Here’s to a Mild and Eventful March

We can only pray that March will go out like a lamb so in the meantime let’s consider fun distractions to take our mind off the impossibly cold and icy Toronto weather.

International Home and Garden Show – On from March 6 to 9 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, this event will get you ready for spring and summer with expert advice on gardening and home renos from more than 400 exhibitors.

The line-up of musicians set to perform in the city this month is impressive with Billy Joel at the Air Canada Centre on March 9, and Canada’s Arcade Fire at ACC on March 13. New Zealand singing
sensation Lorde will belt it out at the Sound Academy on March 15, while oldies fans can groove to Randy Bachman on March 15 at Massey Hall. For those with more classical tastes take in Swan Lake at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Art from March 8–16. Or legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman and renowned tenor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot at Roy Thomson Hall on March 31. If pop is where it’s at try Miley Cyrus, at the ACC March 31.

If laughter is more your medicine, try the ninth annual Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. With over 40 scheduled performances, this live and scripted comedy show features yuks from Canadian and American comics including the troupe from CBC’s The Irrelevant Show, which tapes two new episodes. The festival
runs from March 6 to 16.

Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival offers all ages demonstrations, wagon rides and delicious pancakes with maple syrup. On until April 6, head out to the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Vaughan for a taste of Canada’s best sweet stuff.

Family-friendly entertainment abounds at this time of year. Check out Where the Wild Things Are or Disney on Ice at the Rogers Centre. Learn all about anatomy thanks to Sesame Street’s The Body, an interactive exhibit taking place at the Ontario Science Centre until May 5. Take in a good clean classic film such as E.T. or The Black Stallion at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, where matinees play throughout March break.

Toronto Comicon is a great way to meet your celebrity faves? Running from March 7—9 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the event features autograph sessions, Q&As, workshops and a large retail area selling comic books and costumes. Celebrity guests include Breaking Bad’s Giancarlo Esposito otherwise known as Gus Fring and Sean Astin and Billy Boyd of Lord of the Rings.

For those of you who love winter sports there are plenty of activities to keep you moderately warm. Try skating at an outdoor rink or hitting the hills to go tobogganing and skiing. The High Park Ski Club has snowshoeing day trips for beginners and experts. The club also offers snowshoeing by moonlight on Tuesday nights.

Toronto Fashion Week takes place from March 17 to 21 at David Pecaut Square where you can check out the latest and greatest in Canadian fashion. Ooh and aah as designers show off their 2014 collections.

Remember you can always warm yourself with a steamy sweet cup of hot chocolate at one of the city’s many coffee bars or bake shops.

The building blocks that form the foundation of Catharine MacIntosh’s professional life are at first glance a seemingly dissimilar array of disciplines.

But on closer inspection, her political background in combination with her know-how in sustainable design and technology and her experience with business innovation all contribute to making Freeman Real Estate’s newest realtor an extremely  well-rounded one.

“I love being involved in opportunities that ignite change,” says the 43-year-old. “Owning Real Estate can give you the real power to do some

thing. With a property, you have invested in your future and compared to other investment vehicles it can provide constant leverage for growth.”

As a four-year-old growing up in Calgary Catharine would tell her grandmother that she wanted to be the prime minister of Canada. Ambitious and industrious, she obtained a political science degree from the University of Calgary and would go on to work at the Canadian embassy in Washington, DC, starting in the press office and winding her way throughout the embassy working in several departments such as finance and defence procurement.

In 2001, she returned to Canada to seek a degree in environmental design from OCAD University. A Toronto architecture firm hired Catharine upon graduation. While there, she became a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited professional, the 83rd person to do so in the province of Ontario.

Catharine then moved to a business innovation think tank and helped Dutch-based Philips Corporation secure a U.S. patent for pioneering work done within the corporation’s hotel sector.

She then worked on a highly original project at Dundas and Bathurst. The space included commercial space, would ultimately house a Starbucks and was unique in that she developed a co-working space on the ground level called “The Foundery”.

It was thanks to one of the Foundery owners who suggested Catharine consider a career in real estate that she pursued her license.  She interviewed at a number of brokerages – discount, mainstream franchises and couture – when she happened upon Freeman.

“I was immediately impressed,” she says. “I had a list of wants and they met them all – they’re family owned, they’re Canadian, they’re accessible with their expertise, experience, intelligent and sound advice, caring mentorship and support. They’re down-to-earth and they treat everyone in a professional manner. And they love dogs and have a ‘dog-friendly’ office—how great is that!?”

Catharine finds much value in the weekly staff get togethers otherwise known as the Freeman Café in which realtors discuss topics, share ideas, brainstorm and problem solve.

As a resident of Kensington Market, Catharine feels she has a special expertise in the downtown core and that’s something she plans to capitalize on as she hones her real estate career. It’s the convergence of her knowledge and expertise in design, technology and business innovation that add up to quite an impressive backdrop for a career in real estate.

“My personal motto is simply, be magnificent,” says Catharine. “Just go and try and do it.
”

A Wintertime Culinary Celebration

Let your palate take a stroll though the many yummy culinary flavours Toronto has to offer in February as part of the two-week-long Winterlicious festival for foodies.

The 11th annual event sponsored by the city features prix fixe menus from $15 to $45 and reservations are strongly recommended. Winterlicious runs from January 31 to February 13.

While visiting all 200-plus participating restaurants would be an impossible feat, we thought it better to narrow our focus to the Annex and Seaton Village neighbourhoods near Freeman Real Estate. Let’s look at those eateries that are within walking distance. That way, we can either work up an appetite on the way over or burn off a few calories on the way home.

Arisu at 584 Bloor Street West offers patrons a blend of modern and traditional Japanese and Korean cuisines with a vast array of menu choices. Order sushi with your bulgogi and you’ve covered the best of both worlds. Be sure to check out the Korean BBQ, a fun table-top grill that lets you be the chef.

Bistro Tournesol at 406 Dupont is an intimate restaurant, a favourite for Tarragon Theatre goers that serves a prix-fixe menu all year round. Classic French food at good value is what you get in this 30-seat restaurant. Be sure to check out the wine list.

The Corner House at 501 Davenport has been turning on the charm for 15 years in an unpretentious, relaxed atmosphere that combines a cozy French décor with moderate prices and great service. Expect nothing but deliciousness as former Jump chef Herbert Barnsteiner runs the kitchen brigade.

Led by celebrity chef Massimo Capra Mistura at 265 Davenport Road offer patrons upscale contemporary Italian cuisine with ingredients that reflect each changing season. The atmosphere is elegant yet relaxed, perfect for a night out with friends, sweethearts or business associates.

Get a psychic reading while waiting for your chicken gumbo at Southern Accent, a New Orleans inspired establishment that features Cajun, Creole and soul food in the warm hospitable embrace of fun and funky décor. Listen for the strains of zydeco and Louisiana music as you nosh on hush puppies and piquant sauce. Located in Mirvish Village at 595 Markham Street.

Splendido at 88 Harbord Street is a classic Toronto restaurant that mixes modern and traditional cuisines, incorporating fresh locally sourced fruits and veggies in addition to drop-dead gorgeous plate presentations. Consistently ranked as one of the city’s best.

Bon appétit!

Real Estate is in Her DNA

At 24, Nicole Gay may be Freeman Real Estate’s youngest realtor but in terms of understanding the business you could say she’s as old as the hills.

With two parents who’ve spent a combined 40 years working in real estate, Nicole grew up in the embrace of the business surrounded by conversations about open houses, clients and contracts. By 16, she was working part time at a huge Remax office in Mississauga, inputting offers for realtors, updating website listings and acting as the company liaison between clients and agents.

Nicole obtained her commerce degree in 2011 from McMaster University and could have explored a myriad of business avenues, but always knew a career in real estate would be her calling.

“Given my age, having an education behind me gives me credibility,” says Nicole. “I didn’t get into real estate by accident. I’ve been with it my whole life. I gained valuable experience from behind the front desk and got the opportunity to see how various realtors built their businesses.”

After earning her realtor’s license, Nicole joined her parents’ real estate team in Mississauga and worked with them for two years before joining Freeman last year.  With her parents planning to retire in the next year, Nicole knew she had to cut loose so she decided a move to Toronto would be wise for both personal and professional reasons.

What appealed to Nicole about working for Freeman was the company’s sophisticated yet personal approach. She was also drawn to the depth of expertise and the lengthy experience the Freemans bring to the table.

“I was looking for a smaller, boutique operation, one that could offer a more personalized mentorship,” says Nicole. “I sense a difference in company values with Freeman. They take care in who they hire. When I first interviewed with the company, it just felt like home.”

Nicole expects 2014 will bring her plenty of interesting opportunities, including an exploration of which niche – say for example freehold Victorians versus condos — she may decide to specialize in.

An avid sports lover, Nicole enjoys sailing, soccer and travel and has sailed extensively in Antigua and the British Virgin Islands. She’s currently considering a two-week sailing trip in Thailand as well.

This year will garner a lot of change for Nicole. In addition to her newish job, she’s also moving to Toronto soon so the ties to her parents and her hometown will be undone. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t appreciate the gifts they’ve given her, not at all.

“The majority of what I know about real estate is from my parents,” Nicole says. “They’ve been the best mentors ever.”

Real estate television shows such as Income Property, Property Virgins and House Hunters might appeal to our vicarious need for entertaining quick-fixes. But when it comes to reflecting the real-world of real estate, they’re something of a stretch.

“Real estate shows do a disservice to the real estate industry,” says Doug Freeman, a sales rep at Freeman Real Estate. “I just think they promote a perception that it is so easy and in one hour they’re done. Watching those programs doesn’t show the depth of work or the commitment realtors perform when they are buying and selling properties for their clients. It’s entertainment, really, and not at all based in reality.”

A good deal of finesse, skill and knowledge goes into ushering clients through the sometimes intricate ins and outs of buying and selling real estate. “This is a business in which clients need to be guided by their agents so the property they buy or sell leaves them feeling confident that their decision was correct,” says Doug.

Doug has been selling real estate for 15 years, in what has been mainly a seller’s market. He says success against that backdrop means guiding clients who win in a multi-offer situation and preventing clients from paying too much given the fierce competition at hand. While that’s clearly challenging, the rewards can be great.

“It’s rewarding when your client is successful,” says the 63-year-old. “I was involved in a bidding war last night that had 13 offers coming in. Buyers complain because it’s like bidding on a blind auction and I understand exactly how they feel.  When the market turns into a buyer’s market the onus will shift onto the sellers.”

Doug is part of a team that includes his son Trevor Freeman, 33, who is a broker. The pair works well together not only because they’re father and son, but because they complement each other in dealing with a vast and varied set of clientele, which include everything from first-time buyers to more mature, more experienced ones. Having that dual perspective is helpful as it instills clients with the confidence in knowing they’ve made the right decision in what is likely to be the biggest sale or purchase of their lives. Trevor’s natural ability with social media and the world of computers is a big plus as well.

Doug got into real estate after a lengthy career in children’s wear, in which he initially owned and operated his own company and then worked as a corporate executive for Disney licenses, travelling often to Asia to inspect the operations of clothing manufacturers contracted by the multinational.

The highs and lows of working with the public are clearly different than in his former career. But his earlier career laid a foundation in delivery, value and excellent customer service. The challenge in real estate, he says, is developing a strong client base.

“Client referrals along with clients returning for their next property are the ultimate compliment.”

A lot can happen in the 41 year lifespan of a business. Today, I’m writing my inaugural blog via my computer and you’re reading this thanks to the internet. When my father Barry Freeman started Freeman Real Estate Ltd. in 1972 the concept of a digital world seemed like a far-off notion heard about only in sci-fi films. A blog was, well, it was unheard of.

The span of time we’ve spent on this corner of Toronto has been good to the Freeman family. I like to think that goodness funnels back to the customers we’ve acquired in real estate and other family businesses as well. Prior to launching his real estate company my father worked in the sofa manufacturing business. During the 1950s, ‘60s and into the 90’s, my grandparents, Max and Sarah Hartstone owned and operated Steven’s Milk, a neighbourhood variety store on Bathurst Street well known for its great products and located right next to where Freeman Real Estate Ltd. operates today.

To say the Freemans love real estate might be a bit of an understatement. My father started out in 1966 and my mother really immersed herself into the business in the mid 1980s. Given those genetics, I guess my fate was sealed in a way as I entered the business in 1989.

Those family ties shape the bonds we maintain in our business. What keeps our clients coming back after decades is owed in part to our strong sense of integrity and personalized, friendly service. As a medium-sized, family-run business we offer that unique something – call it tradition, personal care, pride and community – that real estate franchises can never replicate. Freeman’s growing team of 30-plus agents shares our vision as they seek to promote those same ideals in their day-to-day work.

Unlike the consumer of the 1970s and ‘80s, today’s buyers and sellers are overwhelmed by the massive amount of online information that’s available. There’s just so much to process. And that’s why the services of a professional realtor are so indispensable. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, the real estate sales process is a complex web of directions, decisions and choices best made with the guidance of experienced and caring professionals.

Let a four-decade history of sales success help you with your next transaction.