Common Questions About Buying and Selling Real Estate in Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington & Milton
How do I find out what my home is worth?
The most reliable way is a current market evaluation based on recent comparable sales in your neighbourhood. Online estimates are a starting point, but they usually miss condition, upgrades and local street-by-street differences that affect price. Marijan Koturic, Broker with Orion Realty Corporation, Brokerage, offers a no-cost market value evaluation for homeowners in Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington and Milton. Call 647-892-5007 to book one.
What is the difference between a real estate agent and a real estate broker in Ontario?
Both are registered with the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO). A broker has completed additional education and examinations beyond the salesperson level. Marijan Koturic has been registered with RECO since 2010 and has held a broker licence since 2015, working through Orion Realty Corporation, Brokerage.
What should I know about buying a home in Oakville?
Oakville is one of the higher-priced markets in Halton Region, with a wide range from condos and townhouses to detached homes on large lots in areas such as Glen Abbey, Old Oakville, River Oaks, Bronte and Joshua Creek. Prices, taxes and commute options vary a lot by neighbourhood, so it helps to decide on your must-haves and budget before touring. A buyer’s representative can show you listings on MLS as well as homes not yet listed publicly.
What should I know about buying or selling in Mississauga?
Mississauga is a large and varied city, from established detached-home areas such as Lorne Park, Mineola and Erin Mills to high-rise condo districts around City Centre and Port Credit. Because it borders Toronto and has GO Transit, Highway 403 and QEW access, demand tends to stay steady across price ranges. Sellers benefit from pricing based on very recent sales in the same pocket, since values can differ noticeably from one neighbourhood to the next.
House or condo: which is the better choice?
It depends on your budget, lifestyle and time horizon. A condo usually has a lower purchase price and less maintenance, but comes with monthly condo fees and rules set by the condominium corporation. A freehold house gives you land, more space and full control, but higher carrying and upkeep costs. Historically, detached homes in Halton and Peel have seen stronger long-term price growth, while condos offer easier entry. We can compare real numbers for both options in your price range.
How do multiple offers (bidding wars) work in Ontario?
When more than one buyer submits an offer on a property, the seller’s brokerage must tell all competing buyers how many offers have been received. By default the contents of the other offers stay confidential. Since December 2023, under Ontario’s Trust in Real Estate Services Act (TRESA), the seller can also choose to have their brokerage share details of competing offers, such as price, with the other buyers; this is sometimes called an open offer process, and the seller decides whether to use it. The seller can accept any offer, counter one offer, or reject all. As a buyer, your strategy covers price, deposit, closing date and conditions, and it should account for whether the seller has chosen to disclose offer details. As a seller, the approach covers list price, offer date, whether to disclose competing offers, and how offers are reviewed. Marijan has written about the seller’s side and the buyer’s side on this site.
Can you help with the mortgage?
Marijan has a background in mortgage financing and can introduce you to mortgage professionals for a pre-approval, a refinance or financing for an investment property. The pre-approval tells you the price range you can shop in and how the federal mortgage stress test applies to you. Mortgage advice itself is given by the licensed mortgage professional you are introduced to.
Do I need a broker to sell my home?
No, you can sell privately. A registered broker or salesperson brings pricing based on recent comparable sales, exposure on MLS and to other brokerages’ buyers, negotiation, and handling of the legal paperwork, deposits and conditions. The article For Sale By Owner vs. Real Estate Agent on this site walks through the costs and the typical difference in results so you can decide.
Marijan Koturic, Broker — Orion Realty Corporation, Brokerage
1149 Lakeshore Road East, Mississauga, ON L5E 1E8
Serving Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington, Milton and Hamilton. Call 647-892-5007.