904-270 Davis Drive West, Newmarket
Laura was referred to me over a year ago by a relative who was a past client. She decided it was time to put her condo on the market. We hired a professional stager, Sandra, from Fab Places & Neat Spaces, who provided valuable insight into how to showcase the condo’s space and features effectively. Sandra advised us on what items to remove, rearrange, or add to create a visually appealing environment that would attract potential buyers. The condo also underwent a professional deep cleaning to enhance its overall presentation.
The staged condo attracted significant attention, with six showings scheduled within just three days of being listed on the market, which resulted in 1 offer, and a successful sale, which we ended up netting thousands of dollars more than the last unit that sold (same model). Laura’s successful condo sale demonstrates the power of staging in today’s competitive real estate market. Laura not only sold her condo quickly but also secured a higher price than anticipated. It was amazing working with you Laura, can’t wait to do it again!
40 Blue Willow Drive, Woodbridge
Navigating the current real estate market as a first-time homebuyer feels like stepping onto a roller coaster—exciting, nerve-wracking, and filled with twists and turns. As a realtor, I’ve had the privilege of guiding families through numerous home purchases, but this recent experience stands out as a true testament to the resilience and excitement of my first-time buyer, Daniel.
Daniel is a 25-year-old young man, on the brink of a significant milestone: buying his first home. His family’s connection with me, forged through his mother who entrusted me to find homes for his siblings, added an extra layer of trust to our journey together.
The decision to buy wasn’t made lightly. Like many first-timers, he experienced a mix of anticipation and apprehension. This is par for the course in Woodbridge’s real estate scene, where fierce competition often leads to multiple offers on sought-after properties. Despite the nerves, he took the leap with confidence, armed with financial readiness and a preapproval, ready to face whatever challenges came our way.
And challenges we did encounter. At several properties, we found ourselves in bidding wars. The path to this successful purchase wasn’t without its hurdles. We faced disappointments, but with each setback, we grew more determined. We persisted, knowing that the perfect home was waiting for us.
Finally, at 40 Blue Willow Drive, our persistence paid off. Among eight other offers, we emerged victorious, securing the property at an excellent price! It took a few tries, but they say the third time’s the charm. This home seemed destined to be his.
The story of 40 Blue Willow Drive epitomizes the journey of a first-time homebuyer navigating the complexities of the Vaughan real estate market.
19 Bergamot Cres, Richmond Hill
Recently, I had the privilege of assisting a client through a huge transition. All her family resided in Peterborough. As she grew older, she found herself needing to be surrounded by her family. With two sisters ready to lend a helping hand, she made the courageous decision to relocate. By the end of April, Laraine will have the fresh start she needs, ready to move into her beautiful condo close to her family in Peterborough.
What’s even more special is that one of Laraine’s relatives resides in the same building, adding an extra layer of familiarity and connection to her new surroundings. The thought of being just a stone’s throw away from her family must fill her with such relief. Having family nearby, ready to offer a helping hand or simply share a cup of coffee and a chat, is such a blessing, and I’m so happy that Laraine will get to experience that. Laraine- wishing you all the best in your new condo!
3491 Capricorn, Mississauga
CHERISHED MEMORIES
As a realtor, every home tells a story. And the story of 3491 Capricorn Crescent is one of love, family, and cherished memories spanning over six decades. It was my privilege to be part of this heartfelt journey with my seller, a remarkable woman I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for 20 years.
The decision to sell this home wasn’t easy. This wasn’t just any property—it was a place where two generations lived, where children grew up and out of their childhood home to have children of their own grow up here also. But as time passed, the upkeep became too much for my seller and her grown children to manage. Coming to terms with the need to move from a home that has become part of your identity is definitely frightening.
As we embraced the modern real estate market, she met each new experience with grace. Navigating through all this technology stuff can be a challenge—I mean, I deal with it everyday and I’m still lost! She was pleasantly surprised by how quickly technology streamlines the selling process.
We navigated through 19 showings and two offers in four days, ultimately selling the home for $21,911 over asking price. It’s truly touching to know that the buyer is a first responder, adding an extra layer of meaning to passing it on to another family committed to serving their community. Talk about keeping this home “all in the family”…
263 Torii Street, Woodbridge
Since 1982, the owners have called this house their own. But as time passed and they entered their later years, the challenges of maintaining the home grew. Climbing stairs became a struggle, and they knew they needed more support than their house could provide. After heartfelt discussions with their family, they made the brave decision to part ways with the home they had lived in for so long.
This choice wasn’t made lightly. Their home wasn’t just a place to live; it held the memories of their life together. Letting go meant leaving behind a piece of themselves. With my guidance, we faced the change with courage and strength.
It was a privilege to accompany the sellers on their journey—to assist them as they navigated the transition from their longtime home to a new chapter.
518-23 Glebe Road, Toronto
LANDLORD BEWARE
When my client put their mid-town condo on the rental market just after the start of the pandemic, we were hopeful that we would be able to find the right tenant. As the city went into lockdown, people stopped looking for places to move and there was very little interest in this gorgeous and accessible one-plus-one bedroom condo.
After a couple of months of very little activity, the owner wanted to list the condo on Kijiji to find a tenant. Having heard some stories of some bad experiences on the free listing site, I tried to discourage my client from using it, but in the end, decided to give it a try. We had several suspicious and spammy calls, but no qualified tenants.
I remembered the story of someone I know who decided to list their secondary unit over their garage on Kijiji. One day, a nice young man showed up on their doorstep with bags in hand, ready to move in and asking for keys! A scammer had copied their ad and posted it themselves, had the tenant send them first and last months rent via e-transfer, and complete a lease agreement over email as well. The tenant showed up ready to move in. The scammer was never found and the “tenant” lost their deposit.
My client and I eventually found the right tenant for their condo through another agent referral. But the lesson remains: beware of sites offering free listings. You may not find the quality tenant you are looking for and you may have a stranger show up on your doorstep, ready to move in!
1103 – 898 Portage Pkwy, Vaughan
EMPTY SQUARE, DON’T CARE
You know you’ve found the right place the minute you open the front door. This is exactly what happened for my clients – two cousins who were looking for a condo to rent together. Top of their priority list was easy access to the subway and this is the main feature Transit City in Vaughan provided. The 2-bedroom condo offered the right amount of space and was zero minutes to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway station. The promise of this unfinished complex was exciting enough for my clients to sign the lease. Despite the fact that the 9-acre park square is not yet built, the amenities are not open and construction is ongoing, the cousins could see the long-term potential in the property. Once completed, the neighbourhood will be thriving, accessible, amenity-rich community that my clients will enjoy for years to come.
255 Gibson Circle, Bradford
905 -10 Torresdale Ave, North York
RIGHT PLACE, WRONG TIME
When we first started the process of getting my client’s mother’s condo ready for sale, there was a lot of turmoil in my client’s life. The condo belonged to my client’s mother who, after living in the suite for more than 30 years, was now unable to look after herself and needed to transition to assisted living. The daughter, who lives in Calgary, was busy managing her mother’s move and care, while trying to determine whether to renovate the unit for rental, list it as-is for sale, or have some minor repairs completed prior to listing.
At my client’s request, I provided statistics on rental values, arranged for a contractor to give her a full renovation estimate and presented her with some past sales comparables. She sought my professional opinion on what needed to be done at a minimum in order for the condo to be ready for sale. I connected her with more contractors, arranged the walkthroughs and made sure my client had the estimates she needed to make the right decision.
It took 5 months for my client to get her mother settled, to evaluate the estimates and confirm finances. When the decision was made to move forward with a sale, I was ready with the right people to paint the condo and replace the broadloom. Once the unit was finished, we were on the market and within 9 days had 6 showings and 2 offers. The unit sold and closed within a week to a lovely 93-year-old lady who is downsizing.
