Lisa Roach

As a CENTURY 21® Real Estate professional, I am dedicated to providing you with the highest quality service possible. My personal knowledge of the local Real Estate market is combined with the power of the CENTURY 21 brand - the most recognized name in Real Estate today.

Let me assist you in finding your dream home, in a neighbourhood that is right for you, and in the price range you want. Or if you are interested in selling a property, I also have the expertise to help you get the fastest sale possible and at the best possible price.

You can learn more about me on:

Property List

$455,555 955 Lancaster Blvd Milton, ON L9T 6A2 MLS® ID:

Beds: 3 Baths: 3 Living Area: - Year Built: 2003

Awards

* CENTURY 21 Awards Criteria

• 2011 - Masters Silver

Professional Background

Personal Background

About me:  I am a mom of three to Kaitlyn, Matthew and Alexander, and a loving wife to Andrew Roach (Mortgage Broker with Dominion Lending Centres -www.andrewroach.ca).  I became a Real Estate agent because of the flexibility it gives me in my schedule, the intrigue of what each day is going to hold, and I love working with people.  I am a relational person by nature and I strive to build positive business relationships by working exclusively with people I admire and respect.  I have a vested interest in making sure that each of my clients are completely satisfied at the end of our transaction together so they can’t wait to tell their family and friends about the fantastic service they received.   Let's face it, when we are seeking any service we are looking for someone we can trust, someone who comes highly recommended.   I make a constant effort to improve the level of service I provide to you because, in my business, the most profound assets I possess are your respect and trust.  

Personal Interests

Fitness

I am a runner at heart though my sports career has been strung with Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Baseball.  In 2008 I decided to add another element and dipped my toes into the world of Triathlons.  I must admit my very first one was the worst hour of my life, but the feeling passed by the end of the day and like all fitness junkies, I was already planning my next event.  The next event consisted of a Half Marathon, which I completed on May 15th, 2011, and my next big goal is the Half Ironman in Muskoka.

Community Involvement

Children's Aid Foundation of Halton - Board of Directors
http://www.cafh.ca/

The Foundation’s Mission: 

“The Children’s Aid Foundation of Halton, through fundraising and community partnerships, enriches the lives of children in need today, enabling them to reach for tomorrow”.

Our Objectives: 

The CAFH supports programs that directly enrich and enhance the lives of children in need and assist in the increase of prevention activity.

The CAFH supports the delivery of crucial programs, which are planned and implemented by the HCAS, to all those in need within the Region of Halton.

Momstown Milton
http://milton.momstown.ca//home

I have been a member of momstown since 2009.  I also host a few events such as the Chit Chat Crew where we discuss relevant life and world issues, the new member meet and greet where new mamas can learn a little bit more about momstown and how things work, and the occassional playgroup in my home.

momstown.ca is for Milton moms wanting to connect for support, conversation and just plain fun. We bring you an online calendar chock-full of momstown specific events, a 24-hour interactive message board (perfect for those sleepless nights), and exclusive member privileges and discounts. Click here for a photographic glimpse into momstown.ca.

Professional Interests

For Sale by Owners:

I admire your initiative!  Over the years you have probably put a lot of time and effort into your home.  I can definitely understand your expectation that you can utilize that same "do-it-yourself" energy now that it is time to sell.

However, there may be one or two situations along the way for which you find yourself unprepared.  More than likely, you will just need a bit of advice to get through them.  If you find this is the case, I would like to offer my assistance.  I would be happy to give you any insight, or answer any questions which will help you meet the needs of your potential buyer.

My experience has been that while some homeowners prefer not to use an agent to assist them, ALL homeowners find the process less stressful when they feel informed.  In light of this, I have prepared several marketing tips and information on selling your home which might be helpful to you.

Do you know the Seven Critical Mistakes all sellers make?
Selling a home is something you either want to do or are forced to do, and naturally, you want to make the most money you can from the transaction.  Whether you have been transferred and have to sell immediately or you're retired and have all the time in the world to test the market, you should do the most you can to bring the best price possible for your efforts.  The easiest way to do that is to avoid the most common mistakes that all sellers make. 

Send me an email or give me a call and I will send you the FREE Seller's Guide entitled "7 Critical Mistakes"!

Ask me how to earn AIR MILES® reward miles when you buy or sell a home through me.

Buyers

First-time buyers plan

Navigating the world of Canadian home buying

Step 1: Figure out how much you can afford.

Falling in love with a house you can’t afford can be heartbreaking. Avoid disappointment by figuring out your budget before you start looking.

• First, decide how much you can afford for your down payment. The Home Buyers Plan lets you withdraw up to $20K per person (or up to $40K per couple) from your RRSPs – tax-free – to be repaid over 15 years. The bigger your down payment, the less principal you will owe, and the less interest you will pay.

• Don’t forget about closing costs, like insurance, legal fees, home inspection costs, land registration and land transfer fees. Add those to your moving expenses and service hookup fees, and they can add up surprisingly fast.

• Your monthly housing expenses (mortgage, taxes, heat, etc.) shouldn’t use up more than 32% of your income. (If your combined monthly income is $5000, for example, 32% of that is $1600.) If you have car payments or credit card debt, the rule of thumb is that debt repayment shouldn’t be more than 40% of your income.

• Get pre-approved for your mortgage. It’s a good way of finding out how much you can borrow – and it speeds up the process once you’ve found the home you want to buy.

Step 2: Figure out what type of home is right for you.

Sit down and make a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves. Be realistic, but be clear about the features you can’t live without. How many bedrooms do you need? Bathrooms? Do you want a home office? A garage? How about a big backyard? Hardwood floors? Eat-in kitchen? Consider your lifestyle and your stage of life. If you’re planning kids in a year or two, the studio loft might not be your best bet.

Step 3: Decide where you want to live.

Living in an area you like is as important as buying a home you love. Do you want a busy urban lifestyle, a house in the ‘burbs, or a quiet place in the country? Do you want to walk to work or are you okay with a longer commute? Do you need to be close to good schools? Rec facilities? Shopping?

Step 4: Start looking.

Go to open houses. Visit mls.ca. Check the classifieds. Drive around neighbourhoods you like looking for For Sale signs. Talk to your REALTOR® about your needs and start looking at properties.

Step 5: Build a team.

Put together the right group of experts to help you buy. Start with a REALTOR® you trust, then look for a reputable lender or mortgage broker, a lawyer (or a notary in Quebec), a home inspector and an insurance broker. Your REALTOR® works closely with all of these professionals, and will be happy to recommend people you can depend on.

Step 6: Make an offer.

You’ve found the perfect place – now it’s time to make an offer. An offer to purchase includes the purchase price you’re offering, chattels to be included in the purchase (like appliances or light fixtures), the amount of the deposit, the closing date and any other conditions.

Your REALTOR® will help you prepare your offer, and will present it to the vendor, who will either accept it or make a counter offer (which asks for a higher price or different terms). You can accept or reject the counter offer. If everyone agrees, the home is yours. If not, you can make another offer, or you may have to keep looking.

Step 7: Get a mortgage.

Once you’re approved, you’ll need to decide what type of mortgage works best for your needs. Will you go with a fixed or variable interest rate? Will your mortgage be closed or open? What will your amortization period be? Will you make payments monthly, biweekly or weekly? Your mortgage broker or lender can help you find a mortgage that suits your needs – and saves you the most money in the long term.

Step 8: Move in and enjoy!

Sellers

Home staging 101

There are thousands of home-staging consultants in business for good reason: staged homes sell faster. Why? Successful home staging enables a buyer to see themselves in your home, and not how you’re currently occupying it. Professional staging consultants accomplish this by following some simple guidelines.

Divide and conquer

Take a good look around your home. Now imagine it with only half of the belongings. Some consultants even aim to remove at least two-thirds of items from a home to allow a room’s features (including size, flooring, and architectural details) to come forward so that buyers aren’t focusing on your collection of ceramic roosters instead.

Follow a witness protection program

Put your home under a “witness protection program” and remove anything that identifies who owns the property. That way a prospective buyer doesn’t have to mentally clear you out before they can imagine themselves in your home. At the top of the list are the family photos on the mantelpiece and notes to each other stuck on the fridge. Prospective buyers don’t need to know that Jimmy won the soccer tournament or that you’re out of milk.

Let there be natural light

Open your doors and windows, clean them and don’t block them! Just because you haven’t used that side door in years doesn’t mean that you should ignore it – keeping it hidden will make buyers suspect that there’s something wrong with it. (If there is, fix it.) Keeping windows clean and the curtains tied back will let more natural light into your home, which is a big plus for prospective buyers.

Out, out, darn Spot

While few can resist the unconditional love of a pet, many prospective buyers would prefer not to see pet hairs or smell evidence of Fifi or Fido. If possible, try to find a place for your pet to stay for a few days and have your carpets steam-cleaned to eliminate any lingering odors. Or try to have your pet reign in one room or on one floor and give the area a thorough cleaning prior to an open house. Remember also to tuck pet beds, litter boxes and food dishes out of the way.

Peek behind closed doors

Take a good look at your closets and cupboards. What kind of impression would they give a prospective buyer? Are they bursting at the seams or do they provide ample room for all your stuff? Take a minute to organize your items, wipe down shelves and air out your cupboards. Clearing out the clutter will work in your favour; interested buyers will always take a peek, even if they don’t admit to doing it.

Follow your nose

People use all of their senses when they evaluate a property, so remember to keep their noses happy. Avoid preparing aromatic foods using garlic, onions or other fragrant ingredients two days before your open house. Tuck fabric softener sheets in areas where shoes and sporting equipment is stored. Need to dispel a smell in a jiffy? Open up all of the interior doors in your home and cook up a batch of ready-to-bake chocolate chip cookies. Not only do they smell delish, you can leave them out on a plate for people to nibble on as they consider your property.

One focal point

Home staging professionals know that the best way to showcase a room is to choose one focal point for it. It could be a window, fireplace or distinctive piece of furniture—the goal is for it to draw the eye in and then around the room.This is why the elimination of clutter and excess furniture is key; you don’t want potential buyers distracted when they are inspecting the floors, molding and overall size and shape of the room. This is when they are picturing how their belongings will work in the space.

Minimize the negative

Stand at the entrance to a room. What is your eye drawn to first? If it’s something you prefer buyers not focus on, like a stucco ceiling or sponge-painting gone wild, your best defence is an eye-catching accessory near the front of the room. It’s done on home-staging shows all the time—they use a bowl of green apples or a vase of fresh flowers to successfully take eyes away from an offending feature for that pivotal moment when a first impression is made.

So there you have it. By investing some time into home staging, you can ensure that your property is set to sell.  If you would like more information about home staging, please contact Donna Ragona with Suite Designhttp://suitedesign.ca/

Specialties

I specialize in Residential sales, purchasing and leasing in Milton, Burlington, Oakville, and surrounding areas.