Thinking of moving to a new neighbourhood in Toronto’s East End? Not sure which community is right for you? From local home types to amenities to commute times, there’s no shortage of things to consider. Of course, if you have kids, schools will probably also be in the mix. The district you live in may determine where your little ones get an education. That’s why knowing which schools represent some of the best can be a great starting point!

Here are five incredible schools in Toronto’s East End…

1) Pape Avenue Public School

Are you searching for an up-and-coming neighbourhood in a great school district? Look no further than Gerrard Street East. In this charming community—known for its Little India—you’ll find Pape Avenue Public School.

These halls of learning have received a superb score of 8.2 out of 10 from the Fraser Institute (an organization known for its highly comprehensive school rankings). It’s been around since 1899, making it a Toronto institution. Today, this diverse school is also home to Pape Children’s House, a non-profit childcare centre.

Looking to find the perfect family home in Toronto? Explore these posts from our blog for helpful advice.

• The Top Toronto Neighbourhoods For First-Time Buyers
• Is Yonge & Lawrence a Family Neighbourhood?
• Why Families Are Flocking to Riverdale & Leslieville

2) Withrow Avenue Junior Public School

As far as we’re concerned, Riverdale truly has it all. Gorgeous housing stock, charming amenities, and versatile green spaces. It’s also home to one of the best places for kids to get an education in East Toronto.

Withrow Avenue Junior Public School earns an impressive Fraser Institute ranking of 7.8. It’s no wonder. The staff here really cares—and they go above and beyond for students. As just one example, take Monsieur Steve. This third-grade French immersion teacher has become a youtube sensation for his remote learning videos!

3) Kew Beach Junior Public School

Without a doubt, the Beaches is one of the most in-demand communities in the city. It’s also a great place to live if you have kids, and part of the reason for that is Kew Beach Junior Public School. This marvelous school is devoted to helping kids become responsible citizens—and it’s earned a 7.5 from the Fraser Institute.

Along with its strong focus on reading, writing, and math, one of the most notable things about Kew Beach is its status as a Gold Certified Eco School. Its staff is invested in environmental conservation, making it ideal for progressive families.

4) Earl Haig Public School

Situated in East Danforth, Earl Haig Public School is one of Toronto’s best. It’s known for its top-notch Fraser Institute score (7.7) and its exceptional school council. There’s always room for improvement, which is why the parents and staff at this already high-quality learning institution are continuously working together.

Earl Haig also offers an impressive French Immersion program and a wide variety of extracurriculars. Whether you want your little ones to learn an official language or become engrossed in a new skill or hobby, this school is a great place to do it!

Want to know more about life in Toronto’s East End? Consider these posts from our blog.

• Top 3 Riverdale Coffee Shops
• What You Need to Know About Buying in Cabbagetown
• 5 Things to Do in Leslieville

5) St. Denis Catholic School

Do you want your kids to get a fantastic education rooted in Catholic values? If you live in the Beaches (or you’re considering a move there), you’re in luck. St. Denis Catholic School has a stellar reputation, and not just because the Fraser Institute has bestowed it with a score of 8.2.

While St. Denis offers daily religious instruction, it’s not the only focus here. From programs for gifted students to support via the latest technology, this impressive school ensures that students of all learning styles are prepared for the future!

Looking to find the perfect home for your family? As one of Toronto’s top real estate teams, we can help. Click here to send an email or . 

So easy and so good…The past two weeks I have been in my apartment and not able to cross the threshold due to quarantine after travel. I decided to make videos of some of the recipe’s that I have been experimenting with on friends and family. Baking has become my COVID pastime when I am not working. I am very project-oriented and I guess that is what I like most about baking. In the end, you have a result and there is the joy (hopefully) of watching others enjoy not only the process but the result.

This recipe for Mandarin Pound Cake is from my Brazilian friend Leandro and is a cake his mother makes. You do not need a big piece as it is dense and more like a pound cake but so flavourful especially with a Brazilian coffee.

Bon appetit!

Leandro’s Mandarin Pound Cake Recipe:

5 Mandarins, well washed 4 eggs 3/4 cup oil (180ml) 11/2 cup sugar (270g) 2 1/4 cups of flour (280g) 1 tablespoon of Baking Powder (15g)

Preparation mode: Cut 3 Mandarins in half (with the peel), remove the core and the white core that is in the middle; Liquify in a Blender.

Cut the remaining 2 Mandarins, squeeze them into a cup to cover and set aside. After removing the juice from the 2 remaining Mandarins, add their peels with the other 3 in the blender (they also cannot have seeds or the white part in the middle); Then add the eggs, oil, sugar and wheat flour; Beat everything for about 4 minutes, or until it becomes a very smooth mixture; Finally, add the Baking Powder and mix; Pour this dough into a greased and floured cake form; Bake in a preheated oven, 180C (375*F), for about 45 minutes or until golden brown; Topping: in a pan on the stovetop add the juice of the 2 Mandarins, half a glass of sugar and 1/3 of water. Cook over low heat until it becomes a consistent syrup. Then pour the syrup over the cake, still hot inside the pan.

Let cool, remove from the pan.

Bon Appetit!

COVID Baking

So much has changed over the past months and our World has turned upside down. After Sales, Zooms and Netflix, I had the time and energy to try a new hobby.

I grew up with a mother who would go on a baking spree when she knew I was coming for a visit. She would make “Mandelbrot” or as we called it out in western Canada ComishBriot and Honey Cake. For the first few days of our visit, there would be dessert at every meal. Then after the third day, she would look at me and say “When you go back home, you are going to be SO FAT!!”. Of course, the obvious question is “why did you make all that?”

Almost a year ago, I started baking and luckily my cousin Jack married into a family of cooks and bakers. His wife Susan Mendelson and her twin sister Lynn are amazing models, who love to eat and feed their friends and family. They have both taken it to the next level and offer catering services in both Vancouver and Toronto. Susan has written a number of books and can be also found under her company name, The Lazy Gourmet.

Many texts went back and forth as I tried some of her recipes and she has been unbelievably patient with my questions. Recently I thought it might be fun to take some of those recipes to YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram and the reaction has been great so far. I have after a year, come out as a COVID Baker.

This is not a new business for me, (I still love Real Estate) but a hobby to keep a “type A” personality busier in times of COVID-19. Also, it does have a great side effect as I like to bring home-baked goods to clients and colleagues and until we locked down Open Houses, you could always find cookies there. I have always been a big believer in “If you feed them they will come!”

Here is the first YouTube video and one of my favourite desserts: SOUR CREAM COFFEE CAKE

When we sell a home, we do everything in our power to get as many eyes on it as possible. Nowadays, there’s no better way to accomplish that goal than with a customized marketing strategy that includes video. This increasingly-critical trend offers home sellers many benefits, which is why it’s so important to work with an agent who understands it—inside and out.

Here are five reasons video should be part of your marketing plan when you sell your home…

1) Videos Get Results

At the end of the day, videos simply help marketers achieve the best results. They increase the probability that visitors will purchase a product or service (in this case, your home) by 64 per cent. Not only that, a recent study showed that 46 per cent of internet users took action after watching an ad in this format. In other words: viewers don’t just become more interested after watching a video. They’re also more like to take the next step in the buying process!

2) They’re More Immersive Than Photos

While photography is still a crucial aspect of any listing strategy, videos can immerse the viewer in an unbeatable way. Imagine a shot of what it’s like to pass your manicured lawn and walk through the front door. Picture an overhead view of your property, or a tour of the master bedroom. This type of media can help buyers decide if your home is really right for them—and encourage those who are serious to take action sooner.

3) They’re Perfect For Showcasing Features

When your home has standout features, you need a unique way to show them off. Fortunately, through video, you can see details in a new and dynamic light. The truth is, photos only go so far in these situations. It’s hard to get the full effect of features like crown moulding in a one-dimensional photograph. Likewise, an exterior shot of a property doesn’t always do it justice. In contrast, aerial videography can capture it in all its glory to ‘wow’ buyers.

4) Video Is Perfect For Sharing

The vast majority of buyers search for a home online, and video is the optimal avenue to attract them. This dynamic media type can be easily shared across social media and online platforms, from Instagram and Facebook to listing websites and more. It’s the ideal way to extend your marketing reach far and wide!

5) They’re Easy To Create

The right agent will have the tools and knowledge required to create beautiful, professional videos for your listing. We should know—our very own Richard Silver was named one of the Top 10 Real Estate Video Influencers of 2020 by Reloquence!

As a team, we have a thorough understanding of video marketing—and we make the most of it whenever possible. In fact, it could play an important role in selling your home quickly—and for top dollar!

Thinking of selling? Let us show you the difference our video marketing—and expert team—can make in your sale, starting with a market evaluation. Book an evaluation today.

Cabbagetown is a charming neighbourhood with a rich history. Its name comes from the many cabbages grown by struggling Irish immigrants in the area during the mid-to-late 19th century. Locals started referring to it as “Cabbagetown,” and the name stuck! Of course, this quaint east end community has changed a lot since then—and as far as we’re concerned, it’s worth getting to know.

Here are five reasons we love living in Cabbagetown…

1) The Community Vibe

Talk a stroll through Cabbagetown, and you’ll immediately notice its vibrant, friendly feel. The area attracts a diverse range of residents, including (but not limited to) professors from the nearby University of Toronto, young families, and aspiring artists. Cabbagetown has an active BIA that hosts community events such as the Cabbagetown Festival, Movie in the Park events, and Art Walks, among others.

2) It’s a Great Place to Eat!

The independent shops and restaurants that line the streets of Cabbagetown add to the area’s charm and community spirit. There’s no question that residents are passionate about supporting their local businesses! Local favourites include House on Parliament for elevated pub fare, F’Amelia Ristorante for Italian dishes, and JetFuel Coffee Shop for grab-and-go coffee and baked goods.

3) The Location

Located just east of the downtown core, Cabbagetown has very accessible transit. Bus routes run through the neighbourhood, and Sherbourne and Castle Frank stations provide subway access at its north end. Motorists will appreciate being in close proximity to some of the city’s major arteries (the Don Valley Parkway to the east and the Gardiner Expressway to the south).

4) The Beautiful Green Spaces

Cabbagetown is home to the one-of-a-kind Riverdale Farm. If you’re looking for something different to do with the family, touring this unique attraction should be high on your list. At this working farm, you can visit livestock, explore over three kilometres of trail, and take a step back in time with a visit to the historic farmhouse. Right next door sits one of the city’s largest green spaces: Riverdale Farm. Here you’ll find tennis courts, a baseball diamond, a splash pad, and much more.

5) The Homes

Cabbagetown maintains its small-town feel thanks in part to its tree-lined residential streets and beautiful homes. Cabbagetown real estate is known for its incredible heritage architecture — in fact, it has North America’s largest collection of preserved Victorian homes. The neighbourhood has also seen an influx of development over the years. Today, you’ll find a growing number of modern condos and townhomes.

Interested in living in Cabbagetown? We’re here to help you find your dream home in this unique community. Reach out to our team today.

There’s a lot that goes into a successful home sale—and often, staging is one of the most crucial steps. From more impressive showings to better listing photos, the process can provide some major benefits. While a growing number of sellers understand the value of staging, many remain unsure about how it works in the virtual realm. Fortunately, there’s never been a better time to learn about this technology than now!

If you’re preparing to sell your home, here’s what you should know about virtual staging…

Staging Basics

Many sellers believe that staging is all about upping a property’s style quotient. The truth is, there’s a lot more to it than that. Using a few basic building blocks (such as paint, furnishings, and artwork), an agent with the right expertise can pull together a beautiful, cohesive aesthetic.

A staged property should be chic enough to look contemporary, comfortable enough to feel like home, and subdued enough that it won’t turn off buyers who have their own distinct sense of style. When you find the right balance, it’s like magic.

Ultimately, staging helps you attract the largest possible number of buyers. That can mean more offers, a better price, and even a quicker sale (90 per cent faster on average, according to one RESA study).

What Is Virtual Staging?

While staging can come with some big advantages, embracing it fully isn’t always practical. In some cases, properties are empty when they go on the market—which can make it difficult for buyers to see their potential. In other situations, sellers don’t have enough time to go through the staging process (or it doesn’t make sense for them to do so logistically).

Then, of course, there’s the potential for health issues. The pandemic has shown us that home tours can come with some degree of risk. While the right precautions can make them safer, digital technology can also help by reducing the need to hold them in-person. And when it comes to showing properties online, virtual staging is the perfect complement!

Through the use of graphic software, it’s possible to insert pieces of furniture and decor into a living space—and even change the paint. Your real estate agent can help make that happen remotely.

When it comes to digital tools, we’re big fans of BoxBrownie.com. This online hub provides high-quality photo-enhancing and retouching services, including virtual staging. The resulting images are polished and inviting, which is important given that sub-par listing photos could mean fewer showing opportunities.

Though it’s not used for virtual staging per se, Wowzler.com can also contribute to the positive impression your home makes. This virtual-renovation company allows you to show buyers what your property could look like once the basement is finished and the kitchen cabinets are updated.

New Possibilities

The truth is, most homes could benefit from a handful of improvements and a few stylistic tweaks. While it’s not a replacement for the real thing, virtual staging can help buyers imagine the many possibilities of your property. Depending on your circumstances, it may be the most helpful and efficient way to start marketing.

Being open to suggestions is key. A skilled local agent can help you understand the level of styling best suited to your home—and whether going the virtual route could help you achieve your selling goals. Remember: it’s not about your personal design preferences. It’s about growing your buyer pool and (hopefully) your return!