The Bower Blog

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

I am fortunate enough to have met 4 great grandparents.  My baba and deeda fled the Ukraine/Austria when they were in their early teens and settled in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.  My great-grandmother tended a one acre garden up until the time she was 90.  Good stock, those Eastern Europeans!  My great-grandmother on my dad's side, lived in a teeny little town outside of Shelburne called Hornings Mills.  Blink and you may miss it.  She had a grand old Victorian with a huge meadow in the backyard.  The home was heated by a wood stove and we would have hot stones placed at the bottom of the bed to keep us warm in the winter.  Quilts were made by hand from old suits or thread-bare pyjamas and blankets.  I still have two of them.  I remember when I was about four, standing in the backyard of my granny's home and saying "one day, I'm going to have a place like this".  I loved everything about the home-the folk art, the antiques and the ambience.

Fast forward to today....so I'm a real estate agent with a love of homes, particularly older ones.  I have a deep appreciation of art and singing-all these gifts I received from great-grandparents, grandparents and my parents. I studied clothing design when I was in my early 20's.  In my teens, I did some back up singing with bands (sorry dad, yes I did go to bars when I was 17-may you rest in peace!) While I was studying, I got part time work at a real estate office where I met my son's dad. We established a flourishing real estate business and still do some work together to this day. 

My point in all of this is, when we are young it is usually hard to determine which direction we may go.  My thinking is always follow your passion.  A number of years ago there was an article in one of the newspapers suggesting that whatever part of the newspaper you grabbed first, was where your passion lies.  I've always grabbed Arts and Entertainment, Travel, Life Section.  And yes, they are what makes this heart sing!

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

DO YOUR HOMEWORK when choosing a MOVER

For some consumers, the most daunting aspect of the whole buying/selling process is the move itself.  Moving is not only labour-intensive, but it can also unleash a list of emotions at a difficult time.  If the catalyst for the move is a family death, divorce or other major lifestyle change, a bad moving experience can rub salt in the wound, aggravating an already challenging situation. 

As realtors we are constantly placed in the position of recommending contractors, painters, movers, cleaners, window cleaners, photographers, etc. I'm fortunate that I have worked with professionals for over 15 years; they are part of my "team" and to date, no complaints.  I must say however, I shy away from recommending movers even though I am in the business of moving people.  The reason for this is moving companies are only as good as their last move.  It seems unfair in a way that a company can have a stellar reputation and then make one boo-boo and that reputation goes from a "10" to a "0" on someone's recommended list.  Before we hand out a list of any contractors, we have to remember that every name we provide is an extension of our own reputation.  If a client is dissatisfied with my recommendation, it reflects on me.  Unfortunately this has led me to pass over recommending movers.  So what do you do?

Many resources are available to determine whether a mover is reputable.  The Canadian Association of Movers (CAM-www.mover.net, 1-866-860-0065), the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org/canada/ and any of the major national van lines are all good sources.  Also check out the Consumer Beware page through the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Servies (www.consumerbeware.mgs.gov.on.ca) for movers to avoid.

Many people don't realize that their main concern should be having a good moving experience, not getting the cheapest price.  Be sure you understand that the lowest quoted price not not actually guarantee the lowest cost, or a good-quality job or insurance on your move.  Consider the value of your possession as well as the potential cost of loss, damage, tardiness or claims.  All those factors should be weighed to determine the moves' total price tag and doing some homework before selecting a mover is well worth the time.

I have found some good luck with contractors through www.Homestars.com/Toronto as well.  There are testimonials written about contractors of all kinds by consumers such as you and me.  There is a rating system so look for movers that show clients have had high regard for their company. 

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

I HAVE THIS GREAT GUY.....

One of the wonderful things about my job as of late is the opportunity to work with the sons/daughters/friends of my friends.  Does that make sense?  My son, Skyler is 28 and hopefully soon he will be in the housing market.  My friends and school mates all have kids or neices/nephews who are around the same age and are entering the real estate market.  My experience with the young people is that they are eager to learn about the ins and outs of real estate but do defer to my experience and advice.  So far, it has been a really rewarding experience and I feel young again working with these "kids".  The only issue we are encountering (and it's not just the condo sector but city-wide) is the age old problem of supply and demand.  It is not easy to advise a client, any client, that there are 2-10 offers on the same condo/home they are bidding on.  Little supply means more buyers vying for the same product.  As we are all painfully aware, this escalates the prices.  Good for the seller; painful for the buyer. 

Anyway, getting back to my Title:  I have this great kid who is looking around the new Loblaws (Carlton/Jarvis/Church down to Front Street):  criteria, preferrably under 340K, 2 bedroom, parking NOT necessary, gym-type facilities NOT necessary, 2 bath.  Anyone that has this coming up, give me a call.  Maitland Place is a great opportunity...Homewood.....Jarvis....Gerrard...whatever....HELP!

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

A Family Lives Here-47 Endean Avenue

This beautiful family home has been painstakedly restored over the last 14 years; new kitchen, eat-in with breakfast bar, wonderful wood floors and open concept living, new baths and 3rd floor loft retreat.  The basement is finished with a washroom and separate entrance-ideal for a basement apartment.  It is located in the happening community of Leslieville, minutes to shops, dining and transit.  Listed at $649,900.00.  Public Open House Saturday and Sunday 2-4 p.m.  Stop by!

 

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

www.47Endean.com

 

42 Thurston Road-Simply Elegant

This incredibly designed home is situated in the much coveted area of Davisville Village.  Strategically located between Bayview and Mount Pleasant, plus in the Maurice Cody School district, this beauty has all the bells and whistles.

Open concept Living, Kitchen and Family Room flows out to the fantastic landscaped zen tiered garden, thoughtfully  designed with over 20 native species, underground water system and mood lighting. 

The back addition extends to the basement which features an added bedroom and recreation room.  This home boasts 3 washrooms, 3+1 bedrooms and is the ideal family home or great for the busy executive.

Attractively price at: $849,900.00 

We'll be on the market Tuesday March 20, 2012.

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

www.42Thurston.com

 

Tight Market Pushes the Average Price above $500K

Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 7,032 sales in February 2012-up 16% compared to February 2011.  New listings were also up over the same period, but by a lesser 11 per cent to 12,684.

"With slightly more than two months of inventory in the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) market area, on average, it is not surprising that competition between buyers has exerted very strong upward pressure on the average selling price.  Price growth will continue to be very strong until the market becomes better supplied," said Toronto Real Estate Board President Richard Silver.

"It is important to note that both buyers and sellers are aware of current market conditions.  This is evidenced by the fact that homes sold, on average, for 99 per cent of the asking price in February," continued Silver. 

Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis concludes:"If tight market conditions continue to result in higher than expected price growth as we move into the spring, expectations for 2012 as a whole will have to be revised upwards.  While price growth remains strong, the average selling price remains affordable from a mortgage lending perspective for a household earning the average income in the GTA."

 

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

Happy New Year and all that stuff!

Why does a date signify change?  Not sure, but every year, people make resolutions whether they be weight, drinking, schooling, housing....you name it and it is likely our economy will benefit from it in January!

My sister Michele laughs at me every year because for 28 years, she has heard..."will I ever sell another home?"  I literally go through this and start planning in December how I can continue my job. Realtors have to constantly re-invent themselves, sometimes a couple times of year.  Our society, and in particular, technology, moves so quickly that we have to keep on top of things.  As realtors, we are madated to renew our licensing every two years by credit courses.  I used to be so on top of this but as I got busier with my job and with outside interests, I have often left these courses to the last minute.  Consequently, the next month has me taking numerous credit courses.  Actually, for the most part, the courses are really informative and interesting...not sure why I procrastinate, but so be it.

The other thing that I do is have a yearly "discussion" with various essential (in my world) services.  By essential I mean cell phones and internet providers.  The discussion is about....money and why they cannot sharpen their pencil when it comes to my billing.  I was up for contract renewal with both FIDO and Rogers in December.  When I got home from family holidays, I had animated discussions with both providers about my billing.  These companies will refer you to something called "retention".  In other words, if they perceive you are going to Bell or Wind (Bell is their big nemesis) they will pull out all the stops to retain you.  My FIDO bill is now 40$ less per month than last year and Rogers is about the same as well.  Why they can't do this for long term customers in the first place is beyond me, but it gives me something to whine about in December. 

Anyway, I hope your New Year brings you much health, prosperity and joy.  Keep on truckin'.

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

 

Royal Rental Rip-Offs Exposed

In August and only coincidentally, both my son and my girlfriend's daughter were looking for apartments in the city (not together, sigh....still waiting for a grandbaby, but I digress)

Anyway, our city has been experiencing a severe shortage of good rentable spaces, of various prices.  On homes, there are rental bidding wars simply because they appeal to so many uses.  Homes can be shared or used as a single family.  The possibilities are endless. Lately I have been seeing rentals going for way over the asking price.  When my son Skyler and Emily were looking at respective apartments, being young adults, they looked in other places rather than the Toronto Star or on line at www.viewit.ca and www.torontorentals.com They submitted what they wanted on Facebook; scoped Craigslist, etc.  Both of these young people had their parents also pounding the pavement helping them out.

So, what happened?  In sharing our plight about our kids search for a rental, we discovered that both of them had encountered "dream" sounding apartments.  In my son's case, imagine, 1,200 square feet of open concept living, 2 car parking, gleaming hardwood floors, 5 appliances and 2 good sized bedrooms, all for $1,200.00.  They even gave a location that was ideal, close to the subway for him to go to work.

In Emily's case, the apartment owner just wanted a lovely person to rent their space as they lived in the U.K.  It was roughly around 800 square feet, close to downtown where she was going to school and the rent was really attractive.  A deposit was required prior to seeing the property (????)

My son and I drove by the address that was given for his "dream" apartment; it was supposedly above a store on Donlands Avenue.  When we arrived, we discovered that there wasn't even a 2nd storey on this place and the dream place was a sham.

The travesty of this story is that in both Emily's and Skyler's case, they had relatively savvy parents who know a scam when they hear one; but what of the young people or seniors who don't have someone looking out for them and they provide a deposit that is never seen again and don't have a place to live in?  These scams have been around forever; in my younger days, a guy or gal would actually have a rental apartment that was priced too good to be true.  There would be a line up of people providing deposits (mostly cash) and then you'd find out a day later they had taken off with all the deposits and the apartment was never theirs to rent in the first place.

I know I can't save the world from horrible people, but it's important that things like this are exposed so it won't happen to other people, especially those we love.

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

 

A Family Lived Here....

Welcome to 23 Grafton Avenue!  In the heart of the Queen/Roncesvalles Village, this beautifully restored home has been in the family for many years.  Rich hardwood, multiple sunrooms and decks, 3 baths, and parking with garage.  The third floor retreat has a wonderful Lake Ontario view!

Minutes to downtown, Roncey Village, lake, trails and transit, this home has it all!

Priced at $599,000.00

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

This, That and The Other......

Just a few notes about Real Estate, Community, etc.

Well, our Fall Market has taken wings...certain areas are on fire, in some instances receiving offers for beyond belief prices (Example: a 3 bedroom semi-detached home in my area, Bayview/Eglinton, not too fancy, but tidy, listed at 699K, sold for a whopping $820K) Makes one think, what is going on?  Well, it appears to still be the classic case of supply and demand.  There have been shockingly few properties on the market.  Currently I am looking for a 2 bedroom, centrally located condo for around the 350K mark-a year ago, this was do-able, right now, it seems the pricing has escalated to around 370-380K.  On another note, looking for a decent semi-detached or detached, not unlike my own home, for around 750K.  Even if the properties are listed for 599-650K, they appear to escalate even beyond the 750K mark!  Frustrating for me and my buyers.

On another note, we are facing another (SIGH) election.  I am not a political gal, so please Facebook friends, do not write me and convert me, or state your case or even discuss politics with me.  My truth is as follows: I mostly do not understand the issues, the reterick appears to be the same old, same old and franky, I am bored.  My thinking is: stop wasting money on these elections, whether they be Federal, Municipal or Provincial and just go to work.  There is a lot of talk, but honestly, and again, in my opinion, no one ever seems to do anything differently than the last guy.  MOVE ON.

On a "happy hobby" note, my first choir practice with www.Newchoir.ca was held on September 6; I'm loving it.  This season, we are doing Newchoir goes to the Movies....great tunes from Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Once, Shrek...the list goes on.  The last few weeks were try-outs for solos.  I am honoured to have been chosen to sing "Son of a Preacher Man" and be part of an ensemble to sing "Stuck in the Middle With You".  It will be a blast!  Tickets will be on sale soon; they are $20.00 and the show is on December 10, 2011 at the Ryerson Theatre.  Tickets sell out quickly so if you'd like to go, let me know......

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com