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Thursday, April 23, 2020

Let's Have a Digital Coffee and Chat Real Estate

52-1958 Rosefield Rd - Pickering - SOLD FIRM


This prime Pickering location townhouse was listing on a Monday and SOLD CONDITIONAL on Tuesday.  After conditions on financing, inspection and Status Certificate were done, I am happy to say it sold in ONE day for 100% of asking price.  Looking to sell in Pickering, call a local Full Time Realtor who can price your home accordingly and market it virtually as well as using social media and other outlets to get you great results !!!  Call today to chat about the real estate market and how I can assist you.  Let's kick Covid-19 to the curb and get back to business.

To view more listings go to House Hunting in Durham Region

Pickering Real Estate & Covid-19


Curious about what is happening in the real estate in #Pickering?  Check out my blog.  Link above.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Motion or Commotion???


How Can “The Largest Board in Organized Real Estate” Conduct Motions in this Manner?  Can someone please explain because right now I am confused.  I am all for change and modernization but what was that??????

Firstly, we approve an Agenda for a meeting that was clearly not followed.  As a matter of fact, we start the By-Law discussion and then cut if off mid way through for the Mayoral Debate YET it clearly stated on the Agenda that the Bylaw Changes were after the Debate.  So what is more important here?  Accomodating a bunch of Mayors who basically had a chat by themselves because the room was half empty.  Secondly, we were in the middle of the By-Law debate when we broke it off to allow for the Mayors little tete a tete.
Voting at AGM
During the wait time, many people actually left !!!   I had two people hand me “RED CARDS”
outside of the room and said I have had enough and this is taking too long, I have to go and left.  Those red cards could not be used or voted.   

So when we reconvene, they then proceed to take the Vote… and it appears to look like a mass of green paper and then a mass of red paper.  Impossible to count clearly.  From my view, it looked like red had more, to the point where a person who voted “for” the Motion said, we lost… so it wasn’t just me.  Then much to my surprise, the President says, we are going to do it again, it is too close to call !!!  Wait, what????  Too close to call?  So we lift our cards again, this time to have 3 or 4 TREB staff wander the room counting pieces of paper in the air. 

How on earth can a Board function like this??  55,000 members and maybe 1,000 they announced were in attendance and at the end of the second vote, they say, the Greens win …. After a bit of an outcry from the members, asking for recorded votes, etc.  They say no the Yes vote wins.  We then ask by how much?  It turns out to be 10 votes.  10 green pieces of paper more…. Really?  That is how we are going to run our Board?

Who monitored if someone held up two pieces of paper?  And I think they said it was 168 to 178 …. Well that barely equals 350 – so what happened to the so called 1,000 people they said were there.  They left !!!   But they can pass a Motion with a 10 vote difference.  And who were these mystery counters????  Treb Staff????  Really????  So 650 people were missing?  Funny, we can register using QR codes on our phones but vote like an episode in the  Flintstones.

To say I am disappointed is putting it mildly.  I also had agents from our office drive from Pickering out to Etobicoke to participate in this process and truly, they were shocked at the way it is done.  How on earth do you expect members to get involved when from the first onset, none of it has followed any kind of protocol.  It was embarrassing.  If this was a Union Meeting, there would be a riot !!!  They would lock the doors during a vote and not have people walking in and out of a Trade Show.  This is our industry and the future of it depends on these Motions and By-Laws.  Shame on you.  Not on the Motions – on the fact that you allowed our Association to become a complete joke !!  I for one, has never seen such a mockery of a vote.  We don’t have other ways to get people to vote?  Electronically, sign a piece of paper and count it at least – but today was a sad day.

I have sat on the TREB Board for 6 years and I know they work for free and they do their best for the most part but what went on today was atrocious and I for one, am ashamed to a member of a Board that conducts themselves like this.  I am sure I am not alone.
Good luck getting more members to vote and participate.  Shame on you !!



Friday, March 22, 2019

A MUST READ - For All Friends and Family of Commission Sales People


Today I decided to write an article to ALL the friends and family of commissioned sales people.  I am sure if you have worked in commission sales, this article will make complete sense and maybe even strike a nerve or two.  I encourage you to read it and share it your family and friends. 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/anyone-commission-sales-family-friends-michelle-makos

Much appreciated !!!

Cheers
Michelle

Sunday, January 13, 2019

Open House or Not To Open House?

Ok so here goes !!!  

This may not make me many fans in the business but I for one, do NOT believe
Open Houses are for the benefit of the Seller to sell their home, nor are they in their best interest.  Over the years of doing Open Houses, I can tell you that I have spent countless wasted hours sitting in people's homes waiting for the front door to open.  But if you are selling, think about this.... you are letting complete strangers walk through your home (and yes, the Realtor will try and get a phone number and identification for security purposes).. but we are by NO MEANS policing it.

Most agents ask for the information to try and find a buyer who isn't working with an agent to sell them something else.

Many of the people coming through your home at an Open House, are unqualified and/or unrepresented.  Some are nosy neighbours, some are professional "Open Housers" that love walking through strangers home for decorating ideas and some are just driving by and stop to check it out.

I can tell you, if I was selling my HOME, I wouldn't have one.  I would want only qualified buyers coming through with their agent.  What is the point of kicking you out of your home on a Sunday afternoon, so someone can use your home as an office to try and find some new business .. because for the most part that is what they are doing. 

If someone is genuinely interested in buying your home, or viewing it, they will call their agent or the Listing agent (who will ask the appropriate questions).  I would rather have  10 qualified showings than 30 people going through my home that are unqualified and mostly just nosy.

Also there is a security issue.  Homeowners are told not to leave out expensive belongings etc.,  but you never know.  Not only the issue with people stealing or  removing something that isn't theirs but also for the agent sitting in your home alone.  There have been numerous issues where an agent was put in a situation where they shouldn't have because of being in a home all alone.

I am not discounting agents that do them.  Some love them and want to do them and try very hard but for the most part, I think sellers make agents think it is a way of earning their money.  I can tell you that I can spend two hours on the internet at home in my office, promoting and marketing your home to potential buyers way better than sitting in your kitchen waiting for the door to open and then do you know what many of them say walking in???  "How Much is This House?"  Well if you don't even know the price, clearly you are not interested really ... Come on.

I can't tell you how many times I have been asked doing an Open House..."if I buy through you will I get a deal?"  The answer is NO.  You won't get a deal.  I am working for the Seller and if you want a good deal, go find yourself an agent to bring your offer and let's see who comes out on top !

I work for my clients the same way I would want someone to represent me.  They are hiring you with their biggest investment.  Treat it that way.  It is an HONOUR when someone chooses you to sell their home.  Be Honourable !!!  Give them the service they deserve that puts their mind at ease and SERVE them !!!

I know some agents will be annoyed or think I am wrong or they sell a lot of homes by double ending them because they work Open Houses and good for you but to me, my reputation is what I pride myself on.  You can agree with it or not but no one will doubt when they are working with me that I am putting their INTEREST before money and before transactions and awards.

If Mr. Seller doesn't want an Open House, trust me, he isn't missing out on anything.  I also am the same way with signs   Many of my listings do not have signs.  Signs are for agents advertising themselves.  If someone wanted a home on that street, they would be looking at the internet or social media or the newspaper etc.  Signs to me don't sell houses !   Signs get calls from neighbours.  :)  Most of my homes have sold without signs.  Sure it doesn't give me name recognition but it gives me happy clients who want some PRIVACY !  ... The whole neighbourhood doesn't need to know they are selling.  :)

Ok that is my thoughts this chilly Sunday afternoon.  Have a great day and remember, I am always here for a question or to answers any of your real estate needs !

Cheers,
Michelle Makos
Broker/Owner
Royal Heritage Realty Ltd.

P.S - If you are an agent who puts out signs everywhere, please do us all a favour and pick them up when your Open House is OVER, it makes us all look bad !!!  Especially when I drive by on a Saturday night and see your Open House sign still up from Saturday.  Really?   Great impression !

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

213 Gwendolyn St., Check out my Newest Pickering Listing




Check out my latest Showstopper right in the heart of Pickering !!!  This fabulous 4+1 Bedroom Home in the desirable neighbourhood of Rougemount is ready to call your own !!!  Featuring new garage door, front door, eaves, soffit, windows, renovated both inside and out !!!  Over $300K in upgrades.  This one is a must see !

If you are looking for your Dream Home in Pickering, your search is over.  For more information contact Michelle Makos, Royal Heritage Realty at 416-300-3004 or go to www.HouseHunting-Durham.com and see more information.

This property can be yours for $1,199,000... CALL TODAY !!!

Friday, November 2, 2018

9 Colleridge St., Ajax Home For Sale - NEW PRICE

9 Colleridge St., Ajax


Tribute Built 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath Brick Beauty !
Are you looking to more to northeast Ajax?  This fabulous home just hit the market.  Features main floor hardwood, new roof, Stainless Steel Appliances, Huge Master w/Ensuite, Close to schools and transit.  Relax by the fireplace on a cold winters evening.  Enjoy the privacy of your own fenced backyard.  Unspoiled basement and more.  

To book a private showing, call Michelle Makos @ Royal Heritage Realty Ltd., 416-300-3004.

Saturday, October 6, 2018

23 Sealstone Terrace, Scarborough - SOLD





Coming to MLS Tuesday October 9th.  A real charm !  Beautifully maintained by its original owner.  Pride of Ownership throughout.  Corner Lot w. Hardwood floors throughout (even under broadloom).  This is a forever home any young couple or family !

Thursday, September 20, 2018

28 Bradford Court, Whitby - SOLD

Don't miss this beautiful 4 Bdrm Brick Family Home in Whitby on a quiet family court.  Walk Out Basement with Ravine lot !  No Neighbours Behind !!  Soaring ceilings, grand foyer, double car garage with access to the home, open concept w/hardwood floors and meticulously maintained.



To book a private showing, call Michelle Makos, Royal Heritage Realty Ltd.  416-300-3004.  This home is worth checking out !!! 

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