Here is my story - During the COVID years, when interest rates were at historic lows, for various reasons, I didn’t feel ready to jump in, bid aggressively, and pay the hefty prices between 2021 and 2022. Thankfully, I never experienced FOMO during that time. Then came 2022, and the market took a turn. The Bank of Canada began raising interest rates, home prices started to decline, and suddenly, realtors were facing blame—some of it justified, as there were bad apples in the industry. As an immigrant unfamiliar with the Canadian real estate landscape, I felt uncertain and even anxious about finding the right realtor and mortgage agent after reading many concerning stories. I took my time, doing extensive research—not just on cities but on specific communities that aligned with my needs. The biggest challenge, however, was finding a good realtor. While I could have easily asked friends for referrals, I chose a different approach. I followed real estate news, podcasts, and some of the brightest minds on social media to gain a deeper understanding. Through this process, I came across several knowledgeable and experienced realtors, but I was looking for something beyond that—honesty, reliability, and sincerity. That’s when I found Michelle, and she checked all the boxes. From the very start, she never pressured me into signing any binding agreements—a rare but refreshing approach that made me feel comfortable. She provided valuable insights into different communities, helping me refine my search, and guided me through pricing and market trends with solid data, never pushing me toward reckless bidding wars. Long story short, we won the bid and soon going to be proud homeowners of a beautiful house in Pickering! This journey could have been overwhelming, but Michelle made it smooth and manageable. If you’re looking to buy a home in and around the GTA, I highly recommend Michelle Makos. You don’t need to spend time worrying about finding the right realtor—I’ve already done that work for you. Just go with her, and you’ll be in great hands!