Matthew Warsh Real estate broker

Welcome to my Website

Matthew Warsh markets extraordinary properties in the central west area of Montreal including Notre Dame De Grace, Cote Saint Luc, Hampstead, Montreal West, Ville Marie,  Westmount, Dollard Des Ormeaux, Pierrefonds, Pointe-Claire and Vaudreuil-Dorion. Matthew also represents commercial properties for rent or for sale.

Matthew's many years of professional management experience, specializing in regional sales management, have contributed to his superb negotiating skills. In this role, he developed his ability to manage a vast network of people on several simultaneous projects. Focus, concentration and the ability to multi-task are but some of Matthew's main attributes.

Matthew Warsh: SERVICE YOU DESERVE, PEOPLE YOU TRUST!

Personal Background

Born and raised in Montreal, Matthew thrives in the real estate business due to one important motto: Clients and Service...FIRST. Matthew has successfully branded himself as a versatile realtor while working for Century 21 vision, and the Century 21 System.

Buying a home

Buying a Home

Make a wise choice

Before choosing a house, think about your needs, your tastes and the environment best suited to your lifestyle. How many rooms do you need? Do you really need three bathrooms? Do you prefer the countryside or urban life? Take the time to clearly explain your needs to your real estate agent in order to find the right property.

Set a realistic budget

There can be a huge gap between your dream home and the one that fits your budget. That's why it's important to determine your immediate needs and priorities. Remember that besides the sale price of the property, other fees come into the equation, such as taxes, notary fees, maintenance costs and unforeseen expenses. Don't make the mistake of buying a home that exceeds your budget. Your real estate agent can help you set a realistic goal.

The MLS® system is a powerful tool

An agent or broker who is a member of the Greater Montréal Real Estate Board can access the MLS® system, which is a powerful tool that allows you to search for properties that accurately match your needs. You can search by price, area, number of bedroom or living area. You would like to compare the asking price of a specific home with prices of homes that were sold recently? Your agent can provide you with this and much, much more. It's only a click away!

What about a plex?

A plex is a revenue property that contains between 2 and 5 units. It's a great way to get started in real estate investment. Besides collecting rent which helps pay your mortgage, you also get a tax reduction on your loan since it's considered investment income. You can also remortgage or sell your plex in order to finance the purchase of a new plex or a single-family home. Your agent can assess what financial gains you can expect according to your financial situation. Don't hesitate to discuss this with your agent!

Managing a plex: not that complex

Managing a plex requires some business acumen. You need to calculate maintenance costs, avoid unnecessary expenses, set renovation priorities, plan repairs, ensure bookkeeping is up-to-date, and so on. Obviously, you must also maintain cordial relations with your tenants! Your agent can help you find a plex that is right for you. If you want to know more about this, the Corporation des propriétaires immobiliers du Québec and the Collège de l'immobilier du Québec offer a joint program in real estate management and real estate investment.

Choosing your condo

Living in a condominium means you're part of a community. Here is some advice to help you choose the right one:

• Opt for a building whose occupants have a similar income and professional status as yours as well as common interests;
• Think of the resale value by choosing a unit that is well-lit and located in a quiet area, near services and public transportation;
• Make sure the building is sound-proofed;
• Check if the condo fees are used on equipment (pool, garage, workout facilities, etc.) that will be useful to you.

Your real estate agent can schedule visits to see condos that meet your needs.

Hesitating between divided and undivided?

There are two types of condominiums:

• with divided condos, you are sole owner of your unit while sharing common elements with other owners;
• with undivided condos, buyers share the same mortgages, rights and obligations.

Real estate agents are well aware of the pros and cons of each type of condominium. Don't hesitate to call upon them to determine which one best suits your lifestyle and budget.

Knowing how to make compromises

The perfect home doesn't exist. You will most likely have to let go of some requirements in order to find the right home for you. However, don't compromise on your immediate priorities and needs. Keep in mind that your quality of life comes first and your dream home may not be all that you were hoping for.

Your budget

About your Budget

The sale price... and more

You're ready to make the big move? Congratulations! You must now set a realistic budget. Once you have accounted for notary fees, municipal and school taxes, heating, electricity and maintenance costs, how much is left over to pay for your home each month? Have you thought about what type of mortgage loan best suits your needs? Do you prefer an open fixed rate, a closed fixed rate or a variable rate? Your real estate agent can help you assess your financial capacity and introduce you to the right professionals.

And now, the financing

Many tenants don't think they can afford to become homeowners. However, when discussing this with your real estate agent, you'll see that there are many available tools to help you make that move.

• If you don't have at least 20% of the property's sale price as a down payment, mortgage loan insurance can help you purchase a home, even if you don't have any down payment for that matter, though under certain conditions (5% for two-unit properties, 10% for three- or four-unit properties). However, remember that the lower the down payment, the higher the mortgage.
• The Home Buyer's Plan (HBP), mostly for first-time buyers, allows you to withdraw up to $20,000 ($40,000 per couple) from an RRSP to put toward the down payment on a home. Thanks to this government program, you pay no interest on this amount and you have 15 years to pay it back into your RRSP. To qualify, you can't have been owner of a home in the past five years.
• There are also programs for self-employed buyers and people who wish to purchase a secondary home. Ask your agent for more details!

Selling a home

Selling a Home

Good years for the housing market

Since 2002 the housing market has enjoyed strong growth. This can be explained by five major reasons:

• Low interest rates translate into easier access to property;
• Consumers show better confidence in the economy, which remains strong;
• Thanks to 180,000 new jobs since 2000 in Montréal, the unemployment rate is at its lowest in thirty years;
• People in Québec saw a 23% increase of their disposable income between 2000 and 2006;
• The population growth and the "Generation Shuffle": On one hand, baby boomers are retiring and selling their family residences in order to buy property that better suits their needs. On the other hand, the 25 to 35 year old generation is actively looking for property. As a result, there is an increasing number of transactions.

Selling first: at what price?

If you choose to sell before buying, make sure you have a good idea of the amount of money you'll have to buy a new property. Your real estate agent will be able to help you determine this amount by doing a comparative market analysis and by determining a fair sale price.

On the big day...

To avoid being homeless, make sure you write down the buyers' move in date in order to determine the best possible time to take possession of your new home. If you can't get these dates to coincide, you can plan for temporary housing.

Renovating and decorating pay off

Several buyers want to settle down without the hassle of major renovations. That is why it's important to make your house attractive. Create more space by removing anything that is cumbersome, free up the windows to let the light in, give a fresh coat of paint to outdated walls and carefully select your decor. Consult your real estate agent to get a profile of buyers in your area.

The MLS® system is a powerful tool

When signing an exclusive brokerage contract with an agent or broker who is a member of the Greater Montréal Real Estate Board, make sure you check the "Yes" box in the "Multiple Listing Service®" section. Your home will be seen by over 9,000 agents or brokers. With so many helpful professionals searching, you can't lose!