It’s an all-too-common situation that we see time and time again. We meet with a senior client who is looking to sell their home, and it becomes perfectly clear that they have stayed there for too long. 

Perhaps they’re overwhelmed by the idea of moving later in life. Or maybe they are worried about their children’s wishes when it comes to leaving the family home. Regardless of the reason, by staying in a home for too long, they are missing out on some amazing opportunities that exist for us as we age.

In this blog, we’re covering everything you need to know about downsizing–or as we like to call it, rightsizing.

This is a topic we’re pretty passionate about. In the past, we offered a full three-step guide on rightsizing. You can read those blogs here:

• Part 1: Downsizing with Style and Grace
• Downsizing with Style and Grace: Part 2
• Part 3: Downsizing with Style and Grace

How to Tell if the Time is Right?

At a certain point in your life, you might think to yourself, “this is house is far too big.” Your children have moved out, and the house feels empty. You might think, “what do I need all these rooms for?” 

At some point or another, having a large family home with all that extra space becomes more of a burden than anything else. Although you are no doubt attached to your home, wouldn’t you be better off somewhere smaller? Is there really a need for three bathrooms when you’re either living alone or with your partner? 

Knowing the right time to make a move is critical, as it will help transition you into the next phase of your life. Here are a few signs it might be time to consider rightsizing:

• You get easily overwhelmed at the thought of maintaining your home. 
• You are not maintaining your home and it’s beginning to fall into disrepair.
• Your mobility is reduced and you have a hard time navigating your home.
• The expense to maintain the home is beginning to become unreasonable.
• You do not feel safe alone in your home and/or your family members are worried about your safety. 

The key to finding the best time to rightsize is to do so before any of these issues become a huge problem. This should be a proactive solution–a choice, not a last resort. 

It Might Seem Stressful, but it’s Better in the Long Run

Many clients who we help rightsize, fit into two categories. The first are people who are excited about making new routines and the lifestyle change that comes with moving to a smaller home. However, the second category is the people who seem paralyzed by the idea of leaving their family home behind. They’re unsure about the future and generally feel anxious and stressed about making such a big move. 

If you fit into the second category, there are a few things you can consider to help alleviate some of the stress that comes with making such a big decision later in life.

The Benefits of Rightsizing

Lower monthly expenses: A smaller home means lower utility bills, a smaller mortgage, reduced taxes, and maintenance fees. It’s better for your wallet! 

Improved mobility and independence: If you currently live in a big house and have trouble getting around, a smaller place will afford you more mobility and independence for longer in your life. 

Better amenities and community: Depending on the type of home you want to move into, and the location, you can enjoy easier access to amenities and a better sense of community if you choose to live somewhere with like-minded neighbours nearby.

More free time: How much time to spend cleaning and tidying your home currently? With a smaller place, you won’t need to spend so much time maintaining your home, you can try new hobbies, and do whatever your heart desires. 

If you find yourself struggling in your large family home, rightsizing to something smaller will give you peace of mind and the freedom to enjoy life however you want. 

A controversial idea: Although not right for everyone, many rightsizers may choose to sell their home and not buy a new property. Instead, opting to rent. The options are limitless when it comes to rightsizing, and you can really choose your own adventure and go with the plan that suits your unique needs.

But What About All My Stuff? 

We’ve arrived at the elephant in the room. What to do with all your belongings? We get it, after decades of living in your home, you’ve probably amassed a fair amount of things. As humans, we tend to fill the spaces we’re allowed. This is why upsizing your home is so easy and downsizing is considered a little more laborious.

However, don’t let that discourage you. Decluttering and downsizing your belongings can be easy if you go into it with the right mindset. Think about Marie Kondo’s theory of, “does it spark joy?” If an item doesn’t bring you joy, you can probably live without it. 

We’re not saying you need to live like a minimalist, but there are probably many items in your home that you don’t really need anymore. 

By going into it with a positive mindset, you can easily declutter your space. Get your friends and family involved. Use sticky notes, to determine what stays, what you can give away, what you can possibly sell, and what needs to go straight to the curb. 

Interested in learning more about decluttering? We’ve got a blog post all about it. You can read it right here. 

Adjusting to Your New Space

It’s completely reasonable that you may find an adjustment period after rightsizing your life. But if you take a proactive approach, you can limit some of the disruptions. Plan ahead, print off floor plans, hire a stager, and start looking for smaller furniture. 

This is an exciting time! Don’t be surprised if you feel re-energized with a new zest for life after you’ve finished the rightsizing process! 

Those who know Toronto can tell you that Cabbagetown is one of the city’s most historic and treasured neighbourhoods. Whether you live there or visit frequently, every minute spent in this storied Toronto neighbourhood is enjoyable.

However, being located in the comparably quieter and less lively east end of Toronto, not many newcomers to the city are fully aware of Cabbagetown and its understated allure. While you might argue that long-time Cabbagetown homeowners prefer it that way, the appeal of this character-filled neighbourhood is no secret.

Whether you’re a lifelong Toronto resident or are planning on relocating here soon, there are a few things to keep in mind when considering a home in Cabbagetown ahead of your next real estate purchase.

Where Is Cabbagetown?

Cabbagetown just about falls under what’s considered Toronto’s east end — though not by much.

Although the neighbourhood is east of Yonge Street (which more or less acts as the city’s divide between east and west) Cabbagetown doesn’t continue on further east of the Don River. This is one clue you’re officially in what’s considered the east end. In fact, the Don River acts somewhat as Cabbagetown’s eastern border, with the neighbourhood extending as far west as Sherbourne Street.

Starting to fall in love with this truly beautiful Toronto neighbourhood? You’ll enjoy some of our other blogs about Cabbagetown too:

• Cabbagetown: One Very Special Community In Toronto
• 5 Reasons We Love Cabbagetown

A Haven for Green Space

Within Cabbagetown and in many of the surrounding neighbourhoods there are a lot of fantastic amenities. One of Cabbagetown’s most beloved and frequently visited local amenities is Riverdale Farm.

Found in Cabbagetown’s eastern end, this charming little farm is tucked away in the heart of this quiet residential neighbourhood and is home to an impressive array of animals considering its inconspicuous location.

One minute you can find yourself strolling down the heritage-driven sidestreets of quaint Cabbagetown, the next feeding ducks, petting sheep, and gazing at the elegant horses at Riverdale Farm.

In fact, essentially the entire northeastern area of Cabbagetown consists of large public parks and green spaces. The St. James Cemetery leads into the expansive Rosedale Ravine Lands, which stretches south to join up with the forested green space alongside the Don River.

Keep following the Don Valley south along eastern Cabbagetown and you’ll soon get to Riverdale Park West, which forms one of Toronto’s largest parks as it joins Riverdale Park East on the other side of the Don River.

Cabbagetown’s authentic and community-centric culture is hard to beat. See how we love to spend our time here by reading Rosedale And Cabbagetown: 5 Things To Do Right Now.

The Cabbagetown Economy

Aside from the vast amount of public parks and green spaces, every Cabbagetown resident also enjoys supporting the many small businesses and independent restaurants and retailers in the neighbourhood too.

We wouldn’t go so far as to call Cabbagetown’s main shopping area a “commercial district,” but there are a few main streets where local residents find most of their day-to-day essentials. You’ll have no problem finding everything you need from one of the many small businesses along Parliament Street, which is somewhat like the neighbourhood’s main shopping strip.

We love that Cabbagetown’s collection of local amenities are almost all locally-owned, which definitely contributes to the neighbourhood’s inclusive community vibe.

The food scene in Cabbagetown is amazing. See which Cabbagetown food spots get our top picks here:

• F’Amelia Restaurant: The Best Italian Food In Cabbagetown
• Top 5 Food Spots In Cabbagetown

What Are The Homes Like?

Just a few steps in any direction away from the more commercial areas of Cabbagetown will lead you down the serene side streets where you’ll find most local residents live. Being one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods — with a history dating back to the late 1840s — you can expect to find a plethora of landmarks and features of original Toronto architecture and planning.

Between cobblestone streets, heritage Toronto red-brick homes, early Victorian and Edwardian architecture, and many other fascinating and unique character cues, this neighbourhood is overflowing with heritage appeal.

As for the homes themselves, Cabbagetown has one of the biggest concentrated collections of original Toronto heritage homes you can find anywhere in the city. Whether they’re semi-detached two-storey Victorians, fully detached three-storey Edwardian mansions, or anything in between, one thing you’ll see a lot of in Cabbagetown is that vibrant Toronto red brick.

While there are some newer homes here too, most of Cabbagetown has been intentionally preserved to ensure this early Toronto neighbourhood doesn’t lose any of its original features and characteristics. Those who live in these centuries-old homes feel similarly, oftentimes proudly displaying plaques of heritage certification on their facades.

We can’t get enough of Toronto’s stunning heritage homes, but there are a few things you should know about them before investing in one. Learn more by reading our blog post; Buying A Heritage Home In Toronto: What You Need To Know

Who Are The Neighbours?

As you might imagine, most residents who are lucky enough to live in this almost fairytale old whimsical neighbourhood are quite happy about it. On the whole, the Cabbagetown community is friendly, welcoming, and very respectful.

You can expect to find lots of families in the area with children of all different ages, who often meet up to play with one another after school and on weekends in any of the various parks or quiet streets.

It’s also quite common to find empty nesters, who are reluctant to move away given the deep roots they’ve formed within the communities and affection with the Cabbagetown lifestyle. When they do eventually move away, however, it isn’t uncommon to see their homes handed down to the next generation, which only adds to the family-friendly atmosphere of the neighbourhood.

For more neighbourhood insights read our Cabbagetown Neighbourhood Guide.

What Can I Expect To Pay?

When you take into account the history, character, local amenities, lifestyle, and overall desirability of Cabbagetown, it’s easy to see why entering the market here can pose a bit of a challenge.

On the upper end of the spectrum, the largest and most desirable homes can easily sell for several million — think, the $2-4 million range. At entry-level, you’d be lucky to score a place for less than seven figures, even if it is only a two-storey semi.

As is the case with any competitive market, however, it’s always our primary objective to help you secure the home you deserve for a price that you can afford.

If you’ve got your heart set on a move to Cabbagetown, you can count on us to do our best to find you a home there that is within your budget. See how we can help you find your dream home here.

Toronto might not be revered around the globe for its white-sand beaches, after all, it’s a Canadian city. However, it doesn’t mean we don’t have a few beautiful stretches of sand to lay down your towel and catch some rays. Toronto beaches have a lot to offer during the summer months.

Here are some of our favourite Toronto beaches to visit this summer…

The Toronto Islands

Located just off the southern shores of mainland Toronto, the Toronto Islands are a small collection of about 15 islands accessible via water taxi or ferry. In the summer, thousands of Torontonians flock to this isolated part of the city for an escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Just a short boat ride south of the city, the Toronto Islands offer the perfect day-trip getaway. Whether you dock in at the ferry terminals at Centre Island, Ward’s Island, or Hanlan’s Point, you’re bound to pass a seemingly endless number of beaches while you make your way across the many blissful little islands.

Sunnyside Beach

Found in the far west end of downtown Toronto, Sunnyside Park is one of the city’s oldest and most historic public parks. Located at the foot of High Park along the shorelines of Lake Ontario, Sunnyside Park has been the backdrop for many iconic Toronto events.

It was the landing site of an attack during the War of 1812 and the home of one of Toronto’s most popular amusement parks during the mid 20th century, Sunnyside Park’s history is rich, to say the least.

Today, Sunnyside Park is home to a collection of some of Toronto’s most popular beaches. Scattered from east to west across the thin strip of Sunnyside Park are multiple stretches of sand that welcome tourists and locals alike. Complete with beach volleyball courts, paddleboards, lifeguards, and more, there’s a lot of living left to be done on these historic Toronto beaches.

Woodbine Beach

Head east over to the opposite side of the city and you’ll find more iconic Toronto beaches located along the northern shores of Lake Ontario. Woodbine Beach is the largest of four publicly accessible beaches in Toronto’s east end. While each strip of sand within this chain of four beaches is technically separate from one another, they all connect to form one long shoreline.

This chain of beautiful Toronto beaches is so well-known, in fact, that the entire residential neighbourhood above it is named after them. The community known as The Beaches is one of the city’s easternmost neighbourhoods and has a distinctly laid-back and friendly vibe.

Cherry Beach

Situated about halfway between the eastern tip of the Toronto Islands and the western point of Woodbine Beach is Cherry Beach. The beach is located at the foot of Cherry Street on the industrial portland peninsula just south of mainland Toronto.

This section of Toronto’s portland peninsula wasn’t always a popular recreational area, however. The relatively new additions of the sanded Cherry Beach and its surrounding amenities (including sports fields, public parks, and sailing clubs) have truly transformed the peninsula into a go-to destination, especially in the summer months.

Today, you’ll find Cherry Beach is many Torontonians’ first choice destination when it comes to hitting the beach.

Sugar Beach

While it’s perhaps the smallest of the lot, Sugar Beach makes up for its modest footprint with many charming attributes.

This centrally-located urban Toronto beach park can be found along the southern edge of mainland Toronto in the East Bayfront district. Sugar Beach coined its name because of its close proximity to the monumental Redpath Sugar Refinery, which is located just a few steps away.

Unlike others on this list, this Toronto beach is not intended for swimming or other watersports. Instead, Sugar Beach acts as a public waterfront park used for relaxation and leisure. The standout features of this white sand beach are its beloved Muskoka chairs, its trademark pink sun umbrellas, and its unique view of Toronto’s harbourfront.

Do you find Toronto’s waterfront lifestyle as appealing as we do? As local real estate experts, we can help you find a home near the lake that perfectly suits your unique lifestyle. To get started, book a personal home buying consultation with us here.

It seems every industry has been profoundly changed by digital technology, and real estate is no different. While some of the apps and platforms that have been launched will (unfortunately) fade into obscurity, others are so useful that they’re sure to stand the test of time.

REALM falls squarely into the latter category. This data-driven platform is changing how agents who handle luxury transactions do business—and, by extension, the level of service that their buyers and sellers receive.

Here’s what you should know about this game-changing technology…

How REALM works

So, what’s REALM all about? To find out, we spoke to founding partner Brennan Buckley. “Luxury real estate is being done in silos,” says Buckley, adding, “there’s never been anything that pulls all the walls down and gets top agents working together.”

All too often, a Sotheby’s agent in Toronto will wind up working only with other Sotheby’s agents in Toronto. In the luxury market, that’s not always the best way to help buyers and sellers.

By connecting what they call “a collection of the most accomplished real estate professionals ever assembled,” REALM is making it easier for agents to tear down boundaries—and work more efficiently for their clients.

Here’s how it works. REALM is invitation only, and each member is carefully vetted. Once accepted, they upload their client base and listings to the platform (this data is encrypted and highly secure). A sophisticated lifestyle profile is generated for each client—and then used to match them with properties they’ll love.

What this means is, a New York agent can see if an agent in Toronto has a property that would be perfect for one of their clients. From there, they can pick up the phone and connect!

Viewing luxury as a lifestyle

In order to help agents match home hunters with their ideal properties (and assist sellers in finding the right buyers), REALM focuses on lifestyle. The platform’s ability to generate highly accurate profiles is one of the keys to its success.

So, if you’re looking for an eco-friendly, Tudor-style home close to fly fishing in Colorado, the profile created for you will help your agent find a home that checks all your boxes. If you’re on the seller side, REALM will allow the professional you work with to market your home to the right people—and maximize its exposure to other top agents.

In addition, REALM uses its lifestyle profiles to help agents provide their clients with curated content. That includes exclusive pieces from partners like Luxe magazine. In other words: the next real estate professional you work with might be the one to send you that must-read article that seems like it was written for you!

The power of connection

REALM uses buzz-worthy artificial intelligence (AI) to sift through its data, but Brennan Buckley is quick to point out that it’s a means to an end. Ultimately, it’s about connecting professionals so they can better serve their clients.

“We believe that people—that agents, that trusted advisors—are always in the middle of that conversation, and always will be,” says Buckley. “Once that conversation starts, their expertise takes over.” It’s this combination of technology and human interaction, along with a focus on lifestyles, that makes REALM so compelling.

Some of the biggest agents in North America are using this exciting new platform, which is ready to establish a global presence. So if you buy or sell a luxury home in the years ahead, don’t be surprised to learn that REALM played a role!

See The REALM website here.

Interview With Brennan Buckley

 

Whether you’re in the luxury market or not, we’re here to help with your real estate needs. Reach out to start the buying process—or take the first step toward a successful sale!

Real estate agents have their fingers on the pulse of the market. To be successful, they have to be ahead of trends with a strong intuition and sense for what’s to come. Whether it’s knowing the best up-and-coming neighbourhoods or predicting market trends. If you want to know what’s on the cusp of blowing up, ask a real estate agent. 

The same goes for technology. Real estate agents are always looking for the best technology to improve their efficiency and make their lives easier. In today’s busy market, they have to do everything they can to streamline their processes and organize their lives. 

Ask any real estate agent and they will tell you all about the suite of programs and apps they rely on to do their job. Here are a few of our favourite real estate apps…

Wowzler

As we move further into the digital world, virtual staging is becoming more common. Wowzler is an excellent tool for virtual staging projects. The photography process takes a couple of hours and results are delivered to you and your agent within a week. Wowzler’s virtual staging process is more sustainable, less expensive, and quicker than traditional staging and renovations. Sellers often recoup more from the sale with virtual staging. There are many cases when virtual staging is preferred over traditional methods.

REALM

REALM is a global membership app for the highest-performing real estate agents across the world. It’s a collaborative networking tool created by some of the most experienced and informed real estate experts across the globe. REALM is designed to foster connections between high-performing agents, providing a platform to help match buyers and sellers. This powerful referral network is beneficial for all parties involved.

For more information on REALM check out this blog post that features a full-length interview with founding partner Brennan Buckley.

Curate by Sotheby’s

Just as virtual staging is starting to become more prevalent, augmented reality (AR) is quickly becoming standard practice. Especially during the pandemic, when in-person visits became less frequent, tools like Curate by Sotheby’s is helpful to provide an immersive experience for buyers who want to truly picture themselves in space before buying. Curate takes things a step further by enabling users to design and furnish the space, even helping purchase furniture and decor all in one place.

DocuSign

Gone are the days when we would need to print contracts out in duplicate, schedule a meeting with a client, and sign paper copies of everything. Today, people are far too busy to make a special appointment just to sign papers. Apps like DocuSign are perfect for facilitating the signing process. Everything is digital and you can place an e-signature with just the click of a button. When the document is “complete” it gets emailed to all parties involved–much easier than printing, photocopying, and then storing contracts and important documents.

Clozio

Clozio is an elegant way for agents and clients to keep organized. In addition to providing comprehensive checklists to manage all transaction tasks, the app also provides clients with a transparent look at what really goes into a real estate transaction. This tool helps agents work from anywhere while ensuring that nothing slips through the cracks and keeps clients well-informed on their deal’s status.

Waze

For anyone–not just agents–who need to efficiently move around the city, Waze is really the only option. Based on crowd-sourced data, Waze helps travellers find the fastest way to their destinations. For agents who are always on the road travelling to listing presentations, showings, and more, Waze helps us avoid traffic, construction, and more. It works because it’s a collaborative platform that is always changing as users continue to notify the app about changing road conditions. The result is real-time info to help you reach your destination faster. 

Canva

If you aren’t a professional graphic designer, Canva is your new best friend. This is an excellent online tool for creating beautiful posters, social media posts, and more. With editable templates and an extensive library of design elements, Canva is perfect for creating quick and beautiful graphics. 

What’s Next? 

With each year, new apps are coming out to help make our lives easier. Real estate agents are continually improving their processes, increasing efficiency, and finding new ways to make their clients happy. These are just a few of the apps we use to get it done. 

If you’ve been longing to get out and socialize over a pitch-perfect meal (and maybe a glass of wine), you’re not alone. Food lovers across the city have spent months fantasizing about sitting across the table from someone they care about while enjoying some flavourful cuisine.

Fortunately, the CafeTO program is allowing for expanded outdoor dining. The creation of cordoned off patios, which extend into curb lanes or sidewalks, are providing new opportunities to eat, drink, and be merry!

Here are five patios created through the CafeTO program that you are well worth visiting…

1) Campo

On Jane Street, not far from Bloor West Village, you’ll find a charming, Italian-inspired eatery known as Campo. From the handmade gnocchi to the braised rabbit leg, the cuisine here is truly divine. This west-end gem has been offering incredible meals for takeaway throughout the pandemic, and now its new patio is open for business. So call up your best foodie friend and enjoy a long, luxurious dinner out in the open air—don’t forget to end things off with the tiramisu!

2) Gio Rana’s

Is there such a thing as too much high-quality Italian food? Nope, so let’s head across the city from Campo for some more pitch-perfect pasta. Leslieville is home to Gio Rana’s Really, Really Nice Restaurant an eatery that’s been around since 1989. Tasty red sauce, checkered table cloths, and a whole lot of heart have helped keep the customers rolling in. Now east enders can once again get their fix on the restaurant’s enticing patio, complete with twinkle lights.

3) Little Sister

Little Sister is one of those restaurants that’s so unique, you simply have to try it. This local favourite, which has two locations, serves up exquisite Dutch Indo food, including flavourful snacks and traditional main courses. The udang kari (white shrimp poached in curry sauce) is a must-try, and all the cocktails are seriously impressive. If you’re looking for something different, head to the Portland Street outpost, where the patio is waiting (fyi, there’s a rigorous COVID policy in place, which you can read about on the restaurant’s website).

4) Gerrard East Market

Some patios are worth checking out for the theme alone. Gerrard East Market is one of them—though it does serve up some pretty tasty food and drinks, too. Complete with sand, beach chairs, and umbrellas, this east-end hotspot is the perfect place to enjoy a beer or two and a casual bite (think rice and roasted pork from GB Hand-Pulled Noodles or guava BBQ beef short rib from La Cubana). You’ll find Gerrard East Market in the parking lot of 241 Pizza and Pho Com Tam 168.

5) Stock TC

Beloved Italian restaurant chain Terroni and popular butcher Cumbraes have joined forces, and the results defy expectations. Known as Stock TC, their space near Yonge and Eglinton is a grocer, cafe, butcher, bakery, gelateria, and restaurant. If you’re looking to dine out, you’ll be happy to learn about their eatery patio, Stock Bar. From the classic pizza Terroni lovers adore to the perfect steaks that Cumbraes is known for, there really is something here for everyone. Put simply, this is the perfect place to enjoy a fan favourite while soaking up the sun!

Looking for the perfect neighbourhood for your next home? Check out our neighbourhood guides to learn more about some of our favourite communities!