Kinnear's Komments
Vol. 26, Issue 6, November 2018
Julie's Scoop
Hello JKT peeps,
Well, lots has happened since our last newsletter! Including the Municipal Elections, the US Midterm Elections, and the 100th anniversary of WWI Armistice Day. On a lighter note, we hope you had a fantastic Halloween! That is always a highlight in our home, grooving on the front porch to the Michael Jackson's album Thriller with fellow neighbours on theirs as we give out candy, and hoping the kids will recognize the music! I heard that there were 55 pumpkin parades in Toronto this year, and one of the first was where we always bring our pumpkins - Sorauren Park. What a fun November 1 tradition.
Our own JKTeam Pumpkin event was a new experiment that was great fun! We rented the Revue Cinema and showed a couple of awesome retro seasonal movies - lots of kids got to experience the big screen theatre for the first time, and there were many laughs, candy, popcorn and costumes!
Our JKTeam also happily pitched in at Thanksgiving at the Good Shepherd Ministries. This is always such a good reminder of how blessed we are, how important this shelter is in the community and how rewarding it is to help the less fortunate. Holly and I spent the bulk of the time working the area of recycled clothing, and the rest of the gang stayed energized prepping and serving a meal in the kitchens.
You have probably seen the messages this summer about expanding the team. We excitedly welcomed Lisa Taliano to the fold a few months ago. Lisa is a stellar individual with plenty of real estate and career experience taking care of clients at the highest level. Lisa shares our team vision of building life long client relationships - through guiding and consulting, rather simply a sales transaction.
Lisa T's experience from owning her own homes, as well as raising two daughters, along with her passion for health and wellness, believes that where people reside is integral to living a healthy lifestyle. Lisa is a long time resident of North Toronto, and has worked extensively across the GTA. Above all, Lisa's clients appreciate her sense of humour when they need it most and how she advocates for her clients the way she would advocate for herself & her own family.
We have all kinds of milestones on our team this year, including celebrating Holly Chandler's 10th year on our team! And Jen Palacios' 12th year (which passed by without much fan fare. Time flies when you're having fun!) Another landmark last spring was completing my 25th year in the business. Geez, not sure if that is something to celebrate or it just makes me sound old :) Ha!
There is much to discuss about the continued incremental mortgage rate increases and how and if it will impact you personally. Be sure to reach out to any one of us on the team to get some personalized information. The long and short story is so far so good, the rates are still pretty low in the grand scheme, although it does make a difference so don't put off your decision too long, and the Fall market has been very strong price wise, with still low inventory that will likely continue.
guiding you home,
Julie
P.S. Wishing you all a fabulous holiday season coming up and time to enjoy the moments as well as plan for a memorable 2019. Thank you for your continued support and loyalty. You are much appreciated.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Chit Chat....
Our awesome client Michael Sloan has started his own business Beatnik and Rustik. He is a local maker in Little Portugal, and his first product is Scratch Off World Travel Maps. They are doing really well, selling at markets, on Amazon, Etsy, Bunz, a number of local stores including the Harry Potter-esque Cruiosa in Parkdale. Check it out here.
Our delightful client Jim Blokland and his business partner Andrea Moodie have a feature film coming out in the new year. Keep an eye out for screenings of 52 Words for Love - One word. Each week. For a year.
52 Words for Love was acquired for distribution via Television, iTunes & Video On Demand by Films We Like, a Toronto-based distribution company for independent film.
Here's what people said about 52 Words for Love:
"The film made me feel like I need to reckon with what I call love."
"It was like being immersed in a deep meditation on love and relationships."
"52 Words reaches for a definition of love and refuses to define it.
So moving – so very very moving."
Market Watch - GTA REALTORS® Release October stats
November 5, 2018 - TREB President Garry Bhaura announced year-over-year increases in home sales & average sale prices reported through TREB's MLS® System in October 2018.
GTA REALTORS® reported 7,492 sales through TREB's MLS® System in October 2018 – a 6% increase compared to October 2017. On a preliminary seasonally adjusted basis, sales were down by 1% compared to September 2018.
The average sale price for October 2018 was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis to $807,340. After preliminary seasonal adjustment, the average selling price was up 1% compared to September 2018. The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Composite Benchmark was up by 2.6% compared to October 2017. Price growth continued to be driven by the condominium apartment and higher density low-rise market segments.
"Annual sales growth has been positive since the late spring. While the OSFI stress test & higher borrowing costs have kept sales below 2016's record pace, many households in the Greater Toronto Area remain upbeat on home ownership as a quality long-term investment. A strong regional economy & steady population growth will continue to support the demand for housing ownership as we move into 2019," said Mr. Bhaura.
There were 14,431 new Listings entered into TREB's MLS® System in October 2018 – down 2.7% compared to October 2017. The fact that sales were up & new listings were down year-over-year in October suggests that market conditions became tighter.
"Annual sales growth has outstripped annual growth in new listings for the last five months, underpinning the fact that listings supply remains an issue in the Greater Toronto Area. With municipal elections in the rear view mirror, all levels of government need to concentrate on policies that could remove impediments to a better-supplied housing market, including facilitating the development of a broader array of medium density housing choices," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Director of Market Analysis.
Feeling like giving back? DAILY BREAD FOOD BANK
This month we have chosen the Daily Bread Food Bank, it is a cause dear to all of our hearts as we run a food drive every October and volunteer each December for their Holiday Party prep. It is a day that celebrates all of their hard working volunteers and families. DBFB have a big meal, give out gifts & dance til they drop. It is an incredible organization that helps so many people get back into the work force and supports them as they get back on their feet. We have seen firsthand how much demand there is in Toronto for the most basic of needs – food. Please consider a financial donation or food contribution and other ways you can help here.
The JKT Recipe of the Month from our calendar
Recipe compliments of the LCBO Food & Drink.
Ingredients (makes 4 to 6 servings)
- 1 medium butternut squash
- Olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¾ lb (375 g) mild or hot Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cups (500 mL) sliced mixed mushrooms, (oyster, shiitake, button) about 4 oz (125 g)
- 1 red pepper, sliced into thin julienne strips
- 8 large sage leaves, coarsely chopped
- 1 lb (500 g) fusilli, rotini or penne
- ½ cup (125 mL) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400ºF (200ºC).
- Peel squash and discard seeds. Cut into ½-inch (1-cm) cubes. Place on a baking sheet, drizzle with about 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil, then toss. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss again. Roast in centre of preheated oven until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Then remove from oven.
- Meanwhile, remove sausages from casing and place in a large deep frying pan set over medium-high heat. Add a little olive oil if sausages are lean. Stir to break up meat. Once meat starts to lose its pink colour, add onion and mushrooms. Continue to cook and stir 5 more minutes, reducing heat if necessary. Add red pepper and sage, cook and stir 5 more minutes. Turn heat to low. (Or refrigerate sauce to this point, and finish when cooking the pasta).
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook just until al dente. Stir ½ cup (125 mL) pasta water into sauce. Then drain pasta well. Turn pasta into sauce along with squash and gently mix. Stir in Parmesan. Stir gently until combined. Taste and add salt if needed. Serve with additional Parmesan.
The Julie Kinnear Team's GEMs (Genuine Evidence of Merit)
The Martin/Kennedy's plus Charlie were super thrilled with your help beginning to end. I knew 14 years ago when I met Julie at an open house (before I had an agent) that she was perfect for us. She didn't disappoint when we bought our house and she sure as heck didn't disappoint when we sold. Claire, Lisa and of course the boss lady, Julie you were terrific. Thanks so much.
Cate
What They Got - More of our happy buyers & sellers!
A continuing column of the Julie Kinnear Team's sales...
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5 Marine Parade Drive #1209 ~ Mimico Sold Over Asking |
20 Southport Street #121 ~ High Park/Swansea List Price: $599,000 Sold Over Asking |
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170 Melrose Street ~ Mimico Sold Under Asking |
133 Wallace Street ~ Bloordale Village Sold Over Asking |
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25 Malcolm Road #103 ~ Leaside Sold Under Asking |
881 Windermere Avenue ~ Bloor West Village 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.
The JKT - A few of our Favourite Things:
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Tyler
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Claire
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Jen
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Holly
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Lisa T.
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Julie
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