Are you gearing up to sell your home? If so, exposure will be the key to generating buyer interest and securing the best possible price. A talented, full-service agent will provide you with an in-depth marketing plan—one that includes social media promotion. In other words: to effectively spread the word about your home, choosing a professional with the right digital skills is crucial.

If you’re getting ready to sell, here are five reasons to work with an agent who’s a social media expert…

1) Social can capture active and passive buyers

It goes without saying that your property should be promoted in places where home hunters are actively searching. That said, your strategy should also target passive buyers (those who are ready to purchase but may not be looking in the moment when they come across your listing). Social media feeds are great places for home hunters to find your property by chance—and instantly fall in love.

2) It allows you to make the most of video

A recent study shows that seeing a video about a product or service increases the likelihood that buyers will purchase it by 64 per cent. This type of content has never been more important, and social media makes it easy to share. With the click of a button, buyers can tour or have an immersive experience with your home—and pass it along to others who may be interested.

3) Your images can take centre stage

Most buyers first get to know a home through photographs. More often than not, it’s what makes them pick up the phone to book a viewing. Social media is ideal for sharing these show-stopping images—and showcasing your property’s true potential. From Instagram to Facebook, your agent should know how to make your home pop on all relevant platforms.

4) Social advertising is powerful

Marketing a home on social media gives your agent the opportunity to find your most likely buyer. Advertising is the perfect way to do that. For example, on Facebook, you can target potential purchasers using highly-specific criteria—from age and location to job title and income level. That’s great news, since speaking to the right audience can improve your chances of a successful sale.

5) It’s based on trust

Social media is all about trust. Put simply, your followers are opting in to see regular content from you based on a preexisting relationship. Under these circumstances, they’re far more likely to engage with your home. It works the same way with your agent. The only difference is, a large percentage of their followers are actively searching for real estate!

An agent who’s a social media maven will know how to leverage the trust they’ve built with home hunters on your behalf. They’ll have an extensive network of potential buyers—and the expertise to capture their attention.

For all of these reasons and more, we’re proud to have earned a place on the list of top 100 real estate agents on social media. If you’re wondering what that could mean for your home sale, just ask! We’d love to tell you about our passion for all things marketing.

Ready to put your home on the market? Get in touch to learn more about how we’ll maximize its exposure for a successful sale.

Are you looking for the right place in Burlington to put down roots? It’s no secret that the city is great for families, and one of the reasons for that is its excellent schools. Fortunately, if you’re looking for the right neighbourhood, familiarizing yourself with local learning environments can help you make the right decision.

Here are five of the best schools that Burlington has to offer…

1) John T. Tuck Public School

Thinking of moving to Roseland? Along with its mature trees and fantastic mix of homes, this scenic neighbourhood is also a great place for your little ones to go to school. John T. Tuck earns a top-notch score of 8.8 from the Fraser Insitute—a well-known authority when it comes to Canadian education. Its strong curriculum, impressive library catalog, and fun “spirit days” (where students and staff dress up in unique outfits) are all well-known benefits of attendance. Kids also consistently receive high EQAO scores across reading, writing, and math.

2) Alton Village Public School

The neighbourhood of Alton Village has a whole lot to offer home buyers, from convenient parks and amenities to beautiful Niagara Escarpment views. It’s also an ideal community for families, in part because of the fantastic education that local kids receive. Alton Village Public School receives a Fraser Institute score of 7.9. Along with strong student academic performances, it provides an abundance of extracurriculars. Busy families also benefit from Alton Village’s before and after school care programs.

3) Orchard Park Public School

Thinking of moving to The Orchard? This family-friendly neighbourhood is known for a fantastic mix of homes, a stunning provincial park, and the top-notch learning environment that it offers local kids. With its Fraser Institute ranking of 7.6, Orchard Park Public School is highly sought-after. To start with, its curriculum has a strong STEAM focus (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Not only that, but students are known for their participation in events like the Thames Valley Science and Engineering Fair and the Caribou Cup (an international online math competition).

4) St. Anne Catholic School

Burlington parents who want their little ones to receive a high-quality Christian education are in luck. St. Anne Catholic School, located in charming Alton Village, gets a ranking of 6.2 from the Fraser Institute. Given the organization’s high standards, you can rest assured that this number is a sign of quality. St. Anne is also devoted to helping students become well-rounded citizens. From the environmental education it provides to its wide selection of extracurricular activities, there’s a lot to love about this Catholic gem.

5) Charles R. Beaudoin Public School

Millcroft is one of Burlington’s most in-demand communities—in part because of Charles R. Beaudoin Public School. This highly-reputable institution receives an impressive ranking of 8.1 from the Fraser Institute. Its attendees also earn consistently strong EQAO scores across reading, writing, and math. As part of its commitment to student success, the school provides extensive math and language resources online. For all of these reasons (and many others), Charles R. Beaudoin is one of the best schools in Burlington!

Looking for the right home in the ideal family-friendly community? We can help—get in touch to benefit from our Burlington expertise.

Are you planning on buying an income property? If so, congratulations are in order! Having sizeable savings—and the wisdom to invest at least part of them in local real estate—is a major achievement. It can mean a steady second source of income (not to mention the opportunity to cash in big when you sell down the line). If you’re about to start your search, knowing what to keep an eye out for is the first step!

If you’re ready to buy an income property, here are just a few things to look for…

A Great Location

The community—and even the nearest intersection—you choose for your income property will determine the type of tenant you attract.

If it’s a well-established neighbourhood with quiet streets and mature trees, it will likely appeal to families. If it’s an up-and-coming area (signs include proximity to in-demand locales and a growing number of independent shops and eateries), you can expect young professionals to come calling.

No matter which route you go, make sure the area you choose is a desirable one that will enable you to ask for an adequate amount in rent. The easiest way to determine if this is the case is by talking to local landlords.

You can access our extensive neighbourhood guides for Toronto and the West GTA here.

Numbers That Make Sense

When you’re buying an income property, there’s math involved. It’s not a perfect science, but having a strong sense of local demand, average rents, and the cost of maintaining the space in question can help you make a more informed decision.

First off, you’ll probably be looking for a cash-flow positive property (one that brings more money in each month than you’ll need to spend on its mortgage and upkeep). A property with negative cash flow can be a good investment, but it’s important to know the strategy involved if you go this route.

Another helpful formula is for the capitalization rate, which can help you estimate your return. It’s typically determined by taking your expected net operating income and dividing it by your property asset value. A qualified financial advisor can help you get a better handle on these metrics and how they work.

The Right Amenities

It’s not just the reputation and general character of a community that matters. Potential tenants are looking for an area that will suit their lifestyle, and that means having the right amenities nearby.

Whether it’s top-notch schools, parks, and grocery stores or buzz-worthy restaurants and nightlife, local amenities should match a specific demographic—and be highlighted in your marketing.

While neighbourhood and general proximity are important, your precise location can be, too. For example, many tenants will be willing to pay a little more each month to have a GO Station right outside their door.

Useful Features in an Income Property

While location counts for a lot, what’s inside matters too! From the layout of a living space to its number of bed and bathrooms to the size of its refrigerator, features can impact the rent you can reasonably charge.

Once again, it comes down to your most likely tenant. Do they have a car? If so, buying a place with a parking spot could be to your advantage. Will they require extra storage? Young families often do, which is worth considering if they’re your target demographic. It’s all about putting yourself in the shoes of renters. A skilled real estate professional—one who has a strong track record when it comes to working with investors—can help.

Future Development

When you’re assessing an area’s potential, think of the future as well as the present. Will there be a lot of upcoming development in the neighbourhood? If so, it could impact property values.

On the one hand, local development can be a sign that an area is on the rise. If sleek new condo buildings or trendy boutiques and small art galleries are in the works, you could be looking at an up-and-coming neighbourhood. That said, new buildings aren’t always good news. A tall condo tower next door to where you’re buying may block your tenant’s view—which could make your property less desirable. You can check with the city to find existing plans that are zoned for the area where you’re looking. (Information on Toronto available here)

Buying and operating an income property can be both profitable and rewarding—and finding an agent with the right expertise is the first step. Are you ready to find the right place for your investment?

Looking for an income property with potential? Get in touch to learn how I can help you find your ideal space!

Are you planning to buy a home in Oakville? If you’re a parent, there are many family-friendly neighbourhoods to choose from. As you narrow down your options, one of the most important things you’ll likely want to consider is the quality of local schools. It starts with some basic knowledge about the best places for your kids to get the education they deserve.

Here are four top-notch schools in Oakville for parents to consider…

1) James W. Hill Public School

This southeast Oakville learning environment is one of the finest in the area. First off, James W. Hill receives an impressive 8.7 out of 10 from the Fraser Institute—which is widely regarded as the authority on Canadian schools.

If that’s not enough, it also gets good scores from the Education Quality Accountability Office (EQAO). This provincial institution administers testing for sixth and ninth-grade students in reading, writing, and math. Learners at James W. Hill consistently perform well. 

Lastly, the school boasts an impressive roster of extracurriculars. From sports (like basketball and soccer) to music (which includes activities such as jazz band) to the arts and special interests (think clubs devoted to film, the environment, and cursive writing), there’s something here for every student.

2) E J James Public School

Located in Eastlake, E J James Public School earns a ranking of 8.9 from the Fraser Institute. It’s also the right place to send your kids if you want them to receive a fantastic French Immersion education. Half of the instruction at this top-notch school is in English, and the other half is in French.

E J James also fares well with the EQAO. Students at the school earn outstanding scores across subject areas. Recently, its staff has also been rethinking its approach to problem-solving and math. From encouraging collaborative thinking to creating a Community Math Night for parents, the steps the school has taken are garnering impressive results.

3) Forest Trail Public School

If you’re looking to give your kids an unbeatable education in West Oak Trails, Forest Trail Public School is a safe bet. It’s acquired a Fraser Institute ranking of 9 out of 10—and its students have certainly earned their above-average EQAO scores. 

The school offers a wide variety of online educational resources, from Dreambox (a fun, interactive platform for math) to Raz Kids (an online tool which offers children’s ebooks and much more). It’s what little ones and their parents need at a time when so much learning is happening at home.

4) Al-Falah Islamic School

Local families who want to give their kids a quality Islamic education are in luck. Oakville is home to one of the best options in the country. Al-Falah Islamic School receives a perfect score of 10 from the Fraser Institute!

Al-Falah focuses in part on what it calls character education, which includes values such as conservation of nature, acceptance of diversity, and gratitude. When it comes to academics, it embraces a creative approach. Students even have the opportunity to participate in math contests through the University of Waterloo.

5) St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School

When it comes to educational excellence, it doesn’t get better than St. Mildred’s-Lightbourne—which scores a perfect 10 from the Frasrer Institute. For over 125 years, this independent school has been helping girls become future leaders and global citizens.

From pre-school through grade 12, attendees enjoy a solid academic education, impressive extracurriculars, top-notch sports instruction, and a learning environment that fosters creativity and growth. From its outdoor classrooms and peaceful gardens to its art studios, gymnasiums, and student lounges, the St. Mildred’s-Lightbourne campus is the ideal place for the daughters of Oakville to prepare for the future.

So, where are the best schools in Oakville?

The truth is, finding a school that’s the right fit for your child can take some time. While the four options above represent some of the best, they’re far from your only choices.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure you make the right decision. Work with an agent who knows your neighbourhoods of interest—and consider a scheduled visit to any school that looks like a contender. Doing your homework can make all the difference!

Looking for the right home in the ideal family-friendly community? We can help—get in touch to benefit from our Oakville expertise.

There’s no doubt that Oakville is one of the best places to live in Canada. With its natural beauty, stunning homes, and friendly village feel, this charming town on the lake ranks high on many home buyers’ lists. There’s also a lot more variety here than you might think—in terms of both homes and communities. 

If you’re dreaming of making a move to Oakville, here are five neighbourhoods worth getting to know right now…

1) Bronte Village

Bronte Village has been around since the 1830s, making it one of the most well-established communities in Ontario. There are plenty of older homes here, but they’re mixed with newer options—including condos and townhouses.

Along with its rich history, the area is brimming with gorgeous green spaces. Local favourites include Bronte Creek Provincial Park (with its trails, pool, golf course, and more) and Shell Park North (which features tennis courts and a dog-friendly area, among other amenities). 

You’ll find a mix of shopping plazas along Lakeshore Road West, as well as one of the area’s most unique local attraction (Sovereign House, which showcases local history and art exhibits). 

Another fantastic perk of living in the area is Bronte Harbour. Along the waterfront, you’ll find a marina offering scenic views, an assortment of great restaurants (Bronte Boathouse and Plank Restobar are two must-try hotspots).

2) Old Oakville

It’s one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in town. We’re talking about Old Oakville, which provides scenic lakefront views, pretty parks, and top-notch schools (including the highly-reputable MacLachlan College). It’s also an ideal community for those seeking a heritage home. 

Fans of Tudor, Georgian, and Colonial houses will find plenty of selection in Old Oakville. Mixed in with these historic properties, there are also some beautiful modern options.  

Along with its homes, Old Oakville is known for its downtown business district. Take a stroll down Lakeshore, and you’ll find everything from designer clothing to upscale giftware to trendy art galleries. There are also plenty of buzz-worthy eateries here, including Noble Bistro (which has top chef JohnRoss Woodland at the helm).

3) Morrison

Looking for a custom-built home? If so, Morrison may be right for you. This charming area serves as a calm oasis (think mature trees and plenty of peace and quiet). Residents enjoy a friendly, small-town feel, along with properties that perfectly meet their needs.

Of course, the opulent homes here—especially those along Lakeshore—can come with some hefty price tags. Morrison is nicknamed the “Gold Coast,” in large part due to its spacious houses (many of which cost many millions of dollars). Big lots and close proximity to downtown Oakville also attract buyers to this area. 

Morrison is also where you’ll find some of the top schools (including private institutions) in the country. In fact, local test scores are 37% higher than the national average.

4) West Oak Trails & Westmount 

Oakville neighbourhoods don’t get more family-friendly than West Oak Trails. This relatively new community offers plenty of great places for kids to get an education (including but not limited to West Oak, Garth Webb, and Forest Trail schools). It’s also a highly convenient place to live, with its parks, recreational facilities, and access to GO Transit and highways.

Within West Oak Trails is an up-and-coming neighbourhood known as Westmount. Here you’ll find well-appointed homes that are, for the most part, smaller and more affordable than those you’ll find in other parts of Oakville. 

A mix of detached, semi-detached, and townhome options make Westmount a great area for first-time buyers. There are plenty of parks and playgrounds around, furthering its appeal with families.

5) Glen Abbey

This Oakville neighbourhood is known largely for the Glen Abbey Golf Club, which has hosted RBC Canadian Open and PGA events. Its gorgeous clubhouse and beautifully-designed course—which is one of the best-known in the country—make it a pleasure to visit for any golf enthusiast.

In Glen Abbey, you’ll find an abundance of houses in the Georgian and Tudor Revival styles, many of which sit on wide lots and back out onto a ravine. Locals also enjoy the area’s abundance of trails, parks, and playgrounds. 

Between its stately homes, world-class golf club, local conveniences (like the Abbey Plaza shopping centre), and bike-friendliness, this community is a homeowner’s dream.

Is Oakville Right for You?

Prospective Oakville homeowners have no shortage of neighbourhoods to consider. While the town is often associated with affluent buyers (and it’s true that there are plenty of local mega-mansions), you’ll find more opportunities at various price points than you might think. Are you ready to find your perfect place in one of Canada’s most beautiful communities?

Looking for your next home? I know Oakville better than anyone. Get in touch to learn how I can help you find your ideal property!

Have you been outbid on offers and are frustrated with buying a home in Toronto’s record breaking market? Here are 7 ways on how to win a property bidding war in Toronto and the GTA.

1.  Have a realistic expectation.  

The list price may sound enticing at $599,000 when you’ve qualified for a $625,000 mortgage…but will the home really sell for that? If comparable homes are selling for much more, you’ll know that the Seller and his agent priced low in order to generate interest from multiple buyers and drive up the price. Frustrating? Yes, it can be. In some cases the list price doesn’t mean anything. What is the home really worth as compared to other similar recent sales in the neighbourhood? If you know that they’re selling for considerably more than what the price is listed at and it’s beyond your means, move on to something else.

2.  Give yourself a healthy buffer amount to move up in price.  

The list price doesn’t mean anything (well, sometimes). What is the value to YOU? This ties into having a realistic expectation about the property. At the end of the day the value is what a Buyer is willing to pay. There will always be someone else who might feel it’s valued at more (or less). Give it your best, but do leave a bit of room to move up in price. Some Sellers will decide on the offer they’ll work with based on the first shot so you don’t want to lose an opportunity however, if there are other similar offers to yours the Seller might provide for a second chance – so having that buffer could mean getting the place in the end.

3.  Fulfill conditional obligations before offering on the property.  

Let’s face it, in Toronto’s heated real estate market if you have any conditions in the offer you are dead in the water. A Seller won’t take a chance with the sale falling through if for some reason the Buyer doesn’t receive financing approval, or wants to walk away because of findings in a home inspection report. This means possibly turning down a more attractive offer price for a FIRM sale. Once a firm offer has been accepted the parties are bound to that agreement and may not “walk away” for any reason. Btw, a smart Seller and his Realtor will have already had a home inspection completed prior to listing and the pre-listing home inspection report available for review. Ask to see it and if you feel that it’s not comprehensive or detailed enough there’s nothing stopping you from having your own home inspector view the property. Sure it’s an out of pocket expense before even knowing if you’ve got the home, but isn’t that $400-500 bucks worth the peace of mind?

4.  Think outside the box with your offer price.  

Almost everyone will round their numbers in an offer (for example $650,000 on a $600,000 list price) and or move up in increments of $500-$5000. This means that there’s a greater chance of someone else having the same offer amount as you so you will have to subsequently increase your offer in order to differentiate yourself. Why not do so right off the bat? Try a number that’s not predictable. Some cultures find certain numbers lucky so use this to your advantage if the Seller could relate. Also keep in mind that some find certain numbers unlucky, therefore don’t use those unlucky numbers in abundance.

5.  Have your deposit funds ready with the offer.  

What this tells the Seller is that you mean business! Having the deposit cheque together with the offer at presentation means that you’ve fulfilled this requirement in advance, whereas it’s typically provided within 24 business hours of an accepted offer. Leave those personal cheques at home. The deposit should be a money order or a certified cheque and in an amount that makes sense to the list price. Some would say 4-5% of an offer price is a good deposit, but this will vary based on purchase price and trends in that city. The larger the deposit the more attractive your offer will be to the Seller. Be sure to transfer funds from accounts in advance so it’s easy for you to access. If you bank with PC, for example you may need an extra day turnaround.   Always have deposit funds ready and accessible when you’re serious about buying a home.

6.  Add a personal touch.  

Most Sellers will want to know that their house is going to be lovingly enjoyed by the new owner for years to come. What is in in particular that you love about the property and the deciding factor for your purchase? Are you starting a family and find that this would be a perfect home to raise your children in? Does the home have unique features that you’d like to preserve? If the Seller can relate to you as the Buyer, you’ve already touched upon something that resonates with them which could help in you landing the purchase. It doesn’t hurt to write a letter or advise your Realtor to share some information about you to the Seller in order for them to understand why you’re buying the house.

7.  Get a great Realtor and let them help you.  

They do this every day, and can help you with the very best strategy. Ask a lot of questions and feel comfortable knowing that you have someone on your side who’s been through (and won) numerous bidding wars for other Buyers, and on the flip-side have also represented Sellers in multiple offers. This way you have the expertise from both ends.

As daunting as it may seem for a Buyer, the home buying process can be an enjoyable and exciting one. Arm yourself with this knowledge and the help from an experienced agent.

Get in touch with us if you’re ready to take the leap into home ownership. We promise to help you navigate the market  and get you into a new home in no time!

– Tanya

Join us at the first ever Streetsville Pumpkin Parade! Tuesday, November 1st from 6-8:30pm.

Wondering what to do with your pumpkins and jack o’ lantern’s now that Halloween has ended? If you’re in North or West Mississauga bring them to the Streetsville Pumpkin Parade! The Streetsville BIA invites local residents and businesses to bring jack o’lanterns to the Streetsville Village Square on November 1st at 6pm. Pumpkins will be lit up at 7pm for a beautiful display to see! Judges will vote for the most creative pumpkin and prizes awarded. Tea lights and lighters will be provided. Bring the entire family, grab a pumpkin spiced latte and enjoy the fun!

Don’t worry about bringing the pumpkins back home, the Region of Peel will collect them all for compost. Looking forward to seeing you there!

It’s no surprise that our Toronto housing market results just keep getting better as the year progresses. This one might go down in the record books as the best one yet.

As of October 2014:

Real estate sales up 10.9%.

The Toronto Real Estate Board reported 8051 transactions in September 2014, a 10.9% increase compared to September 2013. Despite a persistent shortage of listings in some market segments, we have experienced strong growth in sales suggesting buyers remain upbeat about purchasing a home. The majority of home buyers purchase a home using a mortgage. The share of the average household’s income dedicated to their mortgage payment remains affordable, which is why buyer interest has remained solid,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President, Paul Etherington.

Average selling price for homes in the GTA up $41,221 in one year.

The average selling price for September transactions was $573,676, up 7.7% from 2013. Average year-over-year price growth was strongest in the City of Toronto, both for low-rise home types like detached and semidetached houses and for condominium apartments. The average selling price year-to date was $563,813 – up 8.5%  compared to the first nine months of 2013. A Toronto detached home sold for an average of $951,792 in September 2014

Real estate sales growth expected to hit new sales record.

If the current pace of sales growth remains and is coupled with the multitude of willing buyers and short supply of listings, the Toronto housing market will translate into very strong annual rates of price growth in the fourth quarter. “We could be flirting with a new record for residential sales reported by TREB Members this year.” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Director of Market Analysis.

What does this mean to you as a Seller?

The fall market is the second best time of year to sell. Why wait for spring when plenty other Sellers will be listing as well? It’s an opportune time to take advantage of short supply and less competition. As we’ve seen there are plenty of Buyers that are ready, with mortgage pre-approvals obtained and ready to move forward on the right purchase.

Buyers – why wait? Prices only keep going up and show no signs of slowing down.

The heading is not meant to scare you! Take advantage of the cooler months when you’ll be vying for homes against fewer competing Buyers. Nothing better to celebrate the upcoming year with a new home to ring in 2015! It makes sense if you’re ready, to take advantage during the current market as there’s no signs of slowing down. Why potentially spend tens of thousands more on a home if you’re trigger shy to make a move, NOW. Think about the awesome furniture, art and accessories you could deck your home out in – or the 8 person hot tub which would be perfect in your new backyard.

Contact us.

If you’re looking to Buy or Sell, drop us a line and we’ll get you going on your best foot forward. info@tcteam.ca

Good-bye summer, it’s been a slice. Although Mother Nature left us with much to be desired, fortunately we were busy selling homes! This summer was our busiest on record and we thank the amazing clients with whom we’ve had the opportunity to work with during this time.

The Fall housing market is in full swing! Stats-wise overall, August sales weren’t too shabby with a total of 7600 sales across the entire TorontoMLS which was up 2.8% compared to August 2013. The average selling price this August was $546,303 – up 8.9% in comparison to the average of $501,677 reported in August 2013. The year-to-date average price through August was $562,504, which represented an increase of 8.5% in comparison to the same period in 2013.

What does this mean? Well…Buyers are still out shopping for their perfect new home. Even though we’re seeing a healthy dose of new inventory hitting the market daily, the demand still exceeds supply. Sellers! Now that you’re refreshed from the long weekend and summer break, it’s an opportune time to get your home prepped and ready to hit the market.

Check out our current listings for sale:

• EXCLUSIVE, not on MLS brand-spankin’ new condos available at AURA (Canada’s tallest luxury condo in the heart of the city at Yonge & Gerrard) and at DNA 3 in the trendy King West (proper) neighbourhood. Great selection of 2 bedroom and 2 + den suites starting from $490,000 (including parking!)
• Stainless-steel appliances, granite and new laminate flooring at this Awesome deal for a 4 year new, 1 bedroom + den in Square One Mississauga’s city centre (only $248,900!) – SOLD!
• Terrific first time purchase and the best price in the building for this immaculate 1 bedroom suite in Square One Mississauga’s city centre at an unbelievable $235,000!
• For lease we have a gorgeous 1 bedroom + den, 1.5 bath loft on Merton St conveniently located at Yonge & Davisville. $1950/month (includes hydro and parking!)
• Spacious, and just renovated 800 sq ft 1 bedroom + den condo opposite Square One, Mississauga for only $1575/month. – LEASED!

Are any of these properties what you or someone you know is looking for? Get in touch if they are, OR if you would you like to know the most up-to-date sales activity for your neighbourhood. We’re happy to help!

2nd Quarter results were recently released with overall sales up 10.4% over the same time last year, squashing speculation that the condo market was on a continual decline. It’s no surprise that we’ve seen an increase in condo sales based on how single family homes have skyrocketed in price. Condos remain a more affordable option for small families and those looking to cash in on their homes and downsize to a more effortless lifestyle.

Stats-wise, the average selling price for condos in Q2 was up by 5.5% year-over-year to $367,010. In the City of Toronto, which accounted for 71% of total sales, the average selling price was $392,739, representing an increase of 5.3%. In Mississauga, condo sales were up 4.8% with an average price of $279,902 representing an increase of 5.1% year-over-year.

Have you noticed a surge in construction cranes throughout the city? Many new condo projects have popped up contributed by a healthy increase in the pre-construction condo market, with a total of 5,992 new condominium apartments sold in Toronto during Q2, which was the third highest volume of activity for a second quarter behind 2011 and 2007 and a 56% year-over-year increase from a post-recession low in 2013. The 12-month total for new condo sales reached 18,463 — directly in line with the 10-year annual average. Price growth remained consistent coming in at 2.8% annually to an average index price level of $554 per square foot in Q2. Pricing for unsold units continued to hold steady, growing by less than one percent to an average of $570 psf.

So what does this mean for new condos that are nearing completion? We should still see enough demand to sustain the price growth over inflation over the second half of the year. This coupled with how hot the Toronto condo rental market is reinforces the fact that buying condos are a sound investment after all.

I can’t believe we’re already half-way through 2014. Is it just me or has the year flown by? This spring/summer season has been busy in more ways than one. My husband Steve joined me in the business at the start of a year, forming the Tanya Crepulja Team. We celebrated our first year wedding anniversary in May, and also had another celebration on that very same day – the birth of our son. Amidst all this it’s been business as usual and as you can imagine it’s been busy, in real estate and at home with our ‘lil guy 😉 This has been one of my best years in real estate yet, having met and worked with numerous amazing buyers and sellers….all while pregnant or after just having the baby, dispelling the myth that you can’t work with a newborn (hey, real estate is my “other” baby!)

What else is exciting is the launch of our new website, which is where you’re reading this. It’s been a labour of love and in the works for the past few months with design from the good folks at Artifakt Digital.  This is the first blog post of the new site, so bear with me as I get the hang of blog writing. I’m sure Steve will have his contributions for the blog going forward, so be sure to check in often – and browse the site while here. We welcome your feedback on the site, and would be happy to help you with any home buying or selling questions you may have. Until then, make the most of what’s left of summer!