Christina, Author at Lets Talk Real Estate Team - Page 8 of 19

Fall is a huge season for sports in Guelph—come cheer on these teams!

Sep 22,2022 | Guelph Living

Games to look forward to, where to buy tickets and the schedules you’ll want to be following

This Fall there is lots to look forward to in Guelph and if you’re a sports fan, you’re in luck: your calendar is about to be packed!

Over the next few months, there are a number of local teams who will be playing busy seasons full of exciting matchups in venues around the city. These are great games to take your kids to and to see with friends.

Cheer on the city’s most talented athletes and feel a huge swell of Guelph pride!

Homecoming

Homecoming at the University of Guelph is just around the corner and you definitely won’t want to miss the big game!

The Guelph Gryphons Men’s Football Team will take on the Queen’s Gaels in an afternoon matchup, but the game itself will be just one part of a much bigger celebration. Expect a festive atmosphere including food trucks, tailgating, a pre-game live band, a halftime performance and a licensed area in the south endzone.

Gryphon Football

Gryphon Football is one of the most exciting university football programs across Canada. Come see some of the best players in the country as they face off against other schools in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) division.

Alumni Stadium is an impressive venue, with a state-of-the-art, CFL-sized synthetic turf football field and a video scoreboard.

This storied program has been around since 1950, when the Guelph Gryphons first formed; this was even before the U of G was founded in 1964. The team are 4-time Yates Cup champions, winning the title in 1984, 1992, 1996 and 2015.

See their 2022 Game Schedule and buy your tickets today!

Gryphon Soccer

Support the fantastic Women’s Soccer team by checking this schedule to find their next game. The men have a full slate of matches too; consult the Men’s Soccer schedule to find a date you can head out to the pitch.

Gryphon Lacrosse

There are still weeks left to catch both the Men’s and the Women’s Lacrosse teams in action. Catch a regular season game or arrange to attend the OUA Championship Tournament; it is held towards the end of October and this year will be hosted by the University of Toronto.

Gryphon Rugby

Get your tickets to see the Guelph Gryphons Women’s Rugby team play. Tickets for the men’s team are also available.

Gryphon Hockey

There are lots of opportunities this Fall and Winter to see the Guelph Gryphons Men’s Hockey team play. Check out their schedule and get your tickets. Cheer on the Women’s Hockey team and get your tickets for one of their many home games at the Gryphon Centre Arena.

Gryphon Volleyball

The 2022-2023 volleyball season hasn’t started yet, which means that now is a good time to secure your tickets. You won’t have to miss a single game!

Gryphon Basketball

Basketball lovers will want to attend every game and will probably want to buy their tickets early.

Believe it or not, these are just a few of the University of Guelph’s teams that would welcome your support in the stands this Fall.

Guelph Storm

Of course, no article about sports in Guelph would be complete without mentioning the ever-popular Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team the Guelph Storm.

They have been OHL champions for 4 years: 1998, 2004, 2014 and 2019. Their schedule is out and devoted fans can even buy season tickets.

There are so many local sports teams to support right here in Guelph, says REALTOR® Nick FitzGibbon. They are full of talented student athletes who are working hard at their studies and chasing their dreams on the field, court, ice and pitch.

Take the family out to a game and be inspired!

Upcoming Guelph & Puslinch Developments: Register Today

Sep 22,2022 | Buying

Lots of great developments coming up and offering pre-registration now. If you are interested in getting into the new build game it never hurts to pre register for products to be the first in line if you so choose to make a purchase when the times comes.

If you have any questions about this process never hesitate to reach out. I personally am still waiting on a few specific local products to be released in the new year and will be sure to keep you all posted.

Here is the list of spots open for pre registration as of today:

Anthem Metal Works- Downtown condo

One Eighty– Towns on Gordon St. facing the river

Audrey Meadows Phase 2– Estate lots in Puslinch

Argyle Village– Condos, Towns and Single Detached homes on Collage and the Hanlon

Gordon Square III– Tricar’s third building in the south end of Guelph

Terra Condos- 2 bedroom condos in the East Side of Guelph

 

If you are interested in any of the above spots please reach out and I would be happy to give you more details.

-Nick

Tri Annual Market Report May-September 2022

Sep 12,2022 | Buying

Stunning renovated home in Guelph’s Old University neighbourhood

Sep 9,2022 | Buying

Beautiful family home a showstopper with all of the latest designer finishes, says REALTOR® Nick FitzGibbon
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All of the most modern touches have been incorporated into this newly renovated home in Guelph.

75 Forest Street is in the Old University neighbourhood and has great curb appeal. This gorgeous 2-storey home has a striking exterior that includes a covered front porch and an oversized covered deck in the backyard.

This 3-bedroom, 4-bathroom home, beautifully redone by Mezcon Construction, offers more than 2,500 sq ft of living space. The home is complete with a 900 sq ft one-bedroom plus den apartment in the basement that boasts open-concept living, in-suite laundry and a separate entrance.

It sits on a generous 60×100 ft lot and is sure to appeal to families, as it offers lots of space, an open floor plan, and modern, elegant interiors with all of the latest designer touches.

Throughout the home there are light wood floors, black-trimmed windows with views of the surrounding mature trees, and high ceilings.

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On the main level, you can enjoy the best of modern living, thanks to an open-concept design that has a nice flow. The kitchen is open to the living and dining rooms, and there are sliding doors from the dining room that open out onto a generous patio, for the ultimate in indoor/outdoor living and entertaining.

The gourmet kitchen features tailored, full-height cabinetry with gold pulls and a stunning gold faucet, a big island with seating and stainless-steel appliances.

On the upper level are three bedrooms and a second-floor laundry. The primary suite has a walk-in closet and an impressive ensuite, with its frameless glass shower, graphic black-and-white tile, a rainhead shower system, soaker tub and large picture window.

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The basement is fully finished and includes a den and office, as well as an additional bathroom and a rec room.

This location has a lot to offer those who enjoy active living, with several trails and green spaces close by. The home is just blocks away from Royal City Park, the Royal Recreation Trail, Silvercreek Skatepark, Bristol Street Dog Park, Centennial Park and the Royal City Tennis Club. Several schools are also nearby and within easy walking distance, including John McCrae Public School, Cornerstone Christian School and the Royal City Co-operative Pre-School.

For more information about this home, you can view the listing here, visit Nick FitzGibbon’s Let’s Talk Real Estate or call 519-821-3600.

Shopping guide: The best back to school shopping in Guelph

Sep 8,2022 | Guelph Living

Where to go to get the kids ready for the start of a new school year
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It’s official: time to start thinking about back to school.

Most families will need to do at least a bit of shopping to help get their kids ready for September. To make this a bit easier, we’ve rounded up some great local recommendations where everyone in the family can get school ready.

To help you get organized, we’ve grouped the following suggestions by category.

Clothing – for the little ones

At the rate kids grow, it makes sense to try to save some money where you can. Once Upon A Child is a fantastic source of gently used kids’ stuff. The clothing here looks great and is in good condition; you can really save a lot on the items that tend to be more expensive, such as winter coats and boots. They carry accessories too, including shoes, and often stock a wide selection of books.

Parents of younger children will definitely want to check out Cheeky Bambino. This neighbourhood baby boutique, located in the Old Quebec Street Shoppes, offers unique organic, quality local brands. The clothes are super cute and fashionable yet also comfortable to wear.

Buying and selling on consignment just makes so much sense financially and environmentally, especially when it comes to clothing for kids. At Royal City Littles you can do just that; the shop is an online consignment boutique that sells both preloved and brand-new clothing, books, toys and accessories.

Clothing – for teens and teachers

Plan to stop in at Grit and Grace. The clothing here is not your standard fare; it is unique and high quality, with great everyday basics, dresses, and jumpsuits, even footwear and accessories.

The Patch sells new and vintage clothing for women. You’ll also find handbags, jewellery, shoes and upcycled clothing. This is a buy/sell/trade store as well, so you can bring in any clothing you are no longer wearing in exchange for cash or store credit.

If you are looking for some jewellery to mark the beginning of the new school year or some other important milestone, head to Harmony, a shop that sells stunning pieces. The ability to add personalized engraving makes these offerings even more special.

If your footwear wardrobe is in need of a refresh, head to IF Footwear Boutique. You can shop for high-style shoes and boots at this family-owned business in downtown Guelph.

School supplies

Be sure to stop by the big box stores to stock up on all of those classroom essentials that the kids will need to have in their backpacks.

Write out your list and plan in advance—remembering to research the best sales—before you visit the old stand-bys such as Staples, Walmart, Dollarama and Best Buy for any tech needs.

Books, etc.

Pay a visit to the much-beloved local institution The Bookshelf, where you can pick up fiction and non-fiction titles, tons of books, school aids and reference materials for kids, and maybe even a few that are on your course reading lists.

We also can’t forget our older kids—the ones attending post-secondary institutions and chasing their dreams. The University Bookstore at the University of Guelph offers much more than textbooks: you can buy clothing, gifts, school supplies and trade books here too.

School bags

Modern Tourist in downtown Guelph is the place to go when you’re looking for a sturdy, top quality backpack. They carry handbags, briefcases and accessories too, as well as messenger bags, laptop and tablet bags, lunch bags and even professional backpacks.

Grooming

You’ve got to look your best for the return to school, so get great haircuts for everyone in the family at Acqua Salon or First Choice Hair Salon. Don’t forget to see the dentist too; Bisson Dentistry provides complete dental care for the whole family in a comfortable, welcoming and relaxed environment.

All-in-one

Of course, no list of back-to-school resources would be complete without mentioning Guelph’s own Stone Road Mall, where you can find shoes, backpacks, supplies and clothes for all ages.

An Optimist’s View

Aug 12,2022 | Guelph Living

At the onset of the pandemic, you could not blame someone if they were skittish about the short-term outlook for the real estate market. Aside from a general uncertainty that permeated all walks of life, there was an extra wrinkle thrown at our profession: how do you navigate an up-close-and-personal industry from a distance? Until real estate sales were deemed an essential service, buying a home sight unseen might have seemed like the least of our worries. Fortunately, real estate construction and sales were deemed essential and the business was boisterous throughout the pandemic. As for the nuances of showing properties and negotiating with buyers and sellers (all while maintaining the publics trust during a pandemic), these were in short order proven to be non-issues. Covid proved to be the fire with which the best of the best forged a better way to do business. Indeed, necessity was the mother of invention. Innovations to our industry, largely revolving around delivering a qualified buyer with as much information as possible with which to make an informed beneficial decision without disrupting the lives (and possibly the health) of the seller would frankly not have happened without the Covid nudge. Despite all of the changes, we fundamentally remain a people business. We will be successful to the degree that we can earn our clients trust.

If the last two years have taught us anything, it is to accept that the status quo is not immune to change. And as it was two years ago, change is upon us again, this time with a sudden, (but I would argue necessary) rise in interest rates designed to counter inflationary concerns, consequently cooling what was perceived as an overheated real estate market. The remedy has proven effective, but not without some significant bumps in the road for some homeowners. How big, and for how long those bumps will last, is fodder for pure speculation, and I wont venture down that path. However, I will point out that there remains the problem of a fundamental lack of housing in the Canadian market. We create fewer new dwellings than we do new residents, be they immigrants or existing Canadians entering the housing market as either renters or owners. These facts, I believe, are universally accepted. Regardless of how we as a society decide to solve this problem, real estate is an industry well positioned for growth. Put simply, more dwellings will require more transactions. It is this fundamental that makes Coldwell Banker Neumann Real Estate bullish on the future of our business. Yes, there will be challenges, but we should embrace them, and emerge better for it.

So confident are we in the local real estate market that we are implementing a long-considered renovation to our flagship office at 824 Gordon Street, designed to allow all of our representatives access to state-of-the-art facilities and encourage collaboration with like-minded professionals. As it is our mission to provide best-in-class support and service to the best representatives in the business, we realize the facilities provided to our staff, representatives and our clients need to be the best in the business as well. If we expect to earn the opportunity to represent you in the purchase and sale of your most valuable asset, our home should be our most valuable asset as well. Anything less, and we may be seen as the proverbial barefooted shoe salesman!

We look forward to welcoming you to our new home, in the fall of 2022.

Thank you for reading,

Jeff Neumann

12 fun things to do with your family in Guelph this summer

Jul 29,2022 | Guelph Living

From ghosts to teddy bears and medieval knights to tractors, this list has it all!
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Looking to keep the family entertained this summer? We’ve got just the list.

These great summer events will be a hit with the whole gang. Pick one or two or attempt them all!

1. Explore the supernatural

Is Guelph haunted? There’s only one way to find out! Join the Ghost Walk of Guelph in late July and stroll around downtown learning about the city’s haunted past (and present?). Tour leader Greg Taylor shares the colourful stories and rich histories behind some familiar locales and even welcomes story-sharing from participants.

2. Picnic with a loved one

What could be more charming than enjoying a Teddy Bear Picnic? Set on the grounds of the Wellington County Museum and Archives in Fergus, this August 7th event also includes fun contests. Enter your best bear into one of several categories, including: smallest, largest, best dressed or most Scottish. Bear owners/humans can compete too; there’s an award for the person dressed exactly like their bear and for the one with the most bears.

3. Head to the market

Grab your tote bag and head out on a Saturday morning to Aberfoyle Farmers’ Market in Puslinch. Here you’ll find local, seasonal produce, specialty meats and tasty baked goods, all from neighbourhood farms. It’s a great place to stock up on preserves, maple syrup, honey, coffee, prepared foods, craft beer, VQA wine and distilled spirits as well. You’ll even find a range of artisanal handmade goods.

4. Soak in the sounds of summer

The much anticipated Hillside Music Festival is a guaranteed good time and the 2022 lineup promises to not disappoint. This three-day festival has several stages and dozens of musical performances, workshops, an artisan market, and a long list of attendance-worthy events.

5. Meet a real-life hero

Guelph Fire crews will be visiting seven different local parks this summer, on Thursday evenings, as part of the Hot Summer Nights series. They’ll be spreading the word about fire safety and how to stay safe in an emergency. It’s a chance to meet real-life firefighters, police officers and paramedics, ask them questions and check out their fire trucks, emergency vehicles and equipment up close.

6. Get your BBQ on

Ribfest Guelph is a weekend-long celebration at Riverside Park where you can enjoy BBQ from the best ribbers around. There’s also lots of great entertainment for the kids, including the Magical Midway rides, rock climbing, the Guelph Public Library’s Bookmobile and face-painting. Free valet bike parking is available.

7. Expand your musical repertoire

Purchase single concert tickets or festival passes for the music-filled Elora Festival 2022, Canada’s International Choral Festival, which is celebrating its 43rd year. Enjoy world-class choirs and vocal ensembles over a three-week period in July.

8. Go down by the river

With multiple stages and performances, Riverfest Elora offers something for everyone. From the breakFEST buffet to the nightly after-parties, you can enjoy a packed schedule at this mid-August celebration. One of the headliners this year is Ontario’s own Alessia Cara!

9. Get medieval

Get transported to the times of knights and ladies at the Fergus Medieval Faire. You’ll see magicians and wizards, monks and Vikings, witness battles, falconry, archery, axe-throwing and more. Any Harry Potter fans in your household? Visit Wizard’s Way for wand-duelling classes.

10. Check out a tractor pull

The Palmerston Agricultural Fair offers a weekend chock full of fun. Friday night kicks off with a parade; on Saturday there is a tailgate garage sale, cake decorating challenge, a tractor pull and an auction. Sunday starts with a church service followed by a dog agility show and closes out with a tasty roast beef dinner.

11. Reconnect with nature at the farm

Wander over 50 acres, pick flowers, take a wagon ride, visit fields of lavender and sunflowers, and cut your own fresh herbs and flowers at Lochland Botanicals in Campbell. You can also learn about sustainable farming practices and holistic, plant-based remedies. Build your own bouquet and take it home in a mason jar.

12. Pick-your-own in-season goodness

With so many incredible farms in the area, you have your pick of where to go—literally! For the best pick-your-own strawberries, cherries and more, try Butt’s Berry and Flower FarmFull Circle FarmIgnatius FarmMapleton’s Organic DairyMarcy’s Berries and Thatcher Farms Butcher Shop, Bakery and Farm Market.

Story written for GuelphToday and Sponsored by Nick FitzGibbon 


Royal Reach Recap 2022

Jul 29,2022 | Guelph Living

News Release

New Event Aimed at Next Generation Philanthropy Exceeds Expectations

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Guelph, July 25, 2022 – A new venue and way to give back to the Guelph community exceeded expectations when Royal Reach held its inaugural event on Friday, July 22nd, 2022.

 

Aimed at enticing more young people and the next generation of community leaders in the Guelph community to give, the first-ever sold-out event, raised an astounding $25,000 in support of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Guelph (BBBS).

 

Held at the backdrop of one of Guelph’s iconic landmarks at Cutten Fields, the atmosphere, ambiance and giving attitude of Royal Reach attendees, brought together the next generation of philanthropic givers and crop of community leaders, to fundraise and make a positive difference.

 

“We couldn’t be happier with the community support we received,” said co-founders and event organizers Christina Fitzgibbon and Morgan Dundas. “We’re proud to have raised over $30,000+ at our inaugural event supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters Guelph. Royal Reach will be an annual event with our next event planned for May 6th 2023, where we’ll be looking to spread community ‘reach’ and support by selecting a new local charity, which will be announced in the coming weeks.”

 

Royal Reach was born in an effort to give back to the local Guelph community by creating a platform that encourages and facilitates next generation philanthropic giving. Fitzgibbon and Dundas believed the opportunity to support local charities should be available to everyone who is fortunate enough to have the means to help. It was a big reason why the new inaugural charity event was organized, geared towards a younger demographic that very much wants to give back and is looking for new ways to do so.

 

“Through the generosity of the community and leadership of its founders, the Royal Reach event has been a tremendous success in support of children and youth in our community,” said Mike Treadgold, Executive Director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph. “This event is the culmination of incredible hard work, kindness and a collective commitment to building community and drawing awareness to the value and impact of mentoring. Over the past three years, we know that youth who are facing adversities have been disproportionately affected by the challenges of the pandemic, but it is events like this that help build resilience, setting local children on a path to realize their full potential. On behalf of the staff, board of directors, volunteers and hundreds of families whom we support, I wish to express my most sincere thanks for the Royal Reach and its event partners for your support and belief in the work that we do.”

 

The 2022 inaugural event would not have been possible without the support of event sponsors. A sincere thanks to the sponsors who supported the kick-off event – AFYA Skin & Body, GLOW by AFYA, Tricar, Sleeman, Spring Mill Distillery, Guelph Today, Nick Fitzgibbon Real Estate, Guelph Facial Plastics, Hybrid Financial, AJDL Development Group, Salex, Wood Development Group, Scott Barbison with RBC Commercial Finance Services, Acqua, Mezcon Construction, 8 Days A Week, S. W. Irvine & Associates, Virani Law. As well, a special thanks to the 2022 partners – Delve Interiors, Lady Glaze Doughnuts, CijiMarie Blooms, Blooms & Flora, MTK Video Productions, The Glasshouse Nursery & Garden Center, Sarmazian Flooring and Moffitt Print.

 

For those interested in becoming involved or sponsoring the 2023 event, you can find more information about Royal Reach here. You can also visit the Royal Reach Instagram page or search #GuelphGoesRoyal.

RED CARPET GALLERY:

https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/red-carpet-guests-support-local-youth-at-first-annual-royal-reach-event-5618680

 

As everyone said earlier this year, the real estate market was about as “Hot as it could be”. It was only a matter of time before inventory increased and the slower, summer market arrived. We are still seeing a number of sales, and homes are certainly still moving, just not at a rate that perhaps current sellers would hope.

This year has a number of similarities to the 2017 real estate market in that early in the year, there was a lack of inventory that leveled off as the Summer came around. There are some opportunities here for buyers who have been waiting to jump into this Guelph real estate market or for investors to add to their portfolios.  And for Sellers, patience and accurate pricing will go a long way to getting these properties sold, in a timely manner.

As you can see from the market stats below this month is the first month we are not seeing an increase in average sale price across the city (compared to the same time last year) in a few years now. Things have definitely slowed as we see a shift from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market.

Any questions on the current state of the market, interest rates, or any other real estate inquiries, don’t hesitate to reach out and Let’s Talk Real Estate.