- By Laurie Watt
- Barrie Advance
BARRIE - In Barrie’s east end, it’s whether you’re east or west of Johnson Street.
That’s what Crystina Leondard discovered.
Rowdy neighbours prompted her to not let her kids outside to play.
“I can monitor my kids’ TV and internet, but I can’t monitor what’s going on outside,” she said.
So she and her husband decided they had to move.
A few blocks east, they discovered a whole new world.
“It’s such a nice change. We’re surrounded by kids and families,” Leonard said.
She knows she didn’t help the situation when she moved her family east.
“Having seen other neighbours try to sell their homes in the last couple of years and in selling our own, the mass majority of those looking at homes for sale in our (former) area are investors,” Leonard said. “Not all homes become rentals, but a good portion do. It seems so easy for anyone to become a landlord.”
Shannon Murree, a real estate agent specializing in investment and property management, said price plays a role in attracting both families and investors. The look of the house and the ones nearby play a role. Unkept lawns suggest rowdiness.
“With the population of students, good families are hard to find. They don’t want the noise. Renting to a family can be a challenge. There are certain pockets – closer to the college (that don’t appeal to families),” Murree explained.
“Look at the lawns. It’s a key indicator.”
Her investors are wary of the student area, even if the houses look well-kept. “I can’t get anyone to buy there, even though the house looks great and would appeal to families. They want families because they want their investments taken care of.”
Student Property Management’s Anna Moore said Barrie was on the right track when it established standards for boarding and lodging houses. The standards included fire safety inspections and minimum separation distances.
But rather than enforcing safety and building code standards, Barrie focuses on parking and noise.
“There are two new conversions right beside mine,” Moore said. “I’m not the zoning police. The owners bought them and went to City Hall to get instructions on how to offer student housing – and my home was on record. I can’t fight City Hall.”
And Murree can sympathize.
“I live in the east end and always watch my crescent. I’m always saying, ‘God, I hope it’s not my street (that’s next),” she said.
That’s what Crystina Leondard discovered.
Rowdy neighbours prompted her to not let her kids outside to play.
“I can monitor my kids’ TV and internet, but I can’t monitor what’s going on outside,” she said.
So she and her husband decided they had to move.
A few blocks east, they discovered a whole new world.
“It’s such a nice change. We’re surrounded by kids and families,” Leonard said.
She knows she didn’t help the situation when she moved her family east.
“Having seen other neighbours try to sell their homes in the last couple of years and in selling our own, the mass majority of those looking at homes for sale in our (former) area are investors,” Leonard said. “Not all homes become rentals, but a good portion do. It seems so easy for anyone to become a landlord.”
Shannon Murree, a real estate agent specializing in investment and property management, said price plays a role in attracting both families and investors. The look of the house and the ones nearby play a role. Unkept lawns suggest rowdiness.
“With the population of students, good families are hard to find. They don’t want the noise. Renting to a family can be a challenge. There are certain pockets – closer to the college (that don’t appeal to families),” Murree explained.
“Look at the lawns. It’s a key indicator.”
Her investors are wary of the student area, even if the houses look well-kept. “I can’t get anyone to buy there, even though the house looks great and would appeal to families. They want families because they want their investments taken care of.”
Student Property Management’s Anna Moore said Barrie was on the right track when it established standards for boarding and lodging houses. The standards included fire safety inspections and minimum separation distances.
But rather than enforcing safety and building code standards, Barrie focuses on parking and noise.
“There are two new conversions right beside mine,” Moore said. “I’m not the zoning police. The owners bought them and went to City Hall to get instructions on how to offer student housing – and my home was on record. I can’t fight City Hall.”
And Murree can sympathize.
“I live in the east end and always watch my crescent. I’m always saying, ‘God, I hope it’s not my street (that’s next),” she said.
Originally posted online at Simcoe.com
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