So happy to wake up this morning, and all mornings, beside Jason. He is truly one of the greatest things in my life and sharing time (and a house) with him is so much fun! I love him in ways that I don't even have words to describe.
We are off to enjoy a fancy Valentine's dinner together this evening. And, as he reminds me, it will be our seventh Valentine's Day as a couple. I am terrible at remembering dates or keeping track of time, every time I get this type of information (usually from Jason) I am shocked at how long we have been together. The year 2010 is burned into my brain as the year that I moved to Toronto, and it feels like I lived here for a long time before meeting Jason, but it was only a couple of years later - in the summer of 2012. This means we have been together for almost eight years!
And in September of this year it will be our fourth wedding anniversary! I really need to remember these things. Here are some key relationship dates...
July 12, 2012 - Met Jason for the first time, at a Starbucks. I have this date noted in my planner each year and I try to remember and acknowledge it.
August 9, 2012 - He kissed me for the first time, on a streetcar. While we were dating we used this as our anniversary.
October, 2013 - We moved in together (Rrunuv Bayit.)
May 8-10, 2015 - We got engaged. Yes, it took a full weekend.
May, 2016 - We moved into our house (Casa Verde.) Though we bought it on Christmas Eve in 2015, and then we signed our mortgage papers on February 25 and the closing date was March 1, 2016. The move in was delayed to allow for a couple of months of renovations.
September 24, 2016 - We got married. This also took a full weekend, but for anniversary purposes we count the Saturday date as the main one. I have this marked in my planner too, so that I remember each year. Though I purposely planned for it to be on the 24th to help me remember (liked my birthday.)
Oh, and Jason's birthday is November 29, this is in my planner too since I get it confused all the time. (My brother was born the day after and my dad died two days before. The end of November is a busy time for trying to remember things and keeping dates straight.)
Showing posts with label Real Estate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Real Estate. Show all posts
Friday, 14 February 2020
Friday, 2 November 2018
No Time To Spare
I mentioned that I am working towards opening a mini-donut businesses, well from April until September that was done in my spare time. Starting in October I went down to part-time hours at The BIA and I plan to leave that job completely at the end of January.
Since getting a confirmed (purchase agreement in place, but haven't yet officially closed on it) location the workload has really increased. I have chosen to buy an existing business allowing me to skip a large part of the renovations needed for a raw space, and it also comes with some equipment.
I think I naively thought that working part-time in the office might leave a little bit of time to do more writing on Always Standing - but it turns out that starting a small business is more than a full-time job!
Since getting a confirmed (purchase agreement in place, but haven't yet officially closed on it) location the workload has really increased. I have chosen to buy an existing business allowing me to skip a large part of the renovations needed for a raw space, and it also comes with some equipment.
I think I naively thought that working part-time in the office might leave a little bit of time to do more writing on Always Standing - but it turns out that starting a small business is more than a full-time job!
Tuesday, 24 April 2018
Much Nicer!
Also, this picture below is perfect for the end of our demolition photo reel that shows the progression from inspection to the end of the tear-end.
Staged The Apartment -- Posted To Rent
The Bedroom
April 2018
Monday, 23 April 2018
Stage It!
Staged The Apartment -- Posted To Rent
Set up the basement with our stuff, borrowed stuff, and a cheap IKEA couch.
April 2018
Also I re-potted some of my succulents after FINALLY finding the small white stones that I wanted to use. Ended up getting a, very expensive, bag of fish-tank gravel and it looks amazing. I can't wait to move this group back upstairs.
Monday, 20 November 2017
Money Thoughts - The Article
At what point would a person or family cross the threshold into 'rich' and then, what should they do about it? For the last couple of months I have been struggling with the idea of class and wealth, the ever expanding middle-class needs to stop expanding. You can't be 'upper-middle class' forever, people need to acknowledge their wealth and whether that wealth is necessary, or how much of it is.
This crisis of heart came from the perfect storm of promotions for Jason, more inheritance for myself, and the comfort that comes from owning a house in an ever increasing real estate market. These are all things that seem positive (until you consider the heartbreaking realities of death that bring inheritance, and the annoying fact that home ownership is expensive and challenging.) Also with these windfalls came the publication of an article in The New York Times, "What the Rich Won't Tell You" by Rachel Sherman.
This article is haunting me. It isn't long so I suggest clicking the link above and reading the whole thing, but here are some interesting quotes:
...how economic inequality is hidden, justified and maintained in American life. Keeping silent about social class, a norm that goes far beyond the affluent, can make Americans feel that class doesn’t, or shouldn’t, matter.
... hide the privilege... wealthy people manage their discomfort with inequality, which in turn makes that inequality impossible to talk honestly about — or to change.
... must appear to be worthy of their privilege for that privilege to be seen as legitimate. Being worthy means working hard... also means spending money wisely.
... never bragged about the price of something because it was high; instead, they enthusiastically recounted snagging bargains ... critiqued other wealthy people’s expenditures, especially ostentatious ones...
... not mentioning money... follow a seemingly neutral social norm that frowns on such talk... one of the ways in which privileged people can obscure both their advantages and their conflicts about these advantages.
... widespread judgments of the individual behaviors of wealthy people as morally meritorious or not... such judgments distract us from any possibility of thinking about redistribution.
... talk not about the moral worth of individuals but about the moral worth of particular social arrangements.
What are your thoughts? I will continue to explore these issues on Always Standing, as I have often discussed financial issues and ideas over the years.
Looking for something a bit lighter, or disturbingly amusing? Check out the article from Toronto Life about a couple who buys and renovates a mansion in Parkdale in an incredible display of extreme lack of self-awareness when it comes to wealth and privilege. Follow that up with the hilarious Crowd Funding response.
This crisis of heart came from the perfect storm of promotions for Jason, more inheritance for myself, and the comfort that comes from owning a house in an ever increasing real estate market. These are all things that seem positive (until you consider the heartbreaking realities of death that bring inheritance, and the annoying fact that home ownership is expensive and challenging.) Also with these windfalls came the publication of an article in The New York Times, "What the Rich Won't Tell You" by Rachel Sherman.
This article is haunting me. It isn't long so I suggest clicking the link above and reading the whole thing, but here are some interesting quotes:
...how economic inequality is hidden, justified and maintained in American life. Keeping silent about social class, a norm that goes far beyond the affluent, can make Americans feel that class doesn’t, or shouldn’t, matter.
... hide the privilege... wealthy people manage their discomfort with inequality, which in turn makes that inequality impossible to talk honestly about — or to change.
... must appear to be worthy of their privilege for that privilege to be seen as legitimate. Being worthy means working hard... also means spending money wisely.
... never bragged about the price of something because it was high; instead, they enthusiastically recounted snagging bargains ... critiqued other wealthy people’s expenditures, especially ostentatious ones...
... not mentioning money... follow a seemingly neutral social norm that frowns on such talk... one of the ways in which privileged people can obscure both their advantages and their conflicts about these advantages.
... widespread judgments of the individual behaviors of wealthy people as morally meritorious or not... such judgments distract us from any possibility of thinking about redistribution.
... talk not about the moral worth of individuals but about the moral worth of particular social arrangements.
What are your thoughts? I will continue to explore these issues on Always Standing, as I have often discussed financial issues and ideas over the years.
Looking for something a bit lighter, or disturbingly amusing? Check out the article from Toronto Life about a couple who buys and renovates a mansion in Parkdale in an incredible display of extreme lack of self-awareness when it comes to wealth and privilege. Follow that up with the hilarious Crowd Funding response.
Saturday, 5 August 2017
Meme Ad
I got this flyer in the mailbox from a real estate agent and I thought it was a cute use of the well known meme:
Luckily our tax assessment doesn't think Casa Verde is a mansion in a beautiful estate as implyed above, it is actually assessed at MUCH less than the cost to buy it. (Technically this is good for taxes, bad for our confidence. However don't get me started on Toronto residential property taxes....they are too low and it angers me.)
Luckily our tax assessment doesn't think Casa Verde is a mansion in a beautiful estate as implyed above, it is actually assessed at MUCH less than the cost to buy it. (Technically this is good for taxes, bad for our confidence. However don't get me started on Toronto residential property taxes....they are too low and it angers me.)
Wednesday, 19 July 2017
Bringing Back The Verde
I wanted a modern font for our house number at Casa Verde, it really updates the look. My plan had been to possibly 3D print some since buying them is much more expensive than the more traditional house numbers. Eventually I ran across a project online that included a recommendation for numbers that weren't too insanely expensive, and the grass highlights would mean that the house could tie back to its name.
So here is another little weekend project that we just finished. Though it feels like it took much longer because gathering the supplies (like getting the house numbers) took months:
We also fixed up the area right below the mail box. It used to be a pile of bricks blocking animals from getting under the porch and some cracked grey patio stones. A couple of weekends ago we had a big dump bin so that we could tear up the cement pad in the back yard and dispose of all the concrete. We took the opportunity to move some patio stones around on our property - getting rid of broken ones and clearing them out from areas we don't want to have them anymore. We also had to get a couple of bags of red rocks and even did proper excavation, lining it underneath with landscape fabric to prevent weeds.
Jason and I are really bad at taking before photos, even though I know how great they are when things line up side by side. Here are a couple shots that can fill in for a true before and after shot of our house number:
Yes, I know that the 9 is a bit tilted, Jason and I can fix that with a normal drill - just moving the nail at the bottom over slightly. We needed to borrow a hammer drill from the Tool Library in order to screw the plywood backing onto the brick. That was the main focus this weekend, so that we could return the tools last night.
Also, in case you can't tell from the photo, it isn't real grass. (It might look weird in the winter.) It was quite the 'crafty' project, there was spay paint and trips to Micheal's:
So here is another little weekend project that we just finished. Though it feels like it took much longer because gathering the supplies (like getting the house numbers) took months:
New House Number And Mail Box
Casa Verde - July 2017
We also fixed up the area right below the mail box. It used to be a pile of bricks blocking animals from getting under the porch and some cracked grey patio stones. A couple of weekends ago we had a big dump bin so that we could tear up the cement pad in the back yard and dispose of all the concrete. We took the opportunity to move some patio stones around on our property - getting rid of broken ones and clearing them out from areas we don't want to have them anymore. We also had to get a couple of bags of red rocks and even did proper excavation, lining it underneath with landscape fabric to prevent weeds.
Jason and I are really bad at taking before photos, even though I know how great they are when things line up side by side. Here are a couple shots that can fill in for a true before and after shot of our house number:
Slowly Improving The Facade
Bought it - December 2015
New eaves - March 2016
New house number - July 2017
Casa Verde
I am very happy that the old number is gone!
Casa Verde - July 2017
Yes, I know that the 9 is a bit tilted, Jason and I can fix that with a normal drill - just moving the nail at the bottom over slightly. We needed to borrow a hammer drill from the Tool Library in order to screw the plywood backing onto the brick. That was the main focus this weekend, so that we could return the tools last night.
Also, in case you can't tell from the photo, it isn't real grass. (It might look weird in the winter.) It was quite the 'crafty' project, there was spay paint and trips to Micheal's:
Tuesday, 7 February 2017
Orchard And Goats
My mom is in Spain, you can follow along on her trip my visiting her blog Vicariously Travelling (link on the left). The problem with reading her posts is that it makes me really want to travel. I don't feel like I got to travel as much as I like to in 2016, probably due to buying a house and having a wedding.
Mom went for a walk through a citrus orchard yesterday and the photos are beautiful. There were also chickens! They are less beautiful but still very majestic.
A Chicken Amung The Orange Trees
Photo by Mom
A few days ago she posted a series of goat pictures, they jumped over a wall onto the road in front of her. She says that she took the photos mainly for me because I love goats (and sheep). However, these goats had two baby goats so I think everyone would be excited to see them and want to take pictures.
A Series Of Goat Pictures
Taken by Mom
Thursday, 20 October 2016
Not My House
---------- from Facebook
Sure, I would love a Spacious Mansion, but that is never going to happen! (Though that is totally what Le Manior was, a dilapidated but spacious mansion. Remember THIS PHOTO was only the side of it, the front faced the street to the right.)
Let me know in the comments what your home should be and if you agree.
Sure, I would love a Spacious Mansion, but that is never going to happen! (Though that is totally what Le Manior was, a dilapidated but spacious mansion. Remember THIS PHOTO was only the side of it, the front faced the street to the right.)
Let me know in the comments what your home should be and if you agree.
Friday, 30 September 2016
Our Vows, Part 2
Quite a few people read both sets of vows before our wedding, so I knew Jason's were going to be good (since everyone kept saying they were.) He did not disappoint, we were both in tears.
These are his:
I love you because you always lose at Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Because I love you, I will not take it easy on you and just let you win.
[Author’s note – I better have won!]
I love you because of your enthusiasm for travel.
Because I love you, I promise to take and enjoy new adventures across the world with you, and fill our map with pins.
I love you because you are thoughtful, open, and honest. If it happened, it’s on your blog.
Because I love you, I promise to bring the same qualities to our marriage. Minus the blog.
I love you because you meet challenges head on with determination, practicality, and a list.
Because I love you, I promise to respect you, encourage you, and cheer for you. I will even help make the lists.
I love you and all that we have accomplished together. Buying and renovating a house would have been terrifying alone. With you it was a joy.
Because I love you, I promise to be your partner in our life so we can conquer these terrifying life changes together.
I love you because you are mine.
Because I love you, I am yours.
These are his:
I love you because you always lose at Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Because I love you, I will not take it easy on you and just let you win.
[Author’s note – I better have won!]
I love you because of your enthusiasm for travel.
Because I love you, I promise to take and enjoy new adventures across the world with you, and fill our map with pins.
I love you because you are thoughtful, open, and honest. If it happened, it’s on your blog.
Because I love you, I promise to bring the same qualities to our marriage. Minus the blog.
I love you because you meet challenges head on with determination, practicality, and a list.
Because I love you, I promise to respect you, encourage you, and cheer for you. I will even help make the lists.
I love you and all that we have accomplished together. Buying and renovating a house would have been terrifying alone. With you it was a joy.
Because I love you, I promise to be your partner in our life so we can conquer these terrifying life changes together.
I love you because you are mine.
Because I love you, I am yours.
Wednesday, 10 August 2016
We Are All Addicted
"He now realized, the principle of progress was always at work, in acquiring of houses, possessions, cars, the drive towards higher social status, more travel, a wider circle of friends, even the production of children felt like an obligatory calling point on the mad journey; and it was inevitable, he now saw, that once there were no more things to add or improve on, no more goals to achieve or stages to pass through, the journey would seem to have run its course, and he and his wife would be beset by a great feeling of stillness after a life of too much motion, such as sailors experience when they walk on dry land after too long at sea but which to both of them signified that they were no longer in love."
--- from Outline, by Rachel Cusk
Sunday, 24 July 2016
Water Ruins Your House
Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A Sunday post about my Dad, named after a song that he loved.
I think I know why Jason's work replacing the toilet last weekend was so impressive - because growing up my family always had all plumbing related tasks done by a professional. We have a couple of family friends who are plumbers so I think we would usually ask them. I never saw my parents change or repair plumbing-things.
My parents did quite a bit of stuff around the house themselves, even to the point that Dad helped my uncle built the two story garage at The Cottage. Dad also did the pot-lights in the basement in Paris. So, to this day, I think that a lot of stuff can be muddled through by amateurs but all water related items must be super hard.
I think it was from a fear of water damage that Dad didn't tackle plumbing projects (and I'm not talking about anything complex either - he called someone in to change a faucet.) Electrical work can hurt you but badly done plumbing work can hurt your house. Dad considered the house an investment that was very very important to protect.
Dad also didn't do any repairs himself on the cars. I wonder where that came from.
I think I know why Jason's work replacing the toilet last weekend was so impressive - because growing up my family always had all plumbing related tasks done by a professional. We have a couple of family friends who are plumbers so I think we would usually ask them. I never saw my parents change or repair plumbing-things.
My parents did quite a bit of stuff around the house themselves, even to the point that Dad helped my uncle built the two story garage at The Cottage. Dad also did the pot-lights in the basement in Paris. So, to this day, I think that a lot of stuff can be muddled through by amateurs but all water related items must be super hard.
I think it was from a fear of water damage that Dad didn't tackle plumbing projects (and I'm not talking about anything complex either - he called someone in to change a faucet.) Electrical work can hurt you but badly done plumbing work can hurt your house. Dad considered the house an investment that was very very important to protect.
Dad also didn't do any repairs himself on the cars. I wonder where that came from.
Wednesday, 13 July 2016
Basement Before & After - Storage Space
Casa Verde Basement - Storage Under The Stairs
House Inspection to Mid-Reno to Final Completion
(Jason in the first photo, all photos shown in Black and White)
Saturday, 9 July 2016
Basement Before & After - Open Up!
Since the final completion photo of this Before and After features Two, I am posting it on Caturday.
I think this is my favourite Before and After comparison, opening up the living area in the basement at Casa Verde was one of our main goals. Originally, at the bottom of the stairs was a small table and thin hallway - the rest of the space was 'wall-ed' off for the utility room and laundry machines. There was then a door (which you can see someone walking through on the right-side of the top photo) into this dark cluttered central space:
By taking out that door and moving the utility room wall WAY over we were able to completely open up the front (north) part of the basement and provide a small living area. The bathroom door frame stayed in through the entire demolition and re-build - we then put the same door back into the frame afterwards. (All other doors in the space were replaced.)
The brick column also didn't move, since it holds up the house! But we did clean it, seal it, and paint it. If you have a keen eye you can see the three new tiles that the contractor installed for us because we knocked down a wall that had previously been part of the bathroom. (Jason and I tried to find matching tiles but we didn't quite get them right.) Also, the floor that looks like hardwood is actually a vinyl sheet, everyone really likes it. We painted using the same colours as upstairs, the living area in the basement is the same as our master bedroom upstairs.
We are so happy with the space and this is one of the best picture to show the amazing transformation.
I think this is my favourite Before and After comparison, opening up the living area in the basement at Casa Verde was one of our main goals. Originally, at the bottom of the stairs was a small table and thin hallway - the rest of the space was 'wall-ed' off for the utility room and laundry machines. There was then a door (which you can see someone walking through on the right-side of the top photo) into this dark cluttered central space:
Casa Verde Basement - North Brick Column
House Inspection to Final Completion
By taking out that door and moving the utility room wall WAY over we were able to completely open up the front (north) part of the basement and provide a small living area. The bathroom door frame stayed in through the entire demolition and re-build - we then put the same door back into the frame afterwards. (All other doors in the space were replaced.)
The brick column also didn't move, since it holds up the house! But we did clean it, seal it, and paint it. If you have a keen eye you can see the three new tiles that the contractor installed for us because we knocked down a wall that had previously been part of the bathroom. (Jason and I tried to find matching tiles but we didn't quite get them right.) Also, the floor that looks like hardwood is actually a vinyl sheet, everyone really likes it. We painted using the same colours as upstairs, the living area in the basement is the same as our master bedroom upstairs.
We are so happy with the space and this is one of the best picture to show the amazing transformation.
Thursday, 7 July 2016
Basement Before & After - Bathroom SE
Casa Verde Basement - Bathroom Facing South-East
House Inspection to Final Completion
Wednesday, 29 June 2016
We Have A Logo
Sunday, 26 June 2016
A Warm House
Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A Sunday post about my Dad, named after a song that he loved.
Jason and I had a housewarming party yesterday. It was nice to show people Casa Verde who had never seen it before and give others an update of the place now that it is no longer chaos.
I think Dad would have liked the house. I am having a hard time bringing his memory into the space and hope that hanging his photograph will help that. I can't decide if I want it in my bedroom again or put it in the living room this time.
I hope he would be impressed with all the work we are doing and the labour that comes from the challenge to be thrifty with our ever growing renovations. There are parts of Casa Verde that I know we would like: the main floor original hardwood floors, the beautiful staircase, moving the laundry upstairs, our cherry tree and garage in the backyard.
Also, I agree with Mom, I don't think he would ever be able to wrap his head around the value. The price would always bug him - I know we made a good purchase, but Toronto is crazy and I don't think he could get past the cost to truly enjoy Casa Verde.
Jason and I had a housewarming party yesterday. It was nice to show people Casa Verde who had never seen it before and give others an update of the place now that it is no longer chaos.
I think Dad would have liked the house. I am having a hard time bringing his memory into the space and hope that hanging his photograph will help that. I can't decide if I want it in my bedroom again or put it in the living room this time.
I hope he would be impressed with all the work we are doing and the labour that comes from the challenge to be thrifty with our ever growing renovations. There are parts of Casa Verde that I know we would like: the main floor original hardwood floors, the beautiful staircase, moving the laundry upstairs, our cherry tree and garage in the backyard.
Also, I agree with Mom, I don't think he would ever be able to wrap his head around the value. The price would always bug him - I know we made a good purchase, but Toronto is crazy and I don't think he could get past the cost to truly enjoy Casa Verde.
Friday, 24 June 2016
Damn You Bob Barker
The house next door sold this week. We saw the SOLD sign go up and immediately started guessing what it had gone for. We knew that it had been listed sometime in May at $599,900. Jason was pretty sure that it been sold for around $575,000 since it was priced quite high and hadn't sold right away.
I didn't think our neighbours were in a rush to sell so would wait to get something close to what they had listed as asking. We made a bet with "Price Is Right Rules" and I decided that the buyers would need to have offered at least $585,000 to get the house, any lower than that would be too big of a discount off of the list price.
We get a daily email that provides all the GTA real estate sold data. It is interesting to keep on top of the market and also the houses have all sold so there is not hoping and falling in love with options, just research. When the listing update came through on the house next door it confirmed that it had sat on the market for a long time (by Toronto standards.) They didn't put a sign in their yard right away but it was officially for sale for 29 days. It sold for $584,000.
So Jason won, even though I feel like I was right, the annoying Bob Barker technicality that helps eliminate closest-to comparison math - screwed me.
I didn't think our neighbours were in a rush to sell so would wait to get something close to what they had listed as asking. We made a bet with "Price Is Right Rules" and I decided that the buyers would need to have offered at least $585,000 to get the house, any lower than that would be too big of a discount off of the list price.
We get a daily email that provides all the GTA real estate sold data. It is interesting to keep on top of the market and also the houses have all sold so there is not hoping and falling in love with options, just research. When the listing update came through on the house next door it confirmed that it had sat on the market for a long time (by Toronto standards.) They didn't put a sign in their yard right away but it was officially for sale for 29 days. It sold for $584,000.
So Jason won, even though I feel like I was right, the annoying Bob Barker technicality that helps eliminate closest-to comparison math - screwed me.
Monday, 20 June 2016
Oh Man, So Soon!!
I used to have to use a calendar or visit a website to figure out the time between dates, like I did for my trip to London.But now, I have a countdown app on my phone, to be accurate it is a Days Left Widget. If something important or exciting is coming up then I start to track it on the main screen page of my phone. After the date passes the widget starts counting up, and telling you how many 'days since' it has been.
After our offer was accepted, I had a countdown going for the date we closed on Casa Verde. That was back in February but I am keeping the count going and think of it as the number of days that Jason and I have been homeowners. (According to my phone, that has been 111 days.)
So I also have one going for the wedding and last week it dipped down into the double digits. It was much more reassuring when it said 100 or more days until the event. Now it is only 96 days away and I feel like there is still so much to do!
Sunday, 20 March 2016
Down, I Tell Ya
The walls are down, I repeat, the walls are down!
It has taken 19 days from the first point of demo to the shop vac today, but I can officially say that the basement at Casa Verde has now been gutted. Check out the progression in the bedroom, from our inspection day to this afternoon's final clear out.
It has taken 19 days from the first point of demo to the shop vac today, but I can officially say that the basement at Casa Verde has now been gutted. Check out the progression in the bedroom, from our inspection day to this afternoon's final clear out.
Basement Bedroom
South-West Corner, Lower Level, Casa Verde
Thank you to our friends and family members who have been so supportive with the purchase and renovations of Casa Verde. The many helping hands are so very very appreciated!! This is just the beginning.
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