Welcome!

Welcome to Harry Naghavi's blog, York Region Home.

Harry has bought and sold homes and businesses all over the GTA, and has first-hand experience moving up from Toronto to York Region. Harry's interests include: Real Estate, family, hunting, fishing, cars, soccer, tennis, horses.

Friday 30 May 2014

We Love Weekends!


I love weekends!

On the weekend, everyone is relaxed and happy and has lots of time to go house shopping with their Realtor!

I’m happy to hang out with my clients on weekends and love meeting people at open houses. Now that summer is on its way, there will be lots of longer weekends. There are the official long weekends, and there are people taking Fridays off or taking off early on Fridays! So, along with everyone else, I say “TGIF!”

Working on the weekend is great when you love what you do! And, when you have the flexibility to take time off during the week. I love it when I get to go fishing during the week, and I don’t have to “take the day off”.

Give me a call and we’ll hang out this weekend, it’s going to be beautiful!

Thursday 29 May 2014

Home and Cottage in One!

Two-for-one! You can live year-round in this amazing home, located just outside of Newmarket, and feel like you’re always at the cottage. Come home to your luxurious natural oasis. Invite all your friends and family to come and play with you!

This great property has a big, beautiful well-designed house with lots of opportunities to enjoy the views as you to extend your living space outdoors on 4 comfortable covered decks. Natural light pours into the elegant interior spaces via skylights. The gorgeous kitchen and open plan living/dining room was designed for entertaining. The 12+ acre property includes a forest and a pond. There’s tons of outdoor space for little kids, and big kids, to play! You’ll be very close to marinas on Lake Simcoe. Bring the boat and be on the water in minutes! Newmarket and Bradford are both a short drive away for shopping, restaurants, and all the amenities of town and highways 400 and 404 are both easily accessed.

Contact me right away and you’ll have the best summer ever!

Click here to see the listing on my website, with details and more pictures.


Tuesday 20 May 2014

Thinking about buying a house: Just Do It!

Just do it! Nike got to the point. Don’t think about it too much, don’t worry, don’t just dream about it, just do it. They want you to buy shoes; I want you to buy a house.

Here’s a quote from Mark Twain that has more for you to chew on:
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

I like the image of taking to the water to explore and dream. I love being on the water, fishing, and dreaming, even working.

I’m getting to the point in my life where I’m starting to look back and evaluate things. I think about these things when I’m on a lake or in the woods. When I get back to “reality” I feel inspired to make a change, to go ahead and shake things up a bit.

I like to quote Newton’s first law of motion too: A body at rest tends to stay at rest. This appeals to me because it’s simple physics but it means so much more.

If you’re satisfied with who you are, what you’re doing, where you live, your weight, your hairstyle, then don’t make any changes. If you don’t change anything, chances are things will tend to stay the same- your weight, your income, everything. But, get out of your routine and you’ll see some changes, improvement. Leave the safe harbour behind.

Almost twenty years ago, Renate and I made some big decisions, took some risks and sailed off to Newmarket. We scraped together a down payment for a house, went over-budget, and bought our first house, a tiny old thing near Main Street and Davis Drive. That was the best thing we ever did! We could not have done it in Toronto. If we had stayed, we’d still be renting, stuck in the city. We never imagined that we’d someday own a house like the one we live in now!

Take the first step today. Call me or email me, Tweet or message me and ask me about getting into a house in Newmarket. We could also look at something in Bradford or Keswick. You can get a lot of house for your money up here. And, these communities are great places to raise your family and do business too.

Do it.

Thursday 15 May 2014

Tired Features Mean You Can Customize

Sometimes, I'll look at a house with clients and we'll notice that the place is looking tired. It's not always a bad thing. I can ask for a discount to compensate for the cost of necessary upgrades, and then the buyers can update the house exactly the way they want. 


If you're handy or have handy friends that like to help with projects, a perfect home may not be one that's fully upgraded, mint condition, ready to move in to. You'll be paying a premium for another family's favourite colours and styles. Why not look for a fixer-upper or a house that's been a bit neglected. 

A tired house isn't the same as a fixer-upper. It might just be paint and wallpaper that make it look old, or kitchen cupboards that need some attention. Maybe you'll want to tear out some carpeting. Flooring isn't so bad to do before you move in, and you can go to town with paint too. Often it's the bathroom that's in need of renovation. Kitchens and bathrooms are notoriously expensive to renovate, but if you're handy, you can save a lot of money. And, if you get a good enough discount, you can spend it all on creating your dream kitchen, or a luxurious bathroom retreat.

A fixer-upper can be a perfect opportunity. If you can get a good deal on a bad house in a great location, you might be able to gut the house or tear it down and build your dream home. It takes a lot of planning in terms of cash flow and could mean two moves instead of one. You'll have to have a good sense of how much the tear-down and the construction is going to cost, and maybe the costs of a rental (or living with your mom) while you're building.

Think of all the possibilities. There are so many things to consider when you're buying a house. Make sure you have a professional Realtor on your side and don't be shy to share your dreams with your Realtor. The best Realtors always ask a ton of questions to get to know you and to find out what your dreams are. They can help make them come true!

Tuesday 13 May 2014

Gardening: Good for You and Your House

Gardening is good for you and for your house.

A beautifully landscaped property adds to the value of your home and improves your well-being.

Flowers make you feel happier, don't they?


There's a lot of talk lately about how we need to spend more time in nature. Just looking at nature has been shown to reduce stress and improve brain function. A beautiful garden is truly rewarding. Getting your hands dirty and doing the gardening yourself has even more benefits. You get outdoors and have some physical activity, and you feel connected to nature. You can plant fruits and vegetables to improve your diet. Here's an article from CNN Health that discusses the mental and physical benefits of gardening. You can practise Horticultural Therapy in your own backyard!

Not only is gardening good for body and soul, but it's also good for the bottom line. The value of your home depends on it. In fact, a study by Money Magazine has shown that good landscaping increases the value of a home and bad landscaping decreases the value of a home. Money spent on landscaping is very well spent indeed:  "landscaping can bring a recovery value of 100 to 200 per cent at selling time." Everyone talks about "curb appeal" and when they do, plants and flowers are always mentioned. Add a pot of flowers to the front step and you've got better curb appeal. Create a beautiful flower bed, and you get much, much more.

Your neighbours will benefit from your beautiful landscaping too. Their home value goes up with yours, and they will enjoy the increased natural elements in their lives.

Now is a great time to work on your landscaping. Garden Centres are full of plants and tools and most will even be open on the Victoria Day holiday so that you can take advantage of the perfect planting conditions.













Saturday 10 May 2014

Yard Sale: Do it!

If you need to declutter to get your house ready for sale, and even if you're just thinking about moving or downsizing, you really should consider holding a yard sale.



We had our first yard sale last summer, and it was quite an experience! 

There's a lot of advice online about how to hold a yard sale. People will tell you how to price stuff, how to display things, warn you about theft and early birds, and suggest where to buy supplies. You can make it as simple or complicated as you want. Google 'yard sale', search Pinterest, or do whatever you like to research, and you'll find all the information you need and more. I'll give you just a few words of advice. 
  1. Make your signs clear. Keep it simple and big. You really just need the words Yard Sale and an arrow. Don't make it complicated. 
  2. Let your neighbours know in advance. It's common courtesy, since your street will be busy early on a weekend morning. Plus, some of your neighbours might want to do a yard sale too, and you'll get more traffic. 
  3. Be prepared for the weather. Have shade and cold drinks for yourself and your visitors if it's hot, and coffee for a cold morning. We had a very hot day and sold cold drinks for a good profit. Tarps are a good idea if rain is in the forecast. 
  4. Talk to people. Say hello, and talk to people when you have a chance. You'll have great stories to share afterwards.

A yard sale takes some planning and a full day of work, but you will make some money and you will get rid of a lot of things. You'll spend some time with your neighbours and meet lots of interesting people from all over the place. You'll be surprised to find out how far people travel for yard sales. The best part will be how great your house looks with less stuff in it! You'll feel ready to sell, and you'll feel better about moving. 





Thursday 8 May 2014

Downsizing can be Great!

Families grow and they buy bigger homes, and that's exciting and positive. But, later, when the children go off on their own, and start their own families, it's time to downsize. Downsizing is difficult but it doesn't have to be negative. It can be great. 



Many couples are excited to move into a bigger house when the family is growing. Needing more bathrooms and space for kids to play is thrilling. It's scary to take on more responsibility, and usually more debt too, but it's a very positive experience. It's also fun to buy more stuff to furnish the house and entertain the family. It's pretty easy to fill up a big house when you have a family.


When the family grows up, and the kids move away, the next stage is much more difficult. It's much harder to downsize.  It takes more than a garage sale to get rid of all the stuff you accumulated over the growing years. It takes courage and determination and thick skin. You'll be attached to things that you really don't need. You'll be attached to your big house that you really don't need. You know that moving to a smaller space makes sense, but it's hard to do. In fact, many people avoid it until it's too late. Their kids end up with the job of getting rid of all of Grandma's stuff and selling her house after she's gone.

You've got to try to stay positive in this new stage of life. Downsizing can be great! Consider the environmental footprint of your smaller home, a small house or a condominium. You'll be saving money and helping the planet. You can start a new "greener" life. Think about how giving away and selling your extra furniture will benefit a young family. Even your stuff will live another life. Your big house will be full of people again. Your little home will feel less like an "empty nest". Your little home will take less time to maintain. With less time spent at home, you can be more active in the community. There are tons of reasons to celebrate this smaller, simpler time.

When you decide to take the big step, when you decide it's time for you to downsize, call Harry, Your Friendly Realtor. 

The reason I'm one of the best Realtors in Newmarket, York Region, and the GTA, is that I care about my clients. I'm not #1. My clients are #1.

I will not rush you or pressure you during this difficult time. I have helped seniors move -I have personal experience in addition to my experiences as a Realtor- and understand the emotions involved. We will work together to get you the best deal for your house and will take all the time you need. We will work together to find you the right home in the right location for you. I will do my best to make it a happy experience, so that when you downsize, it will be great!


Tuesday 6 May 2014

Spring Home Maintenance

These warmer days remind us homeowners that it's time for some important Spring Home Maintenance, and I've got a checklist for you.

As soon as the snow melts, it's time to check on your real estate investment, to see how it survived the winter. Your house and property need your attention.



Furnaces and fireplaces will soon be out of commission for a while, and air conditioners will need to be put into service. They will need some attention. Look at the exterior of your house and around your property to see if anything needs to be repaired or replaced. Plan a project for a nice weekend or for the summer. Will you need a new deck or fence, should you add an awning or a gazebo for some shade? You'll want to do your Spring Garden Maintenance too.

Here's a checklist of things you can do for your house in the spring:

Spring  Home Maintenance

Taking Care of Your Investment
(adapted from CMHC by Harry Naghavi, Your Friendly Realtor)

Have fireplace or wood stove and chimney cleaned and serviced as needed.

Shut down, drain and clean furnace humidifier, and close the furnace humidifier damper on units with central air conditioning.

Switch on power to air conditioning and check system. Have it serviced every two or three years.

Clean or replace air-conditioning filter, if applicable.

Check dehumidifier and drain — clean if necessary.

Turn OFF gas furnace and fireplace pilot lights where possible.

Have well water tested for quality. It is recommended that you test for bacteria every six months.

Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms, and replace batteries (when clocks “spring forward”).

Clean windows, screens and hardware, and on older homes, replace storm windows with screens. 

Open valve to outside hose connection after all danger of frost has passed.

Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and repair as required.

Ensure sump pump is operating properly before the spring thaw sets in. Ensure discharge pipe is connected and allows water to drain away from the foundation.

Re-level any exterior steps or decks that moved as a result of frost or settling.

Check eavestroughs and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachment to your home, clear any obstructions, and ensure water flows away from your foundation.

Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris.

Repair and paint fences and decks as necessary — allow wood fences to dry adequately first.

Undertake spring landscape maintenance and, if necessary, fertilize young trees.


You can find a version of this checklist and more helpful information on my website:  www.harrynaghavi.com


Harry Naghavi, Your Friendly Realtor, is one of the best Realtors in Newmarket, in York Region, and in the GTA.

Monday 5 May 2014

Backyard Pool: Pros and Cons

I've got you thinking about summer.

You're looking at my Canada Day Moving Promotion and thinking, "I could have a new house by Canada Day, a new house with a pool?"

Make sure you know what you're getting into with a pool. Here are some pros and cons to having a pool in your backyard.



Swimming Pool Pros: 

  • Cooling off after a long day at work. Ahhhhh, daily vacation all summer long.
  • Being "cool". You'll be the popular house on the street, the popular family to visit.
  • Pool parties!
  • Exercise
  • An excuse to be outdoors and off screens
  • Family time
  • Kids will be good swimmers
  • Potential income from swimming lessons

Swimming Pool Cons:
  • Daily maintenance. Another job to do after work, before you can relax.
  • Being the neighbourhood babysitter/lifeguard might be less fun than expected.
  • Hosting all the summer parties and family events can become costly and stressful
  • Upkeep costs and time (winter closing, liner, pump, and filter replacements, and landscaping issues, fence and gate, etc)
  • Cost of water and chemicals, and electricity to heat the pool early and later in the season.
  • Insurance and legal issues to consider (accidents)

As soon as the snow melts, we start dreaming about summer. We remember how hot it was last summer, and think how nice it would be to have a pool to cool off in. But, do you have the time and money to maintain a pool? What else do you have to think about? Make sure you think it through carefully.

If you're looking for a house with a swimming pool in Newmarket, or in Aurora, Bradford, Richmond Hill, or anywhere in York Region and the GTA, call Harry Naghavi, Your Friendly Realtor! You'll be working with one of the best Realtors in Newmarket or anywhere.