Purchasing a home in today’s market is such a nightmare. Housing prices have increased dramatically and continue to do so. Renting a property in the city is also very expensive, especially if you are covering the costs on your own. I find it’s always good to speak to an expert in the field. Get their opinion on it and ask questions to help you along the way. I reached out to my friend Kait. Kait is also a fellow lifestyle blogger who runs the blog Toronto Made Style here in Toronto. Kait works a full-time job outside of her gorgeous blogging life and works as a real estate agent. Her tips and advice have been amazing and I can’t wait for you to read all about her! LLet’sget started!
1.What is your blog, Toronto Made Style all about? Tell us a little about yourself.
I would categorize my blog as a lifestyle! I incorporate all the things that I enjoy in my life – fashion, coffee, home design, and life in the city! I also have lately been enjoying sharing my “being smart with your money” tips. I have always been so good with money management, and my friends always come to me for help to organize their finances, so I thought I should help others too!
2. What made you decide to start blogging?
I have always been a very creative person, and of course in your work life, it can be hard to be creative all the time. Starting my blog became my creative outlet! I used to love photography and wanted to get back into it, so my boyfriend got me a really nice DSLR camera for my birthday. I had the camera sitting around for a while, and then I finally picked it up and made my plan for my blog! And I am so happy I did.
3.I know you are a huge coffee drinker, where are some of your favourite places to get coffee around the city and why?
That is such a hard question! I have SO many places. Toronto is truly blessed with some amazing cafes! I buy my coffee beans from Manic Coffee which is located at Bathurst and College, conveniently right around the corner from where I live! They don’t have wifi at the café, which is also a breath of fresh air. So I would have to say that is my favourite in terms of coffee taste. In terms of over café/vibe, I love Fika, located in Kensington Market. Their Iced Coffee blend is seriously incredible, and in the summer, their backyard patio has a hammock. There are a ton of “instagramable” places, where of course I have checked out for the photo-op, but usually their actual coffee isn’t the greatest.
4.How many coffee’s do you drink a day?
I try my best to stick to one a day! However, most days when I’m busy I will have 2. If I have more than 2, I get so jittery and anxious!
5.A lot of The pink Brunette followers are between the ages of 18-30. Many of them are either in the process of purchasing a home or will be in the next few years. What would your advise be too young first time home buyers?
My advice to anyone would be to really make that effort to save your money! It’s hard to accumulate enough money for a down payment, especially if you want to live in the city! However, you just really need to cut back and you can get yourself there! Also, know that your first place you buy likely won’t be your dream place, but everyone starts somewhere. It’s all about getting your foot in the market.
6.Is now a good time to purchase a home in today’s market? Should we focus on waiting a bit for the market to drop?
It’s hard to predict the future of Toronto real estate, so my advice would be that if you have the money to buy, then don’t wait around! You could wait a year (that’s another year of rent payments) and it could either just be the same or go up. No one really can predict where things will go, but on a world scale, Toronto isn’t the most expensive. So really, chances are it will just keep going up.
7.Investing in property is quite expensive, do you feel it is better to rent or purchase the investment? Why is this your answer? What are the benefits?
That’s a tough question, because it really just comes down to money. If you do have that money, then 100% it makes sense to purchase a place for yourself (even if its smaller than what you can rent). Why pay someone else’s mortgage when you can pay your own? Even if you buy a bachelor unit, it helps to build your equity so that you can then buy a 2 bedroom down the road. However, of course there is nothing wrong with renting if you choose to have your money in other investments. It’s all about personal preference! J
8.Do you work on your own or as part of a team?
I work as a team with my mom! My mom has been in the business since I was young, and I always loved helping her with open houses and staging. I went to university for Communications, and then worked at a PR firm for a little while. I always wanted to be my own boss, and my mom was going to expand and hire on another agent so it just made sense that I switch over to the business!
9.Your style is so cute and chic, what are your current fashion must-haves for Spring 2018?
Right now for spring/summer I am all about the jumpsuits! I honestly used to think they were so weird, but then I tried one on and instantly become obsessed. Another staple for me always is a pair of white denim jeans!
10.Do you have any tips for dressing trendy on the job while still looking professional?
I would say my biggest tip would be not wearing anything too short or low cut. I look very young for my age, I am 26 but most people think I’m 18…I know, I will be happy when I’m older, but right now it doesn’t always work in my favour! Because of this, I have really stopped wearing short shorts and short dresses, and now I’m all about the midi dress/skirt style! Anything flowy and not too form fitting is perfect!
11.Are there any big things to look out for in 2018 for Toronto Made Style?
Yes! I want to incorporate a lot more home design/décor. My favourite part of real estate is staging homes, and I have so many amazing before and after pics that I can’t wait to share with everyone. I also want to focus some more on fashion! Just really want to make my blog a little more interactive with lots of tips and tricks.
To follow Kait and to know more about her lifestyle, blogging, fashion, or fashion click here to check out her site and her socials!
