We stayed in a beautiful Airbnb just steps from the beach and the charming town of Naousa. With a rental car at our disposal, we had the freedom to explore the island at our own pace, discovering hidden gems and soaking in the laid-back Mediterranean vibe. |
JKT Upcoming Event
It's BAAACKKKK....
You're Invited to our Spooktacular Family Movie Matinee! 🎃👻
Don't you LOVE watching flix on the BIG screen??!! In a RETRO theatre? Please join us for a private screening of the family friendly Hotel Transylvania!!!
🎬 Hotel Transylvania
📅 Sunday October 20th
🕛 12pm
In partnership with @farquharadvantage !!
Costumes, treats, and a silly spooky movie await, and we just need your RSVP.
Bring your family / godchildren / friends and enjoy this spooktacular event! 👻
Secure your spot before it's too late!
Market Watch ~ More Affordable Market ~ Rates Cuts
Greater Toronto Area (GTA) home sales increased year-over-year in September. Buyers were starting to take advantage of more affordable market conditions brought about by interest rate cuts and lower home prices.
“As buyers take advantage of changes to mortgage lending guidelines and borrowing costs trend lower, home sales will steadily increase in relation to population growth. With every rate cut, a growing number of GTA households will afford a long-term investment in home ownership, including first-time buyers,”
said Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) President Jennifer Pearce.
GTA REALTORS® reported 4,996 home sales through TRREB’s MLS® System in September 2024 – up by 8.5 per cent compared to 4,606 sales reported in September 2023. New listings entered into the MLS® System amounted to 18,089 – up by an even greater 10.5 per cent yearover-year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, September sales increased on a monthly basis compared to August, along with new listings.
The MLS® Home Price Index Composite benchmark was down by 4.6 per cent year-over-year in September 2024. The average selling price, at $1,107,291 was down by a lesser one per cent compared to the September 2023 average of $1,118,215. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average selling price edged up slightly compared to August.
“The annual improvement in September home sales was more than matched by the increase in new listings over the same period. This resulted in a better-supplied market and increased negotiating power for buyers re-entering the market. The ability to negotiate on price, led to moderate year-over-year price declines, particularly in the more affordable condo apartment and townhouse segments, which are popular with first-time buyers,”
said TRREB Chief Market Analyst Jason Mercer.
“We are pleased with the positive changes to mortgage lending guidelines announced over the past month. The ability for existing mortgage holders to shop around for the best rate without facing the stress test will result in more affordable renewals. Longer amortization periods and the ability to insure mortgages for purchases over $1 million dollars will give home buyers more options as the GTA housing market recovers. TRREB has long been calling for these changes to give buyers more flexibility as they navigate their home buying journey,”
said TRREB CEO John DiMichele.
Mortgage Rates
You might think that the bank you’re with is going to give you the best rate on your mortgage. Many times, you’d be incorrect.
The person you really want to speak to is a mortgage lender. All they do all day is mortgages. Many of them even have special programs that can make buying a home more affordable.
Having a pre-approval letter is essential. It also lets you know exactly how much you can afford, as online estimates are rarely accurate.
"A" Lending:
Fixed 4.29%* for insured
Fixed 4.74% for conventional
Variable 5.30% for insured
Variable 5.95% for uninsured
Rental 4.99% fixed | 6.55% variable
Prime Rate 6.45%
Qualifying Rate - Contract Rate + 2%
Next rate set by Bank of Canada is on Oct 23, 2024
Feeling like Giving Back?
Cope Service Dogs - Unleashing Potential
COPE Service dogs help people overcome the limitations of their disabilities and the barriers in their environment.
In addition, the number of personal assistant (human) hours required for care decreases by an average of 78%. Other studies support the findings of improved self-esteem, independence and social acceptance.
In 2000, Jane Boake founded Canine Opportunity, People Empowerment (COPE) near Barrie, Ontario, Canada.
COPE aims to provide highly skilled service dog partners to people with disabilities and to enhance the lives of youth experiencing challenges by involving them in the training process of the dogs.
For more information and a link to donate and give back
If you are in the position to pay it forward, please donate to a favourite charity at this time. 💕
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 youwrite 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!
Chit Chat...
I am always amazed at the breadth of talent and interests our clients have and contribute to the world with. Here are 2 amazing examples:
Struggling with ADHD? Or to Keep Up with your Work?
- Learn to thrive in a supportive ADHD Learning Circle
- Learn Practical Strategies to Stay on top of your work and life.
- Connect & Learn with others who get it, who understand your unique thinking.
- Learn to Advocate for your needs.
If you have any friends or family or clients or people who might know others who could benefit - Heidi Schaefer is an experienced ACTION LEARNING COACH specializing in ADHD www.heidischaefercoaching.ca
or contact Heidi to find out more:
MyCircles.ca
MyCircles curates workshops and experiences for busy families to enjoy in their neighbourhoods, where you can walk to the events and leave the car at home. Our amazing client & JKT fan Denise Fraser who lives in Bedford Park with her family has put together some really neat and creative workshops. They range from babysitting courses, photoshoots, unique or holiday crafts with artisans, women only dance parties/raves, to Dangers of Social Media for kids. Check it out here or email for more info.
Check out the amazing free interactive session on navigating social media for both parents and kids over 12 years on Oct 16. This is online so anyone can join!
What They Got - More of our happy buyers & sellers!
A continuing column of the Julie Kinnear Team's sales...
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54 Grenadier Road - Roncesvalles Village: ~ Sold over asking (represented Seller) |
195 Redpath Avenue #2307 - North Toronto - (represented buyer) |
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369 Sorauren Avenue #505 - Roncesvalles Village ~ Sold over asking (represented seller) |
356 Mcrae Drive #411 - Leaside ~ SOLD (represented buyer) |
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WHAT WE HAVE...
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61 Yonge Blvd - Lovely Detached Family Home in Bedford Park! |
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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.