Jason Walker Real Estate in Toronto

Set a realistic budget - Prepare a realistic budget that includes a contingency amount. The budget should take into account not only the labour and materials but consider the scope of the job, if hazardous materials are encountered, interior design costs and even structural engineer expenses. For example, a kitchen renovation that’s estimated to take three months may require three months of design work. Choose the right contractor - Interview three contractors and go with the one you like best. The concept of securing three quotes works well in commercial construction, where three qualified companies will bid, but not with residential construction. Big projects have wiggle room, unlike a home reno. So rather than going with the lowest quote, talk to past clients of the three contractors you’ve connected with and if possible, look at the work done. Having a good relationship with your contractor is important. Do your research - Even with a contractor, home renovations can have hidden

Keep your space clean with these tried-and-tested eco-friendly cleaning solutions. THE FRUITFUL FIVE Mixing these versatile natural ingredients with water is really all it takes to make your own cleaning products. The combinations create top-notch, totally effective solutions that will clean your home from top to bottom without using a single synthetic chemical. 1. White vinegar The acidity of plain white vinegar removes grease, deodorizes and dissolves limescale without damaging surfaces. Look for basic white vinegar and add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil. Special cleaning vinegar is also available, with a higher price tag, but plain is just as effective. 2. Sodium bicarbonate Good old baking soda is great for absorbing odours—you may even already keep some in your fridge for that very purpose. This multi-purpose powder is very versatile, and can replace commercial scouring pastes and powders. 3. Citrus Citrus fruits give a fresh scent to many cleaning products, bu

 

 

 

 

  GTA REALTORS ®  Release November 2023  Stats High borrowing costs and uncertain economic conditions continued to weigh on Greater Toronto Area (GTA) home sales in November 2023. Sales were down on a year-over-year basis, while listings were up from last year’s trough in supply. With more choice in the market, selling prices remained basically flat year-over-year. “Inflation and elevated borrowing costs have taken their toll on affordability. This has been no more apparent than in the interest rate-sensitive housing market. However, it does appear relief is on the horizon. Bond yields, which underpin fixed rate mortgages have been trending lower and an increasing number of forecasters are anticipating Bank of Canada rate cuts in the first half of 2024. Lower rates will help alleviate affordability issues for existing homeowners and those looking to enter the market,” said Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) President Paul Baron. GTA REALTORS ®  reported 4,236 sales through TRRE

 

 

 

 

 

Have you heard the expression, "Windows are the eyes to your home?". It simply means that people - including buyers - notice windows when they see your property. So, when preparing your home for sale, pay attention to how your windows look.  Consider the following staging tips:  Wash your windows. Make them clear and bright. If possible, get the exteriors of your windows cleaned as well.  Look at your windows as if seeing them for the first time. Is there anything unsightly or distracting that a buyer would notice? If so, make the necessary changes.  Check that window treatments (curtains, blinds, etc.) enhance the room. If they do the opposite, it's time for a change!  Ensure that ample light can get through when curtains or blinds are open. Natural light tends to make a room look more spacious and attractive to buyers. These are fairly easy tips to implement. But, like most staging techniques, they make a difference in how buyers react to your property. 

With each passing season, unexpected regional emergencies catch families and households off-guard. Unfortunately, advance warnings aren't always able to provide enough time to adequately prepare for sudden tornadoes, hurricanes, floods or fire. Furthermore, these events can trigger extensive power outages and fuel disruptions that last for days. That's why experts recommend that all homes have emergency preparedness kits. At the very least, it's wise to have a "grab-and-go" backpack at the ready, containing essentials to survive a minimum of 12 to 24 hours. That means water and energy bars, medications, weatherproof outerwear, cash and a powered-up phone charger.  If you have a vehicle, it should always be fueled up and ready to go in the event of unexpected evacuation. Always keep a first aid kit, blankets, matches, a flashlight, batteries and a portable radio in your vehicle. You might also want the option to hunker down at home for days. Invest in a portable ge

  ***Absolutely Spectacular On Swanwick*** Complete Back To The Bricks Renovation, 2+1 Bedroom Converted To Large 1+1 Bedroom (Easy To Convert Back But Why Would You???) Luxurious Principle With Sitting Area & Spa Like Bath Plus Balcony Overlooking A Stunning South Facing 150 Ft Lot With Mature Trees. A Large Chef's Kitchen w/Gas Stove, Designer Vent-A-Hood, 2 Separate Sinks, Large Island, Optimal Storage With Every Detail For Efficiency & Function. Perfect For the Smartsizer Or Professional Couple Looking For Home Ownership With Minimal Maintenance. Tonnes Of Insulated Hidden Storage In Attic With Drop Down Ladder Running Full Span Of Home, Bonus Outdoor Carport With Storage Shed, Legal Front Pad Parking, Charming Rear Garden With Privacy Galore And So Much More! This Magical Home Is Ready For Its Next Owner & Not To Be Missed! Steps To Go Train, Subway, Parks & Schools  MLS E7204866

 

 

 

 

No two buyers are exactly alike. When viewing your home, one may scrutinize the walk-in closet, while another might be more interested in the view out the main windows. But, there are two areas that most buyers spend extra time considering:  1. The foyer view When buyers walk in the front door, they look around and form an immediate first impression. That impression often lasts. So, when selling your home, ensure the foyer is uncluttered, looks great, and feel spacious.  Stand there yourself and then use that vantage point to make improvements.  2. The kitchen  Every buyer spends time in the kitchen. So, be sure that it's extra clean. Remove unnecessary items from countertops to increase the sense of space. Use a special cleaner to make the sinks and faucet shine.  Pay particular attention to smells. There may be odours lingering in the kitchen that you may no longer notice - but buyers will. To eliminate those, clean the stove and exhaust fan well.  Making these areas look great w

Enhance curb appeal and the beauty of your home with these tips and tricks. 1. Clean, Repair, Polish The first step to freshening up the front of your home is to give it a thorough spring cleaning. Once that’s done, assess whether certain items are in need of repair and get those fixed first. Next, look at the paint, whether it’s on bricks, siding, railings, stairs, front door or window trim. You may need to make touching up your paint jobs a priority. A fresh coat goes a long way to making your home look like new. 2. Highlight your front door If you’re thinking of a change, the latest trend is to add pops of bright colour—and the best place to do that is on your front door. A beautiful,  colourful door lends character, especially if the rest of the exterior is neutral. Yellow, orange, turquoise or hot pink are great options for those who like to make a bold statement, while deep, saturated shades of classic red, navy blue or forest green are always in style. You can also create contra

Being "at home" should mean being relaxed, but we also need to be vigilant, because most accidents happen in or near the home. To help ensure your home is truly a safe haven, review this list of safety tips and see what may need your attention.  Make sure you have at least one functional fire extinguisher, ideally near the kitchen.  Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly. Replace batteries as recommended.  If your home has outdated household wiring, replace it.  Protect children and seniors by property storing toxic, combustible, or otherwise harmful materials such as solvents, disinfectants, chemicals, medications, etc.  Slick, smooth stairs should have carpeting or treads, and loose carpets and mats throughout the home should be secured or removed, especially if at the top of the staircase.  If you don't already have one, install a home security system. These systems go hand-in-hand with safety, because a good system can protect people as well as posses

  Recently Renovated 2 Bedroom In Don Valley Village. New Eat In Kitchen, New Flooring, New Appliances, Freshly Painted And Ready To Move In! Extremely Well Maintained Building. Heat, Hydro, Water & Cable Included In Rent. Steps To TTC, Seneca College, Fairview Mall, Parks, Schools & 404.

  TRREB MLS® NEW LISTINGS AUGUST 2023

TRREB MLS® S ALES AUGUST 2023

TRREB MLS® AVERAGE PRICE AUGUST 2023

  TRREB MLS® S NLR AUGUST 2023

  Sold! Contact me for all your real estate needs. Debbie & Rob: Sellers of 289 Joicey  Great customer service! Great trade references! Great staging! And they sold our house!

Some buyers like carpeting, others not so much. These days, the trend is towards hardwood, laminate, and tile. So, how do you make your home look attractive for buyers if you have old carpeting that - for whatever reason - you can't remove?  The obvious option is to have your carpets steam-cleaned. As comfortable as carpeting is on the feet, it's a sponge for odours, pet hair, and stains. Steam-cleaning goes a long way to reducing or even eliminating those issues. If your home vacuum can't do the job, rent a steam-cleaner from a home improvement retailer or hire a professional service.  Another option is effective home staging. That involves decorating and furnishing in a way that draws attention away from the floor and onto the more attractive characteristics of your home. If a room is beautifully staged, a buyer might not notice cat scratches on the carpet.  A third option is to use attractive area rugs on top of the existing carpet. This can work well as long as you don&

  TRREB MLS® Average Price July 2023

  TRREB MLS® Sales-to-New Listings Ratio July 2023

  TRREB MLS® New Listings July 2023

  TRREB MLS® Sales July 2023

When you're refreshing a room with a new coat of paint, there are many things to consider if you want the results to look professional. Interior decorators, colour experts and painting pros often suggest some tried-and-true pre-painting tips in order to avoid disappointment. After all, an unsatisfactory outcome can be a hassle and quite costly. So for starters, don't obsess over the latest colour trends, and be mindful of guidelines - not rules - such as "lighter hues can make rooms look bigger".  Do some research using reputable décor and paint websites - including technical planning apps to help you achieve the best results. Ask your local professional paint dealer about ideal primers and other tips. Make sure to budget for multiple coats. Also, look into using quality brushes and tools. Although personal taste is paramount, you can avoid a disaster by testing your choices in advance. Preview large swatch samples or painted patches on the surface in question, and ob

  GTA REALTORS ®  Release July 2023 Stats Greater Toronto Area (GTA) home sales, new listings and home prices were up in July 2023 in comparison to July 2022. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the market experienced more balance in July compared to June, with sales trending lower while new listings were up. “Home sales continued to be above last year’s levels in July, which suggests that many households have adjusted to higher borrowing costs. With that being said, it does appear that the sales momentum that we experienced earlier in the spring has stalled somewhat since the Bank of Canada restarted its rate tightening cycle in June. Compounding the impact of higher rates has been the persistent lack of listings for people to purchase compared to previous years,” said Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) President Paul Baron. GTA REALTORS ®  reported 5,250 sales through TRREB’s MLS ®  System in July 2023, representing a 7.8 per cent increase compared to July 2022. Over the sa

  An Exceptional Bedford Park Opportunity For Those Who Recognize The Quality Of This Solid Spacious Bungalow On A Premium 40 Ft South Facing Lot. Over 4500 Sq Ft Of Land, Builders/Contractors/Families Take Note. Separate Side Entrance To High & Dry In-Law Suite. Lovingly Maintained By Long Time Owners. Thousands Spent In Upgrades Including Shingles, Windows & Doors. Large Garage With Storage Loft, 2 Furnaces, Hardwood Floors Throughout, Walk-out To Private Patio & Backyard. Steps To Schools, Shops & Restaurants. Easy Access To 401 & More!

If we've learned one thing about renovations during the past few years, it's that things can change unexpectedly. That doesn't mean you should stop dreaming about a major home improvement or abandon that next big project on the horizon. But, it does mean that researching and planning are all the more critical when trying to establish reasonable timelines and manageable budgets. Start with a review of your main objectives - are you looking to create comfort, aesthetics or efficiencies? Do you expect to improve your property's value? You established priorities will help you remain flexible, in the event of unpredictable market shifts.  These days, skilled labour, raw materials and manufactured supplies are all susceptible to market shortages, so it's important to select a contractor with a reliable network of resources. Clarify your choices, get deadlines in writing, and know the difference between estimates and quotations. To further protect your renovation investmen

For anyone thinking of going through a remodel, one of the toughest calls you have to make is deciding whether to live at home or move out during the renovation. Some homeowners can't tolerate the noise and dust, so they'll eat up the additional expenses of living somewhere else. Others would prefer to save, so they'll stay put and deal with the temporary headaches. Since it's a big decision that could impact you for months, let's review the pros and cons.  Moving Out:  Pro: Your contractor will be very happy. That's because they can work faster and much more efficiently without worrying about getting in your way. Plus, they won't need to spend additional time cleaning up at the end of each day.  Con: Unless you have generous relatives you can live with, it'll cost you money to move. You'll need to find temporary housing during construction, plus you'll have to factor in additional costs in case the renovations don't finish on time.  Pro:

When you list your home, there's a chance - probably a good one - that your property will not be the only one for sale in the area. In fact, there may be several listings that compete with yours. That means buyers will compare.  So, what can you do to ensure your listing looks more desirable than competing FOR SALE properties in the neighbourhood?  Here are a few ideas:  Stage it effectively. Effective staging can make your home stand out from other listings that don't show as well. In fact, studies consistently show that a staged home will sell faster and for more than a comparable unstaged property.  Improve its move-in readiness. When buyers view your property, one of the things they'll think about is how much work is needed. the less work required, the more appealing your property will be. So, make your home as move-in ready as possible.  Emphasize its best features. Chances are, your property has features that make it more unique and desirable than other homes. For e

 

 

 

 

June 2023 Stats Home sales and the average selling price in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in June 2023 remained above last year’s levels. Seasonally adjusted sales dipped on a month-over-month basis. The seasonally adjusted average selling price and the MLS ®  Home Price Index (HPI) Composite benchmark were up compared to the previous month. “The demand for ownership housing is stronger than last year, despite higher borrowing costs. With this said, home sales were hampered last month by uncertainty surrounding the Bank of Canada’s outlook on inflation and interest rates. Furthermore, a persistent lack of inventory likely sidelined some willing buyers because they couldn't find a home meeting their needs. Simply put, you can't buy what is not available,” said Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) P resident Paul Baron. GTA REALTORS ®  reported 7,481 sales through TRREB’s MLS ®  System in June 2023 – up 16.5 per cent compared to June 2022. The number of listings was do

With so much shopping being done online, and so many sources to check out, it's easy to miss the newest products entering the marketplace. Here are some items that may interest you:  1. An Anti-fatigue mat made with gel-like cushioning. The mat is designed to help ease foot, knee and back pain attributed to prolonged standing. This could be ideal for kitchen and workshop environments, as well as offices where workers prefer to avoid sitting all day.  2. A robotic mopper . If you've heard of robotic vacuum cleaners, you might be ready for the mopper version. Just add water and cleaning solution, then select the proper scrubbing pad for your floor surface. Now, how good can that be?  3. A new digital shower interface. This gadget will regulate your water temperature and pressure at the touch of a button. It even allows you to set a different program for each individual user so everyone can enjoy a personal setting without having to adjust the knobs and handles.  4. A four-way fau

With the weather finally looking up, we can't wait to spend every available moment outside this summer. If your backyard could do with a sprucing up but you don't have the funds to finance a complete renovation, there are plenty of ways to upgrade. Not only will you save yourself some money, the sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing you did it all from scratch will make that post-DIY beer taste all the better. Roll up your sleeves and let the makeover begin... Fire Pit Having a central space for your and your friends to socialize in the summertime is a great idea, but building a deck isn't so friendly on the wallet. A fire pit is a great way to create a communal space without breaking the bank. You can easily purchase a metal fire pit from retailers like Home Depot or Bed Bath Beyond, but where's the fun in that? With just a few bricks, you can easily knock up your own over the course of a weekend - leaving you free to toast s'mores for the rest of the summe

Imagine you're searching for a new home and checking out listings. You go and see several homes and fall in love with...two of them!  How do you decide which is the right one for you, especially if you're in a situation where you need to make a decision quickly?  Here are three techniques to consider:  1. Each home probably has many of the features you either want or need.  Which home has more of what you need ? You can probably enjoy a home that doesn't have something you want. However, that's unlikely if it lacks something you need.  2. Rank your list of wants. Which are the most important to you? Consider applying a numerical score to each - for example, 1 for low priority and 4 for "I must have that feature!" Then, pick the home with the highest score of "wants". (This technique assumes each property has everything you need ).  3. Ask your future self. Imagine it's three years from now. Which do you suspect you'll enjoy living in the most

If you're in the market for secure residential windows, do not presume the words like security, shatter-proof or shatter-resistant mean unbreakable. Take the time to understand various levels of protection in residential windows:  Glazed Windows usually refer to actual glass panels that are treated with a film that helps stop the transfer of warm or cool air and may reduce the UV effects of sunlight. They are not usually associated with security.  Tempered Glass is heat-treated for strength, but is not strong enough to withstand significant impact. Rather, when broken, it disintegrates into small pieces instead of shards, making it less likely to to do harm to those nearby.  Laminated Glass is glass with one or more layers applied to its surface for various reasons, such as insulation and UV protection. When security window film is applied, it can be strong enough to delay attempted intrusion through window breakage.  Polycarbonate Panels provide many quality features of glass,

You don't need to have a proverbial green thumb to enjoy plant life within your home, as well as around your outdoor spaces. Simply by choosing specific hardy species, you can enjoy nature's gifts from season to season with little effort. here are a few suggestions to help you get started:  Indoors: if you like larger leafy plants, consider a monstera or sansevieria. Also consider philodendrons as a great alternative that can dangle in tangles from the pot or off shelves. Smaller cacti are also an easy option - or for added enjoyment, experiment from scratch by germinating fresh herbs.  Outdoors: Container plants can liven up any balcony or patio through several seasons. They give you the freedom to change your arrangements at well, according to your space and the time of year. Think geraniums, petunias, impatiens and begonias for colour, or set up stakes for taller climbers.  Once you've looked into the plants that appeal to your eye - and your lifestyle - be sure to do so

Ever since "pandemic" became a household word, spring cleaning has taken on a greater focus towards reducing or eliminating household germs. Think first about removing dust and reducing clutter, and then about cleaning to remove surface dirt and grime. These are essential steps before you can sanitize (removing germs from surfaces) and disinfect (actually killing and/or eliminating bacteria and viruses). To be most effective in the prevention of spreading germs, start with an attack plan for damp areas in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room, where microorganisms are most likely to thrive.  Pay particular attention to tile joints, grout lines and caulking where mould can grow, making a note to follow up where repair is needed. Also, don't overlook areas where food is stored, such as a pantry, or where food is often spilled, such as alongside your oven and cooktop. By being thorough, you'll avoid attracting unwanted house guests like insects or rodents. Finally, make