Kathy Markoff Right at Home Realty Inc

AVERAGE GTA RENT IS EXPECTED TO RISE AS HIGH AS 11% IN 2022 Following the major rental declines in 2020, the GTA rental market has seen strong growth in 2021 a trend that’s expected to continue into the New Year. In 2022, average monthly rents are forecast to increase even higher, with rents in the 416-areas poised to rise by as much as 11%, while 905-areas could see increases between 4%-7%, according to the latest Bullpen Research & Consulting and TorontoRentals.com Toront...o GTA Rent Report. According to the report, annual rents were up in Toronto, Burlington, Richmond Hill, Oakville, and Oshawa, but were down in North York, Vaughan, York, Scarborough, and Brampton. Toronto had the largest annual increase in average monthly rent for condominium rentals and apartments in November at 10.7% to reach $2,288/month. However, while rents were down in Scarborough last month, it’s the only city in the GTA that monthly rents are expected to top their 2019 pre-covid levels in 2022. According to the report, Toronto will bounce back in 2022, as the forecast calls for an annual increase in average rent of 11% next year to $2,495/month. Similar growth rates are expected in the other 3 former municipalities, with Etobicoke average rents to increase by 9% to $2,360/month, while North York is forecasted to grow 9% to $2,195/month, and Scarborough average rents are expected to go up 10% to an average monthly rent of $2,175/month. #toronto #torontolife #torontophotographer #torontorealestate #torontophoto #torontomoms #torontobusiness #torontocondos #torontoblogger #torontocondo #torontobeaches #torontodowntown #torontowedding #torontoweddingplanner #torontoweddingphotography #torontohomes #torontohomesforsale #torontorealtor #torontorealestateagent #torontocondos #torontocondoforsale #torontoluxuryhomes #eatoncentre #torontoeatoncentre #downtowntoronto #fairviewmall #torontoengagement #torontoengaged #torontoengagementphotographer #torontoengagementrings

HOUSING SALES ARE EXPECTED TO EASE WHILE PRICES RISE IN 2022 Back in December, the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has once again revised its quarterly housing market forecast. Following an unexpected rebound in sales in the final quarter of the year, CREA says it now expects some 668,000 properties will trade hands in 2021. If this prediction is correct, the association says it will be a record-setting number by a margin of about 21% over 2020.... The association says it expects interest and mortgage rates to rise and impact some market activity, yet demand for housing will still be strong and the lack of properties available will mean there won’t be much slack in terms of prices. Looking ahead, CREA says it expects home sales to remain historically strong in 2022. At the same time, sales are expected to trend slowly back toward more typical levels due to limited supply with higher prices and interest rates. The easing of sales is expected across most of Canada with buyers facing supply and affordability constraints, while the urgency to purchase a home or FOMO over not buying continues to fade. Meanwhile, CREA expects tightening supply conditions to push housing costs even higher in 2022, with the national average home price forecast to rise by a further 7.6% on an annual basis to around $739,500. However, CREA warned that this forecast is conservative because, in November 2021, the national average price was almost $721,000. That being said, CREA added, while price growth is not expected to be as extreme in 2022, many of the conditions that supported it right up until the end of 2021 will still be there on New Year’s Day. #torontokitchen #torontokitchendesign #torontohomes #torontohomesforsale #torontohomebuyers #torontohomeowners #torontohomerenovations #torontocondos #torontocondosforsale #torontorealtor #gtarealtor #gtahomes #gtahome #gtahomesforsale #gtacondos #etobicokemoms #etobicokelakeshore #etobicokerealestate #etobicokehomes #etobicokerealtor #etobicokelife #etobicokecondos

3 INTERIOR DESIGN IDEAS FOR YOUR CONDO Condos are popping up everywhere. Being smaller than single-family homes, decorating condos can be tricky since there is less space to work with. Here are 3 simple condo interior decorating tips that can take your condo from boring to utterly your own!... 1. Plants There's a good chance your condo in the city lacks access to trees, plants, and nature as a whole. To bring a little bit of country into your city condo, invest in plants for your patio and indoors. You can also invest in artificial plants, so you have those little bursts of green around your condo without the hassle of watering. 2. Utilizing Space with Furniture When picking out furniture, make sure to have specific reasons for your pieces. Avoid having too much furniture, especially if it isn't functional. Minimalistic decor is always suitable for small rooms. White and soft pastels are vital to your design elements like paint, furniture, and accessories. Another tip is to pull your pieces away from the wall a few inches to give off a look of more space. Translucent materials also help with openness. Glass coffee tables and side tables give off the illusion of more room. Wood or marble-like materials will make the room feel more weighty. Metallic or mirrored pieces also will reflect light and bring in space. 3. Curves A smart condo design idea is to decorate with curves. Curvy couches, circular mirrors, etc. can give an illusion that there's more space than there is. Unlike square pieces, curved ones take up less space. Try out these tips when designing your condo and you'll achieve a great modern look that isn't visually overwhelming. #torontohomes #torontohomestaging #torontohomesforsale #torontohomedecor #torontohomebuyers #torontohomeowners #torontohomestager #torontohomerenovations #torontohomedesign #torontodecor #torontointeriordesign #torontointeriordecorator #torontocondos #torontocondosforsale #torontorealtor #gtarealtor #gtahomes #gtahome #gtahomesforsale #gtahomestaging #gtacondos #etobicokemoms #etobicokelakeshore #etobicokerealestate #etobicokehomes #etobicokerealtor #etobicokelife #etobicokecondos

LET'S TALK ABOUT CREDIT AND MONEY AMID COVID (PART 3) In previous posts, I've been going through questions asked during an interview with Equifax Canada's Director of Consumer Advocacy, Julie Kuzmic where she talks about COVID, credit, and money. Today, I'll continue with more questions asked during her interview that you may find helpful.... Q: What are the top-3 misperceptions about credit? "One checking your own credit report will affect your credit scores. Two people should know that they have multiple credit scores versus a single credit score per person. Too often when people see two credit scores in their name with different values, they assume one of them is wrong when the scores were simply calculated using different models. And three there's no way to 'fix' your credit scores overnight. A credit score is a prediction of making your payments on time and one of the best paths to a high credit score is to make your payments on time. Avoid anyone that tells you they can ‘fix' your credit score." Q: Is it possible to have a perfect credit score? "It's not baseball. There's no such thing as a 'perfect game' when it comes to credit scores. Credit scores are a value between 300 on the low end to 900 on the high end. A very good credit score is generally considered 750 and above, but I will often have people say to me I always pay my bills on time why isn't my credit score 900? What did I do wrong? It's another misconception to think that you start with 900 and lose points for doing something wrong. Credit scores are based on a wide range of variables." #scarborough #scarboroughbeach #scarboroughbluffs #scarboroughlife #scarboroughontario #scarboroughrealestate #scarboroughtowncentre #scarboroughhomes #scarboroughrealtor #scarborughcondos #toronto #torontolife #torontorealestate #torontobusiness #torontocondos #torontobeaches #torontodowntown #torontohomes #torontohomesforsale #torontorealtor See more

5 RUSTIC BATHROOM IDEAS YOU'LL LOVE Everyone knows kitchens and bathrooms sell a house. But even if you have no intention of ever putting the family homestead on the market, you should still give the bathrooms the respect they deserve. ... Here are a few ideas to spruce up your bathroom to give it that rustic feel: 1. Rustic Reclaimed Bathroom Mirror Nothing is more country than repurposing something old like this vintage dye-cut piece into a surprisingly modern mirror. 2. Rustic Tools in the Bathroom What's so great about a vintage ladder? Just lean it against the wall and it's ready to go. Plus, you can actually use it to display guest towels. (Frankly, we're surprised people actually have traditional towel racks at all anymore.) 3. Nature-Inspired Bathroom Accents Faux antlers arranged around a simple mirror add a simple rustic note to a modern bathroom that positively gleams with white tiles, marble countertops, and brass accents. 4. Greenery in a Rustic Bathroom It's oh-so-easy to bring the outdoors in. Adorn your planked walls with a pine branch, and viola, you can start singing some selections from Into the Woods. Don't have easy access to a tree? Layer in stacked logs, dried flowers, live flowers, or even a fiddle leaf fig. 5. Stained Glass Windows The stained glass window came from the homeowner's previous house and provides both privacy and a dash of color. Many people focus on decorating their kitchen, bedrooms, and common spaces and forget that bathrooms can also exude that country feel. What do you think? Would you want to country-up your bathroom, or leave it more modern? #torontokitchen #torontokitchendesign #torontohomes #torontohomestaging #torontohomesforsale #torontohomedecor #torontohomebuyers #torontohomeowners #torontohomestager #torontohomerenovations #torontohomedesign #torontodecor #torontointeriordesign #torontointeriordecorator #torontocondos #torontocondosforsale #torontorealtor #gtarealtor #gtahomes #gtahome #gtahomesforsale #gtahomestaging #gtacondos #pickeringontario #pickeringrealestate #pickeringmoms #pickeringtowncentre #pickeringhomes #pickeringphotographer #pickeringrealtor

LET'S TALK ABOUT CREDIT AND MONEY AMID COVID (PART 1) Going through times of financial uncertainty can be stressful and sometimes a voice of knowledge and reassurance can make all the difference. Equifax Canada's Director of Consumer Advocacy, Julie Kuzmic, is a financial literacy advocate who can help us better understand money matters and our relationship with credit.... Q: Are times changing? Even before Covid-19, do you think people were opening up about money matters especially as it relates to credit? "I think people are talking more about credit because there are more outlets and opportunities to learn about their credit scores over the last four to five years. It's easier to get access to credit information, which in turn drives a little more media coverage pertaining to financial literacy. People are more apt to have conversations and ask questions about the information that they may not understand." Q: Has Covid-19 made it even easier to talk about money and credit? "The pandemic has clearly impacted everyone and there definitely seems to be a greater willingness for people to discuss their financial situation. There seems to be less hesitancy for people to share that they needed to defer payments to manage a difficult financial situation because everyone understands that we have all been impacted by the pandemic. It's not a matter that people made poor financial decisions." Stay tuned in my next post for more questions about COVID, credit, and money! #torontohomes #torontohome #torontohomesforsale #torontohomeforsale #torontohomebuyers #torontohomeowners #torontocondo #torontocondos #torontocondosforsale #torontorealtor #gtarealtor #gtahomes #gtahome #gtahomesforsale #gtacondos See more

LET'S TALK ABOUT CREDIT AND MONEY AMID COVID (PART 2) In the last post, I went over some questions asked during an interview with Equifax Canada's Director of Consumer Advocacy, Julie Kuzmic. Today, I'll continue going over some more questions during her lengthy interview about COVID, credit, and money. Q: Has the taboo been lifted? Will it be easier to talk money and credit going forward?... "I really hope so! It should be less of a taboo and I would hope that people want to share the knowledge that they have gained. When I'm doing credit education seminars, I'm quite often surprised there isn't better awareness of certain financial concepts like budgeting or saving to create a ‘rainy day' fund. The more we talk about these concepts and money matters the more likely people will have a better understanding of personal finances." Q: How does someone start a conversation about money or credit? "To be clear, talking about money doesn't mean that you have to share all of your financial details or credit card statements with everyone. It's okay, however, to share a tip that you may have learned. As an example, you don't need to share with someone the value of your Equifax credit score, but you may want to mention that you looked it up. You may also want to share that looking up your credit score did not negatively impact your score, which remains a common misperception with many people today." Talking about money can often be an uncomfortable conversation and even something people don't want to think about when it comes to their own finances. In my next post, I'll continue going over some more questions asked during Julie's interview. #etobicoke #etobicokemoms #etobicokeeats #etobicokelakeshore #etobicokerealestate #etobicokecondos #etobicokemoms #southetobicoke #etobicokehomes #etobicokerealtor #etobicokesouth #etobicokecreek #etobicokelife #etobicokerealestate #sherwaygardens #toronto #torontolife #torontorealestate #torontomoms #torontobusiness #torontocondos #torontobeaches #torontodowntown #torontohomes

FAQs ABOUT COVID AND YOUR CREDIT (PART 2) In my last post, I talked about 2 common questions Canadians are asking when to comes to how COVID can impact their credit. In this post, I'll review more FAQs - let's get started!... Q: My lender has agreed to defer my payments for a period of time. Will this affect my credit standing? In order to neutralize any negative impact that deferred payments might have on borrowers’ credit standings, Equifax and TransUnion worked closely with lenders, creditors, industry regulators and the Canadian government to develop updated credit reporting specifications in response to COVID. There are several aspects of deferred accounts which must be recorded on the borrower’s credit file in a certain way in order to protect their credit standing. Q: Will other lenders and companies know that I have entered into a deferred payment arrangement? In short, if the account is on your Equifax credit report, the fact that it's in a deferred status will likely be visible to other organizations which can legally access your credit history. Remember that some types of accounts are not reported to credit reporting agencies. For example, rent payments are rarely reported to credit reporting agencies, while property taxes and water, gas and electricity utilities are not. Any of your accounts that are not reported to Equifax would not appear on your Equifax credit report. There you have it! I hope that you found this helpful and remember, if you have any further questions about COVID and your finances, contact your lenders/creditors directly to see what options you have available. #scarborough #scarboroughbeach #scarboroughbluffs #scarboroughlife #scarboroughontario #scarboroughrealestate #scarboroughtowncentre #scarboroughhomes #scarboroughrealtor #scarboroughcondos #toronto #torontolife #torontorealestate #torontomoms #torontobusiness #torontocondos #torontobeaches #torontodowntown #torontohomes #torontohomesforsale #torontorealtor See more

3 WAYS TO STYLE A BATHROOM WITH A CLAWFOOT TUB When they appeared in the 19th century, clawfoot tubs were considered a luxury item. They were made out of heavy cast iron with a porcelain lining. The classic style has the characteristic rolled rim as well as decorative "feet" that hold the tub off of the floor. Clawfoot tubs are an excellent choice if you want to give your bathroom a traditional or retro look. The feet and the type of rim will often make the difference betwee...n a true retro look and a more streamlined, modern interpretation. Here 3 ideas to style your bathroom around this beautiful tub: 1. Cottage Style Bathroom A gorgeous country cottage-style bathroom needs a clawfoot tub. Add to this the wonderful herringbone brick floor, and you have quite an original and unexpected addition! 2. Modern Style Bathroom The clawfoot style doesn't have to be all traditional, all the time. In fact, it does very well in a more modern decor scheme, where it gives a touch of elegance. The ornate feet provide a perfect contrast to the minimal colors, abstract art, and marble tile floor. 3. Black and White Bathroom with Golden Touches By leaving space around them, clawfoot tubs are excellent at making a small bathroom look bigger compared to alcove tubs. The black on white contrast also adds a lot of visual interest. The golden hardware does a particularly good job of avoiding the typical black-and-white monotony. Clawfoot tubs are definitely a unique and timeless piece that can add character to an array of bathroom styles. Do you like clawfoot tubs or do you find them too traditional looking? #torontohomes #torontohomesforsale #torontohomebuyers #torontohomeowners #torontocondos #torontocondosforsale #torontorealtor #gtarealtor #gtahomes #gtahome #gtahomesforsale #gtacondos #pickeringontario #pickeringrealestate #pickeringmoms #pickeringtowncentre #pickeringhomes #pickeringphotographer #pickeringrealtor

ITS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR It's been a long and trying year for many, but despite all the challenges, I definitely have many things to be grateful for. I'm thankful for the wonderful friends, family, and clients who have supported me this year. I'm also grateful for all the personal and professional growth that has allowed me to become a better and wiser person than last year.... From my family to yours, I hope you all have a safe and restful holiday! #happyholidays #merrychristmas #christmasday #holidayseason #seasonsgreetings #thankful #grateful #blessed #torontohomes #torontohome #torontohomesforsale #torontohomeforsale #torontohomebuyers #torontohomeowners #torontocondo #torontocondos #torontocondosforsale #torontorealtor #gtarealtor #gtahomes #gtahome #gtahomesforsale #gtacondos

FAQs ABOUT COVID AND YOUR CREDIT (PART 1) COVID has caused sudden job losses and financial worries for many people in Canada. Canadians have been asking questions about their credit scores, and what they can do to protect themselves. ... Learn what you should be aware of, as well as the steps lenders and creditors are taking to ease the burden on borrowers below. Q: What can I do if I’m having trouble paying my bills? Follow these best practices to help minimize the impact of Coronavirus on your credit standing: Ask for help. If you're unable to make the minimum payment, contact your lenders and see if any assistance is available. Pay what you can. Avoid making late payments. Try to make at least the minimum payment on accounts, or any amount you and the lender or creditor agree on. Stay up to date on your credit reports. You're entitled to a free copy of your credit report at any time. You can find your updated Equifax credit report online. Add a consumer statement to your credit reports. You can add a brief 100-word statement to your Equifax credit file to explain your financial situation. An example of a statement could be Be advised that the negative accounts on my credit report are related to the COVID. I intend to make these up as soon as I can. Q: If I am diagnosed with COVID, is my credit affected? In the case that you or a family member gets COVID, remember that medical information isn't reported to the Canadian credit bureaus, nor will it appear on your credit report or impact your credit scores directly. However, a reduction in your income may have an effect on your ability to pay lenders. #etobicoke #etobicokemoms #etobicokeeats #etobicokelakeshore #etobicokerealestate #etobicokecondos #etobicokemoms #southetobicoke #etobicokehomes #etobicokerealtor #etobicokesouth #etobicokecreek #etobicokelife #etobicokerealestate #sherwaygardens #toronto #torontolife #torontorealestate #torontomoms #torontobusiness #torontocondos #torontobeaches #torontodowntown #torontohomes

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE ADDING A SUNROOM TO YOUR HOME Have you ever wondered, or even dreamed of adding a sunroom to your home? No doubt you’re thinking about the pros and cons of this addition. ... To help you make an informed decision, let’s take a look at the cost and other things to consider. The cost of your sunroom depends on what your intended use is as this will dictate the size. Size, quality of materials, and level of craftsmanship are prime indicators of the overall cost. Sunroom costs also depend on variables such as: Where you live. High-demand cities can be more expensive vs rural areas with lower labor rates. Location. You may have challenges in tying into your existing structure. Demolition of old construction may also be costly. Energy efficiency. Many high-tech, energy-reducing products are available but can be expensive. Finishings. Elaborate millwork and stone flooring will drive up the price. Dependable sunroom contractor. Established companies carrying overheads may quote higher estimates than start-up businesses. THINGS TO CONSIDER The personal enjoyment and lifestyle value you’ll get from a sunroom may be priceless, so it’s impossible to put a cost figure to the peace and pleasure you’ll get. With that said, consider these concerns adding sunrooms may include: Possible increase in property taxes Potential adjustment to your insurance rate Extra utility expenses, especially if you add a four-season sunroom Limited privacy that may require drapes, blinds or other window coverings For those concerned about increased property taxes, consider the flip side, which is an increase in home value. #torontohomes #torontohomesforsale #torontohomebuyers #torontohomeowners #torontocondos #torontocondosforsale #torontorealtor #gtarealtor #gtahomes #gtahome #gtahomesforsale #gtacondos

NON-HOMEOWNERS ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO MISS BILL PAYMENTS VS HOMEOWNERS A recent survey revealed insight into how Canadians are (or aren’t) managing their debts and finances. As it turns out, those with the most amount of debt above their heads are more likely to better manage bill payments vs those with fewer dollars in the debt department. ... The study showed that non-homeowners were more likely than homeowners to have trouble managing their debts, despite having less to pay. The goal of the study was to understand how much mortgage and non-mortgage debt homeowners and non-homeowners hold, along with how likely they were to miss a bill payment on their credit report. Homeowners in Toronto reported a jaw-dropping 34.7x more total debt than non-homeowners at $608,296 compared to $17,537 (not that that’s entirely surprising in the city’s dramatic real estate climate). However, Canadians without a mortgage were 2.2x more likely to have a missed bill payment on their credit report. In Toronto, non-homeowners are 4.3x more likely to have missed bill payments, an indicator of challenges in meeting living expenses. Undoubtedly, the city’s sky-high and rising rent prices are a contributor to this. People across the country experience affordability issues in different ways. Some Canadians have more trouble managing their debt and finances than others, reads the report. With non-homeowners, sky-high rent and living expenses prices in cities like Toronto, and even Hamilton don’t help the get-out-of-debt cause. The findings also reveal that on average, 2/10 Canadian consumers have at least one missed payment on their credit report. #torontokitchen #torontokitchendesign #torontohomes #torontohomesforsale #torontohomebuyers #torontohomeowners #torontohomestager #torontocondos #torontocondosforsale #torontorealtor #gtarealtor #gtahomes #gtahome #gtahomesforsale #gtacondos #pickeringontario #pickeringrealestate #pickeringmoms #pickeringtowncentre #pickeringhomes #pickeringrealtor

4 TIPS TO CREATE THE BEST DINING ROOM SPACE If you're anything like me, you love to eat and spend time with your friends and family, preferably against a stylish backdrop. To make sure it's in tip-top shape for dinner parties and everyday use, here are 4 ideas to create a great dining room space:... 1. Spotlight a Fireplace A fireplace always creates a cozier environment and creates the right atmosphere for memorable conversations. Align your dining set parallel to the fireplace and you're good to go! 2. Create Flow Between Spaces An open floor plan creates cohesion between the dining and living room areas, making the entire space look larger. This also allows everyone in each space to be a part of the same conversation, or speak in groups. 3. Perch by a Window A large window can make a room feel larger as you let in more natural light. It can also create a space that makes all your guests feel relaxed and refreshed - like being on a beach. 4. Match the Kitchen This is particularly important if you have an open-concept space. A kitchen designed completely differently from the dining space will make your room look divided and less spacious. Use the same color scheme and style to create a truly cohesive look. The dining room is a well-used space in the home, particularly for those who love to entertain. Hopefully, one of these tips above will work for your space and create a truly welcoming room. Which tip will you implement? #scarborough #scarboroughbeach #scarboroughbluffs #scarboroughlife #scarboroughontario #scarboroughrealestate #scarboroughtowncentre #scarboroughhomes #scarboroughrealtor #scarborughcondos #toronto #torontolife #torontorealestate #torontomoms #torontobusiness #torontocondos #torontobeaches #torontodowntown #torontohomes #torontohomesforsale #torontorealtor See more

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A HOME DURING THIS PANDEMIC You'd think that with this pandemic that the real estate market would've slowed down - and it absolutely has not! One of the biggest concerns that many have though is being able to see the property before buying. It's a valid concern because if you're making an investment this big, you'll want to see every corner of your purchase and truly imagine yourself living in it, right?... Viewing listing photos isn't a substitute for visiting homes in person, however here are a few things that have been implemented to put your mind at ease: 1. Virtual tours Now I'm not talking about the traditional virtual tours, I'm talking about 3D, Google street maps type of virtual tours. 2. Private showings If and the seller are comfortable enough, you can arrange a private showing where you and one other person can enter the home and take a look around. Naturally there will be other precautions in place like signing disclosure forms indicating that you have no symptoms and/or have travelled outside the country in the last 14 fays. One thing that I recommend as well is to take a walk around the area to see what amenities are available nearby - what kind of schools, grocery stories, shopping malls, highways and transit routes are around the home? There are definitely other precautions that I recommend you take when shopping around for a home during this uncertain time, and I'd be happy to go into more detail about the steps I personally take. What are your biggest concerns when purchasing a home when there are no open houses allowed? Comment below and I'll let you know what some solutions may be to ease your mind. #toronto #torontolife #torontoblogger #torontofood #torontorealestate #torontophotographer #torontoeats #torontophoto #torontostyle #torontofoodie #torontobusiness #torontocondos #torontodowntown #torontofashion #torontopride #torontomoms #torontodesigner #torontobloggers #torontorealtor #torontorealtors #torontohomes #torontointeriordesign #the6ix #downtowntoronto #torontonightlife #gtarealestate #gtarealtor

HOW MUCH CAN YOU SPEND ON YOUR NEXT HOME: FACTOR #3 If you've been following the last few posts, I've been talking about the 3 factors that go into determining how much you can afford to spend on your next home. Today I'll be talking about the third factor that goes into figuring out what that magic number is, and that's your liquid assets and liabilities.... Taking into consideration your income, liquid savings and other financial resources is definitely something that will help you determine how much you can spend on your dream home. Now is the time to check in on those pre-authorized contributions to your ‘rainy-day savings’ account, see how much that car/boat/jewelry you don’t use may be worth, and take stock overall of your liquid assets. It may just surprise you how much your accumulated possessions are worth! On the flip side, any substantial debt accrued or a loan you haven’t paid out yet will also need to go in the books. You’ll want to get those cleared up before house-shopping. Even if you are not presently thinking of selling your current home, you may be wondering how much you could afford to buy. Once it is all laid out, you should have a pretty good picture of how much you can spend and a price range to work with to help you confidently shop for that new home. Take a look into all 3 factors I mentioned because it's definitely worth finding out if you can afford to get into your dream neighbourhood and home now, or just need to set some goals to help get you there. Do you have a dream area you want to move into? I know anything and everything Toronto so leave a comment down below and let me know and I'll give you a pretty good idea at what you'll be looking at to get there. #toronto #torontolife #torontoblogger #torontofood #torontorealestate #torontophotographer #torontophoto #torontobusiness #torontocondos #torontodowntown #torontomoms #torontorealtor #torontorealtors #torontohomes #torontointeriordesign #the6ix #gtarealestate #gtarealtor

HOW MUCH CAN YOU SPEND ON YOUR NEXT HOME - FACTOR #2 In the last post, I mentioned that there are 3 factors that go into determine how much you can afford to spend on your next home which is the value of your current home. Today I'll talk about the second factor, which is the TYPE of home you want for your next move.... Key features of your dream home like its square footage, location, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, style (ex: two-story vs. ranch) and the year it was built all factor in to establishing how much you’d have to fork over to make it yours. It's important to do some research into how the market favours (or doesn’t!) the type of home you’re interested in. The thing is, doing this kind of research can be time consuming and many don't even know where to start when looking for this kind of information. Thankfully, I've been living and breathing everything Toronto as long as I can remember and so if you want to get answers quickly, feel free to pick my brain and leave a comment below - I'd be happy to let you know what's what in different areas of the city. #toronto #torontolife #torontoblogger #torontofood #torontorealestate #torontophotographer #torontoeats #torontophoto #torontostyle #torontofoodie #torontobusiness #torontocondos #torontodowntown #torontofashion #torontopride #torontomoms #torontodesigner #torontobloggers #torontorealtor #torontorealtors #torontohomes #torontointeriordesign #the6ix #downtowntoronto #torontonightlife #gtarealestate #gtarealtor

SOME DAYS I FEEL LIKE A MATCHMAKER BRINGING THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO THEIR PERFECT HOME When looking for a partner to spend your life with, there tend to be certain things you're looking for - kind, thoughtful, and a good sense of humor wouldn't hurt. My client was recently retired and wanted something similar to his house in Toronto but in Hamilton to be closer to his daughter.... We participated in a few multiple offers on some really nice places but eventually it became quite clear that although he started out looking at townhouses what he really wanted was a smaller detached bungalow with a bigger than normal garage. We had 4 weeks of a tough go with the Hamilton market going crazy. One night there were 33 Offers on 1 house! But being as determine as I am, I checked the Hamilton listings every hour of the day, and guess what? We got lucky. Something came up on the market in the afternoon. I immediately said "get dressed I will pick you and the dog up in 30 min because I booked an appt on a newly listed house." Then off we went, and it was worth the drive because we put an offer in immediately and he got it! I want to thank the Listing Agent on this property, Laura Carbell-Gillis from Royal LePage State Realty in Hamilton. She was professional, a perfectionist, approachable, exceptionally patient, made herself available at all hours of the night, but most of all she was honest and true to her word. That goes a long way in my books!!! For those who are struggling right now to find their dream home, never give up. Just when you think there is nothing out there for you - it happens! Looking for someone to find your perfect match? I'd love to talk. 647-469-5233 #torontohomes #torontohome #torontohomestaging #torontohomesforsale #torontohomeforsale #torontohomebuyers #torontohomeowners #torontocondo #torontocondos #torontocondosforsale #torontorealtor #gtarealtor #gtahomes #gtahome #gtahomesforsale #gtahomestaging #gtacondos #hamiltonontario #hamont #hamiltonon #hamiltonontariocanada #hamiltonont #hamiltohome #hamiltonhomes #hamiltonhomesforsale #hamiltonhomestaging #hamiltonrealestate #hamiltonrealtor #hamiltonrealestateagent #hamiltonrealtors

HERE'S THE #1 QUESTION IM ALWAYS ASKED "WHAT CAN I AFFORD TO BUY?" Truthfully, I think this is a question people ask themselves even BEFORE they even approach me, and it's a completely valid question. You're nervous, and knowing what your realistic options are can help you make informed decisions confidently. Thankfully, with a lot of experience in the Toronto market and access to many resources I'm able to help pinpoint properties in the market that are best suited for... your budget very easily. Now, to determine what your budget is, I'd have to use one of those resources I was talking about, which is putting you in touch with some of my Mortgage Broker connections to assist you with discovering what type of mortgage you qualify for. Thankfully this is a free service that will better inform you when making financial decisions, which can make you make other decisions faster - which is crucial in today's market! For those of you that are curious and want to find out answers to a few preliminary questions on your own, I actually have a link to calculator tools that you can use to determine: 1. What you can potentially afford as a mortgage amount 2. How much it will cost each month to make payments on the mortgage amount You can find this information on my site here: http://www.kathyourealtor.com/Calculators Now if you want some immediate answers and guidance to determine what range in pricing you should be looking at buying leave a comment down below, or DM me and I'd be happy to have a casual chat about what I think based on my long standing experience in the city. You may be able to afford more than you think. #toronto #torontolife #torontoblogger #torontofood #torontorealestate #torontophotographer #torontoeats #torontophoto #torontostyle #torontofoodie #torontobusiness #torontocondos #torontodowntown #torontofashion #torontopride #torontomoms #torontodesigner #torontobloggers #torontorealtor #torontorealtors #torontohomes #torontointeriordesign #the6ix #downtowntoronto #torontonightlife #gtarealestate #gtarealtor