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While the Toronto real estate market is now operating less predictably as we weather The Season Of COVID-19, the approaching holidays appear to be having their traditional effect on real estate; listings in both the freehold and condo sectors are slowing down as the month comes to a close. But don’t expect the housing market to hibernate completely, as ultra low mortgage rates (some banks as low as 1.85% for a five-year term) are keeping buyers interested, if less proactive. For the short term, the winter will provide some good entry positions, particularly in the relatively soft condo market (there is plenty of choice out there right now!), while those seeking a detached or semi-detached family home may choose to wait until Spring. After all, forecasters predict the economy will greatly improve next year, now that COVID-19 vaccines are expected be available within the next 4-6 months.
With new market dynamics oscillating weekly, realtors must stay vigilant, exercise their intuition, and, most important of all, rely on their knowledge and experience of Toronto housing. Having 28 years of experience buying and selling in Toronto, we’re here to offer our guidance on the state of the market or anything real esate-related! Please do not hesitate to reach out!
~ Steven
416-845-9905
steve@urbaneer.com
Welcome to our November 2020 E-Promo! Here is what you will find in this month’s e-newsletter:
Our Dear Urbaneer post for November is entitled, ‘How To Resolve Your Work From Home Dilemma During The COVID-19 Pandemic In this installment, Steve counsels a client who is contemplating the implications of having to work from home for the foreseeable future. With productivity and comfort at the forefront of her brain, she is contemplating how she might create the ideal workspace at home – possibly through renovation or an outbuilding: “It seems that, of all the lifestyle changes we’ve had to embrace as a result of living through a pandemic, the one that is most impacting and likely to stay is the shift to working from home. For me, working from home has become a permanent arrangement, at least for the foreseeable future. As such, I am re-evaluating my living space at home to accommodate both my professional and personal lives. I do have some options, including reconfiguring an existing space in my home. Alternatively, I have heard about the emerging popularity of constructing an outbuilding as a Home Office zone. Any recommendations on how to create the perfect space?” Steve shares his ideas for establishing functional, efficient work space at home, while keeping an eye on resale value and creating features that will appeal future buyers!
November’s installment in our Homewatch News collection, ‘How To Elevate Your Home With A Smart Washroom Renovation‘, is an idea and style guide for upgrading your washroom – the room in your home that statistically delivers the best return on investment when it comes to resale value! In it, Steve discusses the many factors to consider when embarking on a washroom upgrade or overhaul, such as setting a smart budget, critically assessing the merits of a full overhaul versus a refresh, and choosing design elements, fixtures, and fittings that will best stand the test of time and appeal to future buyers. With his career as a housing conceptualist, and 28 years operating as a realtor in the sales and marketing of unique urban homes, Steve offers well-informed opinions and suggestions for maximizing impact and appeal while minimizing cost, illustrated using examples from his many personal washroom renovations.
The Urbaneer Team posts multiple blogs every week, where we share our love of all things ‘real estate’ and ‘Toronto’!
This month, our most-read blog was, ‘Urbaneer’s In The Globe & Mail On Domestic Space Issues During The COVID-19 Pandemic‘. One of the hottest topics being debated amongst housing market media pundits is how the millions of Canadians now working from home are adapting to the sudden amalgamation of their professional and domestic spheres. The dilemma certainly fascinates the Urbaneer team as well; we’ve written several blogs exploring how the pandemic is affecting ‘home’ and real estate. Therefore, it was a welcome confirmation that our content Toronto real estate is on-trend when the Globe And Mail recently published an article entitled, “Backyard Pod Spaces Spring Up As COVID Forces Homeowners To Expand”! In it, author Vicki Mochama discusses how families are solving their space issue when faced with an inadequate separation between work and home lives. What’s more, Steve was interviewed and is quoted!
The second most popular post was ‘The Distillery District’s New ‘Winter Village’ Is Open!‘. It was a bleak September day nearly two months ago when it was announced that – after a decade of tradition – there would be no Toronto Christmas Market this year. Oh, the Christmisery!! Most of us Torontonians have fond memories of standing in awe of the enormous twinkling tree with over 60,000 decorations, wandering snow-covered streets by lamplight, peeking in enchanting shop windows, sipping hot apple cider, and making merry with loved ones next to crackling hearths. That’s why it was such a thrill to learn that all of those experiences can still be had this year, just packaged with different wrapping. When the Distillery’s new Winter Village was unveiled, we were excited to share all the details!
We appreciate that our post ‘Comfort Food Wishes Come True At Wish Cafe On Charles Street’ was also very well-read! Comfort food is all about flavour and familiarity. That’s one of the many things that’s so special about Wish Cafe & Bar located on Charles Street East, just west of Yonge Street. The atmosphere is inclusive and homey, yet the decor and vibe is contemporary cool – with a sumptuously savoury menu to boot! Dining at Wish – looking out on the urban streetscape while reclining on wood benches and chairs piled high with soft pillows and surrounded by plants and greenery – is an endearing combination of being ‘in the centre of it all’ and lounging on your best friend’s terrace; it’s happening and relaxed in equal parts!
And – for lovers of unique urban spaces – take a peek at all of the sensational slices of Toronto real estate that we’ve had the pleasure and privilege of selling over the years!
Browse the November 2020 E-Newsletter here!
We LOVE Toronto real estate!
Steven & The Urbaneer Team
Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage • (416) 322-8000
http://www.urbaneer.com • steve@urbaneer.com
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