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We were quoted approximately $100,000 to fully ren We were quoted approximately $100,000 to fully renovate this condo.

We spent about $35,000 instead.

But this wasn’t about finding the cheapest way to prepare 28 Hollywood Avenue for sale.

It was about figuring out which improvements would actually change the way buyers experienced it.

Our client’s family had owned the condo for approximately 25 years, and the suite was largely unchanged from when it had originally been purchased.

But underneath the dated finishes was something we couldn’t renovate into a smaller condo:

Approximately 1,370 square feet.

A corner layout.

Lots of windows and natural light.

Two bedrooms plus a solarium.

Two bathrooms.

And genuinely generous living space.

So instead of replacing everything, we focused on removing the things distracting buyers from those strengths.

We painted throughout, including the kitchen cabinets.

Replaced the carpet with luxury vinyl flooring.

Changed the lighting.

Updated the kitchen appliances.

Changed hardware throughout.

Refreshed bathroom fixtures.

Removed an awkward closet that wasn’t helping the primary bedroom.

Changed the dated kitchen ceiling panels.

Then we brought in modern staging designed to emphasize the scale, light and layout.

Approximately $35,000 instead of $100,000.

The lesson?

Preparing a property for sale isn’t about doing everything. It’s about understanding which changes will actually affect how buyers see the home.

And then we put that theory to the test.

Because getting the condo ready was one thing.

Getting it sold was another.

Part 3 is where this story takes a turn.

BEHIND THE SALE | THE HOLLYWOOD EDITION

One real sale. One practical lesson.

#torontorealestate #torontorealtor #torontohomes #amirandaleks  #torontolifestyle
Would you spend $100,000 renovating a condo you ju Would you spend $100,000 renovating a condo you just wanted sold?

That was one of the first decisions we had to make at 28 Hollywood Avenue.

Our client’s family had owned the condo for approximately 25 years. When it came time to sell, the suite was largely unchanged from when it had originally been purchased.

The bones were there.

Approximately 1,370 square feet. A corner layout. Lots of natural light. Two bedrooms plus a solarium. Two bathrooms. Parking. And a location at Yonge and Sheppard.

But visually, buyers were going to have to look past 25 years of dated finishes to see it.

We initially explored a full renovation.

The quote came back at approximately $100,000.

Could we have done it? Yes.

Could we guarantee the seller would recover that entire investment, or that the condo would sell significantly faster because of it?

No.

So we changed the question.

Instead of asking how much we could renovate, we asked:

What actually needs to change for buyers to see the value that’s already here?

That question brought the preparation budget down to approximately $35,000.

And it became the first important decision in this sale.

In Part 2, we’ll show you exactly where that $35,000 went, what we deliberately chose not to renovate, and what the condo looked like when we were finished.
To our hilarious, beautiful, caring Ola. Ola, yo To our hilarious, beautiful, caring Ola. 

Ola, you are genuinely one of the most thoughtful, funny, and big-hearted people I know. You have this way of making everyone around you feel supported, appreciated, and cared for…while also keeping us laughing along the way. 😂🤍 especially with that contagious laugh of yours…

I’m so lucky to not only get to work alongside you, but to call you a really good friend. Thank you for always being someone I can count on, for all the laughs, the advice, the little check-ins, and for being unapologetically YOU.

I hope this year brings you all the happiness, love, success, and good things you deserve. You deserve the absolute best! 🥂✨

- From Ash !!!

——————————————

To my wife, mamma, and partner in life … you know how I feel about you. 

- Love you always, Rima.
AUGUST IN TORONTO ☀️ Another month of trying new AUGUST IN TORONTO ☀️

Another month of trying new places, revisiting old favourites, exploring the city with the kids, sneaking in a few date nights, and squeezing in real life somewhere between baseball games, listings and staging days.

None of these are sponsored.

They’re simply the places, experiences and little moments we really enjoyed this month.

If you’re looking for ideas around Toronto (especially in the west end), hopefully this gives you a few new ones to add to your own list.

Which slide are you saving first?

📍Toronto

📍St. Clair West

📍Family Adventures

📍Date Nights

📍Local Favourites

[Toronto Summer, Toronto Family, St Clair West, Toronto Restaurants, Toronto Date Night, West End Toronto, Things To Do In Toronto, Toronto Lifestyle, Toronto Realtor, Toronto Coffee, Toronto Food, Toronto Local Guide]
People think St. Clair West is just another neighb People think St. Clair West is just another neighbourhood.

Most people drive through, maybe stop for a coffee or dinner, and keep going.

But the people who actually live here (like our little family) know it’s the little things that make this place special.

The Saturday morning routines.

The businesses that remember your order.

The park you somehow end up at three times in one week.

The neighbours you keep bumping into.

The places that slowly become part of your everyday life.

It’s those little moments that turned this neighbourhood into our home.

If you’re already live here... what’s one spot you’d tell every newcomer they have to experience?

👇 We’d love to add a few new favourites to our list.

—

Amir & Aleks
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St. Clair West, Living in St. Clair West, Toronto neighbourhood, Toronto hidden gems, West End Toronto, Toronto lifestyle, Toronto Realtor
The little moments that made our July in Toronto b The little moments that made our July in Toronto brought us so much joy, exploration and time with our kids. 

The kids are just wrapping up their final camp this week and then it’s 4 weeks of having them home all to ourselves. We are excited and little anxious! The last time we had them home for 4 weeks straight was when they were babies.

Wish us luck and don’t worry, we will be sharing all of our adventures this month!
Amir Shahi & Aleksandra Oleksak, Sales Representatives © 2026 Amir + Aleks Realty Team
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