Kinnear's Komments

Vol. 26, Issue 6, November 2017

Julie's Scoop

Lest We Forget…

November has this reputation of being cold and dark and dreary and the start of the Winter the Fall back time schedule - but it also includes Remembrance Day, Movember, the Royal Winter Fair, the One of a Kind Show, and my Birthday to name a few :)

Speaking of remembering our troops and armed forces that have fought valiantly for this country and our freedom... visiting Nova Scotia with my mother Brenda Kinnear recently was a terrific reminder of the sacrifices made, and the mighty importance of the Maritimes and Halifax Harbour & Citadel, in our country’s history and long before official creation to the Acadians, Mi’kmaq and Britain. Our annual mother & daughter trip was a great success as well, since we travelled the fascinating and stunning Cabot Trail and visited Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg etc. and the weather at the end of October was glorious! Could see for miles! And sometimes in shorts & a t-shirt! It was nice and quiet too as many businesses had closed in anticipation of the long winter.

Mother / daughter trip to Nova Scotia & Cape Breton was amazing!

Our team also fulfilled a dream volunteer opportunity at the Toronto Humane Society in September. Wow did we ever learn a lot about the great care they give these animals and the forever homes found. The animals are treated so well, and given a lot of human interaction and attention, as well as medical help etc. What a first class organization. Your donation to the Humane Society is money well spent. By the way, we also learned, not only do they re-home cats and dogs, they also have many rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, turtles, budgies you can adopt - pass it on! Thank you to those of you who helped donate already. Every quarter all of us get together and volunteer a half day at worthy charity as one of the ways we give back to our amazing city. If you would like us to help you or a charity you work with, please let us know - we are HERE to HELP!

Our team had so much fun volunteering with the Toronto Humane Society

The rest of the JKTeam took care of business while I was away, and it is really a bit of nose to the grindstone in the Fall, and as you will read in the Market Watch, the real estate market in Toronto has improved significantly both in number of transactions and stabilization and strength in the prices.

Obviously there are a variety of factors, including the new anticipated mortgage rules that are being implemented for the New Year. This new rule essentially is intended to protect buyers from any future anticipated interest rates by having a "stress test" that was previously only for properties under $1 million, and now it will be for properties over a million as well. This means that whatever rate is negotiated and agreed upon, then the buyers will have to actually qualify for a rate 2% higher than that. The fallout from this has mixed reviews right now. Many lenders and financial people are concerned that it will be another wrench in the mix. On the other hand, isn’t it better to be a bit conservative when dealing with money, mortgages, savings, etc. The question is whether the market can withstand more rules and regulations after the onslaught already this year. I sure hope that the Bank of Canada and the advisors are remembering how critical it is for the economy for all of us home owners to have our equity be protected and the market to stay strong.

guiding you home,
Julie

P.S. Did you get a chance to see the pictures of the annual Pumpkin event? We went BIG this year - with murder mystery theme, magician, games and a very cool event space! If you missed it - next year put it in your calendar early!! The pics are on the website!

JKTeam photo - Clue less :) Ms. Holly Peacock, Ms. Claire Scarlett, Mr. Tyler Green, Professor Jen Plum, and the Colonel Julie Mustard!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

Chit Chat...

When Toronto Life Magazine came knocking about the listing we had sold in Parkdale that had been in the same family for 65 years, we introduced our lovely clients Gail Macintyre, Marilyn & Rose Salnyk who had sold 96 Lansdowne with us. Rose’s wonderful story was published in the October 2017 edition.

Mary McLorn Valle is excited about her latest art show COLOUR CRUSH at Gallery 1313 which runs from Nov 8 until the 19th at 1313 Queen Street West in Parkdale. Her art is fabulous and I own a number of pieces. Check out her website and the Spotlight on our website about her work.

Babies...

- Penny Curtis, Phillip Farinha and big sister Lillian are loving their new bundle of joy, Kieran Reid, born on July 30.

He's growing fast and already weights 15lbs! Must be something in this East York water.

Baby Kieran Reid

- Satinder Susan Toor and Brian Boase welcomed their daughter Claire Bishan Boase, born on August 11 2017.

Finally filling up this home we bought with you. We have grown to madly love this neighbourhood. People all around us have bought us gifts and food. It's a wonderful loving community.

A big congratulations! So happy you have found a great community and home to put down roots.

Baby Claire Bishan Boase

- Big congratulations to first time parents Jen Drome and Darren Bunce! Baby Ronin Levi Bunce was born September 29, 2017 and a bit of a happy surprise being 5 weeks early :)

This feisty little guy burst into our lives and we've never been happier!

Baby Ronin Levi Bunce

Market Watch - GTA REALTORS® Release October Stats

November 2, 2017 - Toronto Real Estate Board President Tim Syrianos reported 7,118 residential sales through TREB's MLS® System in October 2017. This result represented an above-average increase between September and October of almost 12%, pointing to stronger fall market conditions.

On a year-over-year basis, October sales were down compared to 9,715 transactions in September 2016. Total sales reported through the first 10 months of 2017 amounted to 80,198 – down from 99,233 for the same time period in 2016.

"Every year we generally see a jump in sales between September and October. However, this year that increase was more pronounced than usual compared to the previous ten years. So, while the number of transactions was still down relative to last year's record pace, it certainly does appear that sales momentum is picking up," said Mr. Syrianos.

The MLS® Home Price Index Composite benchmark price was up by 9.7% on a year-over-year basis in October. Annual rates of price growth were strongest for townhouses and condominium apartments. The average selling price for October transactions was $780,104 – up by 2.3% compared to the average of $762,691 in October 2016.

"The housing market in the GTA has been impacted by a number of policy changes at the provincial and federal levels. Similar to the track followed in the Greater Vancouver Area, it appears that the psychological impact of the Fair Housing Plan, including the tax on foreign buyers, is starting to unwind," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Director of Market Analysis.

Feeling like giving back? HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

One of our favourite charities is Habitat For Humanity. The JKT have personally worked at both in their Re-Store warehouse and numerous house building work sites and met some of the families. It is amazing how they help out the recipients for the long term and reward determination and motivated people who help themselves.

Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, nonprofit organization working toward a world where everyone has a decent and affordable place to call home. Habitat Canada brings communities together to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership.
To donate please visit: www.habitat.ca

Keep Calm and Volunteer!

The JKT Recipe of the Month

Serves 4. Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 400g (14oz) premium quality British pork sausages
• 1 heaped tsp fennel seeds
• Good pinch chilli flakes
• 1 heaped tsp tomato puree
• 400g tin chopped tomatoes
• 150ml (1/4 pt) double cream
• 500g (1 lb 2oz) fusilli pasta
• 1 tbsp flat leaved parsley, chopped
• Freshly grated Parmesan to serve

Directions:

With a base of sausages and chopped tomatoes, it is a cheap and satisfying midweek meal. The creamy, meaty sauce is incredibly comforting, and makes a really filling crowd pleaser for the whole family.

1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the onion and sweat for 5 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Remove the skin from the sausages and crumble the meat. Add the sausage meat to the saucepan, along with the fennel seeds and chilli flakes and cook, stirring and breaking up the sausage meat with the back of a spoon until lightly browned.
2. Add the tomato puree and chopped tomatoes. Season well with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat and simmer the sauce for fifteen minutes. Finally stir in the cream and cook for a further five minutes until thick.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. Drain the pasta well, return to the pan and pour over the sauce. Add the parsley and stir well. Divide between four warmed bowls and serve immediately with plenty of grated Parmesan.

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

It has been nothing but a pleasure working with you on our house purchase Jen. We landed in just the right spot and just the right amount of downsizing to fit into the lovely condominium townhouse that we look so forward to occupying soon. One click on a link for a previous sale at Fashion Roseway a few months ago brought such a wonderful agent and a wonderful outcome for John and me. Thanks for everything. Jen, you truly did "guide us home,"

Gail & John.

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

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

89 Eagle Road - Springbrook Gardens List Price: $1,149,900 Sold Under Asking	29 Heintzman Street - The Junction List Price: $829,900 Sold Over Asking
98 Linnsmore Crescent - Danforth List Price: $779,000 Sold For Asking	208 Oak Park Avenue - East York List Price: $719,900 Sold Under Asking
70 High Park Ave #1709 - High Park List Price: $419,000 Sold Over Asking	356 McRae Drive #408 - Leaside List Price: $389,000 Sold Under Asking

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.

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The JKT - A few of our Favourite Things: