Keep the energy positive ~ Today and Always ~



Positive Energy - Positive Results

 Before we head into the weekend, there are few things I want you think about.     It always helps me in my decision making and thought process.

• To ignore the truth - doesn't change the truth.   Be honest with yourself !
• Do what you love and do it well - OR DON'T DO IT !!
• Failure is not an option
• Remember, you can never fail, you can only LEARN !
• Eliminate non-supporters from your life !
• Believe in YOURSELF !
• Choose your life !
• Honour your word !
• Between dreams and reality lies risk ~ that is why most peoplenever achieve their dreams !
• We will attract into our lives what we think about on a consistent basis ~ so think POSITIVE !
• When you really want something, you will ALWAYS find a way.  When we don't, we find an excuse.
• You can OVERCOME your challenges or be OVERCOME by them ~ The Choise is YOURS !

So as we go into the weekend, keep your thoughts positive, your standards and heels HIGH !! :)
Have a good one everyone !   xo

2013 Housing Market Outlook

This is definitely worth the watch !!!  2013 Housing Market insight.  What to expect .... the Canadian Housing market will be HEALTHY...  Just more balanced.   Take a peek !!  Re/Max Rocks !

Did you know?????? Information from NAR Conference in Orlando

Here were some key points mentioned at the Conference.

The US inflation rate is currently 2%... It is expected to rise to 4-6% by 2015.

US Residential rents are rising.

Mortgage rates are expected to be 50% higher in 2014 and 2015.

Home Prices are heading UP

Rising Home Prices will dramatically help home owners who are over financed.

Renters do not accumulate wealth.

On Christmas Day 2011 - 7 Million Smart Phones were activiated within 48 hyours - 240 Million apps downloaded.

Visualization - get a picture of what you want and look at it as much as possile.

Read:  "Think and Grow Rich" - after more than 50 years, it is still considered by many to be on the best business books ever !

Have an "Attitude of Gratitude"

Get rid of negative people in your life !

Use the word:  THANK YOU !!!!

In the last 4 years, real estate searches on Google are up 253%

Those are my little tid bits for today !!  Hope they help you in your personal life as well as your business  !!!
THANK YOU for taking the time to read it ! 

Motivational Saying for the day!

Just like Johnny the Bagger (previous video post) - I have decided every day I am going to post a motivational saying from my list of many that I keep in my office and that I read every day.  So I will share one every day to all my Blogger friends.   Please feel free to comment or share one of your own.   Have a super day and make it count !!!  xo

Fear Less,
Hope More,
Eat Less,
Chew More,
Whine Less,
Breathe More,
Talk Less,
Say More and all good things are yours !

Totally Inspiring ... Everyone can make a difference

THE SIMPLE TRUTHS OF SERVICE - JOHNNY THE BAGGER

This video was sent to me with the kindest of sentiment.   I watched it in awe.   It is so true how such little things can have such a big impact on people.   People may never remember what you say, but they will always remember how you made them feel.   This is a story of a Bagger at a grocery store and how his little act of kindness made a huge difference on the people and the store he worked at.   Kudos to Johnny !!  Pay it forward !!!   I had to share it.   Have a super day everyone and remember, kindness counts !

Market is still going strong !



Re/Max Sells - #1 Pickering

 Its been a long day... just in but happy to say my Buyers are thrilled to have purchased their dream home tonight in Pickering.  First day on the market and we moved on it and it paid off !   Listing agent was a true professional and negotiations were fair and everyone walked away smiling.  Thats real estate !  If it is done right, everyone walks away happy !!

Welcome to Pickering, Olga and Lou... you will love raising your family here. 

Not only do I feel good about tonight's sale, I have made friends for life.  Real estate is about relationships.  It is about building trust and working together.   Next time you are thinking of moving, make sure the Realtor you work with is someone you feel comfortable with.  WE are on the same side.

Ok well I am signing off now, going to get some much needed sleep and back at the grind in the morning ! 
Night night !

Dellbrook Avenue in Pickering will be closed today

Public Service Announcement

Road closure on Dellbrook Avenue in Pickering

WHITBY, ON November 8, 2012 – The Regional Municipality of Durham, Works Department would like to advise residents and businesses that a section of Dellbrook Avenue in Pickering will be closed for approximately two days, starting Nov. 12.

WHEN:
The road closure will be in effect, starting Monday, Nov. 12, during construction hours (between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.) and is expected to last until Tuesday, Nov.13.

WHERE:
Dellbrook Avenue will be closed between Brock Road and north entrance to Brock North shopping plaza, to accommodate the paving operations at the intersection of Brock Road and Dellbrook Avenue. Access will be still be available into the shopping plaza, located at the southwest corner of Brock Road and Dellbrook Avenue.

WHY:
The road closure is for the safety of motorists and construction workers during the road reconstruction work.

NOTE:
Please note that unfavourable weather conditions may influence the work schedule.

When it the BEST time to sell our home?

Very few Listing Presentations I go to,  that I am not asked, "When is the best time to sell our home?".

My thoughts and the reasoning behind them are an assessment that deals with Selling in Durham Region and the GTA, remembering that Real Estate is a truly local business and is completely different as you travel the world....

Durham is a very diverse community with many service-based businesses abound and there are two major vacation times in this Region's calendar. Very little happens here in the two weeks before or after Xmas and during the humid Summer months of July and August, Suburbanites head to the Lake regions surrounding the City. All one has to do is monitor the traffic in the Downtown during these times and you know that a large number of people have escaped.

These are the holidays that affect the Real Estate Market in a really good way. A lot of families are so busy during their regular weeks that they have no time to talk about plans and goals for the future. The Holidays allow goals to be set, a lot of them include moving up, down or sideways. My phone really starts to ring in the second week of January and the second week of September. That is when Clients are ramping up to get their homes ready for the market to come.

Smart Sellers will bring their houses to the market in September, October, November and January, February, March, April. Beware that you don't wait till May or June when you think that the gardens will show the best and sell the house. The market gets flooded with other Sellers jumping on that bandwagon, and the competition stiffens.
It may be hard to consider bucking what you think should be the trend for Toronto Real Estate, but historical sales figures show graphs bumping up in the schedule that I am proposing. Not that houses do not sell at other times, but if you want to take advantage of the Prime selling months, get ready for September and January starts to the Market.

For your free market evaluation, please don't hesitate to contact me at michelle.makos@rogers.com or call my cell at 416-300-3004. Looking forward to working with you.

Lest We Forget !



Lest We Forget

 Today, around the World,  we bow our heads to remember those who fought for us.  The red rememberance poppy signifies the poppies from the poem "In Flanders Fields where poppies grow..."

These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red colour an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the war.

So today, please take a moment to remember the brave men and women who fought in World War I, II and any war ... they deserve a moment of silence.  


A sunrise ceremony started at 8 a.m. at Prospect Cemetery near St. Clair Avenue West and Lansdowne Avenue.


CityNews Channel will have live coverage of Toronto’s Remembrance Day ceremonies starting at 10:30 a.m. Watch it if you can't be there.  I will be !  xoxo
God Bless and Stay Safe Everyone

Why you should list now and not wait for Spring !

12 Reasons to List now during the Holidays!



Selling Your House in the Winter



I know alot of people that think the best time to sell their home is in the peak Spring Market.  Just remember, that if you wait until Spring, you are up against a LOT of homes, and I mean a LOT of homes.  The earlier you list, the better.   Even January is better than waiting until March or April.  Here are my reasons why !

1. There is less competition for buyers

2. Winter prospects are more serious buyers

3. Your home looks better during the holidays

4. One of the highest percentages of “listings sold” to “listings taken” occur during this time of year

5. You may receive more money for your home now, because you have less competition

6. Throughout the holiday season, you may restrict showings during your personal family events

7. Buyers have more time to look at homes during the holidays, especially during vacations

8. January is traditionally the biggest transfer month – and you must be on the market to capture that market

9. By selling now, you can have a delayed closing or extended occupancy until the beginning of the following year if you want to

10. When you sell during the winter you have an opportunity to buy during the spring, when many homes are on the market

11. You may have fewer actual showings, but more qualified and motivated prospects

12. Corporate transferees, who need to buy a home now, can’t wait till spring

"Buy and Sell with Michelle!”

For a free no obligation home evaluation, simply email me at michelle.makos@rogers.com  or visit my website at www.MichelleMakos.com  today !

The House Hunt is On ! Now What?

 The House Hunt: How Many Homes Should I See?

So, you are beginning the hunt for a new home, and you ask yourself the question that most buyers ask, "How many homes should I see?"

There are different theories on this. They range from the golden rule claim that you MUST see many properties to a mild suggestion of staying within a 5-20 house range. The truth is, there is no set-in-stone answer to this question. The good news is, there is much you can do to narrow down your search and help you find the home looking for, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Here is an estimated break-down on what happens for most buyers:

43% will look at 2-10 homes before purchasing, 27% will check-out more than 20 properties, 22% will see 11-20 homes, while 8% may fall in love and purchase the first home they see.

But, these are statistics, and at the end of the day who knows where you will fit into these. The key is to find a Realtor whom you trust and who knows the market you are bidding in. Next you should clearly share with them what you are looking for.

And, no, there is nothing wrong with purchasing one of the first homes you see- so long as you know it is what you want.

Some questions to clarify with yourself and your Realtor before starting your house hunt:

 

• What are your central objectives for purchasing? Is this going to be your dream home, or somewhere you envision staying for only a few years? Is this a family home or an investment property?

• What are the most important elements you are looking for in your new home? Is it the neighborhood or perhaps the size of the house? Is it important that there are good schools near-by? Prioritize these and other features in order of importance.

•  If you are buying as a couple, do you both have the same vision of what you are looking for? Deciding up front what you want, collectively, can greatly help simplify and clarify your search down the line.

Have you finalized your financing? Do you have pre-approval for your mortgage and do you know what price you are comfortable with within your pre-approved range?

Another question to ask yourself is, "Am I being realistic with my parameters?"

Buyers can spend forever trying to find a "great deal" on a house. They tend to think that the only way they'll get what they want is at the expense of someone else- in this case the seller.

But, in real estate, a win/win situation is what makes for a great deal. When good negotiations are made, both buyer and seller are pleased with the final deal. 

Remember this, as you define your search parameters.

Finding a home that is 20% below market value may take you forever- if never. But, knowing what you are looking for will lead you towards a quicker and easier search for your home.

If you are thinking of buying a home and need assistance, give me a call. I would be happy to help or visit my website www.Homes4Sale-Durham.com for loads of insight and current listings. I am only a call away !