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West Queen West: Live in the Hippest Part of Toronto

Photo : @harryzy5204 /Instagram

Where lifestyle, culture and home ownership collide

Walk along Queen Street West and you’d be hard pressed to see any changes over the past decade. All the fashion chains you’ve come to know and love litter both sides of the streets with foot traffic that rivals parts of NYC. Queen Street has always been know as that hip part of Toronto that’s just different enough to be “cool”. But venture far enough West along Queen Street and you slowly come to a part so distinctly different that they had to add another “West” to the namesake just to make sure that you knew you were somewhere different. Move along Queen West peeps, this is ‘West Queen West’ – where the word ‘Hip’ has no bounds and all are welcome.

There is something to be said about the neighborhoods hugging West Queen West, they’re a more diverse mixed dish than your grandmother’s famous stew. All kinds of people live in these areas, from the downtrodden artist to the secret plutocrat, and they all call this region their home. It is a unique area in which the old are old, and are ready to pass down their deeds; and as for the young, well, they range from young-and-upcoming to the young at heart. The latter of which is what lights up nights in these areas. Don’t believe us? Walk along Ossington on a Weekend night and let that experience redefine the word “youth” for you. We’re not talking about the reckless binge drinking, “woooo-ing” party type that you might see waddling on King Street, no.

🐾🍺🔦

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These streets don’t just facilitate nightlife for people; the people are the nightlife. These areas aren’t just places for people to party on. They are social hubs where community and culture collide to create something new, and is then re-invented again every night. The type of unique businesses, boutiques and shops that you see in these communities are indicative of the type of culture that they represent. Cookie cut chains and franchises need not apply. Perhaps that’s why Vogue named Toronto’s “West Queen West” the second-hippest district in the world in 2014; second only to Tokyo’s Shimokitasawa district.

99% of the time

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Combine everything you read, and it’s easy to understand why West Queen West is one of the most sought after areas for prospective home-buyers and renters. Everyone wants to either live or work here. From bachelors, students, artists, entrepreneurs to families. It’s the most ideal and well rounded place for all types of life. Those who want to downsize and live a more quaint life tucked away in a picturesque home, now can. For those who want to up-size and renovate decades old lots for something more modern, now can. The young and young-at-heart who want to be close to the hip lifestyle but distant enough for solitude, now can. Those who want to re-energize their artistic needs by surrounding themselves with the most creative and hip minds a neighborhood can offer, now can. And for those who want to start a business counter to the establishment, you wont find a more eclectic and experiential customer base than those on West Queen West. Seriously, we’ll try anything, at least once.

Double Salsa Verde Burger (Taster: @fidelgastros)

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REAL ESTATE AGENT INTERVIEW

HOW TO INTERVIEW YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT, may be the most critical decisions you will make in selling, or buying your home.  A Real Estate Agent Interview Questionnaire could be the difference between a great experience, or the most expensive and unsettling mistake in your real estate adventure.

 

When was the last time you gave anyone a gift of $50,000 – $150,000???  Have you ever cut a check that size to a friend, or family member, without expecting it back?  If you were on trial for a crime that you didn’t commit, and all the lawyers in the country charged the same fee, would you hire a relative, or the best qualified lawyer to defend you?

 

Well, every day people choose to use unqualified real estate agents instead of the best person for the job.

So how do you narrow down your choices without a rating system?  

Why not Interview real estate agents by using our Real Estate Agent Interview Questionnaire?  It comes with a Comparison Form at the back!

Real Estate Agent Interview Questionnaire - Form

HINT! Don’t wait until a week before you want your property to hit MLS to hire your agent. Your property marketing team should actually understand the difference between “Selling”, and “Marketing” your home.  If your agent understands how to market, they will also require more than just a few days to get the word out about your property, and build up the “Hype”.  Ask Us about our WQW Property Marketing Methods that do just that!

 

 

How to use your “Real Estate Agent Interview Questionnaire?”

We love it when our own potential clients use the “The Real Estate Agent Interview Questionnaire” to interview us.

The Questionnaire contains numerous key questions Sellers should consider when hiring an Agent.  It also includes well-timed challenges for the agent you are interviewing, just to try to get them off their game – to see how they may behave in adverse situations when your house is on the line.

 

⇒REQUEST YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE HERE!

 

WE WILL SEND IT TO YOU IMMEDIATELY IN PDF FORMAT

 

 

(Here is an article we wrote for the “Resale Home and Condo Guide” to get our point across…)

“Heed the Warning and Choose your Realtor Wisely” Written by Yan Gurevich

Juliette lived in her parents’ house since she was 3 years old: a bungalow in a forest of post-WW2 single story family homes. With her parents long gone, Juliette was now married with 2 kids and a large SUV that didn’t fit in their garage. Watching her girls playing in the driveway sent waves of memories of simpler days, like frothy bubble baths she took in her parents’ en-suite tub. But it was time to move on.

 

Empowered by their two incomes, she and her husband needed help finding a newer, modern home.   She set up interviews with local and recommended agents. When the doorbell rang, Juliette gazed back at her husband… “I wish mom and dad were here to do this…”

 

Dear Juliette, here are some non-standard qualities your parents would look for, if they were interviewing agents with you.

 

Thanks for the memories: No agent can help you write the next chapter of your life, if they don’t care or respect where you have been.   Do they care enough to learn about your family life so far, and how to minimize shock of the move on you and your children? LOOK OUT: Agents who feign interest. Say what you want to hear.

 

Shut up and Listen. Not you…The agent… Do they know how to listen? Are they only trying to impress you with their knowledge and success stories, or are they asking you the right questions that should help them determine how best to help you? LOOK OUT! They don’t let you finish your sentences? They are not writing things down. Pushing you into making decisions quicker than you are ready.

 

Deliver on Short Term Promises. All agents should arrive prepared with material and information about the neighborhood, market and the home you are trying to sell. But you should prepare one or two assignments that are relatively easy to accomplish by the agent within a few hours or a day; a piece of information, an analysis, a list of services … then see how they get back to you? LOOK OUT: General answers. Excuses. Responses that don’t address the assignment.

 

Busy Agent vs. Free Agent – Some may show you all their awards, but pass your deal onto a junior agent. A less experienced agent may give you all the time in the world, but may lack the skills and experience to do all the right things. Who is going to handle your deal and will they be open to asking for help if they get over their head during the process?

 

Name that Brokerage – Remember, your Listing, or Buyer Agreement is not with the agent, but with their Brokerage. Pay close attention to the brokerage’s reputation. Are they established, reputable, a name you recognize and can trust? Will you be comfortable calling the broker of record and request better, or different service, which may, or may not include the agent you chose. LOOK OUT! The broker of record won’t call you back. They don’t offer much information about their agent.

 

Tough Love – Your agent must be – amongst many things – an expert negotiator. Plan two or three points of contention during your interview and watch the agent’s response. Are they adept at dealing with adversity? How will they fare in the trenches when they argue price, unique conditions, fees?

 

Your NINJA move when interviewing real estate agents is in your interview as well as the feedback you get after your interview.  That’s why I urge all my clients to use this  “REAL ESTATE AGENT QUESTIONNAIRE”

Here is the first page of the most requested publication we have ever produced.

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READY TO GET YOUR FULL COPY OF YOUR OWN REAL ESTATE AGENT INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE, AND RATING SHEET?

 

⇒HERE IS THE REQUEST FORM AGAIN!!!!

 

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St Anne’s Church, West Queen West

St Anne’s Church features the only works of religious art ever produced by members of the Group of Seven.

Saint Anne’s Church is one of the most understated and under appreciated National and Provincial Heritage sites in West Queen West Toronto.

St Anne’s Anglican Church happens to be one of the prettiest, and friendly churches on the West side.  Located at 270 Gladstone Avenue, its Byzantine styling offer unobstructed views of every corner of this magnificent edifice.  With around 800 possible seats, this Church takes full advantage of its layout to provide incredible annual concerts, Christmas events and theatrical performances, offering art and entertainment at prices all community members can afford.

I first met the Rev. Gary van der Meer, Pastor & Incument at our monthly Community Liaison meeting at 14 Division.  He was kind and unpretentious, with a great deal of motivation to bring all members of the community together.  Even his own Biography on the Church’s website starts with his personal commitment to Community building.

The artwork demands attention and respect. 2 of the Group of Seven contributed to St Anne’s Church incredible display or original art, with their only religious artwork ever produced. The site is a Provincial and National historic site. Loving West Queen West.

Incredible Windows at St. Anne's Church in Little Portugal
Murals – St. Anne’s Anglican Church, Little Portugal
St. Anne's Anglican Church, WEST QUEEN WEST Church, at 270 Gladstone Avenue,
Artwork at St Anne’s Anglican Church includes Group of Seven Works

The kindness and intention of the leaders of this Church is about community building first.

All 800+ seats deserve to be full each Sunday here. http://www.saintanne.ca

 

My team at West Queen West Homes Real Estate Marketeers will be working on fund raising and holiday events in conjunction with the organizers at St. Anne’s to raise funds for the Parkdale, Little Portugal and the West Queen West Community with the purest intentions. #westqueenwest #queenwestcommunity #spiritual #Byzantinechurch #westqueenwesthomes #StAnnesChurch

 

If you love what we are doing for St. Anne’s Church or for the West Queen West Community and how we Market real estate in this area, please offer your YELP review here