Ashley Smith Properties Toronto Real Estate
154 Bathurst St M5V 2R3 Toronto, ON, Canada

Time flies! https://www.blogto.com//100_years_of_the_toronto_skyline_/

I am very excited to announce that the Ashley Smith Properties team has grown! Please meet Rob & Jenn. . Rob is a tenacious realtor who has been in the biz for a year and a half and has decided to come work for the team! Rob is personable, friendly and devoted to helping his clients find their dream home. .... Jenn is the new Ashley Smith Properties client care coordinator! She is dedicated and here to help with any questions or concerns you may have throughout the buying/ selling process. . We can’t wait to put our extensive knowledge of the Toronto Real Estate Market to work for you! @ Toronto, Ontario See more

As many of Toronto's favourite summer activities begin to resume operations, you might be wondering what you can do for fun right here in the city! Here are my suggestions: The CN Tower has announced that it's now accepting reservations for the EdgeWalk once again. This is a full circle hands-free walk on a five-foot-wide ledge encircling the top of the CN Tower's main pod, starting August 1st. This experience is perfect for thrill-seekers and risk-takers. If you were thinki...ng of spending your weekends relaxing, the Toronto Islands are now open to the public. Bring your bike, pack a picnic and lay out on the beach (just make sure to wear sunscreen!). If you plan on taking the ferry, I’d suggest arriving early as they are operating at half capacity. In addition, you can now take your family to Ripley’s Aquarium! Purchase your tickets online to explore a world of underwater adventure! My favourite part is the Rainbow Reef, a beautiful and colourful display of fish and sea creatures from the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Stay safe and have fun!

Purchasing a new home can feel like an amazing adventure for you and your family. But not everything about moving is fun. My least favourite part is packing all of my belongings to take with me. That’s why I wanted to share three of my favourite ‘moving game-changers’, that will make #movingday feel like a breeze. 1. Schedule a donation pick-up (for free) If you need to purge heavy furniture, clothing or other household items, try scheduling a free donation pick-up with a... local charity such as Goodwill, Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity. This gives you more time to focus on the move, while simultaneously contributing to a good cause. 2. Get moving boxes from local retailers The price of cardboard boxes can quickly add up. Luckily, many retailers such as grocery stores, will gladly give you their extras. You can also use newspaper to pack up breakable items (just be aware of the ink!) 3. Keep everything you need for disassembled furniture in one place As you dissemble furniture, keep all screws and hardware in a plastic bag. Label the bag and tape it to the furniture itself. This way, you’ll have everything you need in one place. What are your go-to moving tips? Let me know down below!

Many businesses have been given the green light to reopen this week in the city of Toronto. Shopping centres, personal care services and restaurants/bars are rushing to provide us with the best service possible. That’s why I wanted to talk about a few spots that have shared their reopening plans. Public libraries are among the spaces that are allowed to reopen this week. Some locations will begin to serve members of the public who require internet access, study spaces, compu...ters, information services and more. However, if your interested in picking up a book or two, their curbside pick-up option is encouraged. Toronto shopping malls such as the Eaton Centre and Yorkdale will also start to open up. Not every store will be open, but many big names such as Nordstrom, H&M, Hudson's Bay, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Indigo will readily welcome in-store shopping. With nearly 8,000 restaurants across the city being closed or operating with reduced services, many of them are eager to create outdoor spaces in order to welcome guests. There will be many new health and safety precautions in place to ensure the well-being of patrons. For example, The Parlour on King West will open this Thursday at half-capacity. Make sure to #staysafe as many businesses begin to re-open this week!

With summer quickly approaching I’ve had the itch to dust off my old bicycle and go for a ride! Luckily, Toronto is home to numerous breath-taking paths. Whether you’re looking for an easy family ride or to challenge yourself, there is something for everyone! If you’re taking your children for a bike ride, I’d suggest the paved Martin Goodman Trail which borders the shores of Lake Ontario for more than 50 km. Make sure to plan your route ahead of time, as the trail marks of...f ‘caution’ areas to be avoided by children. Some sections I’d suggest include the Harbourfront Centre, Tommy Thompson Park and the Scarborough Bluffs. If you’re looking for a beautiful view, ride along the High Park bike path. This is the perfect nature ride with off trail roads, paved walkways and a wooden board walk for you to explore the entire park. Finally, if you’re looking for a bit of a challenge check out the Don Valley Bike Path. This 10-kilometre bike path offers cyclists an unpaved escape that makes you feel like you’ve gone off the grid. Make sure to pack a water bottle because this ride will definitely have you parched! If you have a favourite bike path in or around the city of Toronto, let me know down below!

CityPlace is a central Toronto neighbourhood that is known for housing go-getters and young professionals. Previously home to the CN Railway’s Spadina Rail Yards, #CityPlace is an outstanding example of how to build an urban oasis from scratch. Here are some great things to do the next time you’re in CityPlace Go Sightseeing:... A simple walk though this neighbourhood will have you ooh-ing and ahh-ing at many of Toronto’s tourist destinations! Check out Roundhouse Park to learn all about Toronto’s fascinating railway history. In addition, take a walk by the CN Tower in the evening to be amazed by it’s height and colourful lights. Grab a coffee (or two!): Thor Espresso Bar acts as the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of CityPlace. The interior feels more like a work of art than coffee shop, due to its modern and innovative design. Beyond amazing espresso, Thor always has delicious fresh baked treats that will have your mouth watering. Relax at Canoe Landing Park: With my coffee in hand, I like to spend some alone time at Canoe Landing Park. With over 8 acres of greenery wedged between skyscrapers, this park acts as the perfect place to take your dog for a walk or kick around a soccer ball. Not to mention that it is home to artwork from some of Canada's most amazing artists. Happy Exploring!

Yesterday I was lucky enough to speak to fellow Realtors looking to build their business in a meaningful way. I created a presentation about how to build a brand based on your personality and skillset. Tune in to learn more!

Toronto has continuously been ranked as one of the best North American cities to live in. However, Toronto is a large city that hosts so many vibrant neighbourhoods. How could one possibly narrow down where exactly they’d like to live? After all, what works for a young professional might not work for a busy family. That’s why I wanted to share with you Toronto Life’s Ultimate Neighbourhood Rankings tool. This tool allows you to customize your neighbourhood search by ran...king what is most important to you. Some of the different categories included are housing, community, diversity, entertainment, education, shopping, safety and employment. With over 100 neighbourhoods listed, you’ll definitely find a perfect fit (or two!). In addition, this tool shows you what each neighbourhood looks like via google street view and how it compares to other Toronto neighbourhoods. Check it out here: https://torontolife.com/neighbourhood-rankings/#

Did you know that Toronto hosts over 1500 parks within the city? These parks feature beaches, artwork, playgrounds, sports fields, gardens, biking trails, hiking trails and plenty of green space. Instead of going to the same park over and over again, it’s a great idea to explore some new options! If you live in the East end of Toronto, I’d suggest checking out Riverdale Park East. This park is great for athletes of all kinds due to its outdoor tennis, soccer and baseball fac...ilities. Not to mention a spacious running track! If sports aren’t your thing, it’s got a breath-taking view of the city skyline. Another one of my favourite East end spots is Withrow Park. With over 8.5 hectors of land this is the perfect place to bring your kids and let them play freely. There is also a ton of shade for those hotter days that are soon upon us! In the West end of Toronto, I’d suggest Bickford Park. Smack-dab in the middle of Little Italy, this quaint spot is often fairly quiet. This is the perfect kind of place spread out a blanket and read your favourite book! If you’re looking for a little more adventure Cityplace’s Canoe Landing Park has five different biking trails. Not to mention a few art pieces by Douglas Coupland, one of the park's designers. This even includes a giant canoe that allows you to see over the Gardiner to the lake. Here are a few other amazing Toronto parks for you to check out: - Jean Sibelius Square Park (The Annex) - Sunnybrook Park (Baview & Leaside) - Earlscourt Park (Corso Italia) - Monarch Park (East Danforth) - Baird Park (The Junction) - Campbell Park (Junction Triangle) - Craigleigh Gardens (Rosedale) - Sir Winston Churchill Park (St. Clair West) - Fairmount Park (Little India) - Greenwood Park (Leslieville) - Sherbourne Common (Harbourfront)

There is nothing I love more than seeing our community come together to support one another. That’s why today I wanted to give a special thanks to a few local restaurants that have come up with creative ways to support their communities. The West ends, Little India has been working hard on a new free meal initiative for customers who have been financially impacted by the current pandemic. This local restaurant has been coordinating with charities to provide over 50 meals a ...day to community members and essential workers. Customers can support Little India’s initiative by making a donation through their website. Check it out here: http://littleindia.ca/covid19/free-meal/ When the owner of the sandwich restaurant, Somun Superstar, noticed that his restaurants neighbouring flower shop, Flower Central, could not remain open (due to the business being non-essential), he reached out to the owner about offering a potted plant as an add-on available through their online ordering platform. Check it out here: http://www.somunsuperstar.com/ Miss Thing's, a Polynesian-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar has decided to help other restaurants develop websites so that their customers can order and pay for takeout and delivery entirely online. This way, businesses don’t have to lose out on their earnings by selling through delivery partners. Miss Thing’s has been taking as many inquiries as they physically are able to! Check it out here: https://missthings.customer.chat/ When I see people coming together to do great things like this, I can’t help but feel grateful to be a part of this city. I’ll definitely be supporting some of these businesses in the upcoming weeks! #supportlocal

On my walk today I noticed some magnificent gardens full of fresh flowers. Living in a building means that I don’t have much outdoor space but I do have a balcony. That’s why I took it upon myself to learn all about how I can turn my balcony into a springtime oasis. Here are some tips, if you’d like to do the same: 1) Start a balcony garden First, choose the right plants for you. If your balcony faces south and receives direct sunlight for most of the day opt for cacti, ...flowers or almost any vegetable. If your balcony faces north or is shaded by other buildings for most of the day, look to low-light plants such ferns, hostas and begonias. You may be able to hang planter boxes on your balcony’s ledge, which is a great option if your space is tight. 2) Outdoor furniture is key All you need to enjoy your morning coffee on your balcony is a table and a couple of chairs. If necessary, you can choose ones that folds up easily so that you can store them inside. I personally love outdoor sofa-style seating as a comfortable way to sit out in the sun. 3) Lighting and décor Give yourself some light for late-night hangouts. This can be done by installing an outdoor pendant or sconces. If you're renting, go for string lights or outdoor lanterns. In addition, use your wall space to hang planters or weather-resistant art. 4) Opt for an outdoor rug A patterned rug or runner will elevate the look of any balcony. At my place, I’ve chosen to go with a turf runner to bring that outdoorsy feel to my space. If you plan on giving your balcony or outdoor space a revamp this spring, let me know in the comments below!

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, you might be looking for a last-minute gift that your mom will absolutely love. The good news? There are tons of Toronto-based businesses working hard to bring special Mother’s Day treats to those around the city. Keep on reading to hear a few of my favourite ideas! The Drake Hotel and Drake Commissary created a special pick-up/delivery menu offering delicious brunch treats such as blueberry scones, chicken and waffles and veggie qu...iche. The best part? They’re also offering Make Your Own Cocktail kits! My favourite bar in the city, Mahjong, has created order ahead mix and match gift sets. This Little Portgual speakeasy lets you choose from mimosa kits, fancy chocolates, a cheese and charcuterie platter and a bouquet of Blush and Bloom flowers. Order by emailing [email protected]. If your mom has a sweet tooth, Soma Chocolatemaker is selling a 15-piece truffle box that includes a mix of milky, dark, nutty and fruity fan favourites. If you order $50 or more you’ll qualify for free porch drop-offs in Toronto. Finally, Tinuno’s new sister restaurant, Tala, is making kamayan meal kits to go. With enough food to feed four people you’ll get a platter of tilapia, milkfish, pork belly, squid, mussels and more. They’re also throwing in flowers, a card and dessert! To order, message them on Instagram at @tala.toronto or order through Door Dash. These businesses sure seem to have the perfect ideas to fill my mom’s heart (and stomach). I almost wish I could get these gifts for myself!

Covid-19 Sellers Guide! What are some things sellers can do NOW to prepare to sell once quarantine is over? Check out my video to find out!