An expertly designed interior, breathtaking ravine lot, and premium locale directly across from the entrance to High Park and Grenadier Pond, complete this four-plus-one bedroom, six-bath home in Toronto, Ontario Canada.
This home perfectly suits both family and entertaining with its 4,441 square feet of living space over all levels, over 2,000 square feet of finished exterior space and four walk-outs and professional landscaping. Other features include Crestron automation, beautiful custom millwork, an elevator connecting all four levels, snow melt system, and much more.
“Visitors love the fireplace and privacy of the front patio, which overlooks High Park,” says listing agent Paul Nusca of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices West Realty, who is listing the home for $5.2 million. “This home feels like you are on a vacation and perfect for an affluent middle-aged couple.”
Living Room photo by James Dear, The Lighting Judge. Photos courtesy of Paul Nusca.
Susan Macarz loves the extraordinary, which is why she provides nothing but exceptional service and results to her clients. She knows that hiring a Toronto real estate agent is essential if you want to reduce your work, risk, and stress. Susan’s specialty is finding the perfect houses for sale in Toronto’s upscale and luxurious neighborhoods.
With her passion for interior design, she can focus in on your style, providing you with the best condos in Toronto. When you work with Susan, she listens to your needs and requirements. Susan can help you imagine yourself in the new space or find exceptional buyers who match your home’s personality. She is quick-witted, using her experience to assist in all kinds of buying and selling matters.
From Toronto townhouses and condos, to luxury penthouses and semi-detached homes, to single family homes or luxury estate homes, Susan can connect you with your dream home.
By Jessica Ganga and Marlene Ridgway
North Cyprus
“With 300 days of sunshine, golden beaches, friendly people, and stunning countryside, it’s no wonder that many visitors seriously consider buying property in North Cyprus,” explains Aylin Pelin Onar, Broker/Owner and Global Luxury Ambassador of Coldwell Banker Maximum.
Cyprus consists of 480 miles of stunning coastline, attracting buyers from all over the world. ©iStockPhoto.com / Mindstorm-Inc.
As the third-largest island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus boasts 480 miles of coastline, citrus groves, gorgeous beaches and has a capital growth average of 20 to 40 percent annually over the past three years, making it a prime opportunity for luxury buyers, according to Onar. There’s also a certain mystery surrounding the island that is appealing. “It’s no surprise that according to legend, Julius Caesar gave the island to Cleopatra as a token of his love.”
With the highest-priced listing in the area being an $8 million, 150,000-square-meter villa built on a private hill, it’s clear that there is an expanding demand for luxury properties. “Our market is growing due to improving local and international economic conditions,” says Onar. Situated between three continents, Europe, Asia, and Africa, the location has contributed to the growing international market. “We are receiving clients from Turkey, Russia, Scandinavian countries, the Middle East, England, Israel and Australia,” notes Onar.
With the continuing development of new constructions and homes, the luxury market is expected to keep expanding to sustain the demand. Up and coming areas such as East of Kyrenia can provide the 5-star accommodations that luxury buyers now expect, including social facilities such as gym centers, spas, pools, and high security. “East of Kyrenia is the shining star, especially with its seafront luxury sites. The natural beauty, beautiful beaches, amazing mountain views, 18-hole international golf course, and 5-star hotels with casinos are the attraction points of this area,” says Onar.
Aylin Pelin Onar
Broker/Owner, Global Luxury Ambassador
Luxury properties in Esentepe, Kyrenia, North Cyprus embrace the island’s natural beauty, such as this home with gorgeous ocean views that sold recently for $900,000 USD. Photo courtesy of Sadi Yolgecen.
Recently sold for $7.7 million USD in Kyrenia, North Cyprus, this house examplifies the ultra-luxury listings available. Photo courtesy of Sadi Yolegecen.
Canada
With its diverse landscape and abundance of land, Canada is an ideal location for luxury buyers seeking a new place to call home. Of Canada’s many cities, Toronto is one that is family friendly and among the safest in the country. “People see Canada as a safe place to invest their money and raise their family. Toronto is the biggest city in the country and the financial centre of the country,” says Barry Cohen, Broker at RE/MAX Realtron Barry Cohen Homes Inc., Brokerage in Toronto.
As Canada’s largest city, Toronto has grown to be a rich metropolis with no shortage of things to do. “It’s a very cosmopolitan, multicultural city,” says Susan Macarz, Broker at RE/MAX Ultimate Realty Inc. Brokerage. Toronto boasts picturesque parks and playgrounds, country clubs, a theater district and nightclubs, to only name a few. Toronto also features some of the best schools in the country, attracting families seeking to provide their children with a top-notch education, according to Macarz.
Toronto, the largest city in Canada. ©iStockPhoto.com / PGIAM.
Toronto’s real estate market is diverse and continuously changing. “What’s happening is that there is very little land left in Toronto, so what people do is they buy big properties with an older house on it and they tear it down because they are buying it for land value,” says Macarz … Another trend that Macarz noted was the increase of townhomes and condominiums in the area, specifically Central Toronto, adding to the variety. “What I’m finding more often now is … there’s townhomes that are being built along the major streets. These townhomes start at about $1.5 million CAD and up,” says Macarz. Tall high-rises are being built that feature luxurious condominiums that have sizeable square footage, according to Macarz.
Along with urban-styled living spaces, Toronto is home to spectacular estates and mansions. According to Macarz, luxury buyers can find homes priced from about $4 million CAD to $30 million CAD. The most expensive listing in Toronto is located in the Bridle Path area, on the market for $32 million CAD by Cohen’s team. “It’s a magnificent multi-generational estate with a completely separate two story in-law apartment with its own entrance, elevator, and garage,” says Cohen. The 35,000-square-foot home also features an indoor pool and tennis courts.
Overall, both Macarz and Cohen made clear that Toronto is a premier location for people seeking to find their dream home.
In the St. Andrew-Windfields area of Toronto, elegance and contemporary blend in this listing recently sold for $7.1 million CAD by the Barry Cohen Team. Photo courtesy of Barry Cohen.
Barry Cohen
Broker, RE/MAX Realtron, Barry Cohen Homes Inc. Brokerage
Susan Macarz
Broker, RE/MAX Ultimate, Realty Inc. Brokerage
This editorial appeared in the Unique Homes Global ’19 Issue.
Cheri McCann
McCann Realty Group Ltd.
3307 Yonge Street, Toronto, Canada
416.481.2355 | cheri@cherimccann.com | www.mccannrealty.ca
McCann Realty is one of the finest boutique brokerages in Toronto. Cheri, ranked among the top 7 agents in Canada with her previous brokerage, has over 30 years of experience in Toronto’s high-end real estate market. Our clients have access to a team of highly experienced specialized agents with intimate knowledge of the Toronto market providing our clients with white glove service, deep practical expertise, exclusive access to opportunities, and a strong network of buyers and sellers. Hardwork and integrity get you the results you want!
HARDWORK — INTEGRITY — RESULTS
Listing by Cheri McCann
2 CHEDINGTON PLACE PH | BRIDLE PATH
One-of-a-kind, 2-story penthouse with 4 bedrooms and 6 baths in Bridle Path. Private elevator to the 8th and 9th floor, 5,390 square feet, 4 terraces, 4 parking spaces, and 2 lockers. $8,100,000.
Cheri McCann originally appeared as an Elite agent in the Unique Homes Spring ’17: Elite edition. See her page here.
Canada’s cool climate is yielding to hot markets, attracting buyers from around the world.
Agents showing Canadian real estate agree that areas such as Cambridge, Central Toronto, Nova Scotia, and Downtown Montreal and are appealing to buyers and families from all over the world. Their proximity to accommodating cities and the suburban feel are attracting a plethora of buyers, and these regions are only expected to grow.
Attracting buyers to the province of Nova Scotia, Mariana Cowan of Coldwell Banker Supercity speaks to the area’s growth. “With 878 parks, 33 beaches, 532 trails and pathways, universities, research and development, Nova Scotia is a great place to invest. Sales in July 2018 were the best they’ve been in six years,” she says.
Amy Assaad of Royal LePage Heritage in the Downtown Montreal and Westmount area explains that buyers there do not necessarily fit into a specific demographic. “Many properties are within walking distance to Mount Royal, but are also close in proximity to the city,” says Assaad. The variety of opportunities are attracting “many local buyers and foreigners, especially from the United States,” she says.
For Assaad, a considerable draw for buyers is The Golden Square Mile, which has been compared to New York City’s 5th Avenue. “The Golden Square Mile offers fine art museums, 5-star restaurants, endless shopping, and Mount Royal,” she says. In Cowan’s province, “You can have the seaside lifestyle that Nova Scotia is famous for, and be within minutes of our capital city of Halifax,” according to Cowan. Assaad also explains how growth is in the future. “The architecture in the area is already beautiful, and it will continue to increase in value,” she says.
With a slightly different view, Susan Macarz of RE/MAX Ultimate Realty Toronto, Ontario contends that those buying Canadian real estate do fit into a certain demographic. “Most are successful in business, whether immigrating or moving up.” Although that does not limit those suited to buy in the area. Buyers hailing from a diverse range of cultures come seeking financial independence, according to Macarz.
“Buyers come from all over the globe,” Macarz says, without neglecting her local clients. “There are also many Torontonians that are moving up and desire a country home, or a larger home for their family,” she says.
Steve Bailey of RE/MAX Real Estate Center in Cambridge, Ontario also notes that the diversity among buyers is a selling point, especially for those coming from the Greater Toronto Area. “I think what it really boils down to is that all of these cities are great places to live, work and raise a family. Each is a diverse and thriving community with a unique blend of urban and rural areas,” he says.
Similar to Assaad and Macarz, Bailey agrees that the area accommodates many different types of buyers. “We have a lot of manufacturing locally, which supports many of the families we have in the region. And we have a lot of professionals who commute out of the city,” says Bailey. “It really creates a wonderful blend of people and personalities.”
Photos courtesy of Steve Bailey. Rendering courtesy of Amy Assaad
This originally appeared in Unique Homes Fall ’18
Overlooking the beautiful countryside in Calgary, Alberta Canada, this exquisitely appointed country estate home sits majestically atop an escarpment with views of the Rocky Mountains.
“This home feels like an English country manor where family royals escape to relax in the warmth of magnificent space,” says Rachelle Starnes of The Starnes Group with Coldwell Banker Complete Real Estate who is listed the property.
Features include over 9,000 developed square feet, 6 bedrooms, 6 baths, an art gallery central hall, intricately designed iron staircase railings, walnut flooring, a living room with a central wood-burning fireplace, a custom kitchen with a breakfast nook, floor-to-ceiling windows, a six-diamond master wing covering the entire upper west side and a main-floor guest room.
The home, listed for $3.575 CDN, also features a lower level with a media room, bar area, wine cellar and exercise room.
“This property is perfect for those who seek refinement in a country setting,” says Starnes.
Offering an Idyllic lifestyle in a private setting, this luxury home in Mono, Ontario, Canada is surrounded by trails, a forest, meadows, outstanding views and outbuildings for a winning combination.
“Set way back from the road with a heated shop and barns, this property is capable of being home to not only to your family, but your dreams as well — horses, cars, yoga, dogs, painting or a wellness center,” says listing agent Sarah Lunn of Coldwell Banker Ronan Realty.
Listed for $1.599 million, the lavish stone, 5,256-square-foot bungalow features five bedrooms, four baths, multiple walk outs and a two-car detached heated garage with an office for the ultimate in versatility.
“The open concept style, soaring ceilings and views from every window make this home stand out from the rest,” says Lunn. “Just bring your dreams and this property will make it a reality.”
Leslie Cannon
RE/MAX Crest Realty
1428 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6H 1C1
604.790.6624 | Leslie@LeslieCannon.com | www.LeslieCannon.com
Leslie Cannon is an award-winning Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist who provides a superior level of service in assisting high-profile clients buy and sell luxury homes and condominiums in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Her experience as a REALTOR® with a highly reputable brand in Vancouver for the past 15 years, in addition to her global expertise and business acumen earned through past sales and marketing roles, lends to her focus on service excellence and strategic negotiations for a wide range of clients and their real estate needs. Leslie welcomes your connection.
Featured Listing by Leslie Cannon
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
The Rosemary Manor
A stunning example of Vancouver’s history is evident in this 9,000-square-foot mansion situated on three-quarters of an acre. This 8-bedroom home has been beautifully updated.
$36,800,000 CAD
Leslie Cannon originally appeared as an Elite agent in the Unique Homes Spring ’18: Elite edition. See her page here.
Despite recent financial and economic adversity, Canada has become a real estate hot spot that entices both national and international buyers.
By Kristen Ordonez
This villa-inspired residence in Toronto’s Hoggs Hollow sold for $5.525 million. It offers ravine views and multiple walk-outs to an expansive slate terrace and pristine landscaped gardens.
Photo courtesy Barry Cohen
Buyers are continuing to invest in luxury Canadian real estate and making competition fierce, according to Broker Barry Cohen for RE/MAX Realtron in the Greater Toronto Area. Cohen, as well as other agents within Canada, affirm that the success of these markets are mainly due in part to foreign investors, particularly from mainland China.
“They are singularly focused on the quality of life,” Cohen states, focusing on family safety, top-rated schools and real estate opportunities focused on asset growth. Due to this heightened interest, development and rebuilding projects have changed as well. In-fill housing has become more prominent within Toronto and nearby areas in efforts to appeal to Chinese investors, to “satisfy their need for ‘the new’ and then build to the maximum amount they can,” Cohen says.
Sam McDadi, agent and sales representative for Sam McDadi Real Estate Inc., also finds that people are looking for real estate within the Greater Toronto Area more frequently after changes within the economy. “Our Canadian dollar has been devaluated in recent years, making our real estate even more attractive to foreign buyers,” said McDadi. Regardless of this, McDadi believes that there is a healthy equilibrium of supply and demand of luxury homes. “It’s a balanced market and there is enough inventory to satisfy luxury clienteles,” he says.
In general, these agents agree that the amenities are really what attract people to Canada. In Alberta, Mark Evernden, president of sales for Engel & Völkers Alberta, notes that the Rocky Mountain views and skiing tend to bring people to Calgary. He notes the resort town of Banff specifically, a global international destination that is known for hiking, camping and world-class ski resorts.
In Mississauga and Oakville, McDadi highlights a variety of community and cultural comforts that are present and entice potential buyers. Both cities offer world-class restaurants, vibrant art communities and living arts centers, and Lake Ontario. “Living in south Mississauga or Oakville allows homeowners the privilege of being in close proximity to Toronto, one of the cleanest and safest world-class cities in the world,” says McDadi.
Left: Offering a finished basement and a dream kitchen with a built-in wine cooler, this Oakville home sold for $2.39 million. Right: This dramatic $5.888 million home in Oakville recently sold, featuring 10,700 square feet, a Scarlett O’Hara-style staircase and a dining room with a 20-foot domed ceiling. Photos courtesy Sam McDadi
Earlier this year, the Ontario government implemented a 15-percent foreign buyer’s tax to “cool down” an inflated housing market in the Greater Toronto Area. This tax is similar to a 15-percent tax that was applied to the British Columbia housing market, mainly in the Metro Vancouver Area. Both measures were made in an effort to bring down housing prices for all. Prices and sales did drop slightly toward the end of 2016 and the second quarter of 2017, but eventually rose back up at a steadier pace, reflecting stable, healthy markets across the country.
According to The Royal LePage National House Price Composite, the price of a home in Canada increased 13.3 percent year over year in this third quarter. Along with this, the median prices of different housing options, from two-story homes to bungalows to condominiums, have grown between 9.5 to 15.2 percent.
In Alberta, Evernden opened his branch two and a half years ago to appeal to the luxury market. He notes that although resources have been depleting within the oil industry, the luxury division has rebounded and commercial leasing in the downtown market is running upwards. “We are in a stable position, and anticipation of [total] recovery won’t be for another year,” Evernden says.
In Mississauga and Oakville, the entry price point for a home is about $3 million, according to McDadi, and typically features about 4,500 square feet of living space. In the York Mills area of Toronto, Cohen notes that the average luxury home is priced between $7 million to $10 million with about 6,000 to 7,000 square feet. Within the Calgary market, a new home has a $1.5 million to $1.8 million average price point. Homes at the top of the spectrum offer even more, from the $25 million listing in Alberta with 2 private lakes to the $35 million listing from Barry Cohen with 30,000 square feet and a tennis court on the river’s edge.
This 7.85-acre gated estate in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada is an entertainer’s dream and features two luxury residences and approximately two acres of vineyard planted in Gewurztraminer grapes, which is enough to supply nearly 1,000 bottles of wine.
“What makes this property unique is the private, gated, tree-lined driveway leading you to a park-like setting with your own private lake, playground, tennis court, outdoor living area and a dream workshop,” says listing agent Jane Hoffman of Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty. “It has a luxury country vibe.”
Listed for $5.498 million Canadian, the property also includes a saltwater pool, hot tub and a 4-car garage — all lending to the breathtaking views of the lake, city and valley.
The main 3-bedroom, 4-bath home is custom-designed and includes a two-tone granite island kitchen, main-floor master and a lower level with a recreation room with a granite wetbar, his and her offices, home theater room and play area. Additionally, there is a 3-bedroom guest residence perfect for visiting family and friends.
“This property is adaptable and flexible,” says Hoffman. “It could be perfect for empty nesters who like to entertain or a family looking for room to roam.”
