comment on the market, just one…with input from all.

Greater Toronto REALTORS® (July 6, 2010) reported home sales January through June were up 23 per cent as compared to the first six months of 2009.  Year-to-date sales were weighted to the beginning of the year, as June sales reflect a more moderate market. There is currently more choice and buyers may choose to be less aggressive with their offers.  

This being said, we dare to be optimistic - rates remain attractive, “moderation” is healthy and we are happy to see our buyers with more choice.  Our Sellers will realize a fair price, for although the market is softening and homes are on the market longer, prices remain strong. Sellers have to live somewhere and are often buying on the flip side.

July numbers may be impacted by the fact that some buyers came to market early in the year to beat HST costs and to take advantage of low mortgage rates. (The introduction of the HST July 1 has increased the tax on related services, but not on the sale itself, except in the case of new homes in excess of $400,000.) In addition, we expect to see what we think of as the normal historical “seasonal” slow down over the summer.  Frankly, we have had a busy year and a change of pace provides both time for reflection and allows us to recharge our batteries - so we can jump start the Fall market.

We have Sellers readying their homes as we write. Toronto remains a great place to live.

Our Managing Broker, Darryl Mitchell*, wrote on the Re/Max Professional Blog:
“Although international events can impact our real estate market, right now it is liquid, priced affordably and positive. An investment in real estate in Toronto and area is still one of the best opportunities available for the average consumer.”

* REMAX Professionals Inc. Brokerage

appreciate the third little pig? Only one, although don’t we all…he was skilled, pro family and enemy of the big bad wolf.

Last nights “Property Virgins” (YES, we do occassionally take a break) raised the point that each city does have its own style. They compared Toronto & Boston, as a young Canadian couple searched for their first home south of the border. They were nostalgic for the brick homes of Toronto. Although many of our brick homes are being replaced by the currently popular neutral stucco, they remain a stately and attractive part of Toronto neighbourhoods.

Toronto brickyards are an integral part of Toronto’s history. By the late 1800’s, improved means of transportation and the availablity of  resources used in the manufacture of brick (primarily water & clay) resulted in the formation of many small brickyards. Most were family run and were “clustered where these materials were close to the surface in Yorkville, along Davenport Road, which ran below an escarpment (the shoreline of the prehistoric glacial Lake Iroquois), in the Don River valley and other ravines.*” Demand grew as builders looked for sturdy, less flammable materials. Remember pre-1900, buildings had been built largely of wood—“first rough-hewn logs, then squared timbers, then later frame and clapboard*”.

Some Toronto brickyards made several colours of brick. The most common were red and buff. Here in west Toronto we have many fine examples of both. 

Looking for something to do in Toronto this summer?  The Don Valley Brick Works works  is an internationally significant natural and cultural heritage site located within the Don River watershed. The 40.7 acre site is open for public use and the buildings on site represent several different time periods in the history of the Brick Works. Slightly south you can visit Evergreen Brick Works. They have scheduled a Grand openning for September 24–26, 2010 weekend, save the date!

*http://torontofamilyhistory.org/2010/archives/182

We can now be found on the : Business Directory for Toronto, Ontario

…we all appreciate Toronto’s unique neighbourhoods!

It is fitting that the word “neighbourhood” has a mathematical connection as a topological space*. Toronto neighbourhoods are wonderfully distinctive, identifiable pockets with their own characteristics that together add up to Toronto the whole.

We intend to focus on one neighbourhood a month and we chosen Liberty Village as our focus for July. Who better than its residents to highlight its best features? Please enrich our article by sending us your insights and comments about what it like to live in Liberty Village and we will incorporate then into our article. You can email us at info@realestateadvantage.ca.

 Calling Toronto Artists…

"The Liberty Village BIA has invited Toronto artists to submit proposals to transform park benches into unique works of public art. This unique program of the Liberty Village BIA engages artists and local businesses to transform orphaned and neglected park benches into permanent works of public art to be enjoyed by the community." Click on The Liberty Village BIA to find out more.  Note: July 5 deadline.  

*Wikipedia

The Truth About How It Protects You!

...one informed Sales Rep can keep you in the know...Thanks Sarah!

Buyer Representation Agreement (AKA “B.R.A.”)

When it comes to signing a Buyer Representation Agreement (B.R.A.) with a Realtor there seems to be a common fear among buyers.  There is something about signing an agreement that people shy away from.

The truth is, a Buyer Representation Agreement protects you the buyer and should be signed at your earliest opportunity. 

A  B.R.A. is a written representation agreement between a client and a real estate company.  It states very clearly that the company’s legal duty is to ensure the client’s interests are protected and promoted at every possible opportunity.

In other words, under an Agency Agreement, the company must ALWAYS put YOUR interests first– above everything else except the law.

Our entire team can weigh in on this one -

Having read (too) many articles on getting both our primary websites, RealEstateAdvantage.ca / CondoAdvantage.ca and our Blog, front and centre, leads to a definitive conclusion.  Search engine optimization or “SEO”  takes time, patience and know-how.  Constant “quality” updates are required to legitimately increase the ranking of our website(s). There is a certain level of frustration with the whole process, particularily as we are Real Estate professionals in the Toronto market, small fish in a very large and busy pond, but unique in our level of service and expertise.

We do have a PLAN; we are in the process of soul searching, rebranding, overhauling and implementing. Carving out a niche and communicating effectively what we, The FARQUHAR TEAM, bring to the table, has become increasingly important and time consuming in a positive way.  We hope that one of the byproducts will be a more efficient and effective process, leaving us more time to do what we do best, help our clients buy & sell homes.

We are proud of our successes, knowledge base & skills. Historically we have relied largely on Introductions from existing clients and we will continue to do so (with thanks).  Social media advances allow us to better keep in touch with an ever growing network of clients.

So, stay tuned and watch our social media education and evolution.

(See July 2010 Article: Risk Assessment”)

It is reassuring to know that the west-end neighbourhoods that are near and dear to our collective hearts are in Toronto Life’s most stable. We have always maintained West is best... although, to be fair, we frequently venture over to the other side of Yonge St. with great results.  The old axiom “location, location, location” remains true; You cannot go wrong investing in a home in Bloor West, The Kingsway or Roncesvalles (3 neighbourhoods sited by Toronto Life as less risky). We also believe in and have clients happily living in Humber Valley, Sunnylea, Edgehill Park and Princess Anne Manor. Each are different with a couple of commonalities, all are great places to raise a family and all are within short distances of the numerous green spaces that are sprinkled throughout.
Image: Humber Valley Village - Pride Rock on Wimbleton

Just one Farquhar team member is required to pick up the phone and call our Stager!

We often use the talent of a local Stager to ensure the homes we list (in Toronto) are in tip top shape. 

The majority of Buyers are looking for a home that is move-in ready.  Potential buyers appreciate an uncluttered home that allows them to visualize their possessions in place.

You might think...why should I pay a professional to stage my home when I want to save all the money I can to cover all my moving expenses?

You might ask...why should I pay a professional to stage my home when I can declutter and do it myself?

So why as a Seller do you want to pay a Professional to "stage" your home?

You want an emotional connection between the buyer and your home. They will "love-it or leave-it". 

The goal is to neutralize and showcase your homes best features by adding and arranging key "props", both furniture & accessories, so it appeals to more people...a larger market demographic ensures you will get the best price!

Some things that you "never got around to" can often be fixed at a minimal cost (a dangling fan in the bathroom can be a turn-off). Our Stager has access to both manpower and specialty items, at a lower cost.

Live the lifestyle!  The image created suggests a lifestyle that potential buyers wish they were living. Back to that emotional connection!

You can achieve a dramatic result at a reasonable cost…an outlay of $3,000. plus can make a significant difference in the price you receive. 

As more homes come to market, buyers have more choice and it becomes increasingly important  to feature your home in the best possible light.

We can recommend a Stager to you and help you with the process of putting your home on the market. We want your selling experience to be a positive one and the final result, a successful sale at the best price possible. 

Call us at 416-231-8754.