You’ve thought long and hard about selling your house. You’ve had those long, late-night chats with your spouse; perhaps you’ve discussed the prospect of a new school and new friends with the kids. Maybe you’ve scoped out neighbourhoods you’d like to move into. But now it’s November and with the holidays approaching, you’ve decided it’s best to wait till spring to list your home.

Not necessarily.

In today’s energetic real estate market selling your house over the holidays can actually net you a better price for your home than during traditionally strong spring and fall markets. Let me explain. With a housing market that’s as large and as vigorous as Toronto’s, seasonal markets don’t really exist anymore. That said, there are peaks in sales, usually in May and September thanks to the number of listings that come available then. The holiday period – aka the ‘slow months’ of November, December and January –  is when the number of listings drops as people turn their attention to gift buying, decorating and entertaining. But this is a great time to sell your property because demand for housing is still very high. Combine strong demand with less supply and what have you got? Higher prices. It’s simple economics.

My view may seem contrarian in that it goes against commonly held beliefs about selling over the holidays: the main one being that buyers will think the seller is desperate, which will reflect in the offers that come in. But in Toronto’s current market that notion doesn’t really fly anymore. I’ve helped clients sell during these ‘slow months’ and netted them better results than if they’d waited till spring or fall.

Here are a few tips for selling at this time of year:

Rein in the décor – Don’t overdo it. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah or another faith-based holiday, prominently displayed menorahs, angels and other religious symbols can be a distraction for potential buyers. Garish displays could be considered offensive not just to aesthetic sensibilities but also to different religions and cultures.

Don’t be a Scrooge – While it may not be a good idea to play up the holidays when it comes to decorations, giving your home that cozy Christmas feeling doesn’t hurt. Play soft music, display homemade treats on a decorative tray, and keep the thermostat at a comfortable temperature. Baking muffins or a pie just before a showing isn’t a bad idea because it fills the air with a homey, comforting scent.

Proud homeowner — Try to provide spring and summer photos of your home and property so buyers can get a sense of how it looks when trees are in full bloom or when the pool is sparkling in the summer sunlight.

Let it snow – But make sure you clear it from all paths, steps, walkways and driveways.

Marco Santaguida knew all those many years ago even as he worked toward an economics and political science degree while presiding as the University of Toronto’s student council president from 1994 to ’96 that his calling would one day involve food.

Today, the catering company and coffee shop that he owns and operates with his brother and sister-in-law, Carlos and Joanna Santaguida, count his alma mater as one of its valued customers.

Marco credits his success to his mother, Victoria, who taught her sons everything she knew around food. Both self-taught cooks who grew up surrounded by the culinary traditions of Italian cuisine, the Santaguida brothers have happily branched out their cooking style to include a more international approach including Asian, Mexican and Middle Eastern food.

“The best thing is doing what you really love to do,” says Marco, 42. “The catering and the café-bar really allow us to do what we love to do which is feed people. Not only is this an amazing career but even though our work days are so busy, it’s so satisfying and you end the day and say that was another great one despite the stress of it all.”

The catering business Santaguida Fine Foods and the café-bar Rapido are located on Bathurst Street near Dupont, an area that adjoins the Seaton Village neighbourhood to that of the Annex.

Santaguida has been catering for 16 years now. Opened originally by Marco at Dupont and Christie, his brother and sister-in-law would soon join the business, prompting the move to its current location. Marco loves the neighbourhood he’s in, describing it as a vibrant and eclectic strip that is rapidly changing with unique food shops, art galleries and other diverse retail and foodservice offerings.

“I believe Bathurst Street will be what it was in the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s,” he says.

A hop, skip and a jump from another thriving family business, Freeman Real Estate, Marco is quick to praise the Freemans as a wonderful family and a pivotal part of the neighbourhood.

One of Santaguida’s proudest achievements came in 2002 when the caterer prepared food for World Youth Day, which meant feeding 10,000 people who made the pilgrimage to Toronto from Italy to see the Pope.

In 2009, the brothers opened Rapido, across and down the street a bit from Santaguida’s. A European-inspired coffee bar featuring daily specials, grilled panini and fresh, delicious salads, try not to miss Taco Wednesdays and Burrito Fridays.

As a realtor, I understand to a certain extent what Duddy Kravitz’s grandfather meant when he said, “a man without land is nobody.”

He, of course, is referring to the Canadian dream of owning land or real estate.  While Duddy took this message to the extreme which resulted in his ultimate undoing, its meaning still resonates for many of us today.

Investing in residential real estate is not for the faint of heart but you don’t need to be a callous slumlord either. Given that money is inexpensive right now the temptation to buy may be stronger than ever. So let’s look at some dos and don’ts of investing in real estate:

Do your due diligence by getting to know the area you’d like to buy in. Is the neighbourhood in decline or an up-and-comer? Are chains such as Starbucks starting to move in? That can indicate that the area is emerging as the next hot real estate market. Make sure you do your research.

Do know that you could be in it for the long haul. Most real-estate investments are not quick flips, though those are the ones that get the most attention.  And while appreciation is not a sure bet, the odds of your investment’s value going up, are greater the longer your own it.

Don’t fall in love with a property. That can do you in in the end. Instead, look for practical rental properties that offer a positive cash flow each month and plenty of potential to grow in value. A positive cash flow is one in which the rental income is higher than the mortgage, taxes, maintenance and other expenses of the property.

Do join a real estate investment club. These are good for gaining insight about the ins and outs of real estate investing. In addition, it doesn’t hurt to know more people. If your network is wide and ever expanding that likely means the more properties you’ll discover and perhaps the money you’ll make.

Do take into consideration the tax deductions available to you as a landlord. For a few hundred dollars, hire an accountant to do your taxes and take advantage of write-offs.

Don’t go overboard. Consider starting small with a maintenance-fee free townhouse. These are in good supply in cities such as Toronto and often appeal to newcomers to Canada.

Don’t be impatient. That will get you nowhere. Sticks to your guns about the type of property you’re looking for and the price you want to pay. Look for deals – they’re out there.

When you’re buying an $800,000 house, the $500 you drop on a home inspection is a relatively small price to pay to ensure that everything is as it should be.

But bear in mind that that a home inspector doesn’t have x-ray vision. So often they may miss the fact that the basement leaks during heavy downpours especially if their assessment takes place on a clear day. Let’s face it, given that the examination is based on what you can see, even the best inspector is bound to miss potential problems.

For my money, I prefer a Seller Property Information Statement. Simply put, this is a disclosure from the seller that spells out all the issues – both good and bad – that they know to happen in their home. If you think about it, doesn’t it make more sense to have someone who’s lived in the house for years disclose problems or potential problems as opposed to someone who’s looked at it for two or three hours?

The Seller Property Information Statement, otherwise known as SPIS, is optional. It’s been said buyers love them, sellers fear them and lawyers say no to them. In Canada, since the inception of the SPIS form practice in 1997, there have been over 230 court cases.

Sellers are not required to fill them out, but I encourage my clients to do so in most instances. My thinking is it protects vendors from down-the-road lawsuits if they’re being honest and forthright. After a property sells and changes hands, the SPIS protects the seller should something occur at that point that the new owner might try to pin on the seller. By filling out a SPIS it also demonstrates to buyers that the seller has integrity and nothing to hide as they are willing to disclose defects or issues.

The SPIS is a two-page document that covers questions regarding zoning, taxes and encroachments. Queries are asked about soil contamination, flooding, oil tanks and grow houses. Other questions focus on moisture problems, types of insulation and renovations or addition made to the house.

I’m not saying to disregard home inspections. But if you know houses and have bought and sold a few in your time, you can probably uncover the same that a home inspector would so save the $400 to $600 inspection fee for a rainy day.

Home inspectors are especially useful for first-time home buyers, who know little about the process. A home inspection can help calm the nerves of a buyer who has no idea what shape the roof is in, where the water shutoff is or how to replace a furnace filter.

A true love of visual arts led Shawn Freeman to pursue a career in architecture and today he’s hoping to use that passion to change neighbourhoods for the better.

The Toronto architect, who lives and works in Seaton Village, is spearheading a move that could ultimately transform how the city uses its alleys and laneways. The residents’ group he co-founded with architect and office mate Andrew Morrison is known affectionately as Victory Lane because members plan to win over city hall in their push to rezone the space behind peoples’ homes for live-work use.

The concept behind Victory Lane is quite simple. Not everyone wants to move out of the city and away from their homes, neighbours and family members as they age. But many are forced to thanks to escalating housing and living expenses and reduced incomes or limited pensions. Shawn’s plan would allow more leeway in the development of garages to generate income. A homeowner could potentially convert their garage into an apartment or perhaps a studio space that would be rented out to a photographer. The possibilities are virtually endless.

The move is motivated in part by recent vertical housing intensification taking place along Dupont and Bathurst. Homes are being overshadowed by six-storey buildings and residents are feeling a loss of privacy. Proponents of alley development believe that two to two-and-a-half storey buildings built adjacent to laneways won’t result in a loss of privacy.

Given recent studies and anecdotal evidence that indicate how much better it is for seniors to remain in their own homes as they age and Toronto’s housing density and affordability issues, his idea may just be perfectly timed. It’s also believed that laneway development would heighten the safety of the area behind people’s homes.

And while the plan is not a new concept and is used widely in pricey housing centres such as Vancouver, Shawn realizes Toronto city hall can be a tough nut to crack, although he expects Adam Vaughan, the city councillor for Seaton Village, to come on board.

A practicing architect for nearly two decades, Shawn has valuable, hands-on experience and has actually designed and built a home recently that would exemplify this concept off of a laneway behind Bathurst Street.

Shawn, whose Bathurst Street practice is just down the block from Freeman Real Estate, where his two brothers and parents own and operate an independent real estate business, lives with his wife and three school-aged children in Seaton Village, a neighbourhood he’s called home since 1992. He walks or bikes to work often toting his 70-pound Hungarian hound named Big Boy.

His architecture specialty is custom-designed homes and cottages in addition to alterations and additions to living spaces. Heritage homes are another speciality he enjoys and has done work on designated homes in Rosedale and Forest Hill.

For more about Shawn and his work visit www. shawnfreemanarchitect.com. Or if you’d like to join Victory Lane or want more information about the group, email him at Shawn.freeman@sympatico.ca.

That Randi Kwinta enjoys the personal touch shines through in practically everything she does.

As a real estate salesperson for Freeman for the past seven years, Randi delights in getting to know her clients whether they’re medical researchers, opera tenors or millwrights. If you’re fortunate enough to work with her, you’ll find yourself sharing information about your profession, your children and your hobbies and pastimes before you know it. It’s not that Randi is prying; it’s more that she has a natural curiosity about new people and experiences. That’s what gets her wheels spinning.

That people are a big part of the real estate business happens to be a good thing for Randi, who concentrates mostly on residential real estate in the Annex and downtown Toronto. Still, she has clients throughout the city and also enjoys selling condos and dabbling in rentals as well.

The mother of three “fabulous and incredible” children aged 18 to 22 likes to stay busy. Working in the housing industry allows her that in addition to a wide variety of assignments and tasks. That she can find herself one day sitting at a desk going through statistics, then heading out to her car for a meeting with potential clients then off to an open house to check out a property is the kind of variety she embraces.

“I just eat up the diversity I get from this profession,” says Randi. “There’s nothing like it.”

Ironically, Randi first hooked up with the Freemans while studying psychology at the University of Toronto in the 1980s. There, thanks to study groups and university events, she met Elden Freeman, who was studying environmental science. Twenty-five years would pass before their paths crossed again when after many years as a marketer for a corporate interior design firm, Randi decided it was time for a career change.

Once she settled on real estate, she had to think about the type of business she wanted to embody. Freeman Real Estate Ltd. with its smaller, more intimate boutique vibe, was perfect. The fact that Randi is low-maintenance, unpretentious to a fault and a hard worker who enjoys giving clients the best service she can made the fit even more appropriate.

“I knew I wanted to take care of my clients and do the very best for them,” she says. “I like it that the Freemans work really hard and that they do anything and everything for their clients.”

Randi can be reached at randi@freemanrealty.com.

As an empty nester, new housing options open up to you like never before.

And while some will stay in the suburbs right into old age, many will abandon their mega houses, mega lawns and mega bills for smaller, lower-maintenance digs in hip and trendy city neighbourhoods.

That trend appears to be well on its way. According to census data from Statistics Canada, the country’s metropolitan areas grew by almost eight per cent since the previous census.

While you may need to forfeit certain features such as space and property to live in the city, the benefits you gain more than outweigh your losses. Besides, when you think about all the time you spend on the maintenance and care of your sprawling suburban house and property, don’t you find yourself thinking surely there’s more to life than this?

The benefits to city living are vast and varied. You’ll be able to give up that second car as you walk your neighbourhood or turn to the comprehensive transportation grid offered by streetcars, buses and subways. Are you into obscure post-modern art? You’ll find it in Toronto. Maybe theatre is your thing? Again, your options are greater in the city. Do you get your kicks from social activism or delving into community causes? There are plenty to choose from in the city. Heck, if quieter pastimes such as bird watching or yoga in the park appeal, there are plenty of spaces in which to indulge your Zen side. If gastronomy is more your thing, there are literally thousands of restaurants, snack bars and coffee shops in which to taste the latest culinary craze or ethnic food trend.

The opportunities to be a part of your surroundings are virtually limitless. And if you’re still working, as many Canadians are postponing retirement, you’re probably closer to the office than you were in the ‘burbs. You may also be physically closer to your grown children, many of whom have recently launched their own careers in the city.

Condo living may be the perfect antidote to decades of high-maintenance suburban living. In Toronto and Vancouver there are plenty to choose from. But if condos strike you as too restrictive, small or fee-laden, there are numerous options available. Smaller bungalows, semi-detached homes and townhouses are perfect for the empty nester who wants outdoor space but less of it.

Change rarely comes easily. And moving to the city may take some adjustment after decades in the relative peace and quiet of the suburbs. But I’m guessing the odds are you won’t look back.

As realtors we’re in people’s homes all day long so think about the possibilities that presents.

Being that close to the public, their loved ones and their most prized possessions all at once opens the door for exchanges that are often frank, personal and illuminating.

And just as I learn and grow from my clients, I know how privileged we are as real estate professionals to have that platform to spread the word, whatever that word might be.

In my case, the word is all about environmental issues affecting homes, especially older homes. And that’s why in 2006 I thought it was high time that realtors act as a conduit to educate their clients on energy conservation and sustainability. Up until then, so much of our efforts had been placed on greening new homes, when most of our housing stock is actually older, energy-inefficient homes.

That when I got the idea for NAGAB, which stands for the National Association of Green Agents and Brokers. As Canada’s largest non-profit group of realtors dedicated to environmental awareness, NAGAB offers green programs that lead to designations for agents and brokers. These designations give realtors the real-world green expertise that they can then pass on to their clients.

My idea for a green association geared to realtors earned support from industry notables such as Royal LePage CEO Phil Soper, whom I had never met, and Mike Kalles of Harvey Kalles Real Estate. They jumped on board early on and together we began to conceptualize what our green association would look like.

With this novel and much needed idea in hand, we approached the federal ? government for seed money and in the intervening seven years have managed to build a large non-profit that has not only educated the public about eco issues, but also helped reduce carbon emissions and lessened our dependence on foreign energy.

Environmental issues have always been near and dear to me. I graduated from York University in 1987 with a master’s degree in environmental studies. Two years after graduation, I joined the family business started by my father 41 years ago. I practice what I preach. I use solar panels in my home, grow native and vegetable gardens and drive a car that’s considered energy efficient.

Most importantly, our Freeman agents, all of whom have received accreditation from NAGAB, are spreading the word to their clients. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that what goes around comes around.

The sad but inevitable news of Honest Ed’s pending sale and ultimate closure is a big example of how a neighborhood evolves over time.

The shiny, bright bargain emporium at Bathurst and Bloor, which is now on the market for $100 million, has been a bargain hunter’s retail paradise for 65 years.

Beginning in the days of the five and dime, Honest Ed Mirvish wanted to deliver discounts to customers. He trail blazed the way for in-store markdowns and a following of price-conscious shoppers, many of whom were newcomers to Canada.

I have visions of the store as a child. It was a great space to run around and get lost in. Later, when I began my real estate career in the late ‘80s, I recall seeing long lines streaming around the block from those willing to wait in line to get the store’s special offering that day.

The lines of customers comprised mostly new immigrants and as the composition of the Annex changed over the years, the lines seemed to get shorter and shorter. The changing demographics of the area, and the evolution of the retail landscape with stores such as Walmart, Costco and even the dollar stores, created stiffer competition, eventually weakening the giant pull this discount retailer once had.

Like all good things that must end, I’m saddened by the imminent loss of Honest Ed’s. I still love wandering through the aisles of that great store. For me, many of my memories are marked by special holidays. At Passover time, you could be guaranteed a great assortment of affordable kosher food. I remember those great parties Ed would throw every July to celebrate his birthday and him handing out turkeys just before Christmas. With 160,000 square feet of retail space, it was easy to find neat things to buy and naturally you always came home with way more than you planned.

I remember one Saturday after synagogue driving the retail mogul home in my parent’s car. We all squished in and dropped Ed and his wife off at home. That’s when I learned he lived only a few blocks south of us on the same street.

New development on the site of Honest Ed’s will likely make the neighbourhood even more desirable. Already, we’ve noticed an increase in investor interest looking for deals to take advantage of the neighbourhood’s changing face.

The passage of time always brings with it change. Thanks for the memories, Honest Ed’s. It was good knowing you.

Come November the city begins to burst with seasonal events that showcase the talents of everything from musicians and craftspeople to foodies, artisans and performers.

Feast your eyes on this stellar albeit incomplete offering of festive activities:

November 16:

Baby It’s Cold Outside – At Jane and Annette Streets, this free open house brought to you by the Baby Point Gates Business Improvement Area is cuckoo for Santa.

Holly Berry Fair – This fundraiser at Rosedale United Church features baked goods, knitted items for sale and a silent auction.

Illuminite – This evening event features light installations and entertainment that mixes technology with art. Presented by the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area, it takes place at Yonge-Dundas Square.

Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic – The Bloor-Yorkville BIA kicks off the festive season with an early evening performance by Sarah Slean.

St. Olave’s Christmas Craft Show and Coffee House – On Windermere just south of Bloor, go for the books and stay for the cheer.

St. Pius X Christmas Bazaar and Craft Sale – At 2305 Bloor West, this event features handmade items, gift baskets and tombola.

November 17:

Toronto Santa Clause Parade – Parade begins at 12:30 p.m. from Christie Pits and ends at the St. Lawrence Market.

November 22:

Christmas Tree Lighting – Sponsored by the Entertainment District BIA, this event at David Pecaut Square showcases the music of St Michaels Choir School and music students from U. of T. as well as hot chocolate and cookies.

November 23:

Christmas in the Park with Colborne Lodge – Discover Victorian festive traditions and a tour of Colborne Lodge in High Park beginning today till January 5.

Annual Christmas Bazaar — Presented by the ladies auxiliary of Mount Dennis Legion at 1050 Weston Road, the event features a tea room and over 30 vendors.

Nutcracker Fair – Presented by St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church, this annual bazaar at 151 Glenlake Avenue includes a peameal bacon brunch, crafts and vintage fashions.

19^th Annual Swansea Craft Sale – 207 Windermere Avenue is home to over 70 vendors selling everything from children’s hats and candles to gourmet edibles and greeting cards.

Westside Christmas Bazaar – At the Westside Long Term Care Centre on Albion Road, pose for Santa photos and much more.

Annual Junction Triangle Home Style Craft Show and Sale – At Perth Ave. Public School at 14 Ruskin Ave., check out the crafts and gifts made by local artisans.

November 28:

One of a Kind Christmas Show & Sale – Begins today and runs till December 8.

November 29:

St Demetrius Annual Christmas Bazaar — Running November 29 and 30, this bazaar showcases traditional Ukrainian cuisine and other festive goodies.

Toronto Christmas Market – Beginning today in the historic Distillery District, this street market invites participants to eat, drink and be merry until December 15.

November 30:

Old Town Toronto Cavalcade of Lights – At Nathan Phillips Square this features fireworks, skating, music and more.

Agricola Christmas Bazaar – See this Finnish style Christmas bazaar at 25 Old York Mills Road.

Holly Tea – This afternoon event at St. John’s Anglican Church on Humberside offers hand-made crafts, preserves and one-of-a-kind items.

The Artisan’s Gift Fair – Begins today and goes to December 22, this weekend show at the Tranzac Club on Brunswick offer high-quality gifts and free live music.

December 1:

Pet Photos with Santa – At PawsWay, 245 Queen’s Quay West, get into the festive mood with a photo of you and your dog or cat. A portion of the cost is donated to guides dogs. Other weekend dates available for photos.  See website for details.

December 4:

Chanukah Concert with Mickey Lewin – This toe-tapper takes place in the Bathurst Clark Resource Library.

22^nd Annual Christmas Tuba Festival and Sing-a-long – You’re invited to play and sing at this Nathan Phillips Square event that runs from noon to 12:45 p.m.

Journey into a Medieval Christmas – Treat yourself to the harmonious sounds of medieval Europe at The Church of St. Mary Magdalene on Manning Avenue.

December 7:

Candy Cane Tea and Bazaar – If you’re into fancy sandwiches, baked good and Christmas crafts, Presteign-Woodbine United Church is for you.

Christmas by Lamplight — December 7, 14 and 21. Enjoy the charms of Victorian Christmas at Black Creek Pioneer Village.

Gift of my Hands Holiday Craft Market – At Sorauren Park on Wabash, purchase locally made crafts from local artisans.

Jane Austen Christmas Ball – This dance at St. Barnabas Anglican Church Hall on the Danforth doesn’t require a partner or experience. What more can you ask for?

December 8 & 9:

Fort York Frost Fair – Experience the wonder of an Upper Canadian Christmas some 200 years ago.

December 14:

The Nutcracker – Beginning today the National Ballet of Canada puts on the classic Christmas tale.