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Sylvia Schmidt

@sylviaschmidtto

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My life in real estate: 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼 & 𝗨𝗔𝗘
Pet parent to @nola.theintrovert
Riding my motorcycle. Eating well. Living artfully. Always near the music.

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I met @jimmychiale about 15 years ago at an art event. I was drawn to him and his abstract, line-heavy work right away, and we’ve been friends ever since.

Ten years ago he closed his 416 Gallery. Life pulled him away from the canvas for a while. But anyone who has seen his work knows painting is what he was made for.

This weekend he hung a show: a mix of pieces from the last few years, and a promise to paint more.

His take is that he hasn’t painted his best work yet, and everything so far has been education. Next year, at 40, he graduates.

I believe him.

Congrats, Jimmy. Proud to know you. Can’t wait to see what comes next. taken in Toronto Ontario Canada by @sylviaschmidtto

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a month ago

Grateful for @nola.theintrovert and the reminder to pause and enjoy the simple things. 🐾 taken in Sugar Beach by @sylviaschmidtto

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a month ago

Toronto detached home prices nudged up to $1,542,292 in August, while condo averages slid 3.5% month-over-month.

The 416 market split right down the middle.

Freehold numbers showed signs of finding a floor:
• Detached: $1,542,292 (+0.7% from July)
• Semi-Detached: $1,126,460 (+0.7% from July)
• Townhouses: $1,095,833 (+6.9% from July)

Condos went the other direction:
• Average price: $644,313 (-3.5% from July, down 5.0% YoY)

A lot of that condo dip is driven by small investor units without parking or lockers hitting the market. Larger, well-laid-out units with parking are still absorbing, just at softer pricing.

Meanwhile, new listings dropped 15.3% across the city.

A quiet market is not an easy market. It means less competition for average homes, but the exact same competition for great properties in prime pockets.

Full breakdown and what this means for buyers and sellers is live on the blog (link in bio). taken in Toronto Canada by @sylviaschmidtto

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a month ago

I spent three evenings last month at @stanforcreators Creator Meet, @ctrlshift.to, and @clawbuilders.club instead of my usual real estate circles.

Watching founders pitch in Toronto changes how you write everything after. Nobody spends ten minutes on background. They give you the number, the payoff, and the point in the first five seconds.

Meanwhile my old habit when a client asked about closing costs was a four paragraph essay that opened with a definition.

I came home and started rewriting how I send client updates. Bottom line first. Background only if they actually ask for it.

Currently deleting three introductory paragraphs from tomorrow’s market report before anyone catches me. taken in Toronto Canada by @sylviaschmidtto

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a month ago

Some buyers who hit a wall think they are having bad luck.

In reality, a few completely reasonable filters can turn 1239 available condos into 3.

Swipe through to see what is actually happening behind the search. by @sylviaschmidtto

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2 months ago

Re-reading chapter 2 of Atomic Habits in the backyard this morning, thinking about a buyer who spent 14 months refreshing HouseSigma every hour.

When the Toronto market feels heavy, the default move is usually to freeze up and wait for some dramatic headline before doing anything.

James Clear talks about how identity shifts happen through tiny daily evidence, not big sudden breakthroughs. The buyers who end up getting keys to a home they actually love treat the search like a low-drama routine. They check new listings and sold data daily, tour open houses on Saturday without stressing about finding perfection on day one, and practice making calm decisions before offer night ever arrives.

The reps make the whole process feel normal instead of terrifying.

Anyway, book club meets Sunday and Thursday (I’m in 2 book clubs reading this same book), and page 47 already has a large latte ring on it. by @sylviaschmidtto

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2 months ago

I’ve spent years working with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA. That continues, just under a new brokerage now: @realbrokerage

I loved my previous brokerage and my colleagues there. Leaving good people is never easy. But this move gives my business exactly what it needs next: a national network that opens more doors for my clients, modern tech built to make the work more efficient, and coaching that keeps the bar high.

One of REAL’s core values is “𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱. 𝗕𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱.” That resonated right away.

For my clients, you get the exact same direct advice and boots-on-the-ground hustle. I am still the one walking you through the numbers and negotiating on your behalf. We just have a lot more resources behind the scenes now.

Same standards, same Toronto and GTA focus, backed by better tools.

I’ve got a new email signature and a lot more horsepower behind me now. by @sylviaschmidtto

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2 months ago

I had never played a game of Pickleball before last weekend.

My team entered @rockthepickle2026, a charity tournament in Muskoka raising money for @melanomacanada. Third year running. Doubles format, round robin across cottage courts along Lake Rosseau and Lake Joe. We played three matches and we probably finished near last place. Had the best time anyway.

Highlights in no particular order: I played a match against Lindsay Hamilton from TSN, met lots of cool people, an ice cream truck at the gala, live entertainment from @karlwolfs, a cocktail hour overlooking the lake, and a live auction where I won a custom mixed media art commission from artist @perrylansingart. I’m growing my art collection.

I also got a free skin check at the @melanomacanada screening tent. Came back all clear. That alone was worth showing up for.

Our team raised over $6,700. The event overall raised six figures for melanoma research and awareness. If you donated, thank you. Every dollar matters.

If you ever get a chance to play in this tournament, say yes. Even if you’ve never played. Especially if you’ve never played. 🏓 taken in Muskoka, Ontario by @sylviaschmidtto

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2 months ago

the Greater Toronto Area real estate market just got its May report card. here’s the honest read.

sales are up. listings are down. prices are still below last year, which means buyers still have real negotiating power, but the window is tightening. month over month the data points the same direction.

this isn’t a headline moment. it’s a slow shift. those are the ones worth paying attention to.

if you’re thinking about buying or selling this year, now is a good time to actually run the numbers for your situation.

questions? drop them in the comments or dm me. i don’t bite and i’m not going to pitch you. taken in Toronto Canada by @sylviaschmidtto

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4 months ago

16 events. 5 days. one motorcycle.

Toronto Tech Week has 600+ things happening across the city this week. creators, AI, web3, proptech, health tech, design. I signed up for 16 of them because I genuinely don’t know how to say no to something interesting.

this city does this thing every summer where it just... turns on. patios open, the energy shifts, people are outside again. tech week is the first real wave of it.

see you out there. say hi if you spot the bike.

@torontotechweek taken in Toronto Ontario Canada by @sylviaschmidtto

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5 months ago

Current Toronto market mood:

👀 “Maybe we buy.”
👀 “Maybe we wait.”
👀 “Maybe let’s ask 14 more people first.”

Meanwhile the market is quietly moving again.

May 2026 Toronto real estate update. taken in Toronto Canada by @sylviaschmidtto

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5 months ago

Toronto’s December real estate market is doing its own thing. Sales, listings, and prices are down. Buyers are waiting for a good sign.

But there’s opportunity for anyone paying attention. Softer prices. Easier borrowing. Solid inventory. Quiet markets reward the patient.

What’s your take—are you watching, waiting, or ready to make a move? taken in Toronto Canada by @sylviaschmidtto

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10 months ago