1. Get a pre-approval In a hot real estate market, pre-approved home buyers get preferential treatment when negotiating home purchases. Why? Because pre-approved buyers are financially qualified to purchase the home and are considered more serious than buyers who are not. Nothing feels worse than finding the ideal home in the perfect area, and then not being able to get the financing to close the deal. A pre-approval will provide as a reality check prior to mapping out your life in a home that you cannot afford. 2. Meeting with your agents for a home buyer's consultation.  Also a very important step in the process, this is when you and your agents prepare each other for exactly what to expect along the way. The following points should be covered and fully understood during this meeting:... 01/17/2009

The January real estate market in south Pickering kind of reflected the general mood of people around Durham Region.  Let's stay home and wait out winter.  There were 7 sales in South Pickering with a median price of $274,000.There can be no market trend statements here.  There are still 39 active listings from January and 2007.  We will have to see if February brings people out to buy and sell. 02/08/2008

North of the 401 in Pickering showed more activity than the South (it is a bigger district), but the activity was nothing to write home about.Only 55 of the 211 active listings sold in January, a hair over one quarter, in all of north Pickering.  The median price was $283,000.The median price for all of 2007 was $290,000, and for December 2007 is was $284,750.  With not much to compare it to, and mother nature hitting Durham Region hard so far this year, we will be waiting for cabin fever to hit to get things moving. 02/08/2008

It has been quite a roller coaster ride for the real estate market this year, according to the press.  Following national news and national trends can be deceiving when it comes to the local market.  You need to know what is happening in the Pickering market to decide if the time is right for you to sell or buy.What's happening in Pickering?The Toronto Real Estate divides the city of Pickering into two areas with the 401 being the dividing line.In South Pickering, the 14 sales in November had an average price of $307,571.  Now 14 sales doesn't really make a real estate market or a trend. In fact for average price, a number of factors could come into play.  For example, one or two $150,000 condos or one $800,000 home could pull the average up or down. The year to date average price for t... 01/25/2008

Interested in knowing what the resale housing market is like specifically in this area?Have a look at my Preferred Properties MARKET TRENDS REPORT for $700,000 plus LIFESTYLE HOMES in PICKERING Ontario to find out.You can also TOUR THE NEIGHBOURHOOD's of Durham Region online. Click HEREFeel free to contact me anytime if you would like any more information about the area. I would be pleased to assist you.Gina JeffersSales RepresentativeRoyal LePage Connect Realty, Brokerageginajeffers@preferredproperties.ca 905-427-6522 10/29/2007