Affordable Curb Appeal Upgrades!

Top 3 Trends for Toronto Homes This Spring

Curb appeal isn’t just for luxury homes—small, affordable upgrades can have a big impact on how welcoming and well-maintained your home looks. Whether you’re thinking of selling or just want to refresh your exterior, this spring’s trends focus on budget-friendly improvements that add value without breaking the bank. Here are three easy and affordable ways to boost your home’s curb appeal in Toronto.

1. Refresh Your Front Door with Paint & Accents

A fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to transform your home’s exterior. This year, rich blues, deep greens, and warm terracottas are the top choices for a welcoming and stylish front door. Adding modern hardware—like a sleek door handle, knocker, or new house numbers—can instantly make your entryway look more polished. If your budget allows, upgrading to a contemporary light fixture can further enhance the look, giving your home an updated feel.

Budget Tip: Most high-quality exterior paint costs under $50, and new hardware can be found for under $100.

2. Low-Maintenance Landscaping for Maximum Impact

You don’t need a full garden overhaul to improve your curb appeal. Simple changes, like adding fresh mulch, trimming overgrown hedges, and planting native flowers or ornamental grasses, can make your home look instantly neater. Toronto homeowners are also opting for container gardens with low-maintenance plants like boxwood, lavender, and succulents to add charm without requiring constant upkeep.

Budget Tip: A bag of mulch costs around $10, and native perennials like black-eyed Susans or echinacea are affordable and come back every year.

3. Update Your Porch & Walkway with Small Touches

Improving your home’s entryway doesn’t have to mean expensive renovations. A clean, clutter-free porch with a seasonal wreath, a new doormat, and a few potted plants can make a huge difference. If your walkway is looking worn, consider power washing it or adding inexpensive solar-powered pathway lights to brighten the space.

Budget Tip: A good power wash costs nothing if you borrow a machine or rent one for under $50. Solar lights start at around $5 each and can make a dramatic impact at night.

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Final Thoughts

Upgrading your home’s exterior doesn’t have to cost thousands. A fresh coat of paint, tidy landscaping, and simple porch updates can dramatically improve curb appeal on a budget. Whether you plan to sell or just want to come home to a more inviting space, these easy and affordable updates will make your home shine this spring.

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Toronto Beaches Real Estate in 2025:

What You Need to Know

The real estate market in the Toronto Beaches is starting 2025 on a positive note. With lower interest rates and new policies making it easier to buy a home, we’re seeing more confidence from both buyers and sellers. While housing prices remain high, this year is shaping up to be more active than 2024. Here’s what’s happening in the market and what it means for you.

Mortgage Rates Are Dropping

The Bank of Canada just lowered interest rates, making it cheaper to borrow money for a home. The current rate is now 3.00%, and experts predict it could drop even further to 2.00–2.50% by the end of the year. If that happens, fixed mortgage rates could settle around 4%, making monthly payments more affordable than they were last year.

Good News for First-Time Buyers

If you’re looking to buy your first home, there’s more help available. The government has raised the limit on insured mortgages from $1 million to $1.5 million. This means buyers can put down a smaller down payment, making it easier to afford a home—especially in high-demand areas like the Beaches.

More Homes Will Be Sold This Year

Because borrowing is getting cheaper, more people are expected to enter the market. Home sales in Toronto could rise by 6–8% compared to last year. In the Beaches, we expect more listings and a more active spring and summer market.

Housing Is Still Expensive

Even with lower mortgage rates, home prices remain high. In Toronto, the average price of a home is $1,120,000 and could reach $1,150,000–$1,175,000 by the end of the year. In the Beaches, detached homes are still selling for over $1.5 million. While prices won’t skyrocket, they are expected to rise 3–5% this year.

New Rules to Protect Buyers and Sellers

New laws under Ontario’s Trust in Real Estate Services Act (TRESA) will take effect this year, making real estate transactions more transparent and secure. These changes will help ensure that buyers and sellers have better protection and clearer information throughout the process.

What This Means for the Beaches Community

With the market becoming more active, now is a good time to start planning if you’re thinking about buying or selling. Lower mortgage rates mean buyers will have more purchasing power, and sellers may see more interest in their homes.

We’ve already seen more activity in the Beaches this year compared to 2024. However, affordability remains a challenge, and political changes in both Canada and the U.S. could impact the market.

If you’re curious about how these changes might affect your situation, we’d love to chat. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just keeping an eye on the market, we’re here to help.

—Adrienne & Bram

A&B Home Upgrade: Why Go Tankless?

The Benefits of Switching to a Tankless Water Heater

Considering a new water heating system? Switching from a traditional hot water tank to a tankless, on-demand water heater comes with significant advantages for your home, budget, and lifestyle.  This topic seems to be coming up more and more!  Twice in January did we have clients or friends reach out regarding the pros and cons about upgrading to a tankless, on demand water heating system.  Adrienne switched last year, just in time for the girls competition season, and all the hot showers to rinse out that hairspray!!  Read on to see why this upgrade may be right for you!

1. Energy Efficiency

Save Energy: Tankless systems heat water only when needed, reducing energy waste.

Lower Bills: Enjoy noticeable savings on your utility costs over time.

2. Endless Hot Water

Never run out of hot water, even during long showers or while using multiple appliances.

3. Space-Saving Design

Compact and wall-mounted, tankless systems free up valuable floor space.

4. Longer Lifespan

Lasting 20+ years, tankless water heaters outlive traditional tanks and often feature replaceable parts for extended use.

5. Cleaner Water

Avoid sediment buildup common in traditional tanks, providing better water quality for your home.

Ready to upgrade or curious if a tankless water heater is right for your home? Reach out!  We have trusted, dependable and affordable trades we trust to work in our homes and our clients.  

Have it? Need it?

We are off to an early start on the spring market.  Demand is growing, and supply, particularly in the east end, namely the Beaches, is very low.  If you are curious about your personal situation, we are always here to chat!  

Have It?

Buyer seeks a home in PRIME Beach (Tree Streets) $2.5-4M. Is this your house or a friend’s? Please share or contact us!

Need it!

BUYER seeking starter home in Upper Beach/Birchcliff under $1M. If you know a seller, please contact us!