This year has been a challenging one for many. No more than for those looking to sell homes. Boy, what a change from the last two years where sellers ran the market and low interest rate fuelled some incredible value increases. The pivot from the Bank of Canada to steadily rise interest rates and borrowing cost to put the brakes on inflation, has been so profound, there where we were talking about Toronto properties being days on the market we are now getting close to months. The pendulum has swung in a big way. Most experts in real estate and finance feel that this was a necessary change - but the reality is it has put the market on it's head and has a different set of implications for real estate transactions. I talk to Managing Partner at Outline Financial, Jason Friesen about how this has effected him on a day to day basis, what trends his is seeing and what he thinks will happen in the year ahead. It's full or balanced and helpful stuff - I hope you enjoy!

What a year this has been!!  2022 has seen more interest changes than Lady Gaga's costume changes at the Super Bowl.  The Bank of Canada has been on a rampage since March of this year.  And why?  Inflation, inflation, inflation.  With detached properties seeing a decline in pricing by $300,000 since February in the City of Toronto.  Who is buying?  What are buyers feeling?  Who is taking advantage of any opportunities out there?  With Toronto rents rocketing is this an optimal time for Investors?  The gap between condo pricing and residential homes has shrunk to the smallest percent in decades.  Has pandemic buying, the crazy "new normal" which has come to an abrupt halt taught us anything?  We discuss and address these burning questions with our mortgage expert, Jason Friesen, Managing Partner of Outline Financial.  Our last episode of the year is a doozy, so tune in with a hot cocoa or in this case a stiff drink and enjoy!  We thank you for your support as always.

Interior design is so accessible. There is media everywhere seducing you with images of the perfect home!

Some do it themselves. With success, occasionally.  But most end up with questionable results.

As with many professions there are tricks of the trade. An experienced interior designer can turn an expensive time suck into something magnificent.

Great design requires trained appreciation for aesthetics, proportion, scale and practicality.

And, it doesn't have to cost a lot of money. Right-sizing a project budget to your home is critical. Ensuring end delight and avoiding costly over renovation.

Which is why on this episode of The Toronto Real Estate Podcast we have professional interior designer, Jacklynn Little.

Jacklynn, owner of Jacklynn Little Interiors talks us through some tricks of the trade. The content of which will help you understand some of the process and craft behind beautiful spaces.

We also spend some time talking about how the pandemic has re-shaped peoples taste and needs. And how this has surfaced in new trends in materials, colors, furniture and functionality.

Listen in - if you’re thinking of renovating - it should provide for thought and inspiration - who knows it could save you time and money!

Without dwelling on the issue the last few years have seen the pathway to property ownership in Toronto become a little rocky. For some ownership maybe a distant dream. But as with any challenge or problem there are people out there that are finding ways to make it work. This edition of the Toronto Real Estate Podcast features that story of two women that were undeterred by the challenges of becoming property owners and have been so successful they now own two. The story of Lindsay and Laura, friends in business and life, is an inspiration to some that may feel that ownership is out of reach for them. Through a disciplined approach to financing, bold communication, planning and a sprinkling of trust, they became owners just before COVID of a wonderful home near Christie Pits at the heart of the throbbing metropolis we call Toronto. Listen in to their story, learn and take heart from their process and success.

It's been an interesting last week for us Canadians.  You saw a yawn of a Federal Budget and a snap increase in the overnight lending rate of 0.5% by the Bank of Canada. Will you see improved affordability of homes across Canada? Will it lower inflation levels generally? Or is the issue so deep rooted that the status quo will remain. Listen in as we discuss all this with Jason Friesen, Managing Partner of Outline Financial.

If there's one positive thing we can take out of recent events it's that we are focusing on health both mental and physical more than ever. In real estate this has manifested in demand for more space and better, more intelligent design in the homes we live in. 

In this episode of the  Toronto Real Estate Podcast twe are privileged to be joined by architects and thought leaders, Paul Dowsett and Daniel Hall of The Architect Builders Collaborative Inc. based in Toronto.  Both Paul and Daniel focus a huge amount of personal energy making green; low carbon; net zero and sustainable homes a reality for their clients in Canada and advocate how many carbon cutting solutions are affordable and accessible when renovating or building a home.

If you are considering integrating some low carbon, energy efficient design into your future home (or indeed want to understand how Kermit was a liar) - this indeed is the podcast for you.

Faster than a speeding bullet, 2021, is almost done. Like a great New Year’s Eve Party, 2021 was interesting and memorable, but may have left you with a sore head. With that in mind, this episode of The Toronto Real Estate Podcast, is the last one of 2021 and has Sherille and Ed joined by Jason Friesen, Managing Partner of Outline Financial, to discuss a year in review and what may be around the corner in 2022. 

As the flame of 2021 flickers, not only are there new “viral variants of concern” to deal with, but there are also some “non-viral areas of concern” in the form of Chinese real estate developer Evergrande struggling to pay down $300 billion dollars of liability and the trillion dollars of boomer cash that is increasingly being released into Canadian real estate in the form of gift giving.  That along with the promise of imminent increases to interest rates and potential impact on buying and selling, 2022, may have your reasonably scratching your head. 

And that, my friends, is why this episode is a doozy as all of this and so much more is discussed, to help you navigate the fascinating world that is real estate in Toronto 2022.  Until next year - all our best wishes have a great holiday season and see you on the other side!

October 2021 was the second biggest October on record, but Toronto is at an historic all time low for inventory. As prices surge, option for buyer lessen. On this episode of the Toronto Real Estate Podcast, Sherille and Ed discuss recent changes in the market and what the end of the year will likely hold. Changes in Bank of Canada’s position on the economy, the drop in new listings and the Government Housing Plan are all up for ‘conversational grabs’ as your fearless realtor friends get stuck into what matters most in Toronto Real Estate.

It's been a funny year or so for the Condo market. It been one where investors, buyers and sellers of condo units have suffered a few devastating punches. The beginning of the year saw COVID related excesses of leases available, deflation on lease rates, vacancy rate in the City of Toronto hit above 6%  and building cost inflation that had many worried about it's ability to rebound. From July onward the rental market rebounded and many of these 'stress indicators' subside. But as we go into the Fall market and 2022, does this recovery point to sustained growth for investors, buyer and sellers alike and after getting out-performed relative to other residential real estate over the last year, dare we think that the next year may be the year of the condo? Sherille and Ed discuss the other factors (new builds, population growth, freehold to condo value difference, rental rates, and debt to income or asset ratios) that will have a material effect on whether the next 18 months will see the condo market become the new darling in Toronto Real Estate.

Good gracious - it’s a swelter out there - it’s so “Hot in the City” that we’ve taken to the indoor comfort of air-conditioning. Now we know - it’s been a while - but we’re only human - like you we’ve enjoyed our Summer of Freedom and ‘got out there’. For those of you that missed up, don’t worry we are vaxed up and ready to roll. In this week’s Podcast Epic we are delving into what makes Cabbagetown and what makes Cabbagetown great and reviewing the summer sales todate.

As Cabbagetown is one of the oldest parts of the city it has a ‘story to tell’ - equal part grime and glamor.  It also coincides with Layton Homes bringing to market a fantastic Cabbagetown home. Tune in, maybe learn a little about a neighborhood you knew little about, hey if you’re in the mood to buy a spacious, 3 story freehold townhouse with stunning roof top deck over looking the City, go CRAZY and give us a call. We’d be happy to show it to you!

Whatever you decide we sincerely hope you enjoy this installment of the Toronto Real Estate Podcast, Cabbagetown: From Skid Row to Cultural Gem.