Beautiful family home a showstopper with all of the latest designer finishes, says REALTOR® Nick FitzGibbon
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.
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.
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.
Where to go to get the kids ready for the start of a new school year
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.
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.
From ghosts to teddy bears and medieval knights to tractors, this list has it all!
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.
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.”
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.
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.
Nathan Skoufis is an accomplished athlete who has claimed world titles and represented Team Canada in martial arts.
But he is also a passionate community builder whose reach extends far beyond sports, inspiring his students to be their best both physically and mentally.
Nathan owns Guelph Family Martial Arts, where he connects with students of all ages and skills.
That is why he is such a passionate advocate for tearing down barriers and making sports accessible for everyone.
His program teaches important life skills, such as focus, respect, discipline, courage and perseverance, that are critical to building strong bodies and minds in and outside of the studio.
Beyond his impact on local sports development, Nathan regularly supports, volunteers and raises funds for community organizations that are integral to the overall health and wellness of our community.
The Sports and Recreation Award is presented to an individual who has contributed to the strength of a sport in the community, by way of inspiring people, establishing a program, mentoring a team or individual to extraordinary accomplishments, or setting an example for others to carry.
Congratulations, Nathan!
This award is proudly sponsored by Nick FitzGibbon Let’s Talk Real Estate
As we all know, the 2022 real estate market came out flying. We were seeing sale prices climb and climb month after month and inevitably that climb has stopped. These past 30 days we have seen a major cool-off in the market. There are a number of factors that have contributed to this, but mainly the increase in inventory as well as the interest rate increase have left a lot of potential buyers on the sidelines. Anyone who wants to move but has a house they need to sell is skeptical of what they will sell their home for, creating doubt in the market.
2017 had a very similar feel as the year went on. In June 2017 we saw a major “cool off” in the market that slowly picked itself back up throughout the Summer and into the Fall. I would imagine we will see a more balanced market over these next few months with things slowly, but surely picking up.
If you have any questions about the highs and lows of this real estate market, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Hume Sanctuary in Puslinch a rare opportunity to build your dream home.
The word sanctuary doesn’t get thrown around often, and for good reason.
It connotes a real sense of peace and calm, which this Puslinch property has in abundance.
69 Hume Road is a 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom, two-storey home with an incredible 6,085 sq ft of living space. It offers the latest in modern design, features and finishes, with light-hued hardwood floors and massive floor-to-ceiling windows throughout that maximize exposure to the outdoors and let the light shine in.
The views from every room are calming and serene, as you’re completely surrounded by nature here; these vistas are grounding and give the home a real feeling of retreat.
The main level features a stunning open concept kitchen with premium appliances, state-of-the-art fixtures and a large centre island with generous stone countertops. The living spaces include a great room and a dining room that feature hardwood flooring and a gas fireplace.
A beautiful deck helps to create a seamless indoor-to-outdoor experience.
The primary bedroom, on the second level, is a showstopper. It includes custom hand-crafted closets that lead to a private ensuite; here you’ll find a dual-sink vanity, rain shower and a gorgeous soaker tub.
This home also includes a fully finished walkout basement, as well as a spacious three-car garage.
The builder, RA Sanctuaries, is currently building a home on Wellington Rd 34.
“The design this builder has put together is very exciting. The features in this home and the location will truly be one of a kind,” says REALTOR® Nick FitzGibbon. “The great thing about this listing is the purchaser has the opportunity to work directly with the builder and their team to put their touch on this property.”
The home sits on a sprawling 11-acre lot, with privacy, abundant greenery and the flexibility to make any additions and enhancements you like. You could easily envision an elegant outdoor entertaining space, thoughtfully landscaped, that might include a pool, hot tub, outdoor kitchen or gazebo. Gardeners will be excited by the opportunity to plant their dream garden beds here, filling them with flowers and plants, fruit trees, herbs and vegetables, or all of the above.
“Eleven acres give the homeowner the opportunity to build a private oasis. Choosing the placement of the home on the lot and designing the landscaping to suit their needs makes 69 Hume Road such a rare opportunity,” says the agent.
You have the best of both worlds, as the home is surrounded by nature, yet you’re still so close to city life, just minutes from Guelph’s south end and with easy access to the 401. The township of Puslinch in Wellington County is a great community that offers lots of fun activities, festivals and events for the family, including the Aberfoyle Farmers’ Market, flea market, an annual fall fair and more.
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