With all the snow we have had this winter so far very few people would not have a complaint or two to share.  The residents in Toronto neighbourhoods such as Cabbagetown have a very valid complaint.  Many have cars parked along the streets that are literally buried under snow.  Manoeuvring in and out of the streets is extremely difficult due to the piles of snow and icy and slushy conditions.  Toronto officials do have a massive project about to begin to start removing this excess snow so that the residents can move about freely once again.

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Not that I’m complaining, but I’m constantly amazed by the number of people who stop me in the street at any time in the day or night and assume that “How’s the real estate market?” is another way of saying, “How are you?” or “Wassup?”

I’m a Realtor, yet for many friends, clients and ad readers, I am the keeper of information that has become too much of a bell weather for their financial health. When I give my answers, I can hear their minds tally the spreadsheets and refresh the new totals.

As an immigrant from another part of Canada, I think that Torontonians are too obsessed with “market” and have forgotten the “estate” part of “real estate market”. No matter what the size, your home is where you entertain friends, express your private relationships, and raise your children. It should be your haven and not be judged by its fluctuating financial worth.

When I open my townhouse door, I feel happy to be HOME. That fuzzy warm feeling is the thermometer that you should use when you buy. No matter how good a price you bought for or could sell for, if that warm fuzziness is not there, you are missing the whole point of home ownership.

We’ve just gone through the holiday party season. Every year, as we get closer to party time, I start to cocoon. I intend to make it to all those invitations but often find excuses. I’d like to go talk about movies, food and the other interests that encompass my life. I’d love to talk about cars, furniture and all of those wonderful things that we buy every day, enjoy and gladly depreciate monetarily. However, I know that by the time I have my coat off and hit the bar, someone I don’t even know is asking me, “How’s the real estate market?” I also realize that Realtors have the power to cause a suicidal depression or a Holt Renfrew shopping spree.

And how do I respond? If I say that the market is good, in light of what is going on in the world, then I’m either lying or feel I should be filled with some sort of survivor guilt because I have had sales. If I say it’s bad, then I’m completing a self-fulfilling prophecy. Seeing that I don’t like being around negative people, even I want to walk away from me. I usually try to dodge the questions, but as the evening lengthens, my answers get crisper, my temper shorter, and I start yearning for the magic time when I won’t be the first to leave the party.

The Real Estate Council of Ontario is getting stricter about “agency” or fiduciary duty. It tells you that under their rules, any comment that Realtors make and act upon brings both parties into an agency relationship. Nothing deadens a party like a lengthy explanation of agency relationship, when it’s the response to “How’s the market?”

As the years go by, fewer invitations come my way and I’m drawn down south over the holidays to a place where no one knows that I sell real estate in Toronto. I can breathe easy, pretend to have a million other careers, and never face the scrutiny that exists as a Realtor in Toronto.

Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love my city and especially my business. But, what I love about it is being able to put someone in a home, watch his or her families grow, and be part of that process. There are few highs that can compare. Speculating on fluctuating value is not one of them.

In light of the many issues in the world, let’s hope we move to focus on the quality of life in our homes and less on their value. I hope that next holiday season, more of my clients will remember that real estate agents like to party too!

This article was written by Richard Silver, who is a real estate agent in the Cabbagetown area of Toronto, has a great sense of humour and is one of the friendliest professional real estate agents that I know.

Downtown Toronto offers some of the best city living you will find.

The Toronto core boasts a growing abundance of gorgeous city condominiums that offer such features as fourteen foot ceilings and sunny south east exposures, some so open and spacious you feel like you are living in a house. Well-designed condos with contemporary comfort are providing ready access to a fantastic downtown lifestyle in the residential quadrants of the Toronto core.

Owning a condominium provides all of the benefits of owning a home without the responsibility of maintenance and repair such as snow shoveling, grass cutting and gardening.  In many condominium complexes you will enjoy the added benefits of 24-hour security, fitness facilities, and recreation & entertainment centres.

Downtown Toronto homes feature a large selection of residential options that offer accessibility to the many cultural, historic, educational, leisure, retail and employment opportunities that Toronto holds.  The Bloor Yorkville area alone offers 700 designer boutiques, restaurants, hotels, and world-class galleries.  Other well known districts offering compatible fare are The Annex, Cabbagetown, and Chinatown, to name a few.

Residing in the Kensington Market area and the closely located Little Italy District brings you within easy reach of some of the freshest produce and best selection of cheese vendors in the City of Toronto.

Forest Hill offers homes of distinction that reflect individuality in architecture, landscaping and personalized residential uniqueness.  Within the vastly growing city of Toronto and the greater Toronto area, Forest Hill maintains its unique existence as a quiet, charming, cozy village with a flair for offering an extensive and interesting assortment of restaurants, cafes, and bakeries.

Toronto’s historic west neighbourhood of High Park proudly presents homes located on tree lined residential streets.  Like Forest Hill, quiet, intimate areas can be found with some homes being located on streets that reflect a mews style appearance.  High Park is known for its 399 acres of green space and sport facilities for swimming, tennis, soccer, cycling and trails. 

Families are moving back from suburbia and relocating in downtown Toronto.  Spending years commuting on the freeway and stuck in traffic rather than time at home, parents are looking for opportunities to spend more time at home with family in their own community, downtown Toronto.

Cecile Bassels is a Downtown Toronto Real Estate agent with Exit Realty Prestige