Marketing Your Home For Sale

Many people think selling a house is putting a home on Realtor.ca and that's it. You couldn't be more wrong.  Homes that receive more showings, usually sell for higher prices and even over asking.  The only way to generate that is through a professional full time Realtor who will not only put your home on Realtor.ca but will also blast it all over the internet in various forms.  I have spent many years perfecting this and within 24 hours ~ your home will be on the front page of Google.

Keywords, meta tags, various website domains, blogs and google plus pages as well professional photographs and virtual tour along side placement on Real Estate Channel will up the exposure.

Yes for sale signs, will get sign calls and Open Houses will generate traffic but how many of those inquiries are viable leads.   People that go through Open Houses, don't even know the price and the agent doesn't even know if they have a job or a mortgage pre-approval.  The best leads are people that come through with a Realtor.

Good quality Feature Sheets are a great walk away for showings because buyers probably aren't just seeing your home and this way, they have something that showcases your house with links to websites and photos that will bring them back to their visit.

Selling your house can be a dreaded experience or it can be fun and quick with the right agent showing you the way.   Don't necessarily think that the cheapest agent is the best agent.   Your home is your biggest investment ~ invest in a proper agent that will represent your BEST interests and work to negotiate and maximize your equity.

If you are looking for a home evaluation, please let me meet you and show you what I can do for you.   The majority of Buyers are on the internet now, my sites are all Buyer friendly.   You will always be able to reach me and you will always be my first priority.   I treat my clients the same way I want to be treated.

So if you are thinking on selling, give me a call.  It may be your biggest investment yet.  Looking forward to hearing from you !  

And all the very best for a happy and prosperous 2015, whether you are moving or staying put.   Real Estate is my passion and also the biggest investment you can make ~ in your life and in your future.

Cheers to you ~
Michelle

BIG CHANGES !!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I have officially resigned from Re/Max First Realty Ltd and as of December 1st, I have partnered up with some established and well respected colleagues and we are very excited and proud to have opened our own Full Service Independent Brokerage serving Durham Region and the Greater Toronto Area.

Royal Heritage Realty Ltd. is a dream come true for us.  There is so much we can offer,  that is beyond anything the big brands can do.  We will respect your business and work ever so diligently to represent you ~ whether buying or selling.

My partners include;  Joe Pitino (33+ years in the business with Re/Max), Paul Etherington (current President of the Toronto Real Estate Board), Randy Miller (Commercial/Residential Realtor with Re/Max) and myself.  Together we bring a vast amount of knowledge from technology to long time real estate experience and commitment.  We look forward to working with you and earning your business and referrals.

Proud members of the TORONTO REAL ESTATE BOARD

Stay tuned, lots of great information coming and if you are a Realtor looking for a new Brokerage in 2015, give us a call, we would love to speak with you.

"REAL ESTATE YOU CAN TRUST"

44 Hesketh Road, Ajax - SOLD OVER ASKING IN ONE DAY

Well another successful listing and sale.  This property was bought in 2012 for $249,900.  The purchaser was working in Durham Region and felt that buying something would be better than renting !  WOW !  Did he get it right.  Sold once his job was finished here for $320,000.   Not only did he build up his equity over the two years but he also made a nice profit.  More than he would have made keeping the money in the bank.  So who says Real Estate isn't a wise investment. With the right agent representing you and guiding you, you can't lose.  Congrats to my Seller on the quick sale of his home and to anyone thinking about investing in real estate... stop thinking and start doing !!!

If you want to discuss your real estate needs, please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to assist you in your next real estate transaction.   The pleasure will be all mine.   

120 Dorcot Avenue - Original Owner - Estate Sale

Looking for a bungalow with huge potential?  This home may be it.  Located close to schools, parks and public transit.  2 Kitchens, newer furnace, side entrance.   Don't miss this one.  A little updating and you have yourself a real gem !  

120 Dorcot Avenue - Toronto - NEW LISTING

Estate Sale - 120 Dorcot Avenue - PRIME LOCATION

3+1 Bdrm Bungalow w/2 Kitchens and Side Entrance

Huge Potential

CHECK OUT VIRTUAL TOUR

Thinking of Selling Your Home?

See what your home is worth?

Are you curious as to the value of your home?

Are you thinking of selling and need advice?

I would be happy to come to your home and give you a free no-obligation home evaluation and discuss how to best market and sell your home for the MOST money.

I don't list homes, I sell them.

Call Michelle Makos, Re/Max First Realty

Direct Line:  416-300-3004 or go to the link above.

345 Flagstone Terrace - Gorgeous 4+1 Custom Bungalow in the Rouge

HONEY STOP THE CAR !!!!!

SOLD FIRM - 100% OF ASKING PRICE

A Real Showstopper. Gorgeous 4+1 Bungalow In A Sought After Rouge Community. Custom Built Kitchen W/ Granite Counters, Glass Backsplash, Hardwood, Potlights, Crown Moulding, Gas F/P. This Home Boasts Cathedral Ceilings, Huge Master Bedroom Retreat. Ultra Modern Bathrooms, Huge Windows, Natural Sunlight And Open Concept. Professionally Finished Basement With 5th Bdrm And Bathroom. Bright And Spacious Laundry Room. Outdoor Bbq/Kitchen. Private Backyard.

Extras:Stainless Steel Fridge, Stove, B/I D/W, B/I Microwave, Front Loading Washer And Dryer, All Electrical Light Fixtures, All Window Coverings And Blinds, Outdoor Weber Bbq Built In Outside, (Exclude: Stainless Steel Freezer In Garage)

Whitby Real Estate - Check out the latest new listing in Whitby

This home has so much to offer.  Double car garage, finished basement with side entrance.  Needs a little interior work but major work is done.  Furnace, A/C, Roof and Windows.  Call for a private viewing.

Quarterly Report from Toronto Real Estate Board - October 2014

36 Winston Crescent - Whitby Homes For Sale - NEW PRICE

Here is your opportunity to own a fabulous 3+1 Bdrm home in family friendly Whitby.   Heated garage.  Newer furnace, windows, roof and A/C.  $329,900

36 Winston Crescent, Whitby, ON

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 !  :)