Kinnear's Komments
Volume 18, Issue 5
September 2010
The best way to cheer yourself up
is to try to cheer somebody else up.Mark Twain
Julie's Scoop
Leslie Spit at sunset by Marc Lostracco
I have to say I was a little sad to see the back end of Labour Day, since it was such a great summer with record temperature highs. I was lucky to be able to spend a few weeks enjoying my boat, bike riding, summer cocktails, friends, and of course spending time with Mary and the dogs.
This month is extra special for me since it marks 10 years in remission for me and I am so grateful for my good health. Mary and I will celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary.
I am so proud of my mother Brenda Kinnear who has just recently undergone the first of both total knee replacements. This has been a long time coming, and her quality of life is going to skyrocket after many years of limitations & discomfort. She is healing beautifully and has a strong will and commitment to bounce back better than ever.
The team had a great summer. Steph enjoyed time @ her own cottage, Jen enjoyed her Hacienda and new horse Nessie, Holly completed her Iron Man in Lake Placid and got away to England too. Heidi and family spent plenty of time cottaging as well.
We all got away to recharge the batteries and also managed to have one of our best business summers in years. Being in the trenches of the Toronto real estate market we have personally experienced a solid active and strong market where properties sell in a very short period of time for very good prices.
Enjoy TIFF!!
Cheers, Julie
MARKET WATCH
Excerpts from Toronto Real Estate Board
Toronto Real Estate Board published its regular market update for August 2010. According to data gathered from GTA realtors, year-to-date sales continue to outpace the previous year, while August sales were down, compared to August 2009.
"The prospect of interest rate hikes and new mortgage lending rules prompted some households to purchase a home sooner than they otherwise would have this year. The result has been a larger than normal dip in sales over the summer months. With that said, it is important to recognize that sales on the year were 8% higher than 2009" said the Real Estate Board President, Bill Johnston.
The average price for August transactions was $411,012 – up 6% compared to the average of $387,921 reported in August 2009.
"Market conditions have remained tight enough to support higher home prices in comparison to last year. Under current mortgage lending standards, a household earning the average income in the GTA can comfortably afford the mortgage payments on an average priced home. Market conditions and the affordability picture would have to change dramatically before a sustained drop in the average selling price would take place," says Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of market analysis.
Median Price: In August 2010, the median price was $358,000, up from the $338,000 price recorded during August 2009.
Did you know?
Have you seen the most amazing low 5 year interest rate? You can lock in for as low as 3.60%. Our newsletter in May mentioned 4.39% so we're talking about a huge improvement despite the prime rate hike.
Interesting eh?
Need help to save $ while greening your home?
Find incentives and rebates to help get you started in the following areas:
Look into green mortgage options
If you're buying a new home or refinancing an existing mortgage, be sure to ask your bank if they offer a Green Mortgage.
You may also get a partial refund on your mortgage loan insurance if you purchase an energy efficient home or renovate your current home. Learn more from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) about Green Homes and Mortgages. (PDF)
City of Toronto
-
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAT)
This City of Toronto program provides residents with up to $1,000 when they upgrade their home insulation.
Toronto Hydro
-
Peaksaver
If you've got central air conditioning you'll get a $75 credit when you sign up for Peaksaver! -
Have an old window air conditioner? Get a $25 Home Depot Gift Card when you drop off your old window air conditioners at participating Home Depot locations - be sure to check the website for dates and participating locations.
- This the season for LEDs! Bring two strings of incandescent holiday lights and exchange them for one string of energy-efficient LEDs. All lights that are turned in are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. Check the event schedule to find a Festive Light Exchange event in your neighbourhood.
Enbridge Gas Distribution:
-
Install a solar water heater in your home and receive substantial savings. Not only will you save on your annual water heating costs, but you may also be eligible to save up to 57% on purchase and professional installation, after rebates and incentives. This program is a joint effort between Enbridge, BullFrog Power and EnerWorks
-
Programmable Thermostat Rebate
Get a $25 rebate when you purchase and install a programmable thermostat. -
Novitherm™ Heat Reflector Panels (PDF)
If your home is heated with hot-water radiators, you are probably losing heat through exterior walls and should consider installing Novitherm heat reflectors. You may be eligible to get them for free! Novitherm™ Heat Reflector Panels application form (PDF)
Ontario Power Authority (OPA):
-
Every Kilowatt Counts
The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) supports a variety of energy efficiency incentives for residents. -
This program offers several rebates for the following actions - the installation of a programmable thermostat, upgrading to a mid or high-efficiency furnace, installing ENERGY STAR qualified central air conditioner system, heat pump or ductless split system.
-
Great Refrigerator Round-up
Get that old, inefficient fridge of yours picked up for free. It's wasting between $120 - $150 per year in electricity. Book an appointment today. -
Power Savings Event
Instant-rebate coupons are available at certain times of the year on great energy saving products.
Chit Chat
-
Congratulations and best wishes go out to Sara Milton & fiancé Chris Kynicos who are getting married on Sept 18th in Cyprus. They got engaged 2 years ago, around the same time that Jen worked with them to buy their "perfect first house" (on De Grassi St) so she helped them along the road to this exciting celebration!
-
Janine Stephens will be starting up a practice as a family physician at the Etobicoke Medical Centre (East Mall and Burnhamthorpe) starting September 15. If you know of anyone looking for a family physician be sure to look her up! The Clinic consists of about 15 doctors plus dieticians, social workers, nurse practitioners, and a pharmacist with after hours & weekend coverage for patients.
MedicoCentre.Sites.Toronto.com or 416 621-2220 -
Nisha Ondhia Logsetty is excited about finally opening my her own dental practice in Bloor West, and plans to be up and running by the end of this year!!
-
Christine Felstead is pumped about the yoga retreat in Italy where she is teaching her incredible Yoga For Runners program from Sept 23-30. More info @ YogaForRunners.com Keep an eye out for her workshops this Fall in Toronto and out of town... You can buy her first DVD and her 2nd will be released in November.
-
UNB is celebrating 225 years and they are throwing a huge gala in Toronto hosted by Anne Murray to recognize five distinguished Canadians who have played an important role in shaping our country. Carolyn Acker is receiving this great honour as a Canadian pioneer in poverty reduction.
Babies
-
Todd Aiken & Cara Sweeny (& big brother Patrick) are pleased to announce new son Henry Maxwell Sweeny Aiken born on lucky Friday August 13. Life is crazy there - but Henry is a good baby!
-
April Ma & John Tran are ecstatic about their first child, Madeleine Avery Tran, born on September 2nd, 2010.
-
Tamara Kolber & Niko Lagopoulos (and big bro Ilios) are thrilled about their expanded family! Baby Maksim was born 2 weeks early on August 29, 2010.
Would you like to give back?
Charity of the Month –ForGirlSake – www.ForGirlSake.com
-
ForGirlSake is a charity that raises funds and focuses on some aspect of education for girls. Their goal has been to approach friends, family and supporters for small donations—the average is about $20. They have discovered these small donations can have a huge impact! In 2007 and 2008 they raised close to $7000 each year—enough funds to send the entire graduating class of sixteen girls from an elementary school in the village of Sironko, Uganda on to secondary school. Last year they raised $9,600 to fund a library for a new school in Massai Mara, Kenya.
-
This year ForGirlSake is partnering with a non-profit charity called Nurturing Minds to support a girls' school called SEGA (Secondary Education for the Advancement of Girls) in Tanzania that helps girls who are living in extreme poverty. Their objective is to raise $6,265 to provide a solar-powered computer lab, consisting of five computer stations, a hub server, an external drive, and a printer.
-
Please go to ForGirlSake.com/donate, where you can donate on-line and also learn more about the SEGA school in Tanzania. Or you can mail cash or a cheque made out to Nurturing Minds, Inc. c/o Jessica Mosher at 73 Langley Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4K1B4.
Mortgage rates – Carrie Davidson's website
CURRENT VARIABLE MORTGAGE RATE IS 2.35%
CURRENT PRIME RATE IS 3.00%
Some conditions may apply. Rates subject to change without notice. *O.A.C. E.& O.E.
Curious George
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:
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 Julie Kinnear Team's GEMs
(Genuine Evidence of Merit)
Many, Many thanks for your expertise and attention to detail. Wishing you abundance, good health, happy times and reasonable clients! I'll be thinking of you while I sit on my deck and contemplate the garden.
Best, Judith (Schwartz)
What They Got!
A continuing column of the Julie Kinnear
Team's Sales
369 Belsize Drive
Davisville Village
369 Belsize Drive
Asking Price $489,000
Selling Price $514,000
49 Taunton Avenue
Davisville Village
49 Taunton Avenue
Asking Price $625,000
Selling Price $620,000
190 Rushton Road
Hillcrest Village
190 Rushton Road
Asking Price $659,000
Selling Price $653,000
108 Ashbourne Drive
Etobicoke
108 Ashbourne Drive
Asking Price $1,088,000
Selling Price $1,010,000
199 Clendenan Avenue
High Park/Bloor West Village
199 Clendenan Avenue
Asking Price $775,000
Selling Price $750,000
231 Pacific Avenue
High Park
231 Pacific Avenue
Asking Price $529,000
Selling Price $525,000
JKT – A few of our Favourite things
Jen
The change of seasons
I like to dig into my Fall clothes and wear something different!
"Master Chef"
- a new TV show which follows amateur cooks competing for the top prize. It is truly amazing what these people (with no culinary training) are capable of!
Holly
Domestique-Café Cyclo Sportif
12 Miller's Lane Dundas, Ontario - This cafe has become a bit of a destination for cycling enthusiasts. Besides the delicious coffee, baked goods and sandwiches, it has an ever-changing display of bikes and cycling memorabilia (they currently have a yellow Tour de France jersey signed by 2008 winner Carlos Sastre, a Tour de France green jersey signed by superstar sprinter Thor Hushvovd a Sky Team jersey signed by Michael Barry.
Terminal 5 at London Heathrow.
The newest terminal at Heathrow Airport is the largest free standing building in the UK and used exclusively by for British Air. Amazing facilities and shopping (pay attention to your flight times!) They even have a Wagamama restaurant, another of my favourite things.
Stephanie
The New Sharpie Pen!
- Constant ink flow and writes very smoothly.
Corn on the Cob
- bought on the side of the road on the way to the cottage!
Back to School clothes shopping
- even though I have been out of school for over 20 years!
It's still a great excuse?
Heidi
September TV Season Premieres!
The 3rd week in September kicks off television premieres of our old favs like Gray's Anatomy, as well as pilots for new ones, such as "The Event".
September is the easiest month of the year to dress kids
- They don't need hats, sunscreen, snowsuits or mittens!
Happy Helperz
is a business that I started over a year ago. It consists of a line of 3 educational learning tools to enable kids to pitch in around the house and do more things for themselves. These fun and simple products help build personal responsibility and independence in young kids. I don't know about you other parents, but I personally get so tired of nagging my kids to do their routines – it feels like "Groundhog Day" every day! Please check out my website at HappyHelperz.com
SPECIAL NOTE: If you type in the code: JKT when you order, you will receive at 50% discount on any product! !!
Julie
Road Construction workers
– the more I ride my bike the more I realize how hard it is to keep a road in good condition, from all the snow and salt and water with temp change with traffic etc. So when I see those hard workers improving the roads I say a prayer of thanks. I can't hardly wait for Roncesvalles to be paved again!
Junction Triangle Rail Committee
– Kevin Putnam and his group are dedicated and actively working like crazy to help all of us and the clean future of the west end. They are organizing events to raise $ and awareness to stop the diesel trains destined for the rail link – instead of being progressive and using the probably more expensive but much healthier version of electric rail. We have committed to helping financially.
JunctionTriangle.ca watch out for the Nuit Blanche event at the Wallace Bridge in October.