Mike Donia - Committed to Exceeding Your Expectations!

1. Why Mike?
2. Why Use A Realtor?
3. Who is a Realtor?
4. Questions to ask before hiring a Realtor?
5. Is getting a good home good investment?
6. How do I know where to buy?
7. Getting top dollar for your home?

WHY MIKE?

• Over 90% of my clients are repeat customers - an endorsement of satisfaction.
• #1 I.C.I. agent in 2004 and top 5 in 2005, 2003 & 2002 in one of Canada's largest Remax offices assures you of hiring a top professional.
• Accurate and professional evaluation and advice.
• Continual follow up.
• Global exposure.
• Unmatched level of service.
• Unmatched Performance Awards.
• Has extensive referral network of contacts available to you for all aspects of Real Estate.
• Over 25 plus years of experience.

WHY USE A REALTOR?
When you're looking for help buying or selling property, it's important to remember that the terms "real estate agent" and "Realtor" are not synonymous. Realtors can provide an extra level of service, and to be a Realtor you must be a member of the National Association of Realtors. The NAR is a non-profit trade organization that promotes high professional standards in real estate information, education and professional standards. The National Association of Realtors also has earned a strong reputation for actively championing private property rights and working to make home ownership affordable and accessible.

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WHO IS A REALTOR?
A Realtor (or REALTOR) is a licensed real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) a membership organization of some 720,000 real estate agents in the United States. In Canada, the corresponding professional organization is the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). A licensed real estate agent does not have to be a member of NAR or CREA to practice real estate.

QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE YOU HIRE A REALTOR
Selling or buying a home is one of the most stressful activities in life. It is very important to enter into this situation with as much knowledge and understanding as possible. The person you choose should have the qualifications and expertise required to market your home. How long have you been working as a full-time real estate agent? How long have you been selling homes in this city? Are you familiar with homes in my neighborhood and have you sold any homes here? What percentage of market share does your company hold in this city? He or she should be able to help you understand his or her approach to marketing your home and the costs involved. What would you recommend as a) the listing price of my home? b) the selling price of my home? How did you arrive at these prices? What commission rate do you charge and what percentage do you offer to the selling broker on the listing publication? What will my net proceeds after expenses be? How long do you think it will take to sell my home? What specific marketing plan do you propose to get the job done? You should expect some type of assurance that he or she will keep his or her part of the agreement. What recourse do I have if you do not do what you say you will do or if I am dissatisfied with your performances and services? Will this be guaranteed in writing? Many or all of these questions will be answered by a professional realtor during his interview with you. Use this list as a guideline and add your own concerns when deciding on a Realtor to sell your home.

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IS BUYING A GOOD HOME GOOD INVESTMENT?
Buying a home can be an excellent investment - particularly when you consider that family homes have historically proven to be a good inflation hedge, and that mortgages typically have the lowest personal borrowing rates. In addition, this is one of the few investments you can make that are not subject to capital gains tax.

HOW DO I KNOW WHERE TO BUY?
The old saying location, location, location still holds true when it comes to determining the value of an investment in a home. I've been in the Toronto, Missies and other Greater Toronto market for more than two decades, and can show you the historical values of homes in certain areas with its features. I can help you through the process of choosing a home that will meet your needs and your budget, while offering good potential investment value down the road.

GETTING TOP DOLLAR FOR YOUR HOME?
Will my house sell? The answer is yes, of course it will sell, there is a buyer for every home. The only question left to answer is...How can I get top dollar for my home? Contrary to popular belief, any home will sell, in any type of market, however, in order to get your home sold quickly and for the best possible price, there are some things that you can do to help the process run smoothly. There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on improvements, but following these helpful hints will make your home as appealing as possible to prospective purchasers. Always remember: "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." Taking care of these simple tasks will help you to make the best possible impression on the people that view your home.

• EXTERIOR
  The first thing a prospective buyer sees, of course, is the outside of your home. Therefore, the exterior appearance or "curb appeal" is very important. After all, if your home is not aesthetically appealing on the outside, they probably won't be interested in seeing the inside. Simple touchups for the Outside: Cut lawns, weed gardens, trim shrubbery and keep the yard free of toys, bicycles, garbage bins and any other sorts of clutter. Keep the garbage out of sight. One of the most important (and most often overlooked!) effects on your home's overall exterior appearance is the front door. Make sure that it is clean, preferably freshly painted and in excellent repair. Brass fixtures (handle, lock and door knockers) add greatly. Be sure that the mailbox, window and sidelights are clean and/or freshly painted. Make sure that driveways and walkways are in good repair. Driveway sealing helps in the summertime and in the winter be sure that all areas are free of snow and ice...not only is this a safety precaution, but also a reflection of your attitude towards your home. Remove any stains, weeds or dirt. When possible, try to keep the driveway empty of vehicles during showing times. Water running out of clogged eaves troughs onto a prospective purchaser is a big deterrent. Be sure that all eaves troughs, shutters and fencing are straight, clean (paint if necessary) and in good repair. Garages are another focal point of your home. From the outside make sure that doors are clean and in good repair, preferably with a fresh coat of paint, keep the inside as tidy and well organized as possible, clean the floors of any spills or leaks and be sure that there is enough room for people to step inside and look around - don't let it get too crowded. Clean all windows (look for any signs of mildew and dirt along tracks etc.) and repair any broken or damaged windows. Touch up or paint the exterior trim.
  
  
• INTERIOR
  "LESS IS MORE!"
  Simple, easy Touchups for the Inside In a nutshell - CLEAN EVERYTHING! Wax, mop, steam clean, dust, scrub, paint, wash, polish, you name it. Even the spots you think no one will notice. Wash window blinds and draperies, dust chandeliers, clean face plates on switches, clean, paint or touch up walls, doors and door frames, replace any tired looking hardware on doors, replace burnt out light bulbs, repair leaky taps, faucets or toilets. The kitchen is the one room of the house where a family spends most of their time together, making it one of the most important rooms in the house. Keep countertops clean and free of clutter as much as possible, put away anything that you don't use everyday. Keep appliances and sinks sparkling clean, no dish racks or dirty dishes. Also keep your home free of cooking odors, what may not be offensive to you may be to a prospective buyer. Try baking or potpourri to give your home a pleasing aroma. Keep bathrooms clean and sparkling, re-grout tiles if needed, a fresh bead of silicone where required, remove any mildew or hard water stains, put personal items away off of counter tops. Organize and tidy all closets and cupboards, once again, less is more! Be sure that rooms are not "over furnished", try to remove large pieces from small rooms. An empty room looks much larger than a crowded room. Remove all posters, signs and unsightly or offensive photos from walls and ceilings (especially in children's bedrooms) and don't use the hallways and stairwells as a family photo gallery. Whether finished or not, keep the basement tidy and well organized - dust and clean even the things you think they won't notice! Prospective buyers will want to have a walk around even an unfinished basement to see how much space there is. Make sure they have lots.
  "Atmosphere"
  • Try to be absent during showings. If you must be home, make yourself scarce.
  • Turn on all lights and open blinds and drapes. Lots of light, especially natural light is an excellent selling aid.
  • Be sure that the house is at a comfortable temperature, not too hot or cold. On pleasant days, open windows.
  • If you have time, especially before an open house, bake some bread or cookies.
  • Play soft and appealing background music.
  • Keep pets outdoors or out of the way. Although your home is probably already in excellent shape for marketing, being conscientious of all of the above points will help to make your home as saleable, and appealing to the public as possible, resulting in a quick, acceptable offer.

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