Trust me when I say that I have very little spare time. Sometimes, I just need time some time for myself. Selling real estate is one of my passions. There is nothing I enjoy more than having the opportunity to see some amazing homes, lofts and condos in this great city and helping my clients buy them!
After a year off, I joined a volleyball league with a friend and the season started last night! WoW - what a feeling - we had a lot of fun. It's fantastic to be able to get back to another one of my passions!
Life is short - work hard - play hard!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
cooler weather
With Labour Day behind us, and the official beginning of Autumn about 10 days away, the "fall market" has really taken off!
Last weekend, I had a new listing at 213 Booth Avenue, one of the best streets in Leslieville! Traffic at the open house on Saturday was great - very steady and lots of time to chat with the neighbours and interested buyers.
Sunday on the other hand was BUSY! I estimate that close to 100 people came through that house and it was raining quite steadily at the start of the open house. In fact, an agent who had not booked an appointment, knocked on the door as I was still turning lights on to see if he could beat the crowds. I think it was an omen....the crowds came in spite of the weather and eventually it got sunny!
Well my clients received an offer on Tuesday - and as much as I hear that the market has changed and that it is more balanced, I still find there is a lack of quality inventory in Leslieville and East York.
Properly priced listings will sell and sell fairly quickly. For buyers, its an opportunity not to rush and make hasty decisions and get involved in emotional bidding wars......
Stay tuned for more market updates!
Last weekend, I had a new listing at 213 Booth Avenue, one of the best streets in Leslieville! Traffic at the open house on Saturday was great - very steady and lots of time to chat with the neighbours and interested buyers.
Sunday on the other hand was BUSY! I estimate that close to 100 people came through that house and it was raining quite steadily at the start of the open house. In fact, an agent who had not booked an appointment, knocked on the door as I was still turning lights on to see if he could beat the crowds. I think it was an omen....the crowds came in spite of the weather and eventually it got sunny!
Well my clients received an offer on Tuesday - and as much as I hear that the market has changed and that it is more balanced, I still find there is a lack of quality inventory in Leslieville and East York.
Properly priced listings will sell and sell fairly quickly. For buyers, its an opportunity not to rush and make hasty decisions and get involved in emotional bidding wars......
Stay tuned for more market updates!
Monday, July 21, 2008
a message to other real estate agents
Now that we are in a balanced market, I am asking all real estate agents to cooperate with one another as we adjust to this market.
Since listings are not selling as quickly as they used to, sellers need more assurances and feedback after open houses and showings.
After every showing on one of my listings, an email is sent to that agent requesting feedback. I would estimate that 1% of those emails get answered. So I have resorted to calling agents requesting feedback.
Surprisingly, very few agents return those calls. I know we are all busy and have a million emails to answer and calls to return, BUT - Feedback from agents and their clients is crucial.
So let's help each other out!
Since listings are not selling as quickly as they used to, sellers need more assurances and feedback after open houses and showings.
After every showing on one of my listings, an email is sent to that agent requesting feedback. I would estimate that 1% of those emails get answered. So I have resorted to calling agents requesting feedback.
Surprisingly, very few agents return those calls. I know we are all busy and have a million emails to answer and calls to return, BUT - Feedback from agents and their clients is crucial.
So let's help each other out!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
A Balanced Market at Last!
For the last 5 years, I have been working in the East York and Leslieville real estate markets, in what has been classified as a sellers' market. Not enough inventory and a multitude of buyers. If you didn't hold back on offers, a property would be sold in one day. As a result, bidding wars were a normal part of the real estate business. Thousands of dollars spent by buyers on home inspections for homes they would never buy. I have been involved in so many bidding wars for many disappointed buyers who eventually found great homes to move into but the energy expended was enormous on everyone's part.
Today, the tide has turned. The market has become more balanced. In the most recent Market Watch publication, June sales were down from last year. Not a surprise really - how could we keep on that torrid pace?
There were 18% fewer transactions this past June compared to a year ago , meanwhile, inventory has increased 22% over last year. This means buyers have more selection and more time to make a decision. Prices however have continued to go up but only at a rate of 4% compared to double digit increases in years gone by.
Leslieville Real Estate is one of the biggest beneficiaries of past prices increases. A lot has changed in this neighbourhood as is evidenced by a recent article in the Toronto Star.
Some listings still go quickly like this listing at 262 Westwood - it was sold in 3 days. East York Bungalows seem to be doing well still while other listings take 2 and 3 weeks to sell.
Buyers can breathe a sigh of relief now. Bidding wars don't happen like they used to and as an agent, there is hope to actually negotiate and good deal for your clients. Sellers on the other hand, have to learn to be more patient. A balanced market at last.
Today, the tide has turned. The market has become more balanced. In the most recent Market Watch publication, June sales were down from last year. Not a surprise really - how could we keep on that torrid pace?
There were 18% fewer transactions this past June compared to a year ago , meanwhile, inventory has increased 22% over last year. This means buyers have more selection and more time to make a decision. Prices however have continued to go up but only at a rate of 4% compared to double digit increases in years gone by.
Leslieville Real Estate is one of the biggest beneficiaries of past prices increases. A lot has changed in this neighbourhood as is evidenced by a recent article in the Toronto Star.
Some listings still go quickly like this listing at 262 Westwood - it was sold in 3 days. East York Bungalows seem to be doing well still while other listings take 2 and 3 weeks to sell.
Buyers can breathe a sigh of relief now. Bidding wars don't happen like they used to and as an agent, there is hope to actually negotiate and good deal for your clients. Sellers on the other hand, have to learn to be more patient. A balanced market at last.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
in my travels
One of the great things about Leslieville is the way it changes. Its such an organic neighbourhood. So, after an open house at 53 Winnifred Ave recently, I strolled up to Queen St East to do a bit of shopping and then some dinner.
At the top of the street is a store called "Ethel" - its been there for years and I have always loved to check out what's for sale. They always have some amazing pieces of vintage furniture!
But my latest "discovery" was an amazing poster shop called "Telegramme Prints" at 1103 Queen St E. They have a most interesting collection of posters some of which I found intriguing - a series of very colourful and unique prints from a Cuban Film Festival! I ended up buying several! The owner, Ian Gillies, was amazing....... so passionate about his work, it was kind of contagious! The prints should be ready soon as Ian offers on site framing services as well.
With so many unique stores along the Queen East Strip, its no wonder why Leslieville Real Estate is booming!
Monday, June 2, 2008
in my travels
One of the best parts of my job is that I get to explore ALL of Toronto! Yesterday, I was showing some condos at King and Shaw and then had to travel back to Leslieville. On the way back, I thought I would drop in and see my friend John Oakes. John and I used to work together many years ago in the restaurant business. He worked as my assistant at the Acme Bar and Grill for a number of years and then moved up the ranks of that company to become VP of operations.
Well earlier this year, John opened his own pub/restaurant called "Harbord House"!. It used to be called Rowers Pub but John has transformed the place and during a time when students are not around, he is doing very well.
So if you're in the area of U of T (just west of Spadina) drop in for some good food and beer! Make sure you tell John I sent you!
Cheers!
Sam
Well earlier this year, John opened his own pub/restaurant called "Harbord House"!. It used to be called Rowers Pub but John has transformed the place and during a time when students are not around, he is doing very well.
So if you're in the area of U of T (just west of Spadina) drop in for some good food and beer! Make sure you tell John I sent you!
Cheers!
Sam
Sunday, May 18, 2008
GOING GREEN Part 2
I often have to tell my clients that owning home can be challenging. There is maintenance involved. In fact, a home is like a living and breathing organism. It has a life of its own. Just like your body needs proper nutrition, exercise and rest, so does your home.
The weather probably has the biggest impact on the exterior of your home - so keeping a close eye on your roof and shingles after a harsh winter like we just experienced is important.
While on the inside of your home, the furnace is one of the most important elements that needs annual maintenance to ensure that it continues to function through the cold winter months.
Now the point of today's article has to do with yard maintenance. My partner and I moved last November and the yard is more like a park. Many garden beds and a lawn that seems to go on forever!
In an effort to pollute less, we recently purchased a battery operated lawn mower. No cords and no smelly fumes. While it still consumes electricity to keep the batteries charged, there are no noxious fumes pouring out of the machine while keeping the lawns clipped.
But the biggest challenge of all - DANDELIONS! I think the City of Toronto should adopt the dandelion as its flower. Pasadena California is known as the City of Roses - Toronto? Drive around - publicly owned land is awash in a sea of yellow - Hogtown is now Dandelion Central.
This past week, I have spent 4 hours attacking the dandelions in my front lawn. New city bylaws prevent me from using any pesticide - not that I would have anyway - but the alternative solution involves time and energy. I picked up a new garden tool at Canadian Tire the other day that plucks dandelions - root and all - well mostly all the root - right out of the ground. The only problem is, you can only do one at a time. And I swear, there must be at least 500 hundred of them in my front yard. There doesn't seem to be much grass left and that's a story for another day.
But going green means I can probably give up my gym membership soon - as I intend to spend countless hours keeping the dandelions at bay and having the perfect lawn. My mother was obsessed with having a great lawn. She was an immigrant to Canada but quickly got caught up in the local - unofficial - "who has the best lawn?" competition. She loved to be outdoors and work on the lawn, pulling weeds of all shapes and sizes. She would have loved this new tool from Canadian Tire!
My mother would have been proud!
The weather probably has the biggest impact on the exterior of your home - so keeping a close eye on your roof and shingles after a harsh winter like we just experienced is important.
While on the inside of your home, the furnace is one of the most important elements that needs annual maintenance to ensure that it continues to function through the cold winter months.
Now the point of today's article has to do with yard maintenance. My partner and I moved last November and the yard is more like a park. Many garden beds and a lawn that seems to go on forever!
In an effort to pollute less, we recently purchased a battery operated lawn mower. No cords and no smelly fumes. While it still consumes electricity to keep the batteries charged, there are no noxious fumes pouring out of the machine while keeping the lawns clipped.
But the biggest challenge of all - DANDELIONS! I think the City of Toronto should adopt the dandelion as its flower. Pasadena California is known as the City of Roses - Toronto? Drive around - publicly owned land is awash in a sea of yellow - Hogtown is now Dandelion Central.
This past week, I have spent 4 hours attacking the dandelions in my front lawn. New city bylaws prevent me from using any pesticide - not that I would have anyway - but the alternative solution involves time and energy. I picked up a new garden tool at Canadian Tire the other day that plucks dandelions - root and all - well mostly all the root - right out of the ground. The only problem is, you can only do one at a time. And I swear, there must be at least 500 hundred of them in my front yard. There doesn't seem to be much grass left and that's a story for another day.
But going green means I can probably give up my gym membership soon - as I intend to spend countless hours keeping the dandelions at bay and having the perfect lawn. My mother was obsessed with having a great lawn. She was an immigrant to Canada but quickly got caught up in the local - unofficial - "who has the best lawn?" competition. She loved to be outdoors and work on the lawn, pulling weeds of all shapes and sizes. She would have loved this new tool from Canadian Tire!
My mother would have been proud!
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