Home sells for $1.15M OVER ASKING

Ok so this just is more of the same.   Last week a home in Whitby sells for

almost double and now this one in Toronto sells for 1.15 MILLION OVER ASKING !!   The article is in the Toronto Star in the link attached.

Homes sells for 1.15 OVER ASKING in Toronto

Just thought I would share this.

Happy Valentines Day !

Have a Walk Away Number !

Hey everyone,

Just thought I would give you a quick update with what is happening in the market out here.   Buyers are completely frustrated and so are the agents.  The prices are going up every day.  This weekend a house in Whitby listed for 7 something sold for over ONE MILLION dollars... Complete craziness.

So I guess what I am trying to say is work with someone you trust.   Don't get talked into some of this nonsense.  There will be another house... be informed and be ready ... but don't be stupid.

AND... don't put in conditional offers .. chances are you are going to lose (at least out here anyway) and you are only boosting up the prices because the other firm offer, isn't being told yours is conditional.  They just see another offer and then jack their offer up another 10K to beat you and yours wasn't even in the running.

So please use good judgment.   Have a walk away number !  Don't get sucked into the emotional roller coaster .. be smart !   Yes the house prices are on the rise and yes you are going to pay top dollar but you don't have to be reckless.   Stay calm, listen to your Realtor and follow their lead.  They are working for you. They know the market.  They want YOU to win as much as YOU do.  They don't earn a living either when they lose.  They are writing offers and and losing all the time.  Imagine if someone said to you, go to work and if you win you get paid (not right away mind you but in a couple months when the deal is closed) or go to work and do your best with what you have and lose and don't get paid... and keep doing it, week in and week out... for FREE.  So please understand not all Realtors are making tons of money like the media portray.  We have a lot of great agents that are working 10 times harder and making ZERO !!

So let's all work together, quit blaming each other or the Seller or the agent.  It is just a crazy time in real estate and hopefully we get some more inventory so this crazy pace slows down and people can negotiate again... like the good ole days !

But when you are ready to make an offer, be careful.  Don't get caught up in the winning of it.  Have a WALK AWAY number... Play until you hit it and then throw in a towel.  It is just crazy what some of these houses are selling for and I wonder how many people are waking up the next morning sick thinking what they just paid for that house !!   It is supposed to be a special time, buying a home ~ not a game.   Surround yourself with professionals that know the market and understand how to play the game ~ because right now it is a game !

Don't get so invested in a home that you can't walk away.   It's bricks and mortar. Another one will come out tomorrow and probably better than the last..... Slow and steady wins the race.  Be patient.  Do you homework.  Get pre-approved.  Be informed and work with someone you trust to direct you to the finish line !

That being said, enjoy your evening.  Super Bowl Sunday !!!   If I can ever help or answer a question, don't be shy.  I am always here to help.   Hang on to your hat though, I think we are in for quite the ride ... :)

Cheers to that my friend !
Signing off, your real estate friend,

Michelle xo

Buying in 2017

Happy 2017 everyone... just a quick message as the website has had many visitors over the past two weeks and I don't want anyone to get discouraged.  The listings have been few and far between over the holidays as most sellers are waiting for "normal" to return to the workplace and kids to be back at school etc.   Today, TREB released the market stats for December 2016 and it showed continued rise in prices and the second consecutive "record breaking" year in real estate.

So here is my advice, if you are looking to buy, stay on top of the listings you receive or if you see one and I didn't send it and want info, just ask me and I will find out what I can.   I think we are going to have another crazy year as far as prices.   I do not think the foreign market is going to affect Toronto or Durham like it did Vancouver, as a matter of fact, Toronto Real Estate Board took a poll with agents and only 5% felt the buyers were international.  This is strictly lack of inventory.

Prices rose over 20% last year which is a phenomenal return on your investment... and for many it was beyond 20%, especially in Durham Region where our prices were the most affordable.  So don't get discouraged, keep checking back and you will see more and more listings coming out over the next few weeks and by end of February, we will be in a FULL SWING OF THE BEGINNING of SPRING market.   Most people buy to close end of June when kids finish school.. so keep that in mind.  If you are more flexible in your closing, the better your odds of winning.  We need good strong offers, with as little conditions (actually NO CONDITIONS) as possible so have your pre-approvals done in advance and I can give you a couple mortgage brokers to contact if you want that done... I find mortgage brokers USUALLY give you better rates than your bank 90% of the time.

As far as home inspections go, most offers will need to be firm but now that most sellers are holding offers, I do have inspectors that will do a quick walk through with you prior to putting in your offer,  if you have concerns about anything and want to go in firm during the offer process, so that you can put your mind at ease.   Just remember, buying is usually BEST OFFER wins and it can save you a lot of headaches if you have an experienced agent who is protecting YOUR best interests and not the sellers.... it's a lot of money - make sure you are represented at the table !

As always, I look forward to hearing from you and I will be at the Market Outlook on January 31st,  with Chief Economists and CEO's from BILD and other real estate associations and will send you an update on what they predict.  So for now, hang on and get ready for another crazy year.... You are in good hands and Happy House Hunting !

Your Friend in Real Estate.

It's the Wild Wild West Out There

I have to say the market is going full steam ahead.   Was in multiples last night again for a client.  Once again we did not improve high enough to win BUT at some point, integrity has to prevail.   How much is too much ???   I seems to me the prices are moving way too high, too fast.

People say Realtors are making a killing this year.  Well as a partner in a

brokerage with over 100 agents, I can tell you firsthand, they are working ten times harder to put one deal together.   The market is lacking inventory and the buyers are at the mercy of the seller.  Agents are showing and writing offers that go no where and are back at it the next day trying again.    

In the heat of the bidding war, when do you say, "Ok, I think we need to walk".  I think I have said it several times this month... LOL... because I just feel like the home does not have that value attached to it.  If I wouldn't feel comfortable paying that for the house or selling it to my kids for that price, I certainly cannot advise my buyer to pay that.

At some point, you have to say, "It's your call" to them and let them decide how much is too much.  

Has Durham Region been undervalued for too long and we are just paying catch up to York Region and GTA?   Are we now just being seen as the closest pocket to Toronto that is affordable?   I would like to think so because nothing else seems to justify this huge spike in prices.

In 2006 a detached home in Pickering the average price was $344 approx.  In 2016 the average price for a detached home in Pickering is close to $700K... so you have a 100% increase in value in 10 years.   Prices have doubled for conversation sake.  

If only we knew then what we know now !  :)   So do you think in 10 more years, the average house in Pickering will be 1.4M.... Hey it doesn't sound so crazy anymore !

Will the market slow down?   I hope it balances out.  A market like this is a slippery slope.  When it is balanced, people can have home inspections, negotiate sale prices etc.   Right now, it is the Wild West out there.  Seems like common sense is out the window and it is just "pick a number" ...

Agents need maybe to list higher to stop all the multiple offers.  That might put the brakes to this... Who knows... But at least I know I can sleep at night because I am not letting my clients pay some of these ridiculous prices.....

Happy House Hunting Everyone..... May the best offer win !  

Selling Your Home in this Market

Well we all know the market has been busy the last few months and April is no different.  This week I listed a property in North Oshawa.  A nice detached home with single car garage... for $399,900.   To give you some idea, the week prior to this listing a home exactly the same listed for $399,900 the week before and sold for $440,000.

So I hold offers from a Thursday to Tuesday.... during that time another home on the street lists for $399,900 and doesn't hold offers and has a walk out basement as well... it sells in one day for $460,000....during the weekend, I get two bully offers which I recommend to my clients not to take and to stick with the game place and let me do my thing.   They agree and said, do your thing !

Tuesday morning comes and another home on the street hits the market at $399,900 as well.   Tuesday night comes and we end up with 12 offers... I do my job and my clients end up getting $480,000 Firm.   The house that went up the same day sells that night for $360K with a bully offer.

The moral of this story is ... stick to the game plan.  Bully offers are not always the best offer you are going to get.  Hire a professional that knows how to deal with multiple offers and get your Sellers the most money possible.  In this case, my sellers were the clear winners.  They obtained the highest price on the street at $380,000     They are thrilled, as am I.

It pays to market the property properly and have it get its maximum exposure and then play on this market with confidence.  The stronger the agent, the better the outcome.

Don't settle for less than you deserve.  Hire someone who knows their market and has integrity.  They will bring value to your home.  So in less than a month, the same street had all 4 houses come out at $399,900 and one sold for $440, one for $460 and one for $450 and then OURS for $480K..... the HIGHEST AMOUNT ON THE STREET.

If you or anyone you know is thinking on selling and would like to meet and discuss the best approach to take in this market, I would love to speak with them and do an in house evaluation.   It's fast and full of market information.  Make the call - it just make make you an additional $20 to $30K and what phone call isn't worth that !

On that note, Happy Selling everyone... have a great day !

March 2016 - Market Report - Just Released

Market Stats Just Released for March 2016 - WOW from Michelle Makos

Looks like April will be much about the same or better.... Strong real estate market and low interest rates are making it hard to buy resale homes as the buyers are competing in many of today's sales.  Prices are at a record high. Multiple Offers are now the norm and inventory is key to stabilize this market. The more listings we have, will create more competition... it will then be best house and price wins ... NOT just only house on the market wins regardless of price and condition.   If you are thinking of moving, I would say, now it the time to capitalize on your investment.

Enjoy the information.  It provides year over year statistics as well average prices in the 416 and 905 areas.  Have a great day !

It's a Sellers Market Out There !

Well folks, here we are approaching Easter weekend and the market is insane.  Buyers are fighting to win their Dream Home in multiples almost every night of the week.  Many people think that this is only happening in Toronto and I can tell you that is simply not true.  Durham Region real estate is a hot commodity right now.

Recently had on home in Ajax, 21 offers and sold almost 120K over asking.  Is

Welcome to Multiple Offers !

that unusual?   Not right now.  It seems to be becoming the norm.  But how far will it go?   We need inventory to balance this market out.   Yes, interest rates are low.  The demand is high but the supply just doesn't seem to be there.  A minute a home is listed, it seems to sell within a week or less.

Agents are waiving inspections and financing conditions just to WIN.   If you are the listing agent or the Seller, this is great times but if you are on the other side, it can be rather frustrating.   People ask me all the time, "will this continue?" and the trust to the question is, I simply don't know.   I don't see it slowing down any time soon.

We are getting buyers from Overseas, buyers from Toronto who can now sell their house there for $1M and move to Durham and buy for less money but not necessarily buy down in size.  It is driving our house prices through the roof.

I think the important thing to focus on here is know your market.  Buyers should have an agent from the market they are buying in.  It doesn't matter where you buy but make sure you agent knows the area, schools, market values, past sales, etc.

This is important.  Your agent when you are a Buyer is there to PROTECT your

interests.   Please keep this in mind as I see Buyers going to Open Houses now and thinking if they use the Listing Agent, they will get a deal... NEWS FLASH - there are no deals right now !!!   This is a strong market... Highest and Best Offer wins... but at least if you have your own Agent you know they are working in your best interests.

If they tell you, that's high enough - listen !   Don't buy with your emotions.  Listen to reason.   We have been doing this a long time.  

Back in 1989/1990 a similar market happened, interest rates were higher (12 to 14%) and home prices were much more reasonable but it corrected itself in a matter of weeks.   It took years for those homes to rally back to the prices Buyers paid for them.

I am not trying to scare anyone out of buying real estate.  It is your biggest and best investment.  I am just trying to educate both Buyers and Sellers.  If you are thinking of selling and are sitting on the fence, don't wait too long... you never know what can happen and if you are buying now, use an experience agent who knows your market you are buying.  Just because they are your family or a friend, that doesn't necessarily mean they know what works in that particular neighbourhood.

I can honestly say, from what I have seen lately, the offer price needs to be at least 5 to 10K for each offer over asking FIRM to win.   So it depends on how many offers and which neighbourhood and price point you are buying in.

The good news is ... we have a healthy real estate market right now which is good for the economy.   Good luck in your home search and play your poker hand right.  Keep your cards close to your chest.  Share your numbers with your agent so you can strategize together the best way to attack the situation and come out on the winning side.  

Have a wonderful holiday weekend everyone and happy house hunting !!! 

** SOLD OVER ASKING ** 5 Days on the Market

Thinking of Selling Your Home?

Fall market is soon upon us.  Prices are up and inventory is low.  This is a great time to sell.  Be in a new home for Christmas.  

The market is strong, interest rates are low.  This is a great time to list your home and get top dollar.  With professional photographs, virtual tour, internet exposure and fool proof marketing plan that will get you maximum exposure on your largest investment.

I would be happy to meet with you and go over the best marketing/pricing strategy to obtain top dollar for your home.  No obligation. Call today !

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 !

1875 Malden Crescent, Pickering - SOLD OVER ASKING !!!!

Thrilled to have been able to get my Sellers the highest price on their street !!! The market is smokin' hot !!  Thinking of selling your home, NOW is the time. Should you need a complimentary Home Evaluation, contact a local full-time Realtor in your area and get your home on the market !  

This home showed pride of ownership and the SOLD PRICE reflected that. Bidding wars are a thing now.  Make sure you are pre-approved when going out to find that perfect home.   Multiple Offer Presentations usually end up going to the agent that has pre-approved clients and them with them at the home. Congrats to all involved in this sale and thank you for your business.  ALWAYS APPRECIATE REFERRALS.  

SOLD FOR 120% OF ASKING PRICE - MULTIPLE OFFERS

Here is an interesting one.   December 2014 I sold this property for $499K firm and the deal fell through on closing due to buyer not obtaining financing.  Re-listed the home in the same condition for the same price and held offers for 5 days.   Received multiple offers and ended up selling for $600K firm.   Sellers were ecstatic to say the least.   Market is unreal right now due to lack of listings and so many buyers out there looking.   If you are thinking on selling your home, do it now.  

If you would like a free home evaluation for your property, please don't hesitate to contact Michelle Makos at 905-831-2222 or 416-300-3004.

The market is smoking hot !

Holding Offers - Who is REALLY Benefiting??

Ok here goes !!!  Being a full-time professional Realtor, I can honestly say that I have an equal amount of Buyers and Sellers this year, so this is being written with no pull one way or the other,  BUT in my experience, it has become apparent that holding offers is very prevalent.   My concern is this ... as a Buyer Agent - Is it not hard to keep your client motivated to participate in what I call a "goat rodeo"?????....They see the house, they love it and then you tell them, "Great, we have to wait until Monday night:"   Do they lose interest?  Do they talk themselves out of it?   Are they eager to participate in Multiple Offer situations?   I would have to say NO.

So now you have Buyers who are disengaged with the process.  They think we are holding them hostage and agents are over selling the properties and then saying, you need to go firm to win.   Is this really representing their best interest?

Then you have the flip side.  The Seller who thinks this is the way to do it.  List a bit lower than last sale and let people pay higher than asking and sell it in a weekend.   Sounds like the Listing Agent wins in that case and really would have to wonder if the Seller would not have gotten that price regardless if it was just priced at "market value" and let the offers come in as they are viewed and if a multiple offer situation occurs, so be it but don't force it.

I guess it depends on what side of the fence you are on.  I am not saying I don't hold offers ~ because now, most Sellers want that ... BUT ... even as a Listing Agent, if you get an offer priced way over asking and is firm, are you not a little worried at if it will appraise?   Just me speaking out loud here.  

I have walked away from offers when the prices seemed so inflated ~ I advise my Buyer "let's wait"... because honestly, "this house isn't worth it".... and I guess maybe that comes from having experience and knowing the homes in the Durham Region.   These crazy bidding wars usually are from out of the area agents coming into Durham Region and truly I have to wonder if they even know where the Durham/York Pipeline is or if they know about the Whites Road extension and so on.

So the bottom line, no matter whether you are a Seller or a Buyer, choose an agent you feel comfortable with, who KNOWS your neighbourhood and will REPRESENT YOUR BEST INTERESTS.

Happy House Hunting to  All and to all a Good Night !  :)

SOLD OVER ASKING !!! 106% OF LIST PRICE - FIRST DAY !

Who says marketing and exposure don't work?   I just sold 11753 Sheppard Avenue E., Unit #1221 .   My client is thrilled.  Do you want to sell your home/condo?   Do you want an experienced full-time agent to represent your interests.  Give me a call... I would be happy to meet with you.

OVER ASKING IN MULTIPLES

I don't just LIST homes, I SELL them.  

My client wrote this:

Thank you Michelle for making my second sale with you an easy and calming experience.   When it came time to our family to sell my dads condo, I knew you were the lady for the job.  Your knowledge of what we should do was incredibly helpful in the decisions we made as a family. 

In the future when I am in the market and need an agent looking out for my best interest, I will be calling on you. I will also recommend you to anyone else who needs a great agent in what can be difficult and trying times. Again, thank you for all of your patience and time.

I feel so privileged to work with such wonderful people - they are not only my clients but they are my friends.  Thank you for your constant support, referrals and business. 

265 Senator St., Pickering - SOLD OVER ASKING

Another great listing sold for 102% of asking price. Who says the market isn't HOT !

All you need is a great marketing plan, exposure and an experienced Realtor.

This past weekend I sold my clients home in multiple offers after 27 days on the market. Don't think it doesn't happen. Inventory is low. Interest rates are on the rise and the buyers are out there looking to purchase their dream home.

If you are looking for a full time experience Realtor to maximize the equity in your home, I would love to meet with you and discuss how I can sell your home. For more information or to get a free no obligation home evaluation, call me. Direct 416-300-3004. Thinking of selling? You owe it to yourself to make the call. Looking forward to hearing from you and discussing how I can sell your home for more more money, faster! Have a great weekend. Cheers, xo

Winning in Multiple Offers

THINKING OF COMPETING IN MULTIPLE OFFERS?   BIDDING WAR BASICS

When you've found that perfect little house you'd like to call your home, the last thing you want is to have to compete with other potential buyers.
But bidding wars - especially in hot real estate markets and urban centres - are more of a reality now than ever. So what do you need to know to stand the best chance at signing on the dotted "sold" line? Winning a bidding war is always a roll of the dice, but read on for the real deal on how to prepare before entering the multiple-bid realty trenches.

Have Your Pre-Approval In Place
Get pre-approved for a mortgage so you know the maximal financing available to you.
By pre-qualifying for a loan, you'll not only be aware of your offer's ultimate ceiling, but you'll shop around - and bid - accordingly. Speak with a broker to evaluate your options before you settle. A thumbs-up from the bank, along with agreeing to put down the biggest deposit or downpayment you can afford, can also help establish to sellers that you're serious about buying their property.
Keeping Up with the Jones'
You don't have to actually keep up with the Jones family, but when it comes to the houses you're serious about bidding on, you do need to be aware of comparative market analysis. In other words, do research to learn what the fair market value for any house you're interested in is considered to be, as well as the fair market value of similar houses that neighbour them. Real estate websites are good resources to get a sense of what's out there. When you find out what comparable houses to the ones you're looking at are going for, you'll know if you're shopping way beyond your means, or well within it. Knowing the current market value a house will fetch may also help you determine what you think other bidders will offer, to in turn establish the bid you want to make. Your Realtor should be protecting your best interests.  Keep in mind, if the bank appraises the home and it doesn't appraise for the price your offered, then what????

Play Clean
Don't add unusual requests, terms or conditions to your bid, like, for example, buying someone's home on the basis that you'll first sell yours. Additional clauses contingent upon any extenuating circumstances can cause headache to vendors, who may have another offer at the exact price you're tendering, but one without any loopholes. Which one would you choose? By nixing the contingency plan and making a "clean" or firm offer, you stand a better chance at getting what you want.

Inspect the Goods
Set aside a fund for pre-buy home inspections, which should cost about 1 per cent of the house's asking price. This is often money well spent. If it turns out that the house you think you want to buy has a roof that's about to fall in, better to know before you bid - especially since it might make you look twice at a very similar piece of property around the corner that is going for the same asking price, but with, for example, a recently renovated roof. Consider setting up a home inspection fund in case you end up in a bunch of bidding wars on houses lost to other buyers, since you'll also have lost your home-inspection fee.
Don't Get "Fluffed"
Fancy art, furniture that's moving out with the homeowner and gorgeous draperies may make a formerly drab house look fab, but none of those things will be there when you buy the house. As soon as the showing's over, the homeowner may well ship that Persian rug back to the prop rental store it was leased from. Also, the drama in the colour of the paint in the living room, dining room and bedroom might look impressive, but might not suit your furniture...at all. Just because a house may show famously, doesn't mean it's the right one for you. Make sure you're not being taken in by the smoke and mirrors of objects that are not part of the home's innate architectural charm.
Uneven Steven
Don't bid $250,000 on a house whose asking price is $250,000 when you're in a bidding war and your budget could easily permit you to extend $251,200. It may seem as though bidding an odd number would make little difference, but not only will your bid stand out from the rest, it may just beat an offer that came in at a slightly lower figure with a more common-sounding bid.
Revisit Kansas
Try to go back to see the house that seemed so magical to you on first viewing more than once - and more than a couple of times, if possible. One reason is that what strikes you as a great first impression may make a poorer second or third impression. Another reason is that more than a few sentimental homeowners have sold their house to a young family that somehow reminds them of themselves when they were starting out. Often, if you are able to meet the homeowner and they establish a connection with you, they may look upon your offer more favorably than that of another bidder - even if your competitor's bid is higher.
Pull the Trigger
Try to figure out the vendor's "trigger" - what it is that would make them sell. If you know that the homeowner has a certain closing date in mind which differs slightly from yours, offer to meet their ideal terms - sometimes this is all it takes to be selected over another bidder, even if the competing offer is higher. If you can afford to, add incentives like agreeing to pay all closing costs. And if you know the sellers are not looking forward to moving their weighty piano or basement-assembled pool table because it's expensive to move and the closing date is tight, inquire about buying it to see if that will sweeten the deal.
Hide Your Hand
Bidding wars are a lot like gambling - the stakes are high and a lot of luck is involved. Rather than trying to figure out how much you can afford to bid without breaking the bank, try to strategically figure out the highest competing bid you're trying to beat. If you don't have finely honed psychic abilities, what helps is knowing the true value of the house. Let's say you're pre-approved for a $400,000 loan and the house you're interested in bidding on would, according to your realtor's estimation, be fairly priced at $350,000 as compared to other similar houses in the same 'hood. If you know that the homeowners are not accepting offers 'til Saturday, and have listed the asking price at $345,000, and then find out Saturday that there are two other offers, think about what those two other offers might be. You may be smart to bid higher than their asking price and more than fair market value but still less than $400,000.
Know Right from Wrong
In the end, don't get caught up in the excitement of bidding. There's an age-old maxim: "buy the most expensive house you can afford." This is a savvy real estate suggestion, because if you can afford a $325,000 three-bedroom home but instead settle for a $275,000 one-bedroom home thinking you've saved some money, you could regret it sooner than you think. Consider that if you need that extra bedroom space - like if you and your partner decide to have kids - you'll be looking to buy a new house, sell your current living space and move house in a relatively short period of time. It's just common sense to make the highest offer you can afford that you're comfortable with. Every time you visit a new property ask yourself: Is this the wrong house? That's right, the wrong house. Rather than falling blindly in love with any given dwelling, play devil's advocate with yourself, scrutinizing how the house you're looking at right now is any different from the one around the corner that you just looked at. In bidding wars, there's a grave danger of overpaying if you get swept up in the auction-like fray - know when to fold 'em, walk away and run.
So before you engage in battle, arm yourself with credit pre-approval, a little research, an arsenal of financial strategies, heightened market value awareness and a great realtor. Then cross your fingers and go forth to find your own home sweet home.

Call Michelle Makos, Re/Max First if you would like to feel like your best interests will ALWAYS come first.