9 Colleridge St., Ajax Home For Sale - NEW PRICE

9 Colleridge St., Ajax

Tribute Built 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath Brick Beauty !
Are you looking to more to northeast Ajax?  This fabulous home just hit the market.  Features main floor hardwood, new roof, Stainless Steel Appliances, Huge Master w/Ensuite, Close to schools and transit.  Relax by the fireplace on a cold winters evening.  Enjoy the privacy of your own fenced backyard.  Unspoiled basement and more.  

TO VIEW THE VIRTUAL TOUR - CLICK HERE

To book a private showing, call Michelle Makos @ Royal Heritage Realty Ltd., 416-300-3004.

January 2017 - Market Watch - Just Released !

No surprises here !  Market up 11.8% in sales compared to January 2016 and the prices are up 22.3%.   If you are thinking of selling, this might be the year to capitalize on the equity in your home and the strong housing market.  For a more in depth analysis of your home and what I can do for you, let me know.

TREB January 2017 Market Watch from Michelle Makos

46 Allard Ave., Ajax - SOLD OVER ASKING - Too Late

Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to own in the heart of Ajax... This well maintained family home is a 3+1 Bdrm with Renovated Bathrooms, New Appliances, Family Room with Fireplace and so much more.   Minutes to Hwy, Rec Centre, Shopping and Schools.. No disappointments here.. Spotless and ready to move in.  Hitting MLS on Tuesday .. Contact your agent today to book your showing before it is gone.. Listing price $569,900

OPEN HOUSE - Saturday and Sunday December 3rd and 4th - 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  Pop by and say Hi :)

MULTIPLE OFFERS AGAIN ~ SOLD OVER ASKING

Here we are at the end of July almost and no slowdown in sight.  Interest rates still at an all time low and housing market still going crazy.  Not enough inventory for the buyers.  Bidding wars are the norm now.   Most homes that are listed are holding offers until a certain date.  The key is to not hold them that long and not price it too high.  Sometimes this is backfiring on agents who are not pricing the home correctly in order to entice a multiple offer situation.

The benefit to the Seller is that it is done in a short period time - I usually do Thursday to Sunday or Monday - and then best offer wins... this last property had over 100 showings between Thursday and Monday...Multiple offers were registered and then "Best Offer" wins.

Word to the wise, if you are participating in a multiple offer situation, don't bring an offer conditional on financing and home inspection with 8 or more offers, you aren't going to get it and you are only increasing the value of this home by adding your offer in the mix.   

In this market, it is hard when there are so many players to win in a multiple situation like that .. so you need to scope out a listing that has been on the  market a while, maybe needs work, or overpriced and try your conditional on financing and inspection offer but not when a house has 7 or more offers... I feel bad for the agent and for the buyers waiting ... but that is the game of real estate right now.

Its tough to buy a home when you are constantly in a multiple offer situation. Last night was the same thing.  Seven offers.  One winner.  Happy to say my client was thrilled with the results and the winning Buyer Agent was as well.

If you are looking for an aggressive approach to selling your home and an up to date market evaluation, call a local full time Realtor .. or call ME... :)   Have a super week everyone... Mine is off to a great start.
Cheers !

41 Barnes Drive - Ajax New Listing - $349,900

Why Rent, When You can Buy?

41 Barnes Drive, Ajax - Detached 3 Bdrm. Brick Home

$349,900

Great Opportunity to buy a detached 3 Bdrm home in Central Ajax.  Close to all amenities.  Eat in Kitchen, Walk Out to Private Backyard, Living Room w/Fireplace, Unfinished Basement and Single Car Garage.

Showings start Thursday July 23rd, and offers will be accepted Monday July 27th, at 7 pm.   

Open House Sunday July 26th - 2 to 4 pm.  EVERYONE WELCOME.  

Buying a Home in Pickering and Ajax, Ontario

Buying a home in Pickering & Ajax

You have found the first page of many pages and articles that will explain the entire buying process to you in detail.

In the pages that follow I will explain to you the costs of buying a home, the complete buying process, the emotional issues of home ownership, explain buyer agency, how to use your RSP's when you purchase, show you many mortgage calculators, school considerations, best time of year to buy your next home, secrets and insight into buying your next home and more.  Or, maybe you are ready to begin your home search now

Before you get wrapped up in the excitement of buying a home, you need to prepare for things you may run up against in the mortgage application process. Following the steps below could save you tens of thousands of dollars or even mean the difference in whether you can buy your dream home or not.

1. Do – Pull Your own Credit from all 3 Bureaus and review thoroughly. Be sure and look at any public records like judgments, bankruptcies and tax liens. Sadly, many companies are quick to add negative items to your credit report but are slow to reflect the fact that you have satisfied them.

2. Do – Challenge and have any errors corrected on your report on ALL 3 bureaus. You can do this through the three bureau’s websites. They are www.transunion.com, www.equifax.com, and www.experian.com.

3. Do – Put together a budget to figure out how much house payment you can afford. Be sure and include 1/12th of your annual taxes and property insurance. Also, be sure and consider how you would cope if you had a drop in income such as one spouse loosing a job. Just because a lender or mortgage broker says you qualify for X price home does not mean you should buy a home at this price.

4. Do – Think about your needs and don’t get caught up in buying a home just to ‘keep up with the Jones’. As a part of this evaluation be sure and consider 1) School systems, 2) Commute time, 3) How quickly the home would sell if you had to sell it quickly, and 4) Any money needed to fix up the home to suit your needs, particularly if you borrow all or nearly all of the purchase price.

5. Don’t – Borrow significant money right before you buy a home. This includes cars, credit cards and personal loans. If you just have to buy a car, wait until after you buy the home. The extra debt can cause you to qualify for less home than you would without the debt. I can’t tell you how many people that could not qualify for the price home they wanted because of a recent car purchase. Deciding to buy a cheaper car after you bought a new home is far better than the other way around as a car depreciates dramatically and most homes increase in value. Plus you should get a tax deduction on the interest.

6. Don’t – Change from being salaried (W2) to being self employed at least a year and in most cases 2 years before trying to get a mortgage to buy a home.

7. Don’t – Pay off old judgments or old collections to try to improve your credit score. Often times this will LOWER your scores. If the lender requires you to pay these off or you just want to pay them off, you can do it during or just before or after closing on your home.

Planning ahead when buying a home can make the process much smoother, less stressful and save you a lot of money. Happy house hunting!

To get started receiving new listings today

Thinking on Selling It On Your Own?

14 IMPORTANT FACTS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU TRY TO SELL YOUR OWN HOME

Lately, we see quite a few "For Sale By Owner" signs, and some owners think that selling their own home will not only save them money an commission, but believe they have an advantage over the sellers that have their home listed by a reputable Real Estate sales professional. Before you decide to take on this very important and legally complicated process…remember not even most Real Estate Lawyer's recommend selling your own home yourself in today's market. Here are a few of the reasons why:

1. You are limiting your exposure to potential buyers (less than 10% of what a good real estate broker will generate) which theoretically means your home will take ten to fifteen times longer to sell on the market.

2. The longer a home is on the market the lower the selling price is. Why? Because most buyers think that if the home has not sold after this long... there must be something wrong with the home.

3. The selling/buying process begins AFTER the buyer leaves your home. Most sellers think that all it takes is for someone to see their home, fall in love with the great decor... and the offer automatically will follow. Remember that the buying process begins after they leave your home. If a real estate sales representative does not represent the buyer, and they are looking on their own…they usually leave the home and start to talk themselves out of the buying process. Real estate professionals are trained on how to overcome buyers remorse--a very common occurrence.

4. Because of the limited exposure you will very likely end up with a lower selling price. Remember, in order to generate the highest price possible for your home… selling means exposure. You need the maximum exposure possible, to generate the highest price possible. Realtors have access to local newspaper ads, company ads, company/franchise websites, interactive websites with other Realtors, contracts with various web providers and TV, so you can have your home on Real Estate Channel, You Tube etc. 

5. Most buyers find it extremely awkward to negotiate or even to talk directly with sellers and therefore avoid FSBO properties.

6. Lack of negotiating experience and lack of pertinent information often will result in a lower selling price, or worse yet, a bungled contract and possible lawsuits.

7. The majority of qualified buyers are working with experienced real estate professionals.

8. Many serious buyers will pass by a FSBO home merely because they recognize that it is not in the real estate mainstream, this can some times make them wary.

9. As most local buyers now retain an experienced real estate sales person to represent them as their buyer-agency, you will probably be negotiating against an experienced professional.

10. Expected savings in broker's fees will also be greatly reduced if you offer a selling commission to entice real estate sales representatives to bring potential buyers.

11. If you are planning to use a Lawyer to help you negotiate the offer, then your lawyer's fees will be considerably higher.


12. Only real estate sales representatives have access to the up-to-date market information. News reports cannot approach the timeliness or specificity available to real estate sales people. Further, real estate sales representatives are involved in home sales much more frequently than the average homeowner is. This familiarity leads to a degree of expertise that provides an edge on negotiating and successful selling.


13. You only pay the commission to the real estate broker, if they successfully sell your home at the price you are happy with.

14. Accepting an offer is one thing, ensuring a safe and successful closing is quite another. Real estate transactions usually always have problems on closing. At times, expecting the Buyers and Sellers Lawyer's to fight it out or resolve the problems, can sometimes mean the deal is lost. This is the time that your experienced real estate professional, can be the most important. Your Real Estate professional can act as a great mediator. Lawyers MUST act only on their client's instructions and are not paid to negotiate.

Michelle Makos gets results !

This is not to say selling your home on your own cannot be done !   But for the most part, people do not want the added stress and worry.  There is also a huge issue with security.  As a private seller, do you know who you are leeting into your home?   When agents show your home, they are bonded and usually the people they are showing the homes to are qualified.

I wish everyone well who thinks selling a home is easy.... I personally take a lot of pride in my profession and feel that I work very hard for my sellers.   If you decide, you would like to have a reputable real estate agent represent you in the sale of your home, please give me a call.  I would be happy to meet with you and discuss what a professional Realtor can bring to the table.

It isnt just posting your home on MLS.   There is a lot more that give your home the extra exposure you need to sell it faster and for more money !   Hopefully one day, I get the opportunity to show you what I can do for you !  Call me, no obligation.  Michelle Makos  905-831-3300