How to Reduce the Chance of Burglary by 90%

How to Reduce the Chance of a Burglary by 90% 

No one wants to deal with a burglary. How do you reduce the chances of one happening?

Fortunately, burglaries are a well-studied phenomenon — especially by law enforcement. These studies have identified specific things you can do to cut the risk dramatically.

Here are some ideas:
• 34% of home break-ins occur through the front door. Experts recommend investing in a door with a top-quality locking mechanism. (The best are those that lock at three points of contact.)

• 50% of burglars will be deterred if your home has some sort of video monitoring system. A thief doesn’t want his face on YouTube!

• Unfortunately, signs and window stickers warning of an alarm system do not deter thieves. However, 62% of burglars will immediately run away when an alarm goes off. Always turn on your alarm system when you’re not home!

• 22% of burglaries occur through a sliding glass door or patio door. Make sure it’s locked and also use a solid metal jammer.

• Some thieves use frequency scanners to gain access to garages. Police recommend changing your remote entry code regularly and putting blinds or curtains on garage windows so thieves can’t see (and be tempted by) any valuables inside.

As you can see, there are many simple things you can do to reduce your chances of a burglary dramatically. The effort is worth it.

Especially now that the weather is nicer, break-ins are on the rise.  Please do what you can to prevent yourself from becoming a victim.  Your home is safe haven.  Protect it.

Have a super week everyone and I hope you enjoy some of these tips !
Cheers, Michelle

Average Selling Price Up 13.8% in Durham Region

So you want to know how much your home is worth?  Well studies released by the Durham Real Estate Board show home selling prices are up an average of 13.8% from the same time last year !    Not a bad return on your investment.  

For a more detailed evaluation, call me and I would be happy to drop by and assess your individual home value.  Every home is different.  Why not know what your biggest investment is worth !!!

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 !

1252 Ashgrove Crescent - Oshawa Home For Sale

*** OPEN HOUSE ***

Sunday April 3rd, 2 to 4 pm

1252 Ashgrove Crescent, Oshawa

Fabulous 3 Bdrm Home.  No Neighbours Behind.

Professionally Finished Basement, Designer Decor

Eat In Kitchen w/ W/O to fenced Backyard

Access to Garage

For more information,

Michelle Makos

Royal Hertiage Realty

Direct Line 416-300-3004

February 2016 - Market Figures - Transactions UP 21.1% from same time last year !

March 2016 Real Estate Market Figures from Michelle Makos

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 !!! 

Surprising Ways Buyers Find Homes

Surprising Ways Buyers Find Homes

Do you ever wonder how most people find the homes they eventually buy? You might imagine them driving by a “For Sale” sign or seeing a home for sale in the newspaper and then calling to enquire.

Of course, many buyers find out about listed properties that way. But, according to research by the National Association of Realtors, there are many other — sometimes surprising — ways buyers find their next dream home.

For example:

·          88% of buyers find a home with the help of a real estate agent.

·          90% of buyers search online as part of the home buying process. (Such as viewing a property’s profile on the agent’s website.)

·          69% of buyers searching for a home using Google, use a specific local term, such as “Pickering homes for sale”.

·          29-46% of buyers attend an Open House as part of their home hunting activities.

Overall, the research shows that buyers are using a multitude of ways — combining online and offline methods — to find homes. 

What does all this mean to you? If means that if you’re preparing your home for sale, you need to ensure your marketing plan takes into account all the ways buyers are finding properties — so you can be sure that they will find yours.

Looking for a REALTOR® who knows how to market your home for maximum exposure?   Let's talk.   I would be happy to assist you.

Check out the latest market statistics from TREB for January 2016.

Strong Start.  8.2% Increase in transactions from January 2015

Market is still strong.  

Treb Market Watch - January 2016 from Michelle Makos

Disclosure – what do sellers and salespeople need to disclose?

This is an excellent video if you are thinking of selling your home !  What needs to be disclosed to avoid legal action... it is called "cover your a$$"   Mark Weisleder is a fantastic real estate lawyer...



Having a Professional Realtor will help avoid issues later.  They know the rules.

For more information about selling your home, I would be happy to meet with you.  Call me at 905-831-2222 or direct at 416-300-3004.  Real Estate is my passion.  You won't be disappointed.  Cheers !

Market Review and Outlook Report for 2016

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