EXPLORING TORONTO AND BEYOND

March 3 2007



One of the best parts of my job is that I get to meet so many people and I never know where this will take me. I often get asked if I specialize in a certain neighbourhood but I just can't nor do I want to! I never know where my clients will want to live.


Last fall, I met a couple who thought they were looking for a home in Leslieville - formerly called South Riverdale when I used to live there. And after a few meetings and showing them several homes, it became evident that they were not looking for a home in Leslieville!


Part of my job as a realtor is to determine what is important to you when you are buying your home. Is it location? Is it the school district? Or does it have to be the "right" house whevever you find it? They currently live in a cool space in Parkdale and are starting to raise a family. So school districts were not immediately important. Their son will be one year old soon.


I took them through the exercise of understanding the costs associated with buying and selling real estate. And it became clear that if they bought in Leslieville and then wanted to move to Riverdale or Bloor West Village where schools are perceived to be better, there is a hefty price tag attached!


Over Christmas, they went home to Vancouver to visit family and while there, they realized that the home in the "good" school district could wait for now. What they wanted to explore was the possibility of finding a home outside of the city - where they could go to get away from the hustle of the city on the weekends.


We explored the Kawarthas, Rice Lake, Lake Scugog, Northumberland County and places in between! Thanks to MAPQUEST, we never got too lost!


Well today was our final visit before taking possession. We took a drive out to Warkworth in Northumberland County - the rolling hills on County Rd 24 are amazing. It's a great home on 5 acres - I am really looking forward to visiting them in the autumn to see the fall colours!


Sam Sells Toronto Real Estate