2023

Home for the Holidays: A Realtor's Guide to Captivating Christmas Decor

'Tis the season to transform homes into winter wonderlands, and as a realtor, what better way to capture the festive spirit than by showcasing properties adorned with enchanting Christmas decorations? Creating a warm and inviting atmosphere can significantly enhance the appeal of a home, making potential buyers feel a connection that goes beyond brick and mortar. In this guide, we'll explore innovative and tasteful ways to decorate homes during the holiday season, turning them into irresistible destinations for prospective buyers. Even if you are not selling, here are some great ways to reflect the holiday season within your home.

Christmas Decor Real Estate

Curb Appeal that Sparkles

The first impression is crucial, and during the holidays, curb appeal takes on a whole new meaning. Start by adorning the entrance with a festive wreath that complements the home's color scheme. Consider adding subtle outdoor lighting, such as string lights along the pathway or a beautifully illuminated tree near the entrance. This touch not only enhances the home's exterior but also creates a warm and inviting ambiance.

A Cozy Fireplace Setting

Highlight the heart of the home – the fireplace. Arrange plush holiday-themed throws and cushions on the furniture surrounding the fireplace, creating a cozy and inviting space. A well-decorated mantel adorned with stockings, candles, and garlands adds a touch of festive elegance, making potential buyers envision themselves celebrating the holidays in their new home.

Christmas Decor for Real Estate

Deck the Halls – Stylishly

Opt for a cohesive color scheme that complements the home's interior. Consider classic combinations like gold and red, or go for a more modern touch with silver and blue. Ensure that decorations complement the existing decor rather than overpowering it. Simple touches, such as a beautifully adorned staircase railing or strategically placed ornaments, can bring the holiday spirit without overwhelming the space.

Showcase outdoor entertaining spaces

If the property has outdoor entertaining spaces, don't forget to extend the festive decor outside. String lights, outdoor wreaths, and a well-lit patio can showcase the home's potential for hosting memorable holiday gatherings.



Bedrooms that Gleam with Holiday Magic

Create a serene and festive atmosphere in the bedrooms by incorporating holiday-themed bedding, pillows, and throws. A beautifully adorned Christmas tree in the master bedroom can add a touch of magic. Keep it tasteful and cohesive, ensuring that the decor enhances the room's ambiance without overwhelming the potential buyer's imagination.

Bathrooms with Seasonal Splendor

Even the bathrooms can benefit from a festive touch. Consider adding holiday-themed towels, candles, or a simple bowl of decorative ornaments. It's all about creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere throughout the entire home.

Kitchen Elegance

The kitchen is often the heart of the home, and during the holidays, it becomes a hub for festive gatherings. Consider adding subtle touches like holiday-themed dishware, a decorative centerpiece, or even a bowl of festive potpourri. If the home has an open layout, make sure the holiday decor seamlessly flows from the kitchen into the adjoining living spaces.

Christmas Decor for Real Estate

Create a Holiday Scent Experience

Engage the senses by incorporating subtle holiday scents throughout the home. Consider placing scented candles, potpourri, or even baking a batch of festive cookies before showings. The inviting aroma can evoke feelings of comfort and home.

In the competitive world of real estate, making a memorable impression is key, and during the holiday season, decorating with care and thoughtfulness can set your property apart. By creating a warm and festive atmosphere, you not only capture the spirit of the season but also help potential buyers envision themselves celebrating future holidays in their new home. So, deck the halls, light the candles, and let the magic of Christmas make your home irresistible for the holidays.

The Best of The Kingsway!

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!

Kindergarten Registration Month at the Toronto District School Board

TDSB Kindergarten Registration

TDSB kindergarten Registration Month is here

There was a point in our lives when we thought we’d never get out of that kindie playground. We spent years dropping off and picking up the littles before all day kindergarten kicked in. Lots of back and forth and a few precious hours in between. Now, with 4 of our kids in high school and one already off at university, kindergarten feels like a lifetime ago.

Luckily for you, the TDSB Kindergarten Registration process is getting easier every year. The registration for English programs begins in February and you can choose between online registration or booking an appointment at your local school.

how to register for kindergarten

All children that will be turning 4 by December 31, 2023 are able to attend a junior kindergarten program in the City of Toronto in September of this year. If you are new to Toronto and not sure which grade to register for, just contact your schools principal or vice-principal and they will be able to assist you.

Looking to send your child to the local school within your catchment area? It's pretty straight forward. To find your local school for the Toronto District School Board (or Toronto Catholic District School Board ) you just need to enter your address and then register in-person or online.

To register for any Toronto District School Board program you will need proof of age (birth certificate/passport), address (2 pieces of I.D that show address) and your child's immunization record. If you don't have the necessary documentation you can contact the admissions office at the TDSB.

If you are hoping to send your wee one to a school that is not your designated local school you can apply for optional attendance. Many schools in Toronto are closed for optional attendance due to crowding but you can contact your school of choice and find out what their current status is.

There are also many other programs offered by the TDSB including home schooling, alternative schools and  academic academies .

Oh, and get used to using loads of acronyms, the board loves them! (FDK, LOI, EQAO, DPA, ECE, FEX, IEP, HSP...you'll be throwing these terms around in no time.)

French Immersion

The board has changed the French immersion programs over the last few years and now offers an Early French Immersion program that starts in the Junior Kindergarten year. The deadline for this program (for a September 2023 start) was November 2022 and the online portal is now closed. If you had your heart set on this option we recommend you reach out to your local school that offers Early French Immersion and they should be able to add you to their waitlist.

Virtual Learning in Kindergarten

The board will be continuing to offer a virtual learning option for families. They are recommending you register with your local school and the virtual options will be made available in May based on availability.

Before & After School Care

Many parents are (rightfully!) concerned about before and after school care and not every school can accommodate all of the children that need it. These fee-based programs are run by a third-party child care provider at the school. Programming usually runs from about 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., and 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can find more information about the various programs as well as complete a survey to help the TDSB assess the needs of the community here. When you register your child at the school, speak with the Administrator or Principal about the availability of an Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) Before & After School Program at your local school, including details about registration and how to get on a wait-list if there is one!

What to expect

The Toronto District School board has put together a list of helpful links including information on the curriculum and helping to prepare your children for school.

In the Kindergarten program, your child will develop their skills and abilities through inquiry and intentional play-based learning. Teachers and early childhood educators plan learning experiences where children are actively engaged in learning and thinking creatively.

-TDSB Website

We wish your kiddos all the best as they begin their academic journeys! xo

A Realtor's Guide to Organizing Your Home

Organizing Your Toronto Home

Whether you are an empty nester looking to downsize into a smaller home or condo, a divorcee looking for an emotional (and physical) fresh start, or just any one of us who is looking to embrace the life-changing magic of tidying up, here are some tips on how to de-clutter your space (and your mind!) and get yourself organized with a view to downsizing into a new space or just creating more calm within the space that you are in!

First things first: 

1.  YOU NEED A PLAN

Before getting started, it is paramount that you have a plan in place, complete with timelines and deadlines.  Just like goal-setting, you will need to write it down, keep it someplace where you can see it, and keep checking those tasks off your list (it will give you a feeling of accomplishment, I promise). 

2. BE PREPARED

Make a list of everything you are going to need to accomplish this momentous task and go out and get them.  The easiest way to get sent off course is to get into a rhythm and then find that you don't have the tools available to complete the task at hand.  Go get garbage bags, boxes, packing tape, sharpies, a label maker, and storage containers of various shapes and sizes.  Then crank some music or put on your favourite podcast and get to work! 

3.  ENLIST HELP

We know that the thought of downsizing and de-cluttering can be completely overwhelming, but there are people out there who can help.  As realtors, we have a system to help downsizers tackle the clutter and get their houses ready for sale, so if you are looking to sell, make sure you engage a realtor who is experienced with the process of downsizing.  There are also professional organizers who, for a fee, can walk you through this transition and, depending on the level of engagement, can even do it all for you.  Additionally, enlist your children and family members to help out, and in some (most) cases, come pick up their stuff! 

4.  EAT THE FROG

Do you know that task that you absolutely positively DO NOT want to do?  Yeah, do that one first.  I know it sucks and I know you really really really don't want to clean out that storage closet under the stairs, the one that has been collecting all the discarded Christmas gifts and kid’s art projects for lord knows how many years, but just think how amazing and empowered you will feel when you do finally eat that frog

5.  GO ROOM BY ROOM

Don't multitask, this process needs to be methodical, so attack each room individually; then close the door and move on.  Go through and pull every item out of every drawer and closet, clean off every surface and then move on to #6. 

6.  SEPARATE & DISCARD

Keep it, give it away or throw it out.  Separate everything into three piles, but be very discriminate, this is not a time for sentimentality.  If you haven't looked at it or used it for years, then it needs to be given away or thrown out.  We know it is difficult to part with items related to your children or family members who have passed away but try to whittle it down to a much more manageable size.  Maybe take photos of your children's art projects, put them in an album and then keep only your favourite three pieces?  Try shifting your mindset by giving away clothes that belonged to a loved one to charity, they are not only freeing up space in your life but also getting a new one.  Have a yard sale and make a little bit of money while you're at it.  If there are items that you don't use but are having trouble parting with because they are valuable, have them appraised and see if you can sell them. There are lots of good options available nowadays and there is someone out there willing to buy everything! 

Organizing Your Toronto Home

7.  ORGANIZE

Do not put anything back that does not have a purpose or a place!  This is key.  Before you put anything back in a drawer or cupboard ask yourself whether it has a purpose and if so, make sure to make a place for it.  This is when storage containers (and label makers!) come in very handy and there is so much variety nowadays, there are lots of options that are both practical and decorative.  Have some fun with it and be creative.

8.  MAKE A LIST OF UPDATES & REPAIRS THAT NEED TO BE DONE

As you are going through this process, make sure to make a list of any repairs or updates that are required, and if you are selling, make a plan to complete them prior to putting the house on the market.  Once the de-cluttering is done, it will then be easy to make the necessary repairs or hire contractors to do them. 

9.  DON'T FORGET THE OUTDOOR SPACES!

Yup, you have to tackle the garage and garden shed as well.  Go through the same process with the outdoor spaces, getting rid of everything that no longer serves your purpose.  Just think, if your plan is to move into a condo, you can say goodbye to that lawnmower forever! 

10.  CELEBRATE!

We know this process can be totally daunting, but we promise it is worth it.   At the end of it, you will feel lighter and more empowered, so once it is done, pour yourself a glass of wine and give yourself a big high-five!  We think you deserve a gift as well ;).

If you are looking to downsize and would like us to come by and walk you through our step-by-step guide to downsizing, or if you would like to have a conversation about how we approach real estate differently; developing a customized plan to find you your perfect home or sell your existing home in a shifting market; please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are always available for your questions!