Karl Wong 's Karlam Style

A BIG CONGRATS to our teammate Karl Wong.  In 2011 Sales Award, he received both "The Path to Excellence Award" and "Sales Achievement Award".  12 months later, he won the "President's Award"!  Bravo!

As our branch manager, David Wong, said, "there is no secret to our business...  Hard Work..."  Karl definitely applies himself and continues to learn.  A case in point, during our Sales Award & Christmas Gala, all management: Stephen Wong (Chariman), William Lau (President) and all branch managers did a Gangnam Style dance to entertain all the colleague.  They did a surprisingly good job (check the shots below).



And guess what?  To follow the footstep of the management, Karl has been working his "KarLam Style" (his Chinese name is 嘉林).  What do you think of his dance?



Haha, just a little more seasonal fun.  Hope you all enjoy.  For sure, you will be seeing a lot more of Karl in 2013.  Let's Go, Team.

Happy Holidays 2012

Dear Clients, Colleagues, Partners, Friends and Families,

The season holidays are here and the new year is near.

We would like to extend our best wishes to you and yours.  

May your holidays be filled with joy, warmth and good times; 

and your 2013 be abundant of blessings and cheers.

Here is a little jolly fun clip to kick start the festivities.

One more here from last year.

~ Fanny & TheTeam ~

Living Realty Inc Brokerage 2012 President Awards

On December 15, Living Realty Inc Brokerage had its 32nd annual Sales Award & Christmas Gala at Shangri-la Convention Centre in Markham.

Out of Woodbine Branch, Karl and I - along with Bonnie Wan, Daniel Wan, Janmei Ng and Dick Tong - won the President 's Awards.

Here is a collage of video clips from the evening of seasonal festivities and recognitions.

  
   * 1:00 - "Secrets for Success" from David Wong, Woodbine Branch Manager
   * 2:45 - Karl Wong received his first President's Award from William Lau, Group President
   * 3:06 - Fanny Lee continued to be the President's Award (2010-2012)
   * 3:50 - Group picture of President 's Award winners from Woodbine Branch



Thank you all for the support and opportunities.  We, Fanny Lee & The Team, will keep up the effort.

YOU ARE SPECIAL

What a special day!  December 12, 2012 or 12-12-'12.  Our generation has been fortunate enough to witness and live through quite a few significant moments in time.  Now, this adds 1 more to our collections.

On a day like this, we feel particularly grateful to our clients/friends who have had faith in us, provided us with opportunities and support.  In return, we put in our hearts and best efforts to treat your goals and needs as ours because YOU are SPECIAL to us.  We cannot let you down.  

We are looking forward to working and sharing many more special moments in the future with all of you.


THANK YOU.

TREB Market Watch November Highlight

source: TREB

Over the weekend, a friend asked about the market.  With TREB November numbers, let's highlight a few points:-

* CMHC's new and tighter mortgage lending rules plus Toronto Land Transfer Tax deferred some potential buyers from entering the market.

* Since June, the monthly resale transactions fared worse than 2011, year-to-year-wise.

* With less transactions and more listings, it has become a buyer market.

* Although transactions reduced, the average home price is modestly higher ("...detached homes that sold for over one-million dollars was down substantially...")

* According to MLS HPI detached benchmark (comparing home of the same attribute), low-rise home price "was up by almost six percent in Toronto."

For complete report, visit TREB's website.

Real Estate Market Next Year Will be Better

World Journal (世界日報) Interviewed me 2 weeks ago.  They asked for my take of the market for the coming year.  The Nov.16 article titled "華人經紀: 明年房巿好過今年" (Chinese Realtor: Real Estate Market Next Year will be Better).  For those who are interested, here it is.

I Buy Condos, Tenants Pay My Mortgages

On Nov. 10, Jacqueline So wrote a Toronto real estate related cover story for Ming Poa Saturday Weekly titled :  "我買柏文，租客供" (loosely translated to "I buy condos, tenants pay my mortgages").  The explanatory title highlights this piece 's refreshing perspective: "辣招壓巿成投資良機" - "tough rules regulating the market could be a good investment opportunity."


Like other thorough works of Jacqueline, she shared stories of a couple of condos owners and interviewed with TREB 's Jason Mercer, a fellow realtor and myself.  It is a solid article.  For those who missed this article, here is a scanned version :1st page, 2nd page, and 3rd page.

Enjoy.

New Condos - The College Condos at Spadina, College & Spadina

It has been a while since we are this excited about a downtown condos project.  We attended The College Condominium at Spadina VIP sale event this morning, we are still very pumped and need to share. 

Tribute's College Condo will be developed at 297 College St.  Yes, that is steps away from University of Toronto and Ryerson University, Kensington Market, Little Italy and street cars.  This is a much sought after neighbourhood with its unique vibrance and quirk.

click to expand

Our brokerage has access to the Special VIP Preview Pricing: starts at $278,900 for 1 bedroom unit.  Per square foot wise, College Condos suites are priced at $580+ and under $699.  

College Condos are equipped with fitness room, various rooms for social functions and 24 hour concierge.  Each suite has 9' ceiling, laminate flooring, integrated and built in appliances plus ... more.

New Project:  The College Condominium at Spadina
Location:  297 College St., Toronto
Developer:  Tribute Communities
Architect:  Core Architects
Suite Layout:  Byron Patton & Associates
Status:  VIP Preview Sale
Storeys:  15
Target Occupancy:  June 2013

Brochure, Features & Finishes : (view)

Floor Plans & Price (contact us)

Deposit Structure:

Live and Build a Legacy, LEGACY by Madison, Thornhill Woods

"LEGACY where dreams and families come together."

LEGACY by Madison Homes is a community of quality detached homes north of Bathurst and Rutherford, in the rapidly developing Thornhill Woods neighbourhoods.

click to enlarge

Across the street of LEGACY, stands the 50 acres Joesph and Wolf Lebovic Jewish Community Campus composed of a family education centre, a sports and recreation pavillion, a childhood education centre, a creative arts centre as well as an outpatient clinic.  LEGACY is design to be incorporated in this culturally rich and diverse environment where families are merely steps away from necessary services and programmes.

click to enlarge

Commute?
Shopping?
Entertainment?  
Recreation?  
Leisure?  

You are always near.



That is why LEGACY is "a neighbourhood where you will want to put down roots, create memories, and establish the foundation of your own family's legacy."

This is why LEGACY sold-out during the launch.  Disappointed?  Well... don't give up hope.

We are pleased, honoured and proud to be the listing agents of 3 fully upgraded homes, each with custom professional interior design.  Your own legacy may well begin immediately at 22 Gesher Cres, 26 Gesher Cres or 30 Gesher Cres.

You wouldn't want this opportunity to slip away, contact us now.

LIVE and BUILD a LEGACY
at Legacy by Madison Homes, Thornhill Woods, Vaughan  

Living at The Place to Grow - 30 Clegg Rd # 306, Markham Centre

* SOLD * eko courtyard community at Markham Centre combines residences and office building with retails, a courtyard and green roof.  Like any successful urban communities, it has a great location -  Warden and Highway 7 - where commute is easy (VIVAnext rapidways is well underway).  No wonder, eko Markham Centre and Liberty Square project was awarded with BILD's Pinnacle Award  for "the Places to Grow Community of the Year" in 2009.

( click for slideshow )

Our featured 30 Clegg Road # 306 is a unit of this exceptional community where you could dine, bank, obtain medical, dental and other professional services.  Across Highway 7, there are Markham Civic Centre, Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts, Unionville High School and Markham Town Square. 

This contemporary and carefully maintained 1+1 (could be converted to 2 bedrooms) comes with Club Liberty membership, a parking and a locker. 

Living at The Place to Grow
30 Clegg Road # 306, Markham Centre

Live in the Centre of Midtown : 188 Redpath Ave #607, Yonge-Eglinton

* SOLD * Yonge and Eglinton, the centre of Midtown, is one of the most sought after neighnourhoods in Toronto.  Businesses gravitate toward the commercial buildings here; boutique retails locate themselves here;  shopping centres and cinemas keep their doors open here; restaurants line up here;  TTC station is always busy here; and families as well as young professionals call it home here.  HERE is the spot!

Just minutes of walk away from this uber convenient junction, there stands our featured home - 188 Redpath Ave #607 - in an elegant and quiet building.  This 1+1 condo comes with a practical layout, great south view, contemporary set up in excellent condition, one parking and one locker. 

As the area is being re-energized, LRT and a number of new exciting developments will arrive here, Yonge and Eglinton will further transform and take centre stage.  You could be at the heart of it all.  Why wait?  Book a showing today and place yourself here...  imagine... 

Live in the Centre of Midtown
188 Redpath Ave # 607, Yonge-Eglinton, Toronto

TREB Market Watch August Hightlight

This August recorded 12.4% fewer home resales in GTA when compared to August 2011.

* TREB attributed the decline partially to the new CMHC mortgage rules introduded in July as well as land transfer tax of Toronto.

* Out of all home type in "416" and "905" areas, townhouse in "905" is the only sector that is more active this year than 2011.

* For the first time this year, the new listings reduced.  There were 5.5% less new listings in August as opposed to 12 months ago.  "Market conditions remained quite tight... "  TREB Analyst.

What My Customers Say - Jenny & Ralph

Customer

Jenny, Ralph & Ryan
      

What My Customers Say ...

(Translation) 
Jenny:   Hello, I am Jenny.
Ralph:   I am Ralph.
Jenny:   We had 2 properties: 1 condo and 1 house.  While we were deciding which property to keep, we got to know Fanny through friends.
Jenny:   Fanny is a really good realtor.  Once she understood our situation, she recommended us to keep the house.  Because... as she explained... the value and the investment potential of our house outweighed that of our condo.
Jenny:   For a realtor, selling our house could generate more commission dollars.  However, she really acted for our best interests and according to our circumstances.
Jenny:   As it turned out, we made the right decision.  We thank Fanny from the bottom of our hearts.  She is really good.  Highly recommended.
Ralph:   Thank you.

Living in an Exceptional Neighbourhood at 15 Donald Buttress Blvd

* SOLD * Cathedraltown is definitely one of the top areas .  Not only just because it is right off Highway 404 on Woodbine and Elgin Mills (and is right next to our Living North Markham office), there is something truly unique, serene and outstanding here.  We continue to have clients and friends searching for a residence there.  As soon as we have homes available for sale, they go soon.  Many times, so fast that, they are sold before the team has a chance to blog about them here.  

Now, we have a brand new Monarch built 15 Donald Buttress Blvd, on Woodbine just south of the Cathedral, townhome listed for sale.  The approx. 2700 sq.ft 4-bedroom home comes with a huge terrace perfect for BBQ party, a balcony, double garages and many upgrades.  It is a street from the future piazza, commercial High St and near both Sir Wilfrid Laurier PS and Sir John A MacDonald PS. 

Not convinced?  Here are some snapshots of this stunning home.

TREB Market Watch July Highlight

( click to enlarge )

Compared to July 2011, GTA home resales in July decreased by 1.5%.  905-area recorded 4,725 transactions (vs 4,720 of 2011 July) while 416-area reduced from 3,094 to 2,693 (-13%).

The average home sale price of July was $476,947 (+4% from $458,646 of last July).

Condo resales  reduced in both 416-area and 905-area.  Year to year, amounted to 10% decrease.

The growth occurred in 905-area, townhomes resales rose 24% with semi increased by 2%. 

For Lease - 101 Chokecherry Cres, Wismer, Markham

* LEASED * Wismer Commons - an young and energetic neighbourhood of families with children (34% are under 24) that is easy to commute, shop, dine, learn and to relax - is one of the well sought after area in Markham.

Our featured 101 Chokecherry Cres is an almost new (1 year old), cozy and modern 2 bedroom townhome (a photo album here) with an incredible location next to the intersection of McCowan and Bur Oak.  For those who would like to tap into the wealth this area offers, 101 Chokecherry Cres is now available for lease.

Cathedraltown. 地靈人傑. Unique. Serene. Outstanding.

( last updated Jul. 22, 2012; first published Dec.15, 2011 )

Cathedraltown.  Unique.  Serene.  Outstanding.  

The neighbourhood of Cathedraltown is unquestionably unique in its design and planning.  And for most who have visited or seen pictures of the place,  it is inevitable to sense the tranquility transcended.

As for "Outstanding", let's highlight some of the demographic data. 
- 52% ages between 25 to 54
- 2/3 are married
- more than 2/3 with university or college education
- average household income of $124,791

Given 1/3 (33%) of Cathedral residents are under 25 year old and 21% are of Grade 8 or younger, schools are essential.  Even the community is young, there is no shortage of quality education.

Elementary

- Lincoln Alexandra Public School

- Sir John A Mcdonald PS

- St Monica Cathaloic Elementary School

- CES in Cathedraltown (planned)

- Sir Wilfrid Laurier Public School (French Immersion)

High School

- Richmond Green High School

- St. Augustine Catholic High School

Montessori / Private

- Trinity Montessori School

- Victoria Square Schoolhouse

What My Customer Says - Bilyana

Customer

Bilyana
IT Manager      

What My Customer Says ...

(Transcript)

Bilyana:  Hi, my name is Bilyana.  Together with my husband Dimitar, my daughter Victoria and our little one here, we had the pleasure to have Fanny as our real estate agent when we bought our beautiful house.  Fanny also helped us to sell our condo at the time.
Bilyana:  What can I say about her...  She is very professional.  She gave us good advice.  She wasn't one of the pushy real estate people that are rushing us to make a decision really fast.  She cared what we needed and what we wanted to do. 

TREB Market Watch June 2012 Highlight

click to enlarge

TREB June 2012 data indicated the Greater Toronto Area home resales decreased by 5.4% from June 2011 while the average sale price increased by 7.3% to $ 508,622.

A couple of points to highlight:-

*  Number of resales dropped 13% (year-to-year) for City of Toronto.  The City's Land Transfer Tax is a culptit

* Condo resales declined by 18% in the whole of GTA

* Detached, semi-detached, townhomes resale market in 905 area continues to be active and growing

Flyer to the City of Markham

Here is the new flyer that we recently distributed.  We feature scenes from gorgeous and popular Berczy Park as well as our recent works from Berczy Village, Wimer and Greensborough in the City of Markham 

Did you receive one?  What do you think?

Comments?  Suggestions?  We would love to hear from you.

What My Customer Says - Wlada

Customer

Wlada Cosslovskaya
Piano Teacher       

What My Customer Says ...

(Transcript)
TheTeam: Hi Wlada, that is very nice of you to do this testimonial for us.  Can you briefly introduce yourself to our audience?
Wlada: Yes, my name is Wlada.  I am a piano teacher.  I have a Master Degree in Piano.  I have a private studio.  

Mathematica 2012 Top Performing Schools

Since 2001, Mathematica has been an annual national math competition - conducted through participating schools or math academies - for students (now covering from grade 3 to grade 9).

We got to know about Mathematica when our child's school enrolled into grade 4 Byron-Germain contest.  As keen parents, we follow the contests, much like how we do with Fraser Institute School Report Card.  We find like-minded friends and fellow parents

This year, to facilitate the sharing process, we have charted all full time schools in Toronto and York Region which made national top 20 in Byron–Germain (grade 4), Fibonacci (grade 5), Pythagoras (grade 6), Euler (grade 7) and Lagrange (grade 8) contests.

View Top 20 Mathematica  G.4-G.8 Schools 2012 in a larger map

We tallied these entries from schools in Richmond Hill, Toronto and Markham.  The counts are 14,13 and 5, respectively.

For parents who wish to enrich their children with further arithmetic training, Toronto and Markham have many quality mathematics academies.  These classes/courses contributed 14 entries in our Mathematica grade 4-8 top performer list.

New Condos - E Condos, Yonge & Eglinton

Toronto Midtown is like an oasis in the city where you find commerce, residences, restaurants, entertainment , retail strips, parks and subway.  No wonder, homes in the neighbourhoods here are much sought after.


Yonge and Eglinton, the heart of Midtown, is about to transform with the approved LRT, new exciting developments and other revitalization energies.  Very soon, a new landmark will stand - E Condos towers (38 storey and 64 storey) on the northeast corner of this major intersection. 

Bazis, Metropia and RioCan have assembled an outstanding team and devised an amazing
design to wow: high-end retails with frameless glass walls and 30-ft high ceiling, a piazza, shopping concourse linking to TTC, glass enclosed pools on 31st floor, 9-ft ceiling, Niven-designed interior and ... etc.  (see the slideshow of the renderings follows)

TREB Market Watch May 2012 Hightlight

TREB just relayed GTA May 2012 market data with home resales continued to outperform May 2011 with 10,850 transactions, increase of 11%.  The average GTA home resale price was $ 516,787.

Here we highlighted a few items for your perusal.

* 905 market grew faster in 905 zone than 416 area especially in detached, semi and condo

* Significant increase in new listings in May : need to monitor this key supply factor

New Project - BLOOM Park Town, Finch & Bathurst

This is virtually part of the Parkland, adjacent to G. Ross Lord Park, and yet conveniently next to Bathurst and a little north of Finch in North York; this is the future address of a community with 3 storey townhomes blessed with nature and modern comfort; this is BLOOM Park Town.


Menkes will launch the project with Woodland Towns (Block ST1 and ST2, next to the private outdoor swimming pool) with 2 bedroom townhomes with patios, rooftops or balconies.  Woodland Towns range from 629 sq.ft - 906 sq.ft with an astonishingly attractive introductory price: $289,990 to $349,990.

click to view album

New Project: BLOOM Park Town 
Location: 55 Antibes Dr, Toronto
Developer: Menkes
Status: VIP Promotion - Woodland Town
Target Occupancy: November 2013


Features & Finishes (download)


Floor Plans & Price (contact us)


VIP Promotion Incentives (for sales done on June 2nd/3rd only)
  1. Special Cash Back: $5,000 off any single level unit / $10,000 off any 2 level unit
  2. Window covering included
  3. Stainless Steel Kitchen Appliances
  4. Cap on all Closing Cost $2,500
  5. Cap on Levies and Development Charges $2,500
  6. 1 free assignment allowed up to 90 days before occupancy
  7. 1 free name change within 10 day rescission period

Assignment Sale - 110 High Street Collection B-2A Unit 10, Cathedraltown

* SOLD *  Cathedraltown

110 High Street Collection B2-A Unit 10

The Cathedral of Transfiguration is the the landmark and centre of Cathedraltown area.  As such, surrounding it will be the lake, the piazza and boutique shops where people gather and interact. 

High Street, directly connecting the Cathedral and Woodbine Ave By-Pass, will be where folks shop, chat over coffee or get their newspapers.  Andrin High Street collection offers commercial space on the street level and living quarters on the upper floors (2nd & 3rd).  These units were completely sold out when introduced.  This is the rare second chance to secure a high potential real estate.  Contact us now.

Property Type: Commercial / Residential

Sub-Type: Townhome

Model: High Street Collection B2-A

Area: 2,208 sq. ft. 

Features:  

   - 447 sq.ft. ground level commercial area

   - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 powder rooms

   - balcony and terrace
   - parkings in front and behind the unit

Web / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Linkedin  /  Google+      .

Live & Play in the Largest Urban Park - Downsview Park

(click to view album)

Last November, our brokerage - Living Realty - exclusively brought to you the initial phrase of exciting The Neighbourhood of Downsview Park in Stanley Greene .

GOOD NEWS! With the opening of the new presentation centre (replacing the interim one in our office), the VIP Agent promotion has been launched with a wider collection of attractive homes with special incentives:-

1/ $4,000 Cash Back for Condo Townhome

    $5,000 Cash Back for Freehold Townhome with Single Garage

    $7,500 Cash Back for Freehold Townhome with Double Garage

 2/ Any increase in Levies and Development Charges capped at $3,500

 3/ 1 Free Name Change Allowed within the 10-day Rescission Period

 4/ 1 Free Assignment up to 90 days before occupancy

Want to learn more?  Refer to our previous posts: here & here, info pack, some floor plans and developer video.  For pricing and arranged visits at the model home, email us.

Assignment Sale - Bishop's Gate Lot 4L

* SOLD *  Bishop's Gate 
at Victoria Square 
Lot 4L



Property Type: Residential

Sub-Type: Freehold, Semi-detached
Model: Churchhill 1 Elevation A
Area: 2,706 sq. ft.

Features: 
   - Premium lot facing park 
   - 4 bedrooms / 4 baths
   - Finished walk-up basement

Year Three

2 years ago yesterday, we posted the first entry on this blog.  It marked the start of our social media journey, something that is very enjoyable and rewarding.

Through FannyLee.ca, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Linkedin, Google+, we get to share with you, know some of you, exchange and grow together with you.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the support, input and friendship.


We have much to learn, much to improve, much more to share.  Love to have your company.

Mommy is the best!

Dear Mothers and Mothers-to-be,

Moms make a world of difference.

"Mommy is the best"!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to All.

I Love You, Mommy.

TREB Market Watch April 2012

For the first 3 months of 2012, Toronto real estate market did well in both resale home (+7.8% resale transaction & +9.8% in average sales price) and new condos market (record Q1 sales) markets.  Is it likely to continue in Q2?

TREB Market Watch April 2012 has been published - an invaluable source of real estate data.  Here, we highlight some of the top data. Plus their video.

Urbanation Q1 2012 Report on New Condos Market

"What do you think of the condo market?"  The question many have raised in the past months highlighta an underlying concern.

Urbanation just reported 6,070 new condo sales in Toronto CMA during Q1 2012, the highest Q1 since this data being tracked.  30% of these sales came from 4 projects: INDX, Massey Tower, Casa II and PSV in Mississauga.  Other key data pertaining the condo market :-

• record high active projects and units : 338 and 84,698
• average sold price index per square foot was $519, 8.1% increase from a year ago
• City of Toronto sold index price was $585 psf; $656 psf for Downtown Core
• market average price is $393,000 for a 757 sf unit
• 3,888 resales in Q1 2012 vs 3,952 in Q1 2011
• resale price index dropped from $400 psf to $396 (-1%) year to year, 1st drop since 2009 Q1
• 15,554 unsold units (18% of active market: 5 year average being 20%) as of the end of Q1 2012

Tips on Choosing Homes

 

A few days ago, Ming Pao Saturday Supplement had a very informative cover stories:  "樓價今年不跌反升" ("Home Price Not Falling, Faltering but Rising") and "專家教你揀樓買" ("Experts' Choices of Homes").  The author of the articles is Jacqueline So (who wrote this and this).


Jacqueline has done a great job in capturing the views of key real estate market authorities.  Then she presented realtors' practical tips for choosing homes with potential and resilience under the current condition.  Home buyers, future home buyers and others could gain some insight into current GTA property market. (Here is a scanned version for those who missed to grab a Ming Pao on Saturday).