For those of you who have followed my own recent journey away from, and then back to, RE/MAX Hallmark, this will make sense: Hallmark just has so much to offer – both to me and to my clients.  The new office will give us a physical base in Leslieville from which to operate – just as we have had with Hallmark’s many other offices around the city (including Riverdale, Don Mills, Mt Pleasant, College St, etc).  Plus, it will draw more buyers and sellers to the brokerage, adding to the pool of opportunities for all involved.

All in all, this is just another great reason to work with RE/MAX Hallmark.  Call me if you have any questions or comments, and let’s get to work on your real estate goals!

The reaction at RE/MAX Hallmark has been fantastic, too.  From Broker/Owners Debra Bain and Ken Mclachlan right through the whole organization, it has been a warm ‘welcome home!’  It’s great to be back.  With seven locations around Toronto (plus two more in Cottage Country), RE/MAX Hallmark has a market presence all across the city, which allows me to better represent and serve my clients.  I couldn’t be happier!

The RE/MAX brand is world famous, but more importantly it is the king of the market in Toronto.  I’m really looking forward to re-connecting with many of my former colleagues, and to getting plugged back in to one of the biggest (and best!) real estate networks available to buyers and sellers – not just in Toronto, but Canada-wide and, when necessary, world wide.

This time around I’ll be returning to my roots as a solo agent – no more teams for me!  This will give me the independence to cultivate marketing strategies that are right for my sellers, while leaving me with the time and flexibility to better service buyers.  Having seen and experienced the trials and miscommunications of team selling, I’m very relieved to be getting back to dealing directly – and singly – with all of my clients.

If we have done business in the past, I’ll be getting in touch with you over the next while to further discuss the change, and to re-connect with you personally.  If we haven’t yet done business, please don’t hesitate to contact me any time.  I’m here to help!

Not surprisingly, the average sale price was also up. It is now $480,421, an increase of almost 10 per cent over the average in November 2010 of $437,494.  The ever-rising price of houses in the GTA is a reflection of high demand and attractive interest rates.  I’ll point out that I don’t credit everything to low interest rates; if Toronto wasn’t a great place to live, we wouldn’t have so many eager buyers, no matter how low interest rates went.

Understandably, the question of affordability comes up in conversation from time to time.  Although I don’t usually quote directly from the TREB Market Watch report (which is the key source of my numbers), I found this comment to be particularly relevant, given how often we hear about ‘affordability’:

“Despite strong price growth this year, the housing market remains affordable in the GTA,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.  “The correct method of assessing affordability is to consider the share of the average household’s income that is dedicated to mortgage principal and interest, property taxes and utilities.  Currently, this share remains in line with generally accepted lending guidelines.  Given this positive affordability picture, average price growth is forecast to continue in 2012, albeit at a more moderate pace.”

So, prices are rising, but they remain affordable for the majority of people.  Of course, some people ‘blame’ Realtors for rising prices.  That’s reminiscent of the old ‘shoot the messenger’ folly, but since we are active participants in the market, I suppose that comes with the territory.  Realtors don’t set the market; like water, it finds its own level.  We certainly work to fulfill our obligation to get our sellers the most money possible for their homes; that’s the job.  On the buyers’ side, we work within their budgets, and strive to follow their instructions and find them a great new home.  Again, that’s the job – to sell houses.  Ultimately, a rising market only helps Realtors as long as it remains rational, which I think it still is.

I’ll finish with a reminder that there are properties out there at every price level.  As with everything else, you get what you pay for.  However, if you are willing to make a trade-off regarding location, parking or size, you might be pleasantly surprised at the compromise.  Feel free to get in touch with me at any time to review your options.

This authentic loft conversion is move-in ready.  At approximately 1180 square feet, it features newly laid hardwood floors, granite counters, all new appliances, plenty of windows (unique to the end units) and a roof-top deck!  (Parking is available for purchase separately.)

If you are in the market for a loft, don’t miss this one!  Call me today to book an appointment to see it.

-Simon

The healthy sales pace is a reflection of the on-going demand for housing in Toronto, a topic that I have discussed more than once before.  I’ll just take a moment to remind readers that, as usual, sellers need to properly prepare their home for sale (de-clutter, clean, paint as necessary, etc.) and list at a fair price.  A ‘hot’ market does not mean that somebody will over-pay for your house.  For their part, buyers must be prepared with a mortgage pre-approval, a ready deposit (accessible within 24 hours to meet TREB guidelines), and a willingness to move quickly on an attractive property.  There are lots of other buyers out there – they are your competition!

Despite the apparent resilience of the Toronto market, I still hear people say that they want to wait for a recession before they buy.  It’s worth noting that, although a very small number of folks made great buys during the last dip (as I encouraged my buyers to do), not many people can pull that off.  TREB statistics for the GTA show that in the year before the recession (2006-2007) the average sale price increased by about 6.9%.  Recession fears hit Canada in early-mid 2008, and by late-2008 the real estate market was hitting its funk.  Nonetheless, from 2007 to 2008 the average price managed a 0.8% increase.  Then, as the recovery took hold in early 2009 we saw a year-over-year increase of 4.2%, which stretched to a 9% increase 2009-2010.  So far this  year, we are around that +8% range.

As I noted at the time, aside from a brief (maybe 4 to 6 months) period in very late 2008 through about early spring 2009, there wasn’t much of a buying opportunity in the Toronto real estate market.  If we are going to see another recession (fears seem to ebb and flow from one day to the next) it’s not going to be as bad as the relatively modest one Canada experienced a couple of years ago.  While I’m sure some smart and lucky folks will pull off a great buy or two, I really don’t believe that many folks will be able to time their purchase to precisely the right moment.  That’s why I say (as I did recently via my Twitter account): Don’t wait to buy real estate.  Buy real estate and wait.

Probably the best way to buy real estate is to get out there and start looking for a good fit.  When you find it, buy it.  No tricks, no games, no luck, just smart buying.  Call or email me when you are ready to get active in the Toronto real estate market!

This beautiful three storey home sits on one of the Beach’s nicest streets – a rare cul-de-sac.  Backing on to a reverse ravine, this home oozes character and charm.  Gleaming hardwood floors, beautiful wood trim, a fireplace and coffered ceilings contribute to that ‘Beach’ feeling.  With 4+1 bedrooms, a family room, a walk-out to the back deck and parking, this home offers size and flexibility for any family.  Call me to book an appointment to see it before it sells!

Today’s announcement by the Bank of Canada that it will likely leave the Prime Rate at 1% for the next few quarters paves the way for continued steady growth.  Despite global financial and economic turmoil, Canada continues to experience moderate GDP growth, wage increases and consistently improving real estate values.  Toronto, being the unique place that it is, can be counted on to show solid returns on your real estate investments.

I’ll also comment on the decision last week by the Board of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation to sell up to 700 single-family houses, of which about 70 are currently vacant.  (Having represented them on the sale of five of their vacant properties over the last few months, I feel informed enough to have an opinion.)  The vacant houses that I have seen are in terrible states of disrepair.  Selling them not only generates serious money, it also removes negative assets – i.e. they are costing money, not generating money.  I expect that at the end of the day the net benefit to the TCH will be a lot higher than currently projected.

I can also say with plenty of confidence that the folks at TCH are dedicated to improving the health of the Corporation, thus the quality of life of their tenants (all of whom will get help from TCH to find alternative housing, within the system if necessary).  It’s win-win for all involved.

From a strictly real estate perspective, the arrival on the market of those 70 vacant houses will be greeted with great excitement.  I often work with buyers looking for a fixer-upper; such houses are not as common as one might think.  That’s a partial explanation for why we got multiple offers on all 5 houses that we sold!  (Other parts would be location, plus the healthy state of the market in general.)  The houses currently occupied may find investors, or the tenants may be given the opportunity to move.  Either way, the impact on the market will be positive.

Also, the new owners will have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to improve each of those houses.  The spin-off economic activity, adding up to millions of dollars, will be significant.  Think also of the benefit to the streets and neighbourhoods where these basically abandoned houses sit!  Again, win-win.

I don’t know when the next batch of houses (likely some on Crawford St in the West End) will hit the market, and I don’t know which Brokerage will represent TCH, but stay tuned to find out more!  Always feel free to get in touch with me to talk about real estate!

This gorgeous Tudor style home is a classic Beach type.  Renovated with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, this house is freshly painted with re-finished hardwood floors.  The house is just steps from Queen St E, and less than a five minute walk from the beach and boardwalk.  Located in the Williamson Rd and and Glen Ames school districts, 138 Maclean Ave is also just a few minutes from parks, shops, restaurants and the TTC.

If you are in the market for a great 4 bedroom home in the Beach, call me today to book a private viewing!

Admittedly, that impression isn’t helped by the rare Realtor who really will ‘do anything’ to get the deal.  We hear about them from time to time – they’re the agents who slash their commission, or buy appliances to grease the wheels, that sort of thing.  Their actions create an expectation – a false hope – that every agent will do that.  That’s definitely not the case.

Real estate is an interesting business for the way that it brings people from so many backgrounds into very close contact (usually for relatively brief periods of time). We go from being strangers to sitting in your living room discussing lifestyle needs, sometimes all in a matter of minutes.  The stresses and strains of trying to buy and sell real estate (financing – which can be a very touchy subject for some folks – home inspection reports, compromises and near misses) can be hard to cope with. Some people get very emotional.  Nonetheless, the bottom line is that this is business.  I take my role of professional advisor and advocate very seriously, and try to help my clients deal with their stress by staying focused on the task at hand.  For me, it’s not emotional.

That’s not to say it’s not stressful to me; of course it is.  We all feel the stress of the people around us, plus this is my livelihood.  My point is that it is important to stick to business.  That is what you pay me for: to be the professional who guides you through the process, advises you of your options, and negotiates on your behalf to try to get you what you want.

So, why do some folks expect more than quality service and results?  Perhaps it’s because of that handful of Realtors who create the perception that Realtors will buy expensive gifts for their clients.  There’s a pretty serious problem with that, though: by putting their own cash on the table, so to speak, those agents are making themselves a party to the transaction, which Realtors are not meant to be.  In that scenario, how does the Realtor keep his/her focus on the wants and needs of the client?  The waters become muddied pretty quickly.

From my perspective, as the professional representative, if we work out a deal I’ll get paid.  If we don’t, my clients and I will move on to the next opportunity.  It’s not like there aren’t other houses and condos out there!

(Of course, most of my clients over the years have fully understood that.  I’m quite clear about it at all times!  Two or three have poked around looking for a little something extra, but I haven’t hesitated to clarify the point.)

The bottom line is that I earn my living at the negotiating table.  I work to get my clients top dollar on their sale, and/or the best price, terms and conditions on their purchase.  It’s a professional service in which I take a certain degree of pride.  When the dust settles, their goals are achieved, and they are happy; only then do I get paid.  And that, folks, is why I don’t buy appliances.  :)