FAQ

Common Real Estate Questions

Straight answers to what buyers, sellers, and investors ask most — no jargon, no spin.

Selling Your Home

How do I know what my home is worth?

Matt provides a free Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) based on recent sales of similar homes in your area. He'll give you an honest number — not an inflated estimate to win your listing.

How long will it take to sell my home?

Depends on pricing, condition, and the market. A well-priced, well-presented home in London or St. Thomas often receives offers within 1–2 weeks. Matt will give you realistic expectations up front.

Do I need to renovate before selling?

Not always. Matt's contractor background lets him identify what actually moves the needle vs. what's unnecessary spend. Often, strategic staging and minor fixes outperform costly renovations on ROI.

What does it cost to sell my home?

Typical seller costs include realtor commission, legal fees, and any agreed adjustments on closing. Matt walks you through the full net proceeds picture before you list so there are no surprises.

What if my home needs significant repairs?

Matt can help you decide whether to fix, price accordingly, or disclose and negotiate. His contractor network means he can get you accurate quotes quickly — and coordinate the work if needed.

Buying a Home

Should I get pre-approved before looking at homes?

Yes — always. Pre-approval tells you your real budget, makes your offers competitive, and saves everyone time. Matt can connect you with trusted mortgage professionals if you need one.

What's the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval?

Pre-qualification is a rough estimate based on self-reported information. Pre-approval involves a full application and credit check — it carries real weight with sellers. You want pre-approval.

How much do I need for a down payment?

In Canada, the minimum is 5% for homes under $500K. Between $500K–$999K, it's 5% on the first $500K and 10% above that. At $1M+, you need 20%. Matt can connect you with mortgage advice tailored to your situation.

What are closing costs?

Typically 1.5–4% of the purchase price. This includes land transfer tax, legal fees, title insurance, and any adjustments. Matt walks every buyer through this in detail before they make an offer.

How does a home inspection work?

You hire a licensed home inspector to assess the property's condition before finalizing your purchase. Matt recommends trusted inspectors and reviews the findings with you — his contractor experience helps him interpret what's serious and what's routine.

Investment Properties

What is an ARV and why does it matter for flipping?

ARV stands for After Repair Value — what the property will be worth once renovated. For flipping to work, you need to buy low enough that the ARV minus renovation costs minus purchase price leaves a healthy profit margin. Matt calculates this before every offer.

What is the BRRRR strategy?

BRRRR stands for Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat. You buy a distressed property, renovate it, rent it out, refinance based on the new appraised value, and pull your equity out to buy the next one. Matt has personal experience executing this strategy.

What makes a good rental property?

Location (proximity to employers, schools, transit), condition, and the numbers. Gross yield, net cash flow after expenses, and cap rate are the key metrics. Matt helps you run these properly — not just the optimistic version.

Should I buy single-family or multi-family for rental income?

Both have merit. Single-family is simpler to manage and finance. Multi-family often produces better yield but requires more oversight. The right choice depends on your goals, capital, and risk tolerance — Matt can model both for you.

Are there good investment markets near London?

Absolutely. St. Thomas has exceptional growth potential ahead of the VW plant. Aylmer offers affordable entry points. Woodstock has strong cap rates. Matt knows all these markets and can identify where the numbers work best for your investment strategy.

Working With Matt

Do buyers have to pay Matt's commission?

In Ontario, the seller typically pays both the listing and buyer agent commissions. As a buyer, you generally receive Matt's representation at no direct cost to you.

Will I work directly with Matt or be passed to an assistant?

You work directly with Matt — from the first call to the final signature. No assistants, no hand-offs. He handles every aspect of your transaction personally.

How quickly does Matt respond?

Matt is responsive and communicates proactively. You'll hear from him directly — not through a coordinator. For urgent matters (offers, inspection issues), he's reachable by phone.

What areas does Matt serve?

Matt primarily serves London, Aylmer, St. Thomas, Woodstock, and surrounding Elgin and Oxford County communities. He also lives in Belmont, giving him personal knowledge of the rural market east of London.

Have a question not listed here?

Reach out — Matt gives straightforward answers, no pressure.

Call Matt