the kingsway

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The Best of The Kingsway!

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The Spa at the Old Mill

Summer is coming and it is the perfect time to get out and support our beloved local west end Toronto businesses, who suffered so much throughout the pandemic. To help you find the best places to eat, play and shop, we are updating our neighbourhood pages and will be highlighting a different west end Toronto area over the next few months. Next up The Kingsway!

AVERAGE SALE PRICE (2022)

The Kingsway | $2.45M

TYPE OF HOMES

Detached Tudor style, mostly 2-storey (with some bungalows), set back from the street with private driveways & garages

Est.

1920’s

fun fact

The Kingsway area was established by Robert Home Smith and the names of the streets (Queen Anne, Kingsgarden, King George) were chosen to emphasize English respectability & attract affluent buyers 

the kingsway/sunnylea schools

Etobicoke Collegiate

 
 

Public | Sunnylea JS (JK-5), Park Lawn JMS (JK-8), Lambton Kingsway JMS (JK-8), Etobicoke Collegiate (9-12)

French | Rosethorn & Islington (immersion), Briarcrest & Second Street (extended), Richview CI (high school)

Catholic | Our Lady of Sorrows (JK-8), St. Mark (JK-8)

THE kingsway/sunnylea NEIGHBOURHOOD

  • restaurants, bars & shopping located along Bloor Street between Montgomery & Prince Edward

  • easy access to buses on Royal York & Prince Edward, as well as the Royal York subway station

  • easy commute downtown by highway or TTC

  • Brentwood Public Library is located on Brentwood Road North

  • the 'Taste of the Kingsway' is celebrated along Bloor Street every September

  • beautiful wide streets & big mature tress are signature features of this highly desirable & well established area

The Crooked Cue

INDULGE.

Etobicoke Real Estate Agents

King’s Mill Park

PLAY.

Etobicoke Real Estate Agents

Oleander Floral Design

SHOP.

 

To find out about other amazing neighbourhoods and the best places to eat, play and shop in Toronto’s west end, check out our neighbourhoods page. If you would like more information about this fabulous west end Toronto neighbourhood or if we are missing one of your favourite local businesses, please feel free to drop us a line at info@westsidestoreys.com - we are always available for your quesitons!

7 Benefits of Downsizing your home

We teamed up with Delmanor Prince Edward to provide a free information session on the benefits of downsizing and why it is important to be proactive about the process of downsizing your home. Some of our favourite clients have been those who have been downsizing from their current home to a smaller, more manageable home or condo, a family suite in a family member’s home or to a retirement residence. We love taking the time to guide these clients through this big life transition and help them to start this new chapter in their lives.

Many of these clients have been in their homes for decades and some as long as half a century. These clients endear themselves to us with their stories about how the neighbourhoods have changed, the neighbours who have come and gone, the home renovations they have undertaken and the families they have raised within the walls of these homes. We are honoured and grateful to take this journey with them and consider it a privilege to play a part in this transition.

Downsizing can be an overwhelming and emotional process, which is why it is important to be proactive and have a solid plan in place. However, there are many upsides to downsizing and here are a few of the clear benefits.

A more manageable space

Some of these clients are in their 70’s, their children have long left home and they are finding that they either don’t want to or can’t manage the responsibilities of maintaining a house any longer. These clients require special attention because most have not moved for many years, they often have accumulated decades worth of belongings that need to be sorted and organized, and it is common for them to feel overwhelmed by the process and all the decisions that need to be made. However, once they have made the move to a smaller home, condo or retirement community, they find the space to be much more manageable and they will often experience the added benefit of a wider social network as well!

financial freedom

Not everyone considers downsizing later in life, some other motivating factors can be a need to reduce household expenses or pursue a simpler lifestyle, a divorce, an empty nest or the desire to reduce responsibilities in order to enjoy more financial freedom and travel. Downsizing can free up finances to allow for more options such as travel, gifting money to loved ones or pursuing new activities and hobbies. Regardless of the reason or motivation, the process is similar for everyone and requires compassion, sensitivity and proactive planning.

minimalism

We take a very thoughtful approach to the downsizing process and are sensitive to the many emotional components that this transition can trigger. Dealing with items belonging to family members who have passed away, engaging grown children in the downsizing process, getting rid of sentimental items that no longer fit or serve and dealing with estates or the division of assets are just a few of the unique obstacles that we need to consider and navigate. Once the process is complete however, there is a certain freedom that comes with owning less ‘stuff’ which can open up possibilities that were not previously a consideration.

choices

Being proactive about downsizing provides the time to research what the next best step is and weigh the pros and cons of each option. You are in a far better position to make the best decision for you if you start the process early, as opposed to being in a situation where you are forced to make decisions quickly and without forethought. With these considerations in mind, we often suggest beginning this process far in advance of the proposed move in order to avoid undue stress and overwhelm. We sit down with our clients and map out a detailed plan of how to get them from where they are to where they want to go, and implement a timeline and provide resources to help get them there.

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the luxury of time

With less space to manage, this not only frees up finances but something equally as valuable, time. Without lawns to mow or big homes to clean, our clients find that they have more time to spend with friends and family, travel and pursue interests that they didn’t have time for previously.

Social Life

We touched on this earlier, but it is important to consider the social aspect of downsizing, particularly if you are currently living alone. If a condo or retirement community is your best next step, there are often many organized group activities, exercise classes, movie nights and outings, which provide opportunities to socialize and make new friends.

Health & Safety

The increased social interaction alone can improve quality of life, but if your current home has safety risks such as stairs, or if you find that you need some amount of care or supervision, downsizing can certainly help not only improve the quality of your life, but extend it as well.

You can find more details about how we approach the downsizing process on our downsizing services page. If downsizing is something you are considering but don’t know where to start, we would be happy to sit down with you and chat through your options. With a good plan and an experienced team behind you, downsizing doesn’t have to be overwhelming and can open you up to a world of possibilities!

West End Toronto Real Estate Market Update - March 2021

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For the third straight month of 2021, record home sales continued in March across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) with buyers taking advantage of favourable borrowing costs and continued improvement in many sectors of the economy.

GTA REALTORS® reported 15,652 sales in March 2021 – close to double that of March 2020. While sales were strong, it is important to remember that for the second half of March we are comparing against the initial impact of COVID-19 in the second half of March 2020 when sales activity dropped off dramatically. With this in mind, it is important to consider annual sales growth for the pre-COVID period (March 1 to 14, 2020) and COVID period (March 15 to 31, 2020):

- There were 6,504 sales reported during the first 14 days of March 2021 - up 41 per cent compared to the pre- COVID period in March 2020.

- There were 9,148 sales reported between March 15th and March 31st 2021, an increase of 174 per cent compared to the COVID period of March 2020. This is a stark reminder of the initial impact COVID-19 had on the housing market and overall economy a year ago.

For March 2021 as a whole, new listings were up 57 per cent year-over-year to 22,709. While representing a strong year-over-year increase, the annual growth rate for new listings was well-below that of sales.

The MLS® Home Price Index Composite Benchmark for March 2021 was up by 16.5 per cent compared to March 2020. The average selling price, at $1,097,565 was up by 21.6 per cent over the same period. Following the recent trend, low-rise home sales in regions surrounding the City of Toronto drove price growth.

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Click here if you would like to compare these numbers to last month’s numbers.

If you would like further information about current market conditions, or if you are considering a move and would like to know how much your house is worth, feel free to get in touch, we are always available for your questions!

West End Toronto Real Estate Market Update - February 2021

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Record home sales in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) continued in February as buyers remained confident in their employment situations and took advantage of ultra-low borrowing costs. With multiple buyers continuing to compete for many available listings, double-digit annual price growth was the norm throughout the GTA, with stronger rates of growth in the suburbs surrounding the City of Toronto.

GTA REALTORS® reported 10,970 sales through TRREB’s MLS® System in February 2021 – a 52.5 per cent increase compared to 7,193 sales reported in February 2020. Looking at all areas of the GTA combined, the condominium apartment segment led the way with a 64 per cent sales increase compared to last year, with similar rates of increase in the ‘416’ and ‘905’ area codes.

“It’s clear that the historic demand for housing experienced in the second half of last year has carried forward into the first quarter of this year with some similar themes, including the continued popularity of suburban low-rise properties. It’s also evident that the supply of listings is not keeping up with demand, which could present an even larger problem once population growth picks up following widespread vaccinations later this year and into 2022,” said TRREB President Lisa Patel.

The MLS® Home Price Index Composite Benchmark was up by 14.8 per cent year-over-year in February 2021. Over the same period, the average selling price was up by 14.9 per cent to $1,045,488. While market conditions were tight throughout the GTA region in February, the detached, semi-detached and townhouse market segments in suburban areas were the drivers of average price growth, with annual rates of increase above 20 per cent in all three cases.

“In the absence of a marked uptick in inventory, the current relationship between demand and supply supports continued double-digit average home price growth this year. In addition, if we continue to see growth in condo sales outstrip growth in new condo listings in Toronto, renewed price growth in this market segment is a distinct possibility in the second half of the year,” said TRREB Chief Market Analyst Jason Mercer.

We have broken down the west end Toronto real estate numbers so that you can see exactly how your neighbourhood is doing!

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Click here if you would like to compare these numbers to last month’s numbers.

If you would like further information about current market conditions, or if you are considering a move and would like to know how much your house is worth, feel free to get in touch, we are always available for your questions!

West End Toronto Real Estate Market Update - January 2021

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January 2021 home sales amounted to 6,928 – up by more than 50 per cent compared to January 2020. This strong start to 2021 included sales growth across all major segments including condominium apartments, both in the City of Toronto and surrounding GTA regions.

New listings were also up on a year-over-year basis in January, but not by the same annual rate as sales. This means market conditions tightened compared to January 2020, resulting in the continuation of double-digit growth in the MLS® Home Price Index and the average selling price.

The average selling price for January 2021 was up by 15.5 per cent to $967,885 year-over-year. The MLS® HPI Composite Benchmark was up by 11.9 per cent over the same period.

Price growth was driven by the low-rise market segments, while the average condo apartment price was down in Toronto. However, if we continue to see condo sales growth outstrip condo listings growth, we could start to see renewed growth in condo prices later this year.

Here is a breakdown on how the west end Toronto real estate market did in January.

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Click here if you would like to compare these numbers to last month’s or last year’s numbers.

If you would like further information about current market conditions, or if you are considering a move and would like to know how much your house is worth, feel free to get in touch, we are always available for your questions!

West End Toronto Real Estate Market Update - December 2020

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Despite an unprecedented year due to COVID-19, including necessary public health restrictions and uncertainty surrounding the economy, Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported over 95,000 home sales in 2020 – the third-best result on record. The average selling price reached a new record of almost $930,000.

“The Greater Toronto Area housing market followed an unfamiliar path in 2020. Following the steep COVID-induced drop-off in demand during the spring, home sales roared back to record levels throughout the summer and fall. A strong economic rebound in many sectors of the economy, ultra-low borrowing costs and the enhanced use of technology for virtual open houses and showings fuelled and sustained the housing market recovery,” said Lisa Patel, Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) President.

Highlights from 2020 include:

  • 95,151 sales were reported through TRREB’s MLS® System – up by 8.4 per cent compared to 2019. This included a record result for the month of December, with 7,180 sales – a year-over-year increase of 64.5 per cent.

  • Year-over-year sales growth was strongest in the GTA regions surrounding Toronto, particularly for single-family home types.

  • The average selling price reached a new record of $929,699 – up by 13.5 per cent compared to 2019. This included an average price of $932,222 in December – a year-over-year increase of 11.2 per cent. The strongest average price growth was experienced for single-family home types in the suburban regions of the GTA.

  • After a pronounced dip in market activity between mid-March and the end of May, market conditions improved dramatically in the second half of the year, with multiple consecutive months of record sales and average selling prices.

    “While the housing market as a whole recovered strongly in 2020, there was a dichotomy between the single-family market segments and the condominium apartment segment. The supply of single-family homes remained constrained resulting in strong competition between buyers and double-digit price increases. In contrast, growth in condo listings far-outstripped growth in sales. Increased choice for condo buyers ultimately led to more bargaining power and a year-over-year dip in average condo selling prices during the last few months of the year,” said Jason Mercer, TRREB Chief Market Analyst.

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Click here if you would like to compare these numbers to last month’s numbers.

If you would like further information about current market conditions, or if you are considering a move and would like to know how much your house is worth, feel free to get in touch, we are always available for your questions!

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navigating the west Toronto high school options for your grade 8 student

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My youngest daughter is in grade 8 so I am doing this all over again, but as with everything, it is looking a lot different this year! Due to covid, all of the Toronto high school open houses are virtual this year, but we are still logging in and weighing our options. She will be graduating from Karen Kain School of the Arts (KKSA) so ESA is an option, as well as our home school and some of the specialty programs that are offered at other high schools, such as UFA and Western Tech. I will let you know how it goes!

Here is our annual guide to all the (virtual) open houses, programs, key dates and application deadlines for many of the West Toronto high schools.

 

Specialty Programs & Key Dates

Bishop Allen Academy (Catholic)

  • Congregated Advanced Placement Program - an internationally recognized program that fosters success in higher education by encouraging students to develop critical thinking skills at the highest level

  • application & strong academic performance in grades 7 & 8 required - applications are available as of October 8th and are due October 29th. Notification of acceptance to specialty programs is on November 27th (wave 1) & December 4th (wave 2)

Bloor Collegiate - Open house November 16th, 6:30-8:30pm

Etobicoke Collegiate - Open House November 26th, 7pm

Etobicoke School of the Arts - Open house November 16th, 7-9pm

  • arts focus in dance, drama, music & film

  • applications are available November 9th and the online application submission deadline is December 9th

  • acceptance dependent on audition - virtual auditions are being held January 15th, 2021. Offers of admission will be emailed in early February 2021


Father John Redmond (Catholic) - Virtual Open House

  • Congregated Advanced Placement Program (CAP)

  • Regional Arts Program (RAP) - applications available as of October 8th and are due October 28th (online) or October 29th (paper). Portfolio/Audition videos must be uploaded by November 13th and auditions will be conducted from November 18-20. Notification of acceptance is on November 27th (wave 1) & December 4th (wave 2).

  • Gifted & Enrichment Program

  • Update: apparently they have changed their application process and you can only apply to CAP if you have been accepted into Father Redmond through a feeder school or into the Regional Arts Program

Humberside Collegiate

  • extended french & french immersion programs for students coming from feeder schools

  • students in the english program must live within the school's catchment to attend

Martingrove Collegiate - Open house November 24th, 6:30 & 7:45

Parkdale Collegiate - Open house November 18th, 7pm

Richview Collegiate - Open house November 24th, 7-9pm (french) and November 25th, 7-9pm (english)

  • extended french & french immersion programs for students coming from feeder schools

  • students in the english program must live within the school's catchment to attend

Runnymede Collegiate - Open house December 2nd, 6pm

Ursula Franklin Academy

  • Integrated technology & academics for the real world with a focus on 5 core values: spirit of inquiry, democracy, social justice, community of learners, and connected knowledge

  • application required - applications due January 29th

  • if the number of eligible students exceeds the number of spaces available, a lottery will be held the first week of February and acceptance letters will be sent out February 12, 2021 and must be accepted by February 26th

Western Technical-Commercial School - Open house November 19th, 7pm

Please click here, for a list of open houses at all TDSB schools.  Happy open housing and the best of luck to all of you.....high school is a whole other post ;).



West End Toronto Real Estate Market Update - October 2020

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Home sales in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) were up again year-over-year for the fourth month in a row. There were 10,563 sales as reported through the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board’s MLS® System in October 2020. This was up by 25.1 per cent compared to 8,445 transactions in October 2019.

Sales and new listings reached record levels for the month of October. However, year-over-year growth rates for sales and new listings diverged in some market segments. In the detached market segment, the pace of annual sales growth far outstripped growth in new listings. Conversely, the condominium apartment market segment experienced more than double the new listings compared to October 2019, whereas sales were only up by 2.2 per cent over the same period.

“Competition between buyers of single-family homes, and particularly detached houses, remained strong last month and continued to support double-digit annual rates of price growth in many GTA neighbourhoods. In contrast, condo buyers have benefitted from much more choice compared to last year. Pre-COVID polling had already pointed to an increase in investor selling in 2020. The pandemic only added to this trend with a stall in economic growth and a halt to tourism impacting cashflows for many investors,” said Lisa Patel, TRREB’s President.

The average selling price for all home types combined was $968,318 – up by 13.7 per cent compared to $851,877 in October 2019.

“Year-to-date home sales through October were above last year’s level. The economic recovery in some sectors coupled with low borrowing costs has kept home purchases top-of-mind for many GTA residents. With this being said, we have not accounted for all of the pent-up demand that resulted from the spring downturn. Expect record or near-record home sales for the remainder of 2020,” said Jason Mercer, TRREB’s Chief Market Analyst.

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Click here if you would like to compare these numbers to last month’s numbers.

If you would like further information about current market conditions, or if you are considering a move and would like to know how much your house is worth, feel free to get in touch, we are always available for your questions!