Kinnear's Komments

Vol. 23, Issue 5, September 2015

Julie’s Scoop

Happy Fall to our fabulous friends and clients,

How crazy was the weather last week in Toronto? Going from massive heat wave to 20 degrees cooler virtually overnight? Oh well, keeps us on our toes, and using all types of clothing in our wardrobes. Of course it is back to school time. Hope you kids and parents out there are feeling a bit settled after the first week. So much to look forward to! And hey this year our beloved Blue Jays are making it COUNT! These September games are so exciting, as they all have been since the end of July and trade deadlines. Go Jays Go!

It feels like a fresh new start in the real estate world too. The Fall market is the 2nd big wave of the year and it has come on with a bang! The summer was very strong, and this September we are seeing more “pre-emptive” bids, and anxious buyers ready to settle down, and willing to put their $$ where their mouths are. I feel like this could be the time where we look back and say, it was a good thing we sold in 2015.

Team day

Our team has had a very nice summer. A rewarding balance of work and play.

Most of us got a chance to support our Canadians at the Pan Am Games. They really kicked off a good feeling vibe here in T.O.

Jen and Claire at new office

Our team once again had a blast doing manual labour and “gave back” by spending a day volunteering at The Daily Bread Food Bank. Contributing in any way we can. It is such a great organization.

We took some time off together to explore Toronto as JKTourists this summer too. We visited Ripley’s Aquarium and the refurbished Queen’s Quay. Did you get a chance to eat down at Front Street - in front of the freshly renovated Union Station? A gourmet/artisanal outdoor food court - with a liquor licence opened! Check out frontstreetfoods.com until Sept 27/15.

And of course Claire and Jen have moved into our new “satellite” office at Yonge & Davisville, as they focus more on our sales in the central part of Toronto, including Davisville Village, Leaside, North Toronto, Chaplin Estates, the Annex etc. We hosted a super fun client event on a patio in Leaside in August to celebrate. Please be sure to let any of your friends and neighbours know.

Jen and Julie were lucky enough to jet off to Austin, Texas for the Keller Williams annual conference call “Mega Camp”. Aside from being in a constant muggy heat wave, and freezing air conditioning, it was lots of fun! There was a ton of interesting info re: technology in real estate, how to best keep in touch with clients, and to reach the new “millennials”.

Jen and Julie at Megacamp

You will note in the section with updates from the Toronto Real Estate Board that sales are still going strong and of course with the slide of the stock market, and the interest rates staying at record lows, it is the main investment for most Torontonians, and the confidence in the market continues. Please call us today if you are interested in buying or knowing how much the value of your home has changed in the past year.

guiding you home,

Julie

P.S. Ask us about our new office and who is focusing on the Central areas of Toronto!

P.P.S. We sold our first listing in September for over 30% of asking price in just 2 days! Please call/email today if you’re considering selling this Fall. We did a lot of prep to make this happen, and can help you maximize your value too!

QUOTE of the day:

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.

Sydney J. Harris

Chit chat…

• Graham Curry would love to share her Autumn Encaustic Art Classes with everyone to register contact or check out her website. Classes are limited to small sizes so students will enjoy one-on-one instruction and individual help throughout the workshop. ‘Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, involves using heated beeswax to which coloured pigments have been added…’ Wikipedia.
• Karin Lunan and Tim Braund had a wonderful summer doing a house exchange with a family in Toulon in the south of France.
• Fintan Robb shared the most amazing thing for anyone doing a home renovation. Check out this great way to get a sizeable rebate on the work you have done check it out renobate.ca
• Nik Manojlovich has created a fun and fabulous new blog/website Weekend at the Cottage offering useful tips and information about everything from recipes and gardening to design, decor, collectibles, easy DIY projects and so much more! Check it out weekendatthecottage.com
• Martha Sharpe has gone from editor to bookseller and recently opened an exciting & intimate new shop. You can visit Flying Books at 1080 Queen Street West, east of Dufferin, located inside the Weekend Variety, a “Cultural Gifts Shop”. Check out flyingbooks.ca and sign up to hear about great books and events.

Sales and Average Price up in August

September 4, 2015 - Toronto Real Estate Board President Mark McLean announced that Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported a 5.7% increase compared to August 2014. On a GTA-wide basis, sales were up for all major home types.

The annual growth rate in new listings was greater than the annual growth rate in sales, but active listings at the end of August were still down compared to last year. This suggests that sellers' market conditions remained in place, especially where low-rise home types like detached, semis and townhouses were concerned.

"Buyers in the GTA remain confident in their ability to purchase and pay for a home over the long term. They see home ownership as a quality investment that has historically produced positive returns while at the same time providing owners with a place to live in their chosen community,"

said Mr. McLean.

Both the MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) Composite Benchmark and the average selling price for all home types combined were up substantially in August compared to the same period in 2014, with both increasing by approximately 10% year-over-year.

"A record year for home sales continued to unfold in August as competition between buyers exerted upward pressure on selling prices. It was encouraging to see annual growth in new listings outstrip annual growth in sales, but we will need to see this for a number of months before market conditions become more balanced,"

said Jason Mercer, TREB's Director of Market Analysis.

Sales & Average Price by Major Home Type in the Toronto 416 area for August 2015

$1,017,652 – Detached
$662,968 – Semi-detached
$524,136 – Townhouse
$406,587 – Condo

Feeling like Giving Back? Jumpstart by Canadian Tire

The vision of Jumpstart is simple: Canada, where all kids have a chance to fulfill their dreams.

Jumpstart is a national charity with a commitment to local communities. Organized sports connect kids to their communities. 100% of donations made go directly to help kids through Jumpstart.

They are able to do this because Canadian Tire Corporation funds all general and administrative expenses of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. By donating to Jumpstart, you can rest assured that every penny of your donation will be directly supporting the kids who need it most.

Help give all kids a sporting chance! Donate at http://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/en/donate or donate any of your old Canadian Tire money like I did at your nearest CT store!

The Julie Kinnear Team's 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 has had over 242,801 hits!

6 Fun Facts About Our Very Own Holly Chandler

Holly Chandler

1) How many hats do you own?

7: 4 made by my good friend Karyn Gingras of Lilliput Hats who is one of the top Milliners in the world. The others include a cheap fedora I bought at the airport, a large straw hat and a Hamilton Tiger-cats baseball cap. I have it only because it has a big gold H on the front.

2) What’s been your best present?

Laser eye surgery for my 30th b-day.

3) If you could only eat one thing in the world what would it be?

Soup.

4) What was the last song you danced to?

“Let’s Dance” David Bowie.

5) What do you think the greatest invention has been?

Contraceptives.

6) If you could steal one thing without consequence what would it be?

Nothing. There is always a consequence because I have a conscience.

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

“Thanks to Julie and all the team. Three weeks from meeting Julie to a firm sell of our house, for over asking. Most of you never saw our house so you don’t know that a miracle was pulled off here.” Again, thanks

Bruce and Colleen

What they got!

More of our happy buyers have found their new home!! A continuing column of the Julie Kinnear Team’s sales…

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 Steph at:

2 Burrows Avenue ~ Princess-Rosethorn
List Price: $1,449,900
Sold Under Asking

38 Brumell Avenue ~ Baby Point
List Price: $959,000
Sold Over Asking

63 Osler Street ~ The Junction Triangle
List Price: $749,900
Sold Over Asking

189 Glebemount Avenue ~ East York
List Price: $599,900
Sold Over Asking

232 Maria Street ~ The Junction
List Price: $519,900
Sold Under Asking

35 Brian Peck Crescent PH#16 ~ Leaside
List Price:  $419,900
Sold Over 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!

Mortgage rates

Courtesy of Carrie Davidson - Dominion Lending Centres Service First Mortgages #12089 License #M08003121 www.carriedavidson.com Phone: 416-693-6946

VARIABLE RATE as low as 2.05% ~ CURRENT PRIME RATE IS 2.70%
Some conditions may apply. Rates subject to change without notice! *O.A.C. E. & O.E.

The JKT – A few of our Favourite things:

Stephanie

• My friend Ryan & Chris's wedding at Russell Red Guest House and the Lost Arts Academy in Haliburton. The grooms, the venue, the family, the friends and the food, One word: FANFREAKINGTASTIC!

Claire

• Our amazing new office at Yonge & Davisville. It is so nice to not be stuck in traffic jams or subway delays. I have been enjoying the fresh air and exercise walking to and from work every day and already lost a few pounds. Can’t wait to get a Fitbit to track my steps daily! I am very grateful.
• Bermuda. Spent some time there this summer and loved it, only a 2.5 hour flight from Toronto, a small island the cleanest I have seen of all my vacations. Friendly people, very safe and great shopping in Hamilton!

Tyler

• Home Depot - I've been doing work around the house recently, and have had to make several trips to pick up materials for different jobs (painting, plumbing, drywall, etc).  I'm not a handy guy, so I really appreciate having everything in one place and having trained staff to help me figure out what the heck I'm doing!

Holly

A Little Rambunctious

• "A Little Rambunctious" also known as “Rambunctious”. A Toronto based improvisational jazz, swing and jump blues band. Their slogan is: "You make up a title, we make up a song." It's amazing how this band can put these songs together so quickly with such cohesion.  My song title was: "Bourbon Park". 
• I checked out the band at The Whippoorwill Restaurant and Tavern; a fave hipster spot at Bloor West and Lansdowne.
• Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon. If you've had it, I don't have to explain.

Jen

Sherman

• The US Open! I was lucky enough to go to the US Open with a day pass and watch 2 women’s quarter final matches. We also watched some great players during their warm-up sessions – including Serena! The tennis was amazing and the atmosphere electric!
• Who’s Walking Who Dog Obedience. Sherman (my dog) and I went to obedience classes down near the Distillery District. The class is called Family Dog and teaches the basics – sit, stay, down, heel and come. The instructors are very knowledgeable and patient, and it’s nice to have Sherman just a little better behaved. 

Julie

Julie's new boat

• Our new Boston Whaler Super Sport 130 - fun little all-weather run-about on the lake! I don’t fish, but I imagine it would be fab for that too.
• SUP’ing - Stand Up Paddle Boarding is very zen. No phones, music, devices or boat underneath. Like kayaking but even more connected to the water.