KINNEAR’S KOMMENTS
Vol. 25, Issue 1, January 2017
Julie’s Scoop
Happy New Year! 2017 Here we come! Hope you had a wonderful holiday season and some downtime to rest and rejuvenate.
JKT Volunteering at the Daily Bread Food Bank, December 8/16
Reflecting on 2016, the whole media circus of negativity including the serious changes in the political landscape with Brexit, and of course with the US elections, as well as the passing of some favourite music legends and Hollywood icons created a gloominess that I don’t want to leave the year off with, nor start the future with. So I spent some time journaling and reflecting on the good that happened in my life.
I find when I think about the blessings in my life, and the gratitude I feel for the people and pets that surround me, is when I feel my best. I call it “spiralling up”. Immediately my energy rises, a smile comes across my face, a warmth in my heart and a desire to share that loving spirit. If you ask our team, one of my favourite expressions is “what you think about, you bring about”, so be careful of what you think about! Those Christmas/holiday letters from friends, clients and family near and far sharing their life journeys in the past year has me thinking about the amazing memories, and then that brings on more good energy.
Personally, many wonderful things happened in 2016! I choose to think about them and be grateful.
Constantin brushing his teeth
Highlights like visiting with my darling nephew Constantin and my brother Alec & his partner Lucia in July when they came from Austria. And the holiday with my Mom in Quebec. And my Dad recovering from his months in hospital with atypical pneumonia. And how well Mary is enjoying retirement. And our trip out West at Christmas, skiing in Whistler, spending quality time with cousins, aunts & uncles & friends in Vancouver. The cottage with friends & family in summer & winter, loving our upgrades on our house in Roncesvalles and of course our 4 amazing fur kids. I think about our Ride To Conquer Cancer team that raised $65k, and our friends on the team who are winning their battles with cancer. I think about our friend Daniel who passed away and how inspiring his partner David is, carrying on the torch for them both. And I think about how our family and friends rally when we need them most.
One of the biggest blessings in my life is our JK Team business and the opportunities that we have to make a difference in the lives of our extraordinary clients and friends. It is an unbelievably rewarding feeling to be hugged, or raved about, or just share in those exciting life changing moments. Moving, buying & selling can be a very emotional experience, along with having a huge financial impact, and our clients have gone through a lot. Like having a 1st or 2nd child and moving up in homes. Or selling the family home and moving into a condo after 50 years, or selling a parents home after 65 years. Or moving out of the city for retirement, or selling the estate of a loved one, or divorcing or buying a first home, etc., etc.. I am so very proud of each JK Team member for caring so deeply for a client that they want to ensure that they are giving the very best advice for each very specific situation. We love our peeps and we feel that love back.
Tyler, Jen & Julie at the High Park curling club for the Keller Williams Christmas party
That is why we are always working to improve your experience. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Claire, Jen, Holly & Tyler for being who you are. And to you, our supporters and circle for your continued referrals and trust. It is a great honour and it is most appreciated.
guiding you home,
Julie
P.S. Remember your glass is either half full or half empty. Same glass. You get to choose what to think!
Chit Chat...
Our client Jessica Moorhouse has created an incredible tool for buyers or if you’re looking to figure out your finances - check out her website, as well as a FB page, YouTube channel, and podcast all dedicated to topics based around personal finance, and includes thoughts on her and her husband Josh's experience buying their first home recently. Download her My Crazy Simple Budget Spreadsheet (with Video Tutorial) for FREE. A great way to start off the year with an organized budget plan!
Our client Julie Ross-O’Toole would like to help you kick start the New Year! Is LOOKING GOOD & FEELING GOOD part of your New Year's Resolutions for 2017? With a background in Naturopathic Medicine, Julie is an expert in her field and now runs a wonderful health & wellness business using pure, safe & beneficial nutrition, skincare & make-up products that are gluten-free, kosher, vegan certified, PETA approved and combine the best of nature with the safest of science! Julie is offering a FREE one-on-one session so you can take the products for a test drive and try them out yourself! Why not try a FREE nutrition consult or an anti-aging facial? Take advantage of her 30 day Healthy Living Program that offers support, meal plans, recipes, grocery lists and nutritional products each month where, on average, her clients lose 10lbs/month. For more information, contact Julie at 647-895-9259 or follow her on FB and check out her website.
Sylvia Apostolidis, Frank Chirgoni and their twins Marco and Jason welcome their new furry friend Rosie, who loves to play in the snow.
Market Watch
Record Sales in 2016
January 5, 2017 -- Toronto Real Estate Board President Larry Cerqua announced that 2016 was a 2nd consecutive record year for home sales. GTA REALTORS® reported 11.8% increase in # home sales through TREB's MLS® System – compared to 2015 - despite the lack of inventory. December, had an increase of 8.6%.
The strongest annual rate of sales growth in 2016 was experienced for condominium apartments followed by detached homes.
"A relatively strong regional economy, low unemployment and very low borrowing costs kept the demand for ownership housing strong in the GTA, as the region's population continued to grow in 2016," said Mr. Cerqua.
The annual rate of growth for the MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) in the TREB market area accelerated throughout 2016 – from 10.7% in January 2016 to 21% in December 2016. The overall average selling price for calendar year 2016 was $729,922 – up 17.3% compared to 2015. The pace of the annual rate of growth for the average selling price also picked up throughout the year, including a climb of 20% in December.
"Price growth accelerated throughout 2016 as the supply of listings remained very constrained. Active listings at the end of December were at their lowest point in a decade-and-a-half. Total new listings for 2016 were down by almost 4%. In 2016, we saw policy changes and policy debates pointed at the demand side of the market. If we want to see a sustained moderation in the pace of price growth, what we really need is more policy focus on issues impacting the lack of homes available for sale," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Director of Market Analysis.
Feeling like Giving Back? Toronto Humane Society
This is another cause close to our heart, since everyone on the JKT is an animal owner and adores and appreciates the unconditional love our pets give us every single day. With the weather being so cold there are more pets in need of shelter. It is the mission of The Toronto Humane Society to promote the humane care and protection of all animals and to prevent cruelty and suffering.
Following no kill principles, the Toronto Humane Society aspires to be a best-in-class animal shelter – working in partnership with the community to find creative solutions and improve outcomes for all animals
To Donate go to: www.torontohumanesociety.com or phone 416-392-2273
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 311,269 views!
The JKT Recipe of the Month
Claire loves “Jamie Oliver’s Turkey Wellington”
I was watching Jamie Oliver’s cooking show over the holidays and dared myself to try and make his famous wellington recipe, although it looked to be quite a challenge with many steps involved it really was not that hard to make. 2 hours & 35 min cooking time – Serves 10. Easy to prepare and refrigerate the day before.
Ingredients:
- 3 ½ lbs certified humane skinless turkey breast
- Olive oil
- 1 bunch of fresh thyme
- 1 1/3 cup cranberry jelly
- 1 cup dried porcini mushrooms
- 6 slices of certified humane smoked bacon
- 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 1 ¼ lbs mixed mushrooms
- 1 certified humane turkey leg
- 1 carrot
- 1 leek
- 1 onion
- 2 heaping tbsp of all purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 pat of unsalted butter
- 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed)
- 1 large free-range egg
Directions on how to make this delicious recipe can be found here.
The Julie Kinnear Team's GEMs (Genuine Evidence of Merit)
Dear friends and neighbours, my house on Albany was featured in the Globe and Mail today, thanks to my realtor Julie Kinnear. Julie Kinnear and her team also sold my investment property on Howland, in 2015. She and her team are remarkable. I highly recommend them with no hesitation, Julie knows the Tarragon Village very well! This is not an ad for her, but simply an acknowledgment of gratitude for the amazing service and results she and her team have always offered me. I look forward to working with them again.
Nancy
What They Got!
A continuing column of the Julie Kinnear Team's sales..
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8 Sunnylea Avenue East ~ Sunnylea Sold Over Asking |
136 Booth Avenue ~ Leslieville Sold Over Asking |
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15 Criscoe Street ~ Junction Triangle Sold Over Asking |
20 Foundry #216 ~ Davenport Village Sold Over Asking |
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1055 Shawnmarr Road #87 ~ Port Credit Sold Over Asking |
250 Manitoba St #725 ~ Mimico
Sold For 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
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 |
