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We sincerely wish you an exciting and productive new year that’s filled with love, laughter and light!
Amidst all the celebrations and resolutions, be assured that we’ve been monitoring and reporting on everything Toronto Real Estate, while continuing to discuss and debate the many layers of house & home!
Bookmark the Urbaneer Blog to stay informed – and hopefully entertained! Here’s what you’ll find inside our December 2019 E-Newsletter, coming to you later today:
First, we share our Home Watch contribution, ‘How To Weigh The Cost Of Upgrading Your Aging Or Obsolete Home’. Imagine, for example, that you’re the owner of an aging home and are weighing the cost of replacing outdated windows. Given windows are an integral part of a home’s facade which impacts the exterior appearance, the interior feel, and frames the views of a property’s landscape, the replacement window you choose could still have serious bearing on the resale value of your home, even if it may ultimately be knocked down. So what do you do? It’s true that the cost you’ll incur to complete the upgrade will vary depending on the quality, the design, the customization, and the materiality of the installation, and sometimes the best solution may also be the cheapest solution. Read our advice here!
Each month we share the tale of what one of our buyers have recently purchased in our Home of The Month feature. This feature typically provides a snapshot of the journey that one of our buyers has recently taken to rent or buy property in the City of Toronto. This month I’m sharing the tale of business couple who had been on the hunt for their dream home for a year, after three attempts at purchasing only to go into a bidding war, this couple finally found a place to call home. During this period they could became educated while exercising prudence in finding the right property which provided the perfect ‘fit’. As the realtor who ‘talks you out of buying until the right place presents itself’, these Buyers and I were a good real estate match, for they appreciated my ‘no pressure no hassle’ straight-talk approach as we navigated the market together. The end result is a testament to itself. Follow their journey here!
November’s installment of our Dear Urbaneer series is entitled, ‘Should I Move Or Renovate’. Our article this month helps a home owner whose housing needs have changed. They’re conflicted on whether to move and try to find a new home that can accomodate their needs, or to stay put and renovate their existing home. This has become a common dilemma facing Toronto home owners who are going through life changes; it requires them to research , reflect, and answer some tough questions. With over 56% of homeowners electing to stay put and renovate their homes, there is a noticeable lack of supply. I’ve written a number of times about how the lack of supply is creating a number of problems in the Toronto housing market, impacting affordability and the natural movement up the property ladder. I also share some of the factors that are impacting the supply of listing- including the cost of daycare and the low wages earned by millennials. Read Steve’s advice here!
First, we share our most popular blog of the month, which also happens to be another addition to our Healthy Home series, entitled, ‘What You Need To Know About The Health Hazards Of Living Near Power Lines‘. In my Healthy Home pieces, I like to explore how where we live can impact our emotional, mental, and physical health. In this edition, I look at a topic that is a little controversial, and therefore not widely publicized: the negative health effects of living near hydro power lines. For years, this topic has sparked controversy between groups that believe the presence of power lines (and the energy fields that they emit) can contribute to poor health, and those that feel that being in proximity to power lines doesn’t impact humans in any way. Decide for yourself!
The second most popular post was Our Recent Press On Co-Ownership In Real Estate Magazine Online. Urbaneer has been talking about co-ownership in housing for years now! In 2016, we laid out the major pros and cons of condominiums versus co-ownership buildings and earlier this year Steve responded to a client inquiry with some great advice; a landlord was considering selling the rental suite portion of his home to his tenants. Definitely check it out if you’re curious on how to create co-ownership options in freehold housing. After all, the idea of co-owning a property with others is an interesting proposition and, without a doubt, it’s an arrangement that more people are exploring given the high price of Toronto real estate!
And – for lovers of unique urban spaces – don’t miss our sensational Toronto real estate listed for sale or lease on our site for your consideration!
We LOVE Toronto real estate!
Steven & The Urbaneer Team
Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage • (416) 322-8000
http://www.urbaneer.com • info@urbaneer.com
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*Love Canadian Housing? Check out Steve’s Student Mentorship site called Houseporn.ca which focuses on architecture, landscape, design, product and real estate in Canada!