About

Case Studies

CASE STUDIES

Four Very Different Clients With Varied Real Estate Goals And Aspirations

CASE STUDIES

Four Very Different Clients With Varied Real Estate Goals And Aspirations

CASE STUDY 1

It's a Family Affair

AN OVERVIEW

An Overview

Rachael McManus is a Creative Director at a marketing agency called REVXM. Rachael can best be described as a practical go-getter and a self-proclaimed film and TV nerd. Rachael and her partner, PJ, love to travel. Rachael is very close to her family and spends much time with her parents, brother, sister-in-law and two nieces. To say the Mcmanus clan is a tight knit family would be an understatement.

Rachael has always had a fundamental interest in real estate and looked to make a shrewd investment. When she first met Fox Marin, she was in her late 20’s, living at home with her parents and interested in breaking into the highly expensive and fast-moving Toronto real estate market. Rachael was explicitly interested in purchasing a pre-construction condo in Toronto and viewed the Toronto Real estate as an excellent investment. Despite the high cost of entry, she wanted to get in ASAP because she saw the long-term potential in investing in Toronto Real estate.

THE JOURNEY

The Journey

Rachael took Pilates for many years and became good friends with her teacher, who happened to be a mutual friend of Kori’s. Within the first 30 seconds of her first meeting with Kori, Rachael “knew Kori was a rock star,” and the two became fast friends. According to Rachael, “meeting Kori and Ralph changed my life in the best possible way!”! Since that first meeting nearly ten years ago, Fox Marin has helped Rachel, her friends, and her family achieve their real estate goals.

From a young age, Rachel has wanted to own multiple properties because she saw many people who benefited from it later in life. Getting into the Toronto Real estate market as a first-time solo buyer is no easy task. Kori found Rachael the perfect pre-construction condo with everything on Rachael’s wants list in a great up-and-coming area. Rachael was able to acquire a condo she not only would later live in but something that would continue to appreciate and have as an asset for years to come.

Since Rachael’s acquisition, the condo has doubled in value and given her the equity to purchase a freehold property while keeping her current condo as an investment, which was always her goal from the outset.When Rachael’s brother and sister-in-law wanted to invest in the Toronto Real estate market, they wanted to implement a similar investment strategy. Fox Marin was able to secure a unit in a super popular, upcoming build at Galleria on the park, which no doubt will continue to appreciate for years to come.

Over the years, Rachael’s parents had gotten to know the Fox Marin team. When it came time for Rachael’s mother and aunt to sell the family home downtown, they reached out to the Fox Marin team. The house was built in 1875 and needed some TLC, plus Rachaels’s aunt needed to be relocated to a new home…no easy feat after 69 years of residence. The process of selling the house was very emotional and stressful for the entire family. Kori, Ralph and the whole Fox Marin team were there to navigate and support the sale every step of the way. They ended up getting an incredible sale price for the house, which was $500k over asking. The final sale price well exceeded the Macmanus family’s expectations. In addition, the Fox Marin team helped find a rental property for the aunt who had lived in the house her whole life. She is now in a condo on Old Mill and loves her new residence. According to Rachael’s mom, Odette, “We are so grateful for their support and continued commitment and know they will always be there for us when we next need them… we’ve got a bond that can’t be broken.”

THE CLIENT INSIDER

The Client Insider

If you could go back in time and give yourself advice when you were starting out, what would it be?

Trust the process and get into the market as soon as you can.

How have your real-estate decisions influenced your lifestyle and/or your personal goals?

Owning property has shown me the fantastic investment real estate is, and it has changed how I save my money and what I purchase. My goal is to invest the bulk of my additional income in more property.

What would be the Top 3 things you learned along the way about yourself or about real estate in general?

  1. Push yourself to the top of your budget.
  2. Think long-term concerning space and cost. Your lifestyle, income, and situation may be very different in a year, especially if you haven’t reached your top earning potential in a stage of life. I wasn’t thinking far enough ahead when I purchased the condo, and that is a lesson I will take with me for any future
    purchases.
  3. Buy as much as you can!

For someone just starting in their real-estate journey, what advice would you give them?

I would tell anyone starting in their real estate journey to have faith. It can be a roller-coaster ride but have faith that everything will work out and you will achieve your goals. Be prepared to be logical and realistic with the compromises you will ultimately need to make and, of course, only work with Fox Marin.

Do you have any regrets? For example, kick yourself for not jumping on a property or out-bidding someone in a multiple offer scenario or listening to your family’s advice?

I kick myself now for not purchasing a two-bedroom when buying pre-construction, but you can’t have regrets.

THE RESULT

The Result

Rachael always loved Toronto Real Estate and understood the power of long-term thinking in a market with solid fundamentals like Toronto’s. Rachael firsthand had seen how others have prospered through investing and owning Toronto Real estate. By making an intelligent Pre-construction acquisition into the Toronto market using the strategy of paying the deposits slowly over time while saving and living at home, Rachel could afford a condo. That property has now doubled in value. Having built up this equity, Rachael and her partner will keep the condo, pull out equity on a refinance and buy a freehold house, setting themselves on the path to retirement through owning and building equity in Toronto real estate. Her brother and sister-in-law have utilized the same strategy, and Rachael’s mom and aunt were able to do the same by selling the family home for a record price and using the proceeds to set themselves up for retirement- all through long-term thinking and strategic execution.

An Overview

Rachael McManus is a Creative Director at a marketing agency called REVXM. Rachael can best be described as a practical go-getter and a self-proclaimed film and TV nerd. Rachael and her partner, PJ, love to travel. Rachael is very close to her family and spends much time with her parents, brother, sister-in-law and two nieces. To say the Mcmanus clan is a tight knit family would be an understatement.

Rachael has always had a fundamental interest in real estate and looked to make a shrewd investment. When she first met Fox Marin, she was in her late 20’s, living at home with her parents and interested in breaking into the highly expensive and fast-moving Toronto real estate market. Rachael was explicitly interested in purchasing a pre-construction condo in Toronto and viewed the Toronto Real estate as an excellent investment. Despite the high cost of entry, she wanted to get in ASAP because she saw the long-term potential in investing in Toronto Real estate.

The Journey

Rachael took Pilates for many years and became good friends with her teacher, who happened to be a mutual friend of Kori’s. Within the first 30 seconds of her first meeting with Kori, Rachael “knew Kori was a rock star,” and the two became fast friends. According to Rachael, “meeting Kori and Ralph changed my life in the best possible way!”! Since that first meeting nearly ten years ago, Fox Marin has helped Rachel, her friends, and her family achieve their real estate goals.

From a young age, Rachel has wanted to own multiple properties because she saw many people who benefited from it later in life. Getting into the Toronto Real estate market as a first-time solo buyer is no easy task. Kori found Rachael the perfect pre-construction condo with everything on Rachael’s wants list in a great up-and-coming area. Rachael was able to acquire a condo she not only would later live in but something that would continue to appreciate and have as an asset for years to come.

Since Rachael’s acquisition, the condo has doubled in value and given her the equity to purchase a freehold property while keeping her current condo as an investment, which was always her goal from the outset.When Rachael’s brother and sister-in-law wanted to invest in the Toronto Real estate market, they wanted to implement a similar investment strategy. Fox Marin was able to secure a unit in a super popular, upcoming build at Galleria on the park, which no doubt will continue to appreciate for years to come.

Over the years, Rachael’s parents had gotten to know the Fox Marin team. When it came time for Rachael’s mother and aunt to sell the family home downtown, they reached out to the Fox Marin team. The house was built in 1875 and needed some TLC, plus Rachaels’s aunt needed to be relocated to a new home…no easy feat after 69 years of residence. The process of selling the house was very emotional and stressful for the entire family. Kori, Ralph and the whole Fox Marin team were there to navigate and support the sale every step of the way. They ended up getting an incredible sale price for the house, which was $500k over asking. The final sale price well exceeded the Macmanus family’s expectations. In addition, the Fox Marin team helped find a rental property for the aunt who had lived in the house her whole life. She is now in a condo on Old Mill and loves her new residence. According to Rachael’s mom, Odette, “We are so grateful for their support and continued commitment and know they will always be there for us when we next need them… we’ve got a bond that can’t be broken.”

The Client Insider

If you could go back in time and give yourself advice when you were starting out, what would it be?

Trust the process and get into the market as soon as you can.

How have your real-estate decisions influenced your lifestyle and/or your personal goals?

Owning property has shown me the fantastic investment real estate is, and it has changed how I save my money and what I purchase. My goal is to invest the bulk of my additional income in more property.

What would be the Top 3 things you learned along the way about yourself or about real estate in general?

  1. Push yourself to the top of your budget.
  2. Think long-term concerning space and cost. Your lifestyle, income, and situation may be very different in a year, especially if you haven’t reached your top earning potential in a stage of life. I wasn’t thinking far enough ahead when I purchased the condo, and that is a lesson I will take with me for any future
    purchases.
  3. Buy as much as you can!

For someone just starting in their real-estate journey, what advice would you give them?

I would tell anyone starting in their real estate journey to have faith. It can be a roller-coaster ride but have faith that everything will work out and you will achieve your goals. Be prepared to be logical and realistic with the compromises you will ultimately need to make and, of course, only work with Fox Marin.

Do you have any regrets? For example, kick yourself for not jumping on a property or out-bidding someone in a multiple offer scenario or listening to your family’s advice?

I kick myself now for not purchasing a two-bedroom when buying pre-construction, but you can’t have regrets.

The Result

Rachael always loved Toronto Real Estate and understood the power of long-term thinking in a market with solid fundamentals like Toronto’s. Rachael firsthand had seen how others have prospered through investing and owning Toronto Real estate. By making an intelligent Pre-construction acquisition into the Toronto market using the strategy of paying the deposits slowly over time while saving and living at home, Rachel could afford a condo. That property has now doubled in value. Having built up this equity, Rachael and her partner will keep the condo, pull out equity on a refinance and buy a freehold house, setting themselves on the path to retirement through owning and building equity in Toronto real estate. Her brother and sister-in-law have utilized the same strategy, and Rachael’s mom and aunt were able to do the same by selling the family home for a record price and using the proceeds to set themselves up for retirement- all through long-term thinking and strategic execution.

CASE STUDY 2

The Art of Leverage

AN OVERVIEW

An Overview

A thriving couple in their early sixties with three adult children and one granddaughter play to win. Lovers of art, fitness (+wine), and all things real estate-related, this duo had an action plan that required some thoughtful timing and some even more significant moves.

Lidia started planning her financial future at the age of twenty-five! As soon as she saved enough money for her down payment, she acquired her very first property. These budding business instincts would pay off down the road with the ability to leverage and springboard off that initial purchase. This is why Fox Marin often reminds first-timers that the first property is the hardest (and scariest) one – but after that, Toronto real-estate becomes much more fun and empowering. Lidia describes herself as a go-getter but always appreciates a second opinion. She loves the search, the strategy and is always considering properties’ upside potential down the road!

THE JOURNEY

The Journey

Initially, Lidia was only looking to acquire additional properties solely for investment purposes. She and her family were established in their family home, so diversifying their financial portfolio was a top priority at the time. She knew the market was climbing fast, so she wanted to get in on the action before things became unattainable. In addition, Lidia instinctively knew that unique properties in gentrifying areas would have a more favourable return on investment down the road. With the dream in place, Lidia retained Kori Marin of Fox Marin to assist in the process, knowing she was qualified, well-rounded, and willing to dive in with both feet to get the job done. With a long personal friendship with Kori, transparency and trust was a no-brainer!

By maximizing the equity in their Forest Hill home, they were off to the races with their eye on one particular prize. A loft conversion in Davenport Village.

Unfortunately, nothing was coming up for sale, and owners were holding their cards close to their chests. In light of this, Kori initiated a personal letter-writing campaign to every owner in the building to see if she could tease out any potential sellers! And, lo and behold – she got three bites! After some back and forth, Kori managed to secure a lovely loft space at a competitive price for Lidia. And, with that one acquisition, Lidia’s excitement in Toronto real-estate was re-kindled! Lidia expected to make money, but she didn’t expect to make more in real estate than any other financial investment. And, so it began.

Over the next few years, their first investment property built significant equity – in fact, it tripled in value. And, not a month went by without a Tenant paying the mortgage down. Simultaneously, it became clear that it was time to sell their family home of 20+ years and downsize. With their adult children moving onwards and upwards, it was time. However, Lidia and her husband didn’t want to downgrade their lifestyle. They weren’t ready for a condo, and they certainly weren’t prepared to move out of the city. So, instead of their next move being investment-driven, this one was personal (and emotional). It’s not easy to let go of all the memories of raising their kids at their family home, nor is it easy to deal with a home full of stuff they had acquired along the way too! So, their real-estate goals evolved. They were now on the hunt to find a perfect house in a great neighbourhood while also preparing to sell their ideal house in a great community. Trying to make a smart house swap while keeping finances, investment, and a retirement plan at the forefront of the search is not easy to pull off. With that in mind, they embarked on the hunt, and they saw many homes – and a lot of rubbish homes, to be honest. It took time and perseverance to find the right fit – there was no point in making a move without it being the right one. After some time and persistence, they finally discovered that one-off gem! It was turn-key, priced right, and located in a fun, attractive (and walkable) neighbourhood!

It was time to turn their attention to their beloved character home on Strathearn Blvd with the purchase secured. It needed to be packed up, freshened up, staged, styled, and photographed to perfection. Not to mention, they were in and out of Covid lockdowns at the time – a changing real-estate climate that felt unpredictable and somewhat foreboding. In this case, pricing was paramount to selling fast – there wasn’t time to “test the market” or work from a place of self-interest. From day one, Lidia was on board with the timing, the strategy, and the valuation. With some old-fashioned hustle from everyone involved – Fox Marin pulled off a beautiful listing in record time, scoring multiple offers the day they hit the market. Though Lidia admits to feeling emotional about letting go of this property, she knew it had been her family’s nest egg that had served their long-term goals and even more significant gains.

After buying, selling and moving – Lidia and her husband returned to the drawing board with their acquisition and a sale behind them. Knowing they had some financial reserves in their pocket and rapidly appreciating market conditions, they decided to land on one final investment property to close the loop on their real-estate portfolio.

Kori loved that Lidia is only interested in properties that she would be willing to live in herself – eliminating cookie-cutter condos, cheap townhomes, and highly gentrified neighbourhoods off the bat. No trips to City Place, Liberty Village or Fort York are required! However, this makes those needle-in-a-haystack properties harder to find from an investment perspective – knowing that an end-user will always be willing to pay more than an investor.After a few multiple offers scenarios, a couple of HGTV moments, and a slight cooling in condo market conditions, they managed to land on another hard loft to seal the deal. They had come full circle from where their real-estate relationship kicked off with a second property in the very same building!

Talk about maximizing what she had and making her money work for her! This story is a prime example of the power of leverage.

THE CLIENT INSIDER

The Client Insider

We asked Lidia a handful of questions about her real-estate experiences over the years, and this is what she had to say:

What would be the Top 3 things you learned along the way about yourself or about real estate in general?

My purchases are emotional – I have to love what I buy regardless of whether I’m living in it or if it’s merely an investment. I’m always looking at the potential resale value down the road and ensuring the property isn’t limited to one potential buyer or renter down the road. It’s a risk, no doubt, as any investment is. So I always play out worst-case scenarios.

Do you have any regrets?

We have one regret. My husband had sold his house back in 2003 because he thought the market had peaked. We didn’t jump back in until 2014. BIG, we’re talkin’ HUGE mistakes (this is my Pretty Woman moment)!

Has your work with Fox Marin impacted the way you look at the role of a real estate broker?

Yes, very much. Personally, I have gained so much respect for what they do. Never have I seen team work as hard and collectively as FoxMarin.

What did you enjoy, and what did you not enjoy?

I enjoyed all of it – seeing the different properties – learning more about different areas in the city – learning more about investment properties – how to maximize a golden egg – utilize the asset you have towards investing in more properties – finalizing the deals.

How have your real-estate decisions influenced your personal goals?

They have allowed us to invest wisely and plan long-term generational wealth for our family, which is the biggest reward of it all.

THE RESULT

The Result

In this case, Lidia and her husband could use the equity in their family to downsize and secure two additional investment properties without sacrificing location, value, and future upside. They were intelligent, considerate, and thoughtful about their acquisitions. They were also patient in waiting for the right opportunities at the right time. In this case, they worked as a team with Fox Marin to build a strong foundation-laying each brick at the perfect time. This successful real-estate story didn’t happen overnight – it took time to build, plan and execute. But what an achievement for this family! To know they have set themselves, their children, and their grandchildren up for the future. Though their real-estate moves are taken care of for the short-term, they 100% know they always have team-players in their court when they’re ready for their next big play!

And Fox Marin is confident they will recruit Lidia to join the team at some point (she would be a dynamo broker and star real-estate huntress)!

An Overview

A thriving couple in their early sixties with three adult children and one granddaughter play to win. Lovers of art, fitness (+wine), and all things real estate-related, this duo had an action plan that required some thoughtful timing and some even more significant moves.

Lidia started planning her financial future at the age of twenty-five! As soon as she saved enough money for her down payment, she acquired her very first property. These budding business instincts would pay off down the road with the ability to leverage and springboard off that initial purchase. This is why Fox Marin often reminds first-timers that the first property is the hardest (and scariest) one – but after that, Toronto real-estate becomes much more fun and empowering. Lidia describes herself as a go-getter but always appreciates a second opinion. She loves the search, the strategy and is always considering properties’ upside potential down the road!

The Journey

Initially, Lidia was only looking to acquire additional properties solely for investment purposes. She and her family were established in their family home, so diversifying their financial portfolio was a top priority at the time. She knew the market was climbing fast, so she wanted to get in on the action before things became unattainable. In addition, Lidia instinctively knew that unique properties in gentrifying areas would have a more favourable return on investment down the road. With the dream in place, Lidia retained Kori Marin of Fox Marin to assist in the process, knowing she was qualified, well-rounded, and willing to dive in with both feet to get the job done. With a long personal friendship with Kori, transparency and trust was a no-brainer!

By maximizing the equity in their Forest Hill home, they were off to the races with their eye on one particular prize. A loft conversion in Davenport Village.

Unfortunately, nothing was coming up for sale, and owners were holding their cards close to their chests. In light of this, Kori initiated a personal letter-writing campaign to every owner in the building to see if she could tease out any potential sellers! And, lo and behold – she got three bites! After some back and forth, Kori managed to secure a lovely loft space at a competitive price for Lidia. And, with that one acquisition, Lidia’s excitement in Toronto real-estate was re-kindled! Lidia expected to make money, but she didn’t expect to make more in real estate than any other financial investment. And, so it began.

Over the next few years, their first investment property built significant equity – in fact, it tripled in value. And, not a month went by without a Tenant paying the mortgage down. Simultaneously, it became clear that it was time to sell their family home of 20+ years and downsize. With their adult children moving onwards and upwards, it was time. However, Lidia and her husband didn’t want to downgrade their lifestyle. They weren’t ready for a condo, and they certainly weren’t prepared to move out of the city. So, instead of their next move being investment-driven, this one was personal (and emotional). It’s not easy to let go of all the memories of raising their kids at their family home, nor is it easy to deal with a home full of stuff they had acquired along the way too! So, their real-estate goals evolved. They were now on the hunt to find a perfect house in a great neighbourhood while also preparing to sell their ideal house in a great community. Trying to make a smart house swap while keeping finances, investment, and a retirement plan at the forefront of the search is not easy to pull off. With that in mind, they embarked on the hunt, and they saw many homes – and a lot of rubbish homes, to be honest. It took time and perseverance to find the right fit – there was no point in making a move without it being the right one. After some time and persistence, they finally discovered that one-off gem! It was turn-key, priced right, and located in a fun, attractive (and walkable) neighbourhood!

It was time to turn their attention to their beloved character home on Strathearn Blvd with the purchase secured. It needed to be packed up, freshened up, staged, styled, and photographed to perfection. Not to mention, they were in and out of Covid lockdowns at the time – a changing real-estate climate that felt unpredictable and somewhat foreboding. In this case, pricing was paramount to selling fast – there wasn’t time to “test the market” or work from a place of self-interest. From day one, Lidia was on board with the timing, the strategy, and the valuation. With some old-fashioned hustle from everyone involved – Fox Marin pulled off a beautiful listing in record time, scoring multiple offers the day they hit the market. Though Lidia admits to feeling emotional about letting go of this property, she knew it had been her family’s nest egg that had served their long-term goals and even more significant gains.

After buying, selling and moving – Lidia and her husband returned to the drawing board with their acquisition and a sale behind them. Knowing they had some financial reserves in their pocket and rapidly appreciating market conditions, they decided to land on one final investment property to close the loop on their real-estate portfolio.

Kori loved that Lidia is only interested in properties that she would be willing to live in herself – eliminating cookie-cutter condos, cheap townhomes, and highly gentrified neighbourhoods off the bat. No trips to City Place, Liberty Village or Fort York are required! However, this makes those needle-in-a-haystack properties harder to find from an investment perspective – knowing that an end-user will always be willing to pay more than an investor.After a few multiple offers scenarios, a couple of HGTV moments, and a slight cooling in condo market conditions, they managed to land on another hard loft to seal the deal. They had come full circle from where their real-estate relationship kicked off with a second property in the very same building!

Talk about maximizing what she had and making her money work for her! This story is a prime example of the power of leverage.

The Client Insider

We asked Lidia a handful of questions about her real-estate experiences over the years, and this is what she had to say:

What would be the Top 3 things you learned along the way about yourself or about real estate in general?

My purchases are emotional – I have to love what I buy regardless of whether I’m living in it or if it’s merely an investment. I’m always looking at the potential resale value down the road and ensuring the property isn’t limited to one potential buyer or renter down the road. It’s a risk, no doubt, as any investment is. So I always play out worst-case scenarios.

Do you have any regrets?

We have one regret. My husband had sold his house back in 2003 because he thought the market had peaked. We didn’t jump back in until 2014. BIG, we’re talkin’ HUGE mistakes (this is my Pretty Woman moment)!

Has your work with Fox Marin impacted the way you look at the role of a real estate broker?

Yes, very much. Personally, I have gained so much respect for what they do. Never have I seen team work as hard and collectively as FoxMarin.

What did you enjoy, and what did you not enjoy?

I enjoyed all of it – seeing the different properties – learning more about different areas in the city – learning more about investment properties – how to maximize a golden egg – utilize the asset you have towards investing in more properties – finalizing the deals.

How have your real-estate decisions influenced your personal goals?

They have allowed us to invest wisely and plan long-term generational wealth for our family, which is the biggest reward of it all.

The Result

In this case, Lidia and her husband could use the equity in their family to downsize and secure two additional investment properties without sacrificing location, value, and future upside. They were intelligent, considerate, and thoughtful about their acquisitions. They were also patient in waiting for the right opportunities at the right time. In this case, they worked as a team with Fox Marin to build a strong foundation-laying each brick at the perfect time. This successful real-estate story didn’t happen overnight – it took time to build, plan and execute. But what an achievement for this family! To know they have set themselves, their children, and their grandchildren up for the future. Though their real-estate moves are taken care of for the short-term, they 100% know they always have team-players in their court when they’re ready for their next big play!

And Fox Marin is confident they will recruit Lidia to join the team at some point (she would be a dynamo broker and star real-estate huntress)!

CASE STUDY 3

Opposites Attract

AN OVERVIEW

An Overview

Meet Darren and Maral. Maral is a visionary who thrives on change, knows how to take calculated risks and pushes the boundaries of her real estate pursuits. Darren describes himself as someone who cares about perfecting the details of a given situation, and the only limits he’s excellent at pushing are social ones. Darren is an Account Executive at a technology company, and Maral is Director of Analytics/Data Scientist at a Bank. Both are passionate about travel, which has been a focal point of their relationship since the first day they met. They always knew they wanted to own a primary residence. Still, they weren’t particularly interested in Toronto Real Estate until a few years ago when they decided they needed more space and would much prefer to invest in their own property than continue paying rent. And so began their real estate journey…

THE JOURNEY

The Journey

Darren and Maral met Ralph through a close mutual friend. Like most first-time buyers, their goal sounded simple, but it wasn’t easy to pull off. From the outset, the couple wanted to find a house with unique characteristics that were as close to the downtown core as possible. Both took pride in where they lived and did not want to compromise on either the space or location.
At the time, they were very much real estate newbies and did not know much at all about the market. They were learning as they went and, both being astute learners, took a deep dive into better understanding the Toronto Real estate market’s fundamentals. “Ralph spent much time educating us about the market and the process of buying, which can be overwhelming”.

Darren and Maral found their dream home within a few short months, an older townhouse that was a bit of a fixer-upper located in the Church and Carlton area.

The couple found themselves having to compete in multiple offers but in the end were successful in acquiring the property. At the time, the price they paid seemed like a lot; however, it looks like the deal of the century in hindsight. The property needed a complete renovation, but Darren and Maral had the vision for the property’s potential. After extensive renovations, they now live in an architectural masterpiece that they call home.Having been emboldened by their crash course in Toronto Real Estate and success from their initial purchase, the couple has set out to build their real estate empire. In the last two years, they have acquired a condo on the lower east side and a second house in Little Italy, which they rent out with plans of many more acquisitions and projects in the near future. The future looks very bright for Darren and Maral.

THE CLIENT INSIDER

The Client Insider

For someone just starting out in their real-estate journey, what advice would you give them?

In this Toronto market, you need every single edge you can get. You need expertise and trusted advice from someone who truly knows the market. Choose the best real estate broker you can get, not your cousin’s boyfriend.

How have your real-estate decisions influenced your lifestyle and/or your personal goals?

We’ve become very invested in Toronto real estate. It’s become the main contribution to our investment portfolio. We now have a new goal of developing a steady cadence of buying and renovating properties.

If you could go back in time and give yourself advice when you were just starting out, what would it be?

Buy sooner! But also have an open mind in the early stage so you can really absorb the market condition fast, the more you know about the market the better you’ll be able to make an informed decision.

Did you have an HGTV noteworthy moment on your critical path? For example, a design change, a high-stakes decision, something hilarious that happened or a property you saw that you’d never forget.

The most memorable moment probably was when we bought our second house. There18 offers, and we got the home despite not being the highest offer. What won the seller over was Ralph’s negotiation skills and impeccable offer package. Truthfully though, we knew from the get-go we were going to get the house since Ralph got a ticket on the way to the viewing – because the last time we got home, Ralph also got a ticket on viewing day.

THE RESULT

The Result

When Darren and Maral set out to look for a home to purchase, building wealth through investing in real estate was not at the forefront of their thought process. Even though they come at things from different perspectives, they both came to the same conclusion after deep-diving into the Toronto Real estate market. Understanding that Toronto Real estate is not just about finding a place to live, based on solid market fundamentals, Toronto Real estate will continue to be one of the performing long-term investments one could ever make. Darren and Maral aren’t just great students and thinkers; they are also doers, and once empowered with the proper knowledge and resources, they have taken great strides to set themselves up for building long term wealth.

An Overview

Meet Darren and Maral. Maral is a visionary who thrives on change, knows how to take calculated risks and pushes the boundaries of her real estate pursuits. Darren describes himself as someone who cares about perfecting the details of a given situation, and the only limits he’s excellent at pushing are social ones. Darren is an Account Executive at a technology company, and Maral is Director of Analytics/Data Scientist at a Bank. Both are passionate about travel, which has been a focal point of their relationship since the first day they met. They always knew they wanted to own a primary residence. Still, they weren’t particularly interested in Toronto Real Estate until a few years ago when they decided they needed more space and would much prefer to invest in their own property than continue paying rent. And so began their real estate journey…

The Journey

Darren and Maral met Ralph through a close mutual friend. Like most first-time buyers, their goal sounded simple, but it wasn’t easy to pull off. From the outset, the couple wanted to find a house with unique characteristics that were as close to the downtown core as possible. Both took pride in where they lived and did not want to compromise on either the space or location.
At the time, they were very much real estate newbies and did not know much at all about the market. They were learning as they went and, both being astute learners, took a deep dive into better understanding the Toronto Real estate market’s fundamentals. “Ralph spent much time educating us about the market and the process of buying, which can be overwhelming”.

Darren and Maral found their dream home within a few short months, an older townhouse that was a bit of a fixer-upper located in the Church and Carlton area.

The couple found themselves having to compete in multiple offers but in the end were successful in acquiring the property. At the time, the price they paid seemed like a lot; however, it looks like the deal of the century in hindsight. The property needed a complete renovation, but Darren and Maral had the vision for the property’s potential. After extensive renovations, they now live in an architectural masterpiece that they call home.Having been emboldened by their crash course in Toronto Real Estate and success from their initial purchase, the couple has set out to build their real estate empire. In the last two years, they have acquired a condo on the lower east side and a second house in Little Italy, which they rent out with plans of many more acquisitions and projects in the near future. The future looks very bright for Darren and Maral.

The Client Insider

For someone just starting out in their real-estate journey, what advice would you give them?

In this Toronto market, you need every single edge you can get. You need expertise and trusted advice from someone who truly knows the market. Choose the best real estate broker you can get, not your cousin’s boyfriend.

How have your real-estate decisions influenced your lifestyle and/or your personal goals?

We’ve become very invested in Toronto real estate. It’s become the main contribution to our investment portfolio. We now have a new goal of developing a steady cadence of buying and renovating properties.

If you could go back in time and give yourself advice when you were just starting out, what would it be?

Buy sooner! But also have an open mind in the early stage so you can really absorb the market condition fast, the more you know about the market the better you’ll be able to make an informed decision.

Did you have an HGTV noteworthy moment on your critical path? For example, a design change, a high-stakes decision, something hilarious that happened or a property you saw that you’d never forget.

The most memorable moment probably was when we bought our second house. There18 offers, and we got the home despite not being the highest offer. What won the seller over was Ralph’s negotiation skills and impeccable offer package. Truthfully though, we knew from the get-go we were going to get the house since Ralph got a ticket on the way to the viewing – because the last time we got home, Ralph also got a ticket on viewing day.

The Result

When Darren and Maral set out to look for a home to purchase, building wealth through investing in real estate was not at the forefront of their thought process. Even though they come at things from different perspectives, they both came to the same conclusion after deep-diving into the Toronto Real estate market. Understanding that Toronto Real estate is not just about finding a place to live, based on solid market fundamentals, Toronto Real estate will continue to be one of the performing long-term investments one could ever make. Darren and Maral aren’t just great students and thinkers; they are also doers, and once empowered with the proper knowledge and resources, they have taken great strides to set themselves up for building long term wealth.

CASE STUDY 4

Climbing The Property Ladder

AN OVERVIEW

An Overview

Sean Fernandes is a self-described closet introvert who can at times be the life of the party. Sean and his fiancé Chloe are passionate about music and food and living life to its fullest. Sean works in commercial plumbing, and Chloe works at Telus in communication. They are a highly social couple who love entertaining and spending time with family and friends at their family cottage. It is fair to say this young couple has a good idea of what they want to go for in life. From the outside, some may see the couple as risk-takers. Yet, in their minds, it is not a risk if they do their due diligence and have the team and resources in place before diving in headfirst. This strategy has paid off handsomely over the years.

Sean’s dad was the one who got him interested in investing in real estate. Sean’s dad told him and his brother buying a house would be one of the best decisions they ever made. So, with a bit of encouragement and some financial backing, that’s exactly what Sean did at age 19. This passion rubbed off on Chloë, and the two of them built a growing real estate portfolio and continued plans to nurture and grow their investments.

THE JOURNEY

The Journey

Sean’s dad introduced him to Ralph when he was 18. At the meeting, Sean didn’t know much about real estate. Sean knew Toronto real estate was an excellent investment. He wanted to learn as much as possible to get in early. When Sean met Ralph, Ralph spoke at length about the Toronto real estate market. How it’s one of the best globally – and the importance of continuing to invest in it over time. Ralph went on to talk about the green belt and how there is a limited amount of land to build on in Toronto. Coupled with substantial immigration, real estate prices would continue to rise over the long term.

Ralph introduced Sean to the pre-construction condo market – as it was the best option for young Sean to get a foot in the door feasibly. Sean wasn’t making much money at the time, but the payment structure allowed him to save for each 5% installment. In essence, his purchase became a forced savings plan.

Sean ended up making his first purchase in the first phase of the Canary District. Sean bought a one-bedroom condo with parking for $290,000. The apartment was completed four years later, and Sean moved out of his parent’s house and into his new home! Several years later, Sean leveraged the equity he built up in his condo through a refinance. Allowing Sean to free up some capital and make another astute investment. Sean managed to acquire a larger two-bedroom condo at the Wonder Lofts on the city’s east side. Still, in his mid-twenties, in one of the most expensive cities in the world, Sean now owned two condos.

When the pandemic hit, Sean and Chloe were planning their long-term future together. This included more space to grow for a future family. They wanted a yard, a space for Chloë to work from home, and a home gym. As the market heated up through the pandemic, the couple was forced to adjust their location expectations and what they could get for their money.

In the end, Sean and Chloe scored a detached house with a coach house near the upper beaches. To make this transition, they needed to sell their Canary condo. Once the Wonder project at Eastern and Logan is complete, they plan on renting the apartment as an investment property. Their focus is getting settled in their new home and planning future renovations. According to Sean and Chloe, “This is not the last of our properties – we’d like to acquire more in the future.”

THE CLIENT INSIDER

The Client Insider

What would be the Top 3 things you learned along the way about yourself or real estate in general?

I learned you have to take risks to get ahead in life. I learned the importance of delayed gratification and sacrificing things in the short term to set myself up well in the long term. I also learned making connections like the one I made with Ralph, having the drive to learn, and setting goals four to five years in advance can change your life. Another big lesson is to never bet against the Toronto real estate market.

For someone starting in their real-estate journey, what advice would you give them?

Get in as early and as young as you can, even if you need help from your family. It may seem impossible to get your foot in the door, but there is always a way to make it work.

Pre-construction condos are a great way to achieve this. The payment structure allows you to save money while paying for the condo over months and years instead of one large sum. Kori Marin is a prime example of doing whatever it takes to buy your first property. She took out a line of credit to pay for the 5% installments and worked two jobs, so she could pay down the line of credit in time for the next 5% installment.

What would it be if you could go back in time and give yourself advice when you were starting out?

Save save save. Don’t get caught up in the materialistic aspects of life, and don’t worry about what other people think – set your goals, put your head down and stay focused.

Did you have any HGTV noteworthy moments on your critical path? For example, a design change, a high-stakes decision, something hilarious that happened, or a property you saw that you’d never forget.

The house Chloë and I ended up buying was featured on an episode of HGTV’s Save My Reno. The experts on the show turned a once old garage barn in our backyard into a fully functioning coach house. So, I would say that would be our most noteworthy moment.

With every property purchase, there is a level of anxiety around the decision because every transaction is a huge deal. But, going through the process of buying an existing home is an entirely different animal from buying pre-construction. It’s emotionally exhausting. Even when we finally got the house we wanted, I thought I was going to puke because you realize at that moment the weight of the decision you made. Emotions run high throughout the process – it’s hard not to get attached to a home you see and fall in love with, but we had to keep pushing through. When it was all said and done, we viewed nearly 37 properties and offered on four houses. When we found our home, it all finally made sense.

THE RESULT

The Result

In his own words according to Sean “Fox Marin made the process as easy as it could be. Ralph walked me through each step and introduced me to his incredible team and other contacts in his network, like his mortgage broker, real estate lawyer, and staging team. Chloë and I have both formed great relationships with his team throughout our journey so far. They really are like family. The team made sure we were looked after throughout the entire process. Buying any property is a big deal, so knowing we were in good hands made it much better.”

When contemplating how his real estate decisions impacted his life, Sean feels it forced him to make sacrifices in his lifestyle that allowed him to benefit from these investments in the future. It’s created a lifestyle he feels he can control and helped him achieve stability in his life. According to Sean, owning real estate at a young age “allowed me to achieve my personal homeownership goals and set me in the direction of financial freedom for myself and our future family.” If one thing is clear, it’s that the future looks very bright for this young visionary go-getter couple, as they set out to climb the Toronto real estate property ladder one rung at a time.

An Overview

Sean Fernandes is a self-described closet introvert who can at times be the life of the party. Sean and his fiancé Chloe are passionate about music and food and living life to its fullest. Sean works in commercial plumbing, and Chloe works at Telus in communication. They are a highly social couple who love entertaining and spending time with family and friends at their family cottage. It is fair to say this young couple has a good idea of what they want to go for in life. From the outside, some may see the couple as risk-takers. Yet, in their minds, it is not a risk if they do their due diligence and have the team and resources in place before diving in headfirst. This strategy has paid off handsomely over the years.

Sean’s dad was the one who got him interested in investing in real estate. Sean’s dad told him and his brother buying a house would be one of the best decisions they ever made. So, with a bit of encouragement and some financial backing, that’s exactly what Sean did at age 19. This passion rubbed off on Chloë, and the two of them built a growing real estate portfolio and continued plans to nurture and grow their investments.

The Journey

Sean’s dad introduced him to Ralph when he was 18. At the meeting, Sean didn’t know much about real estate. Sean knew Toronto real estate was an excellent investment. He wanted to learn as much as possible to get in early. When Sean met Ralph, Ralph spoke at length about the Toronto real estate market. How it’s one of the best globally – and the importance of continuing to invest in it over time. Ralph went on to talk about the green belt and how there is a limited amount of land to build on in Toronto. Coupled with substantial immigration, real estate prices would continue to rise over the long term.

Ralph introduced Sean to the pre-construction condo market – as it was the best option for young Sean to get a foot in the door feasibly. Sean wasn’t making much money at the time, but the payment structure allowed him to save for each 5% installment. In essence, his purchase became a forced savings plan.

Sean ended up making his first purchase in the first phase of the Canary District. Sean bought a one-bedroom condo with parking for $290,000. The apartment was completed four years later, and Sean moved out of his parent’s house and into his new home! Several years later, Sean leveraged the equity he built up in his condo through a refinance. Allowing Sean to free up some capital and make another astute investment. Sean managed to acquire a larger two-bedroom condo at the Wonder Lofts on the city’s east side. Still, in his mid-twenties, in one of the most expensive cities in the world, Sean now owned two condos.

When the pandemic hit, Sean and Chloe were planning their long-term future together. This included more space to grow for a future family. They wanted a yard, a space for Chloë to work from home, and a home gym. As the market heated up through the pandemic, the couple was forced to adjust their location expectations and what they could get for their money.

In the end, Sean and Chloe scored a detached house with a coach house near the upper beaches. To make this transition, they needed to sell their Canary condo. Once the Wonder project at Eastern and Logan is complete, they plan on renting the apartment as an investment property. Their focus is getting settled in their new home and planning future renovations. According to Sean and Chloe, “This is not the last of our properties – we’d like to acquire more in the future.”

The Client Insider

What would be the Top 3 things you learned along the way about yourself or real estate in general?

I learned you have to take risks to get ahead in life. I learned the importance of delayed gratification and sacrificing things in the short term to set myself up well in the long term. I also learned making connections like the one I made with Ralph, having the drive to learn, and setting goals four to five years in advance can change your life. Another big lesson is to never bet against the Toronto real estate market.

For someone starting in their real-estate journey, what advice would you give them?

Get in as early and as young as you can, even if you need help from your family. It may seem impossible to get your foot in the door, but there is always a way to make it work.

Pre-construction condos are a great way to achieve this. The payment structure allows you to save money while paying for the condo over months and years instead of one large sum. Kori Marin is a prime example of doing whatever it takes to buy your first property. She took out a line of credit to pay for the 5% installments and worked two jobs, so she could pay down the line of credit in time for the next 5% installment.

What would it be if you could go back in time and give yourself advice when you were starting out?

Save save save. Don’t get caught up in the materialistic aspects of life, and don’t worry about what other people think – set your goals, put your head down and stay focused.

Did you have any HGTV noteworthy moments on your critical path? For example, a design change, a high-stakes decision, something hilarious that happened, or a property you saw that you’d never forget.

The house Chloë and I ended up buying was featured on an episode of HGTV’s Save My Reno. The experts on the show turned a once old garage barn in our backyard into a fully functioning coach house. So, I would say that would be our most noteworthy moment.

With every property purchase, there is a level of anxiety around the decision because every transaction is a huge deal. But, going through the process of buying an existing home is an entirely different animal from buying pre-construction. It’s emotionally exhausting. Even when we finally got the house we wanted, I thought I was going to puke because you realize at that moment the weight of the decision you made. Emotions run high throughout the process – it’s hard not to get attached to a home you see and fall in love with, but we had to keep pushing through. When it was all said and done, we viewed nearly 37 properties and offered on four houses. When we found our home, it all finally made sense.

The Result

In his own words according to Sean “Fox Marin made the process as easy as it could be. Ralph walked me through each step and introduced me to his incredible team and other contacts in his network, like his mortgage broker, real estate lawyer, and staging team. Chloë and I have both formed great relationships with his team throughout our journey so far. They really are like family. The team made sure we were looked after throughout the entire process. Buying any property is a big deal, so knowing we were in good hands made it much better.”

When contemplating how his real estate decisions impacted his life, Sean feels it forced him to make sacrifices in his lifestyle that allowed him to benefit from these investments in the future. It’s created a lifestyle he feels he can control and helped him achieve stability in his life. According to Sean, owning real estate at a young age “allowed me to achieve my personal homeownership goals and set me in the direction of financial freedom for myself and our future family.” If one thing is clear, it’s that the future looks very bright for this young visionary go-getter couple, as they set out to climb the Toronto real estate property ladder one rung at a time.