IN The Door Newsletter - January 2023

The DoorIN

Welcome to our IN THE DOOR monthly newsletter It’s a new year and, firstly, we want to wish you health, happiness, and only the best for 2023. It feels so good to start afresh and be at the front end of all the possibilities and goals we set for ourselves Over the holidays, we had some time to view a great deal of impactful social media content steered towards having a positive mindset and reaching for personal goals The takeaway has been - anything is achievable if you work hard at it. There is something mesmerizing about listening to this trending motivational language coming from psychologists, corporate leaders, celebrities, health and exercise gurus, and random caring, passionate people It has become a mass movement it seems UNLESS the instagram algorithm has glued us as a recipient to this type of content - who knows how that works!!! Mel Robbins @melrobbins has been a personal go-to, with her “High-5 Challenge”, where you high-five yourself in the mirror for a little self love, or her visual posts like “I believe something extraordinary will happen for YOU this year ” - YES! Absolutely! We’re IN! Pair this trajectory with light and laughable furry Golden Doodle instagram reels from handles like @missjazzy doodle - oh, life is going in the right direction! Has all of this transformative talk come at a good time? Again, Ab-so-lutely!! Haven’t we all been so stressed and heavy-minded these past few years? Let’s change the program and start living with light again. Real Estate is starting to percolate now and people are wanting big changes for the new year a new view, a different path, all in the pursuit of happiness WE are right there with YOU! We are so proud of our newsletter and have fun creating it for you Let’s touch on all the good things with a little bit of real estate meandering through after all, we are Realtors but, what’s more, we are REAL PEOPLE too!

Thank you for sharing your time with us

LIVING OUT BACK

As Realtors, we have the privilege of working with all sorts of wonderful clients. Recently, with news stories covering the city’s motivation to increase additional building options in the city, along with the current affordability challenges and elevated costs to live in Canada, many buyers are keen to invest in appealing, yet affordable, alternative housing possibilities

D o e s t h e f o l l o w i n g a p p l y t o y o u ?

Your dream to live in a particular area of Toronto is possible but must have another source of rental income;

You have an adult child who is ready to leave the nest but, unfortunately, cannot afford their own home;

You have elderly parents who you would like to keep close to home but still want them to feel independent; or You want to set up a home office or entertainment centre in a uniquely separate space If so, get ready to roll out the red carpet because there are two new viable options home owners are celebrating

First, the Laneway Suite which is defined as a self-contained residence on the same property as a detached home, semidetached home or townhome, and is generally located in the vicinity of a rear yard and laneway A laneway suite is an entirely stand-alone unit, complete with bedroom(s), bathroom, kitchen and living area Typically built atop an already existing garage (unless a new construction incorporates a new garage) the suite can be one or two stories, some with beautiful staircases leading to green space rooftops And though most laneway suites are small, they can vary in size from 500 to 2,500 square feet. A rightof-way or easement ensures access and, of course, all local rules including zoning, by-laws and permit requirements must be sought prior to building.

The trend to capitalize on the land on which we own has been further enhanced with Toronto City Council’s decision to approve new bylaws allowing home owners to extrapolate their yard space to include a Garden Suite. Previously known as “Granny Flats”, Garden Suites are similar to Laneway Suites, but don’t require laneway access and, thanks to the recent updated bylaws, these Suites can exist as a detached secondary dwelling on ANY rear yard or stand-alone property.

Photo courtesy of Lanescape

There are differences between a Laneway Suite and a Garden Suite, however, a maximum of one ancillary building only is permitted on a property lot The Affordable Laneway and Garden Suite Program provides funding in the form of a forgivable loan of up to $50,000 for eligible property owners developing a Laneway or Garden suite The loan will be forgiven in 15 years from the date when the first tenant occupies the laneway suite

With “open eyes,” our client and first time home buyer, Jill, foresaw the benefits and opportunities when she and her husband, David, purchased a property with a laneway garage in the trendy Trinity Bellwoods area. “The world is everchanging right now and this gives us the opportunity to evolve with it Whether it be a studio to rent, workplace office, or a future space for our parents to live, the possibilities helped drive our decision We didn’t just buy a house – we bought choices – and that was very important to us ”

More recently, the Government tabled a bill called More Homes, Built Faster Act This is great news for the city as it overrides previous bylaws to allow up to THREE units on any residential lot For example, the main house can include a basement apartment, while also owning a backyard Garden Suite As well, this bill exempts these lots from development charges, which means more housing options for Torontonians at a reduced cost –Win-Win!

Photos courtesy of Lanescape

There is quite a bit of fervour from Toronto’s architect community While main property homes are limited in terms of gross floor area or lot coverage, Laneway and Garden suites are exempt from traditional density restrictions “It makes for some really interesting design choices,” says Tony Cunha, Architect and Senior Manager at Lanescape Inc , one of Toronto’s leading Laneway housing design practices “One of the more delightful architectural aspects is working with the full width of the lot, the ability to achieve floor to ceiling windows and using skylights to fill the rooms with light, making these modest spaces appear bigger and brighter ”

The ongoing Pandemic and continuous strain felt by homeowners from the economic downturn has made us realize that we are facing great limitations in home affordability, however, our homes may be a reliable source of personal economic correction, too

As condo developments mount, the Laneway Suite or Garden Suite option has swooped in to help solve Toronto’s shrinking land availability and soaring housing costs As a new home owner, you may be looking to add a source of income to offset the mortgage, while at the same time offering a prospective renter a chance to live in Toronto’s marvellous city From providing additional housing in low density areas to allowing seniors to “age in place” by staying in the community that they are accustomed to, the benefits are endless

So, whether you’re looking to buy a property with a Laneway or Garden suite, or build one on your existing property, you will be part of a new and burgeoning movement by embracing Living Out Back!

Often with two parents working, and children in school, the need for alternative space has never been greater “The Pandemic has certainly triggered an uptick in demand for laneway housing,” says Cunha “While about half of our clientele are investors, at least 20-25% of all suites are now ‘home-away-from-home office’ spaces – that is, they are being converted into work spaces, hobby, or entertainment spaces used by the primary home owners ” Furthermore, Laneway suites are often constructed with acoustic insulation and drywall, mitigating outside sound and vibration – perfect for the home office! Content written in collaboration with thewriteink.ca

Photo courtesy of Lanescape

Photo courtesy of Lanescape

NEIGHBOURHOOD GRAB

“Dripping goodness is The Beef Dip.��” The Roast Beef Dip Au Jus made with house-made, slow cooked, brisket and served on an onion bun with creamy horseradish. Dave’s Genuine Deli has a full Jewish-style menu serving up Matzo Ball Soup, Salads, Turkey Club, Hot Roast Beef or Turkey with a side of fries, and has a vegetarian option with their Plant Based Burger. Leave room for dessert - try the home-made NY Cheesecake or tear back the wrapper to your youth and have a $2 Jos Louis. The menu is huge!”

BEDFORD PARK

North of Lawrence Avenue to Brooke Avenue and east of Avenue Road to Yonge Street and beyond is known as Bedford Park. A desirable urban locale where families are proud to say “my kid goes to John Wanless”. Right in the centre of all the action, homes are typically semi-detached or detached with 3 to 4 bedrooms, on 25-30 ft lots. The area’s convenient proximity to Toronto’s central core, as well as the shopping nearby has transformed Bedford Park real estate into one of Toronto’s most sought after neighbourhoods to call home and a hot spot for end-users to build new modern homes With Avenue Road and Yonge Street nearby, the Bedford Park community is right in the middle of a plethora of fabulous restaurants, clothing & shoe stores, health and beauty shops, coffee hangs, and gift shops. The community is a big support to the local businesses around them.

Dave’s Genuine Deli is the only deli on Avenue Road between Wilson and Lawrence (as far as we know) and if you walk in there at any time of day you will witness a busy kitchen and friendly service, with briskets and turkey breasts cooling on racks to the left of the main counter waiting to fill the day’s orders We highly recommend this casual resto for dine-in or taking out - and make no mistake, The Beef Dip is hot, drippy, and delicious! Order the fries too! Xo

Recommended by Taste The Six

DECEMBER 2022 MARKET WATCH

VACANT HOME TAX PROPERTY STATUS DECLARATION

WHATYOUNEEDTOKNOW

Adeclarationformwillneedtobecompletedbypropertyownersby February2,2023.

Apropertyisconsideredvacantifitisnottheprincipalresidenceofthe owneroranypermittedoccupantsorwasnotoccupiedbytenantsfor atleast6monthsduringthepreviouscalendaryearorisotherwise deemedtobevacantunderthebylaw.

Thetaxis1%ofthecurrentvalueassessment(CVA)ofthehome. Exemptionsincludeprincipalresidence,death,repairs,unitsundergoing majorrenovation,ownerisincareorhospital,courtorder,transferof legalownershipandoccupancyforfull-timeemploymentisinplace

Itistheresponsibilityofbuyersandsellerstomaketheappropriate arrangementstoensurethatthedeclarationhasbeenfiled.

TheVacantHomeTaxwillformalienontheproperty,andanyunpaid taxeswillbecomethebuyer’sresponsibility

IfaclosingoccursbetweenJanuary1andtheclosingofthedeclaration periodonFebruary2,thesellermustcompletethedeclarationpriorto theclosing,asonlythesellerwillknowtheproperty’soccupancystatus fortheprioryear.

Ifaclosingoccursafterthedeclarationperiod–February3toDecember 31–thebuyermustsubmitadeclarationinthefollowingyear.Thebuyer qualifiesforthe“transferoflegalownership”exemption.

Thesellershouldprovideacopyofthecompletedandfiledproperty statusdeclarationtothebuyer

Thesellershouldprovideastatutorydeclarationatclosingconfirming thefiledpropertystatusdeclarationistrueandcorrect

5 WAYS TO RE-ENERGIZE

IN JUST 5 MINUTES

January tends to be a busy month for most people. It’s all-too-easy to feel drained and burned-out quickly, even after a good holiday break.

Unfortunately, you may not have the luxury of time to relax with an interesting book or go to a yoga class.

Helpful Tips

So, with that in mind, here are some proven ways to quickly unwind and boost your energy:

Take a short walk. Scientists say your body will often de-stress significantly after just a 12-minute stroll.

Drink a glass of water. Dehydration, which can come on without you realizing it, can quickly lead to fatigue and tension.

Do something completely different. Often, if you completely remove yourself from a situation or activity, even for just a few minutes, you’ll come back feeling better. So, take a moment for yourself!

Breathe and stretch. It’s almost impossible to feel tense after a few deep breaths and some stretching exercises. In fact, that’s where the urge to yawn and stretch comes from. It’s your body’s way of boosting energy!

Write it down. If you’re worried or frustrated about something, writing it down will feel like deflating that balloon of stress. Taking it off your shoulders and onto paper will put the concern into perspective.

Try one of these tips the next time you feel overwhelmed.

Trends We Love

Beauty & Light.

Whenitcomestopreparingahometogotomarket,welookverycarefullyatthelightinginthehome-the amountofnaturallightandthelightproducedfrominteriorlightingfixtures.Themorelightthebetter!!We cameacrossaninterestinglightingstore,INTERNALIGHTING,whilewewereonthesearchforafronthallfixture forourownhome Notonlywereweawestruckbythestunningassortmentofchandeliers,wewere completelycaptivatedbylessonslearnedbythelightingexpertwhodescribedthemanytypesofbeautiful lightingtheyhavefromMuranoglasstoFrankLloydWrightinspiredfixturedesign Welovethisplace!

We were shown 3 matching crystal chandeliers which were created by using different frames and/or shades of crystal. The white frame (shown here) excudes a soft and delicate look while the same fixture with a gold frame becomes a mechanism for “enhancing the same piece with all its glitter and bling of the crystals”. A substantial piece like this one in a formal dining room or grand hallway would be spectacular.

Pendants

We loved these tear drop pendants which are displayed in multiple metal colour ways - each with a crystal tip at the end of the cone. Rose gold, yellow gold (shown here), black chrome and polished chrome - each individual pendant is strung to the mounting plate and you may create the shape and finished length of the fixture by adjusting the wires on each individual pendant. This is a striking look for a dining room table or kitchen island - show stopper!

Accent lighting can be very effective in a home. We recently switched out old brass wall scones for black metal & frosted glass sconces in one of our recent listings in the Summerhill area. Not only did the LED light open up the hallway, it modernized the staircase and hallway. Decorative sconces (shown here) are a lovely way to frame a fireplace or add a decorative touch to any bedroom or living space. Loving the floral detail work in this one.

Crystal Chandeliers

It’s a funny story Something Personal

We love this page because anything goes here.

We’ve been thinking about some hysterical moments in real estate and have a few stories in our vault. For whatever reason, Alan seems to be at the centre of a little chaos every now and then. With that being said, we bring you one of his noteworthy faves.

It was early in his career when Alan decided to upgrade his car after some success in real estate He had been working with a first-time buyer for a few months showing them different homes in the central GTA The couple was a young, easy-going pair who was looking forward to moving out of their condo and finding “the one”.

A particular house was sitting on the market and he felt it would be a great fit and, potentially, an opportunity for them to get the home at a reasonable price.

The 1950’s bungalow sat vacant on the market. They went in knowing that the home would need some work (which they were willing to take on) but the garage door was locked In any event, to protect his first-time buyers, he included an inspection condition also pending a look at the interior of the garage

It was a beautiful sunny day in late Spring and Alan had his new wheels, great tunes, heading to meet his clients, their parents, and the home inspector. Everyone was excited!

As the home inspection continued on, continuous “red” flags were brought to their attention during the inspection, including some possible contamination issues. Things were going downhill. The couple was still undecided, however, the young wife was getting nervous.

As they were recapping the words of the inspector together on the porch, they waited for him to join them outside

Even though everyone was on edge and thinking that this home had way too many issues of concern, the husband still wanted to see the garage.

So there they all were, lined up infront of the garageAlan lifted the door open.

All of sudden, a family of raccoons (6 or 7) scrambled out of the garage and immediately started circling them - the screaming began and they were in absolute shock! Whaaaaaa RACCOONS!!!!

Without hesitation, the young wife leaped into her car and bolted out of the driveway like flash lightening she was out of there!

A quick reverse down the driveway and onto the street **BOOM** - she hit the back of Alan’s brand new car. She took off and never looked back!

Alan ran down to his 3 week old car to check the damages and turned to call back to the young husband who was still standing at the garage door in disbelief With his bumper in hand, he said, “I guess your wife is not interested in moving forward with the house, correct?”

“Well, based on my wife’s sudden escape, I can almost guarantee we are going to pass on this one!! HOW‘ S YOUR CAR??”

Alan held the bumper high over his head and said, “ALL GOOD ”

Note: Finally found them their dream home, bumper was fixed