A Guide To Moving Up in the West GTA

Moving up to a more spacious home can be an even more exciting milestone than the purchase of your first house. You’ve gained your first foothold on the property ladder, which has allowed you to begin building equity.

Now, you’re ready to take a step up to a new home that fits your evolving lifestyle. This process will begin by crafting your vision of what your new life may look like.

If all the steps are there, your transition is likely to be a positive and seamless experience. Let’s explore what you need to know about upgrading your home and your life.

Choose Your Guide Wisely

At a glance, moving up involves selling your existing home and then buying a new one. However, that is just scratching the surface because each of these stages involves countless smaller steps and decisions.

A successful transition requires an in-depth analysis of your goals, your budget, and a realistic timeline. These are just a few factors that help you determine the viability of your new home before making that life-changing decision.

What you need is the guidance of a highly skilled real estate professional who will be there for you and help you strategize and make the most of your opportunities. A real estate agent who knows the market and the nuances of each unique scenario will help you obtain the best results when buying and selling.

The right expert won’t just be there for the transactions, however. They are by your side through the whole process to help make your vision a reality.

Are you looking for a real estate team that’s the perfect fit for your goals? You may enjoy “What Are The Benefits Of Working With A Boutique Real Estate Team?“

The Planning Stages

The key to getting what you want is to plan it all out in great detail. However, the unexpected can still happen no matter how well you strategize. That’s why it’s important to know what you want, but you should also know when a compromise is in order.

Keep in mind that the real estate market is always evolving. Having a clear vision balanced with a sense of flexibility ensures that you end up with a new home and lifestyle that you are thrilled with. A comprehensive yet flexible plan begins with your answers to the following questions:

Have you obtained a mortgage pre-approval from your lender?
Where is your ultimate dream home located? What are your second and third options?
Is there a particular school you want access to? Your real estate agent can help you relocate to the right catchment area.
Is proximity to work, family or friends important?
What does your ideal lifestyle look like?
What amenities must be nearby? Public transit and parks, for example. And what are you willing to live without if you find the right house at the right price?
What are your “must-have” and “would-be-nice-to-have” features of your new home? Also, what attributes do you want to avoid?
Will you sell first or buy first?
Do you understand the risks of buying before selling?

Each small decision you make helps you clarify what you want and what you’d prefer to avoid. Luckily, your highly skilled and knowledgeable real estate agent is there to iron out all of the details.

Empowering Your Move With a Successful Sale

Selling your existing home for the maximum results sets the foundation for a seamless upgrade. The more you earn from your sale, the more purchasing power you have with your next home. Plus, the faster you sell, the more negotiating power you have. You will have greater confidence with the strength of your own offers as you search for your next home.

The key to getting these results is to stay aware and act intentionally in all aspects of the transaction. For example, strategic home improvements are essential to help you earn the highest amount possible from your sale.

Some upgrades add significant value to a potential buyer. Others are not worth your time or investment. Plus, home decor trends change constantly. Working together closely with your agent will ensure you get the best results without unnecessary expenses or effort.

Looking for more selling tips? Check out the related reading below:

Finding the Right Home

We all love to talk about finding the “perfect” home, especially when you’re upgrading to something bigger and better. Who doesn’t want everything to be just right?

However, considering all options that check off most of the boxes on your list allows more possibilities. For example, it’s easy to modernize a space and make it feel more contemporary with a fresh coat of paint—a small investment that has a great return. You can update the décor over time as your budget permits.

What we can’t change is the location of a home, the neighbourhood and the socio-economic dynamics. Hence, a home with potential beyond the aesthetics is worth considering. For example, that house you’re considering might not be “picture-perfect.” However, if it’s “almost perfect” and in an excellent location, does it really matter if it doesn’t have the marble countertops and high-end appliances you’ve always wanted?

As long as the framework and structure of the home is right, you can always make changes later. Once again, a real estate agent can help you find opportunities and see beyond surface appearances to find the home & neighbourhood that are just right.

Together, we’ll create your wish list and scour the market until we find the one that checks off most–if not all–of your boxes. Once we have a target in mind, we’ll go to work to secure your ideal home.

The resources below will be invaluable as you begin your home search:

Where Will Your New Home Be?

The West GTA consists of major population centres next to or a short distance from Toronto. This includes Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, and the surrounding areas. Which one of these should you choose as your next home? Let’s explore them in greater detail.

Toronto

Welcome to Ontario’s capital city! Toronto also boasts soaring skyscrapers and a dazzling downtown core. Here, you’ll find the highest concentration of career opportunities, particularly in tech fields.

The schools in Toronto are outstanding, with excellent public and private options. For example, Ursula Franklin Academy consistently ranks in the top 10 of all public secondary schools in Ontario. At the elementary level, you’ll find Rosedale Junior Public School, John Ross Robertson Junior Public School, and several others that score very highly with the Fraser Institute. Upper Canada College and Bishop Strachan School are well-known and highly respected private alternatives.

Although Toronto’s housing market is more expensive than other areas, real estate is a worthy investment as values grow over time. Come to Toronto if you love a booming metropolis that is safe, exciting, and family-friendly! There are many neighbourhoods within the city proper, and we’ll share what we love about each unique area. Depending on your unique needs we’ll help to identify the location that would be the best fit for you.

Learn more about why we love Toronto in the posts below:

Mississauga

Located approximately 30 km from downtown Toronto, and its immediate neighbour to the west, Mississauga is the seventh largest city in Canada, which is absolutely thriving. The City of Mississauga is known for its diverse population, beautiful waterfront, superb schools, and distinct neighbourhoods that make it highly attractive for families and young professionals. Its close proximity to Toronto (only 15 minutes into the city from south Mississauga on the GO Train or via highway QEW) makes it an attractive choice to live in a more suburban area, yet with easy access to Toronto.

Plenty of excellent opportunities are right in the city, and downtown Toronto is not far away. Houses in Mississauga can be expensive, but they often offer more square footage and outdoor space than what you find in Toronto. Mississauga is also undergoing extensive development, making it a fantastic place for investors at all levels.

Buying outside of Toronto proper also costs less on the Land Transfer Tax, which may be a consideration for some buyers, especially if in east or south Mississauga near the Etobicoke, Toronto border. Our real estate calculators can give you an idea of what your new home will cost, depending on its location.

Learn more about the benefits of Mississauga in the posts below:

Milton

The Town of Milton is one of the fastest-growing areas of the GTA for many reasons. With a slightly lower cost of living compared to both Toronto and Mississauga, it provides superb opportunities for those looking for a larger home or more outdoor living space.

Milton’s real claim to fame is the incredible natural beauty it offers, thanks to its location right along the Niagara Escarpment. Nature enthusiasts will never get tired of exploring the trails and taking in the unbelievable views at Rattlesnake Point (named after the winding paths–there are no actual rattlesnakes!). This outstanding natural wonder is particularly mesmerizing in the fall, where you can take in an explosion of colour from one of the numerous lookout points.

Milton is also home to the Mattamy National Cycling Centre, a one-of-a-kind velodrome where certified riders can enjoy indoor bike riding. Other activities include sports such as basketball, badminton, volleyball, and pickleball. Countless shops, services, and restaurants throughout the town mean you never have to travel far for a night out or to run your daily errands.

Under the Halton District School Board and the Halton Catholic District School Board, Milton offers a superb education system. W.I. Dick Middle School, Chris Hadfield Public School, Our Lady of Victory Catholic Elementary School, and Milton District High School are notable public schools throughout the town. Parents also have a selection of Montessori schools for younger children, and Halton Waldorf School is an excellent private alternative for students at the primary levels right through to Grade 12.

Milton’s housing market offers a wide range of options, ranging from entry-level condos to stunning heritage homes and executive new builds. Many have larger lot sizes than Toronto properties offer, which is one more reason many families have turned their eyes to Milton.

Oakville

If you love the convenience the big city provides but could do without the crowds, Oakville could be the place for you. Parks and trails are abundant, with more than 200 kilometres of recreational trails just waiting to be explored.

Oakville is one of the most affluent areas in all of Canada, and Lakeshore Road has earned the title ‘Billionaires Row’ thanks to its magnificent homes along the waterfront.

Access to some of the best schools in Ontario, public and private, makes Oakville a top destination for families who have decided to move up to a larger home.

With the introduction of the Toronto Luxury Home Tax, more buyers may be considering affluent areas of Oakville for their home search instead of Toronto. Oakville offers an amazing lifestyle that is upscale, yet approachable.

Learn even more about the joy of Oakville in the posts below:

Burlington

Burlington lies next to Oakville to the west and falls within the Halton Municipality. Located on the shores of Lake Ontario to the south and the Niagara Escarpment to the north, it also features upscale homes and family-friendly communities at a price point that is more accessible than Oakville. It features one of the most beautiful downtown areas filled with wonderful independent shops and restaurants, framed by an expansive waterfront with beautiful pier and boardwalk.

Beautiful, scenic, and convenient, Burlington is another favourite GTA destination for families with young children. One of Burlington’s biggest claims to fame is that it is consistently ranked one of the best mid-sized cities to live in Canada. We love Burlington for its family friendly vibe, easy proximity to Toronto or west to Hamilton amongst all of the wonderful features that makes Burlington a terrific place to call home.

Learn even more about the beautiful City of Burlington in the posts below:

Are you ready to start the process of moving up to a new home? The Tanya Crepulja Team is here to help every step of the way. Reach out to tanya@tcteam.ca or call 647-293-3785 for more information.