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Sliding into new year, amidst all the media stories, there’s a lot of new speculation as to where Toronto’s real estate market is going from here! Stop by our blog regularly and we’ll keep you informed! Here is what you’ll find inside our January 2018 E-newsletter:
First, we share our Homewatch News contribution, ‘How To Master A Condo Move’. We originally composed this month’s Homewatch contribution as a guest piece on the blog of Toronto’s best moving company: Cargo Cabbie! Condo living can offer quite a few advantages compared to living in a house, such as not having to worry about maintaining a front and rear yard, having a concierge to accept and receive packages for you while you’re not home, and enjoying the array of amenities that most condominiums offer their residents. However, when it comes to moving, condos can also present unique challenges that may be overwhelming or confusing! Uprooting your entire life and coordinating a smooth transition to a new space – without getting mired in the chaos – is a physical, emotional, and psychological stress test. Not to worry – we’ve got you covered. In this piece, we’ve pooled our expertise and experience to create a guide that will ensure you’ll not only manage your move, but also master it! Many of our Homewatch newsletters have been turned into direct mail pieces, delivered to around 40,000 Toronto households. It’s part of our on-going marketing efforts that range from traditional print campaigns – like advertising our Innovative Space ad in the Friday Globe and Mail newspaper (for over twenty years) – to our informative blog and our growing social media presence on Facebook, Google+, Instagram and Twitter.
Each month we share the tale of what one of our buyers have recently purchased in our Home of The Month feature. To kick off the New Year, I’d like to share the story of a client who wasn’t a homebuying nebwie, but who had never purchased a property in Toronto before. While the journey was not without obstacles, we enjoyed guiding this courageous client as she and her partner zeroed in on the property that would serve them best! While the condominium market continued to increase in value, the freehold market was wonky; there also wasn’t a lot of product to consider. In September my Buyers did pursue an architect-designed restored and renovated rowhouse in Moss Park which was at the top end of their budget. Sitting on the market for nearly four months (and one 50k price reduction) my Buyers made a play for it but a meeting of the minds could not be negotiated. It would ultimately sell within 98% of its near $1.3mil list price after we had secured what we believe was a superior property. But then a restored Victorian came to their attention! The dwelling, a substantial 3bed 2bath semi-detached house with one car garage on a 25×65 foot lot, was originally built in 1982 though it had undergone numerous recent upgrades and improvements. Well-proportioned with a wide layout, high ceilings and a skylit extension, the entertainment space was over 30 feet long. The kitchen and washrooms were contemporary, and the master suite on the top floor boasted a roof terrace, indulgent spa ensuite and a walk-in closet the size of most bedrooms. Hitting the market on a Thursday, we were one of the first Buyers in, successfully negotiating an Agreement of Purchase and Sale conditional on inspection and financing! Check out the price here!
January’s installment of our Dear Urbaneer series is entitled, ‘How Do I Best Equip And Furnish My Home?’ This time around we are helping first time homebuyers prepare for their move by offering guidance on the process to best equip and furnish a new residence. This is the third in a series of ‘Homeowner Essentials’ which help buyers to prepare, protect, and nurture their home to the fullest. First we covered ‘How To Prepare Your Home For Emergencies’ and then we posted the ‘Essential Check List For Maintaining Your Home & Garden.’ Here’s their question: “After a long property search, I finally found the “one”. I’ve done a great deal of preparation getting ready to move and am excited for the day that I actually get to start making my home my own. However, I’m also getting overwhelmed at the prospect of outfitting and furnishing a space which is substantially larger than my current rental. Do you have any recommendations on how I might make my transition (and my move) easier? How should I best approach this? Signed, Ill-Equipped To Equip”. Pop over to this piece to see Steve’s advice on outfitting your new home, plus some easy, cost-efficient design tips!
As realtors, writers, and avid social media participants – not to mention lovers of all things real estate – our Urbaneer team shares a bunch of blogs each week. According to Urbaneer.com’s January stats, our most read blog was the first part of our ‘Winter 2017/2018 Forecast’. Toronto real estate has been newsworthy over the last several years, to say the least, but it is most definitely an interesting time to be a market participant, no matter in what capacity. In Part One of the Forecast, we ook at what some of the pundits are saying and discuss the probabilities of market direction for 2018. We also talk about the impact that shifting wealth, foreign ownership and globalization have on the market right now and the possible outcomes. Check out what’s around the corner!
The second most popular post was ‘The Psychology Of Real Estate, Housing & Home.’ In the world of Toronto real estate, more often than not,the top priority for home buyers is to ‘make the right investment’. This is certainly important, but what about your family’s emotional well-being? It’s left brain versus right brain! Steve argues argue that engaging the emotional right side of your brain is an essential state of mind if you are looking to buy a Home rather than a House. To truly nest, the heart should be entitled to prevail over – although not entirely eclipse – the head.
Browse the January 2018 Newsletter HERE!
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 and 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!
