November Market Minutes :)

Hello Website Friends !!!

Well the TREB stats are out.  The market is still moving .. SLOWLY but moving.   Sales prices are about 2% above the sale prices in October 2016 but sales are down 26.7% from the month before.   

I watched this video/link on Global yesterday :  RICHMOND HILL WOMAN CAUGHT IN HOUSE SQUEEZE.

I am sorry, this is getting ridiculous... everyone was warned that the prices were going up too quickly and the bidding wars were getting dangerously high and that buying FIRM with no inspections or conditions was a slippery slope and people still wanted to buy buy buy.  Now when it is not going up leaps and bounds,  they are upset with mortgage brokers and realtors.   I warned people at the beginning of the year.  I was good with people selling that weren't buying in that frenzy to cash in and get out.  I told BUYERS to wait.  Don't buy now.   It didn't help my pay cheque but it was the honest thing to do.  NOW and in the next six months, we are going to see another slight drop in prices and then we will be balanced out. 

I think if you have sold your home and/or are a first time buyer, NOW is the time to get out there.  So many people NEED to sell because they are caught in a mess,  like this woman in the video and will take a lower price than listed just to get out of the mess they are in.    If you are selling right now, you need to make sure you working with a solid agent who knows the market and has great exposure on the web because that is where the buyers are going or my WEBSITE of course, because it is always up to date.. :)

So the new market watch is below for any of you that are interested in looking at it.

Market Report for October 2017 - Residential Resale from Michelle Makos

With the new mortgage lending rules changing January 1st, people are looking to buy now, especially those buying with 20% down who will have to qualify for higher rates.  It is believe it will effect about 20% of their buying power BUT on the flip side, I have heard that you can qualify through Trust Companies and Credit Unions and they are not subject to those qualificaiton rules... so this may be a loophole in the new rules... or they may change it before .. who knows.

All I know is use a professional Realtor who will advise you of the market and help guide you to make informed decisions.   Anyone who has worked with me will testify to that.  I would rather see us walk away, than over pay or get in a mess.  The stress and aggravation are not worth it.  I have been there.   1989/90 and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.  So learn from my mistakes.. :)   Have a great November everyone and if you have any questions or know of anyone moving or looking to buy, I am always happy to help.

Cheers !!
Michelle
Your Friend In Real Estate
ROYAL HERITAGE REALTY LTD.
Broker
416-300-3004

Great Things Never Came From Staying in Comfort Zones

Happy Long Weekend My Fellow Friends and Followers,

I just wanted to update you all on the dreaded July numbers and throw a little light into the dim picture the media has painted.  First of all, SALES were down 40.4 % from the same time last July (2016)... Sales NOT prices.  I have heard so much confusion and misinformation.  The sky is NOT falling in on real estate.  In fact, July and August have ALWAYS been the slowest time in real estate and with the added regulations that came about in April it just made it worse.... so yes the numbers are down for the 3rd consecutive month and I would guess August will be about the same..... BUT
look to September to see a nice hiccup in the  market.

I think we are just balancing out right now.   Prices are still up from the same time last July by maybe 5% but we saw huge growth in 2016 so anything now looks bad and the press has a way of spinning things to sensationalize them.  So if you are thinking on buying or selling, don't be discouraged.  Opportunity may be knocking.... I would say September after the long weekend you will see a more balanced and happy market.  Buyers will be able to have their conditions and Sellers will still make money .. maybe not at the 2016/early 2017 prices but let's face it, those prices were beyond ridiculous.  Anything that goes up that fast, was not normal.  I believe it was all due to lack of inventory.  Now we have a surplus of inventory and the Buyers seem to be waiting?  What are you waiting for?  Interest rates are still amazing, house prices are coming down to what they were a year or more ago and you have CHOICE, which you didn't have as much of before ...

This week I read this quote "Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful" ~ Warren Buffett AND how true is that statement.   Right now, people are running scared like the sky is falling in real estate, the bubble is popping etc and in fact, a smart person would be seeing that as an opportunity to get in the market.  No one ever looked back in history and said "Gee I wish I never bought that house"... whether it was in the peak in the market or the bust.... because real estate is not only an investment but it is YOUR HOME.   My goodness, no one is losing money if they bought in 2016 .. because chances are they aren't selling it... for a while and when they do, they will be just fine.  It is more the speculators who come in and buy homes and flip them and want to profit from it... not people like you and I who buy real estate for our home, our children's home and future retirement.

So please stop letting people scare you about real estate.  Yes it is slow, always is SLOW.  Yes, prices are down considerably from February and March and April of 2017 and I am glad they are.  The prices were going up too fast and buyers weren't given the opportunity to even have a second look or a proper inspection.   So YAY to a real estate slow down but I can guarantee you that the market will be healthy and strong in September ... once the dog days of summer have passed... not to mention the rain - the weather this summer has been awful and people aren't out looking at home in the rain.  They just aren't.

So if you are looking to buy, keep looking... you're timing is awesome and if you are thinking of selling, I would wait until after the long weekend in September and then reach out and let's talk about what we need to do to sell your home.  I still recommend people sell before they buy in this market and have always preferred people do that but the past 3 years that hasn't been the case... because you couldn't buy anything without firm offers in competition.  Those days are gone hopefully for a while.

Now let's breathe a little easier that the real estate mania has finally settled down and we buy and sell with more realistic and beneficial goals than before.  I am attaching the Durham Region stats for July and you will see the numbers are still good.  The days on market are more but the sale prices are still good... in comparison to 10 years ago, they are great !  So people need to stop being so negative and look at this as a great time to buy in real estate.

Have a great long weekend everyone... and hopefully we get some nice weather.   If you have any questions about the market, your home or any listings, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Please remember if you are buying and selling in the SAME MARKET ~ the conditions won't effect you.  It is when you are buying in one market and selling in another that you may get caught, this generally happens with long closings but if you buy and sell within 90 days, you are going to be find.  What you save on the buy will be the difference you may "think" you have lost on the sell.

In 10 years from now, we look back on these prices and laugh and say, "Man I wish I bought more real estate"... just like we have all been saying the past year and half I am sure !!!  I think we all know the housing plan put in place, spooked a few buyers and the interest rate hike didn't help but the deals are out there and ones that are shopping now, are going to look back and say, "I am so glad I did"... between now and the end of 2017, you will see some great opportunity.  Be ready for them.

Cheers to that !
Michelle Makos
Direct Line - 416-300-3004
Broker/Owner
Royal Heritage Realty Ltd.

MARKET UPDATE - MID JUNE 2017 - WHERE DID ALL THE BUYERS GO?

I just wanted to give you a quick update.  The market is saturated with listings. 1:10 ratio.   So currently in Pickering, we are sitting with 232 Freehold Active Listings and in the past 7 days, 28 have sold.  What does that tell you?  Buyers choice !!!  They can negotiate and they have so much choice they can be picky !!!   This is where a good negotiator working on your side can save you thousands of dollars.  The same scenario  is happening in Ajax with 323 active listings and only 20 SOLD... and Whitby has a whooping 370 Active Listings and only 39 have SOLD.

Many of these people on the market right now have bought FIRM in March and beginning of April and are starting to panic.  They NEED to sell in order to close on the purchase they made.  Thank God I don't have any clients in this situation.  I had a feeling this was going to happen and now it has.  It is a desperate situation for many people out there... and it is unfortunate.  

BUT if they do not sell, they will not CLOSE on their purchase and in turn that 
will result in lawsuits galore.   The Sellers will sue the Buyers for not closing but it isn't just for the deposit, it will be for damages.   Damages can include penalties and the difference in the sale price if they have to resell the property and it sells for considerably less.  Unfortunately this is starting to happen now with June closing and many July closings where the homes are still on the market and not sold.

If you are thinking on buying an investment property or a first time buyer, this is the optimal time to find a good deal.  If you are looking to move and sell and buy, I highly recommend you sell first as it may not sell at all... and if you were looking to just list to "cash in", although the prices are still high, the days of multiple offers and no conditions (financing or inspections) are gone... That ship has sailed in Durham Region for now.  Let's see what the new stats say for Mid June when they are released.

And on a brighter side, I want to wish all the Dads out there, a Very Happy Father's Day and if you aren't a Dad, have a great day and enjoy the weekend. Take care and I will keep you posted.  Remember, if you want to know a sold or have a question, reach out and if you know anyone looking to buy or sell, do your research.  Use a Professional.     Have a great evening !!!

Market Review and Outlook Report for 2016

TREB Market - Year in Review - Market Outlook 2016 from Michelle Makos

2016 Real Estate Outlook

Great information of what to expect in the real estate market for Toronto.  Strong price growth but not like 2015... Toronto continues to grow ... Demand is strong - Inventory is still low.  Rates expected to remain low due to low Canadian dollar.

For any questions about buying or selling a home, please contact me and I would be happy to help !   Let's hope the prices continue to rise at least to 6% this year as opposed to the 9% last year ~ which is totally foreseeable as we start 2016.