Podcast
The Michael and Patty Real Estate Show
Hosted by Michael Poczynek & Powerhouse Patty Castle · EN
Welcome to 'The Michael and Patty Real Estate Show' with Prince Edward Island’s power couple, where over four decades of full-time real estate knowledge meet the microphone! Dive into the world of real estate with us as we unpack thousands of transactions in a candid, unscripted, and thoroughly enjoyable podcast. From breathtaking oceanfront properties to quaint country homes, join us each episode for insider stories, expert advice, and a hefty dose of fun. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just curious about the market, 'MAPS' is your gateway to mastering the ins and outs of real estate on the Island, in Canada, and in the USA (it's all the same idea). Tune in and discover the charm and challenges of real estate, all delivered with a spark of humour and heaps of experience.
In October 1998, Michael Poczynek, a seasoned and accomplished individual with a diverse background, made the bold decision to call Prince Edward Island, Canada, home. As a top-producing REALTOR® with Century 21 Northumberland Realty (1987) Limited, an entrepreneur, and the owner of several successful businesses, Michael brings a wealth of experience to the podcast. His expertise spans a variety of fields, including business, finance, electronics, amateur radio, videography, photography, and a passion for technology that places him squarely in the realm of a true techie.
The internet played a pivotal role in Michael’s journey to the Island, prompting his move and leading him to leave behind a string of businesses dedicated to serving other businesses’ computer, software, and network needs. His unique blend of professional acumen and tech-savvy insight gives listeners a distinct perspective on life in PEI. Join Michael and his guests as they not only share personal tales of Island living, but also delve into the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and the enchanting landscapes of their newfound home. Whether you're a fellow tech enthusiast or simply curious about island life, this podcast promises an engaging and informative exploration guided by Michael’s rich background and diverse expertise.
Patty Castle, known by many as Powerhouse Patty, has been a PEI REALTOR® since 2010 and has proudly called Prince Edward Island home since 2009. Originally from Ontario, she moved to PEI with her four children and built a life and business grounded in service, community, and care.
With a 12-year background in nursing and years of living and travelling across Canada, Patty brings compassion, strong attention to detail, and a heartfelt commitment to helping people through important life transitions. After beginning her real estate career with Century 21 and later joining EXIT Realty PEI, she went on to launch her own brokerage, Powerhouse Realty PEI Inc.
Today, Patty leads with a passion for people, innovation, and creating a real estate experience that is both profession...
30episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
🏡 Pre-Approval Myths, Pricing Traps & Real Estate Mistakes That Cost You 💸
1w ago00:48:48Tap to summarizeThinking about selling your home, buying property, or navigating today’s real estate market? 🏡💥 This episode pulls back the curtain on what actually happens behind the scenes—and the costly mistakes that can wreck your deal.From appraisals that can save you from pricing disasters 💰 to the harsh truth about mortgage pre-approvals (hint: they don’t mean what you think 😬), this episode is packed with straight talk, insider knowledge, and a few reality checks you won’t hear anywhere else.We break down PEI government (gov.pe.ca) renovation programs 🛠️ that could put money back in your pocket, and explain why pocket listings are often a ticking time bomb 💣 for sellers. Plus, what happens when buyers come in with weak offers on hot listings? Spoiler: it usually backfires fast.Ever wondered if a death in a home has to be disclosed? 👀 We tackle the legal vs ethical debate—and why transparency always wins in real estate. And if that “private treed lot” looks dreamy in the aerial photos 🌲… just wait until the mosquitoes show up.You’ll also hear:Why getting more than one appraisal before calling an agent can save you major headachesThe truth about agents underpricing homes for quick commissionsHow emotional buyers can completely override “the data” 📊Why DIY winterizing your home can cost you way more than you thinkSimple showing tips that can make or break a first impressionPlus, a quick AI hack 🤖—snap a photo of those confusing air exchanger controls and get instant answers. No more guessing what those cryptic symbols mean.Whether you’re buying, selling, or just trying to stay ahead of the market, this episode is full of practical advice, sharp opinions, and a few laughs along the way.PEI Real Estate real-time search/videos/government links: https://michaelshomes.com/links.htmlConnect with Michael: 🔗 YouTube: Michael Poczynek 🔗 Website: Michael's Homes 🔗 Twitter (X): Michael's TwitterMy mailing list and weekly newsletter. This will deliver to your inbox New listings before they are on MLS®, PEI Real Estate Tips, Tricks and Traps and general information about PEI.Subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/b8yULfConnect with Patty: 🔗 YouTube: Powerhouse Realty PEI 🔗 Website: Powerhouse Real Estate PEIJoin our new Facebook Group for people Moving to Prince Edward Island with Michael and Patty at https://www.facebook.com/groups/movetopei/New! LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4771212/Prefer a more personal touch? Call or text us at:📞 Michael: 902-626-6912 (Century 21 Northumberland Realty (1987) Limited)📞 Patty: 902-626-6622 (Powerhouse Realty PEI Inc.)
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💰 Is Your House Really Worth $1,000,000? Cash Offers, HST & Price Reality 🏡
2w ago00:51:03Tap to summarizeThink your house is worth $1,000,000? 🏡💰 This episode is a real estate reality check for buyers, sellers, investors, and homeowners who want straight talk instead of wishful thinking. We dive into overpricing, expired luxury listings, cash offers, HST, tax reassessments, water intrusion, and the little details that can cost you a lot of money if you get them wrong. If you want practical real estate advice with honest opinions and useful examples, this episode is packed with it.We start with a hard truth: the market is starting to sober up, and some sellers need to sober up with it. With 142 listings over $1,000,000 having expired in the last 24 months, it raises a serious question about pricing and expectations. We also talk about how few people actually have $1,000,000 in liquid assets without counting their home, and why that matters when sellers think every property is worth top dollar just because they say so.We also touch on a banking issue that can be a real headache for Canadians living in or travelling through the USA. In some cases, access to funds in a Canadian TD Bank account may require appearing in person, which is not exactly convenient when your money is sitting there and you are not. We also give credit where it is due, with compliments to PEI Mutual for doing something rare these days: answering the phone without a ridiculous system and having someone helpful on the other end.We also talk about why you should do your research on water heaters, or really anything you have a contractor install. Prices can range from about $529 to $1,200, with major differences in wattage, insulation, and efficiency. Cheap is not always cheap in the long run, and a bad decision today can quietly cost you for years.This episode also covers tax reassessment time and how some property values can seem completely out of whack. We discuss HST on listings, especially where weekly or daily rentals may be involved, and why being under $30,000 does not mean someone is doing you a favour. We also break down how to write a proper cash offer, including proof of funds and why offering the full amount as a deposit can make a difference. From there, we talk about whether cash offers really carry higher value in the eyes of a seller. We also discuss a common industry truth: MLS inquiries very seldom buy the exact property they are asking about, and they are often inquiring on multiple listings at once.We wrap up with a look at the challenge of selling a $650,000 cottage in a $400K to $500K world. With only three sales in two years, that is not a liquid market, and sellers may need to accept that it could take more than one season. We also remind everyone to make sure dates align in counteroffers, removals, and Schedule B documents, and why April is the perfect time to check your home for water intrusion as the snow melts and spring rain arrives. 🌧️This episode is full of practical advice, cautionary tales, and real-world real estate insight you can actually use.PEI Real Estate real-time search/videos/government links: https://michaelshomes.com/links.htmlMy mailing list and weekly newsletter. This will deliver to your inbox New listings before they are on MLS®, PEI Real Estate Tips, Tricks and Traps and general information about PEI.Subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/b8yULfJoin our new Facebook Group for people Moving to Prince Edward Island with Michael and Patty at https://www.facebook.com/groups/movetopei/
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💸 Penny Wise, Pipe Burst? Virtual Buying, Radon Risks & Seller Secrets 🏡
3w ago00:40:18Tap to summarize🏡 Real estate mistakes can cost you thousands — and sometimes an entire kitchen. In this episode, we break down the practical, expensive, and surprisingly avoidable issues buyers, sellers, and homeowners need to know about right now. From frozen pipes and virtual property purchases to radon testing, smart homeownership, negotiation strategy, and showing-day chaos, this one covers a lot of ground. 🎙️We start with a classic problem that hits homeowners hard: being penny-wise and pound-foolish. A small decision to avoid calling a plumber can snowball into frozen pipes, wrecked appliances, major water damage, and even a full gut job in part of the house. Saving a few dollars can sometimes light a much bigger pile of money on fire.We also talk about one of the biggest traps in real estate: getting emotionally involved. Whether you are buying or selling, emotion can get expensive fast. Once feelings take over, logic leaves the building, and that can feel a lot like writing a blank cheque.For buyers who cannot be there in person, we discuss viewing and even buying property virtually through FaceTime, Teams, Zoom, or candidly recorded video. It is absolutely an option for some people, but it comes with risk, and knowing what you are taking on matters.There is also an important follow-up on radon testing. We cover lower-cost test kits, faster on-site testing for real estate transactions, why pre-testing can be smart, and why the company doing repairs should be separate from the company doing the testing. That little conflict-of-interest issue tends to matter when health and money are both on the line.Then we get into practical ways to reduce your monthly bills 💸 — and not the fluffy nonsense. We are talking about reviewing your cell and TV plans, appealing property taxes, shopping for insurance, getting discounts on oil and propane, cleaning heat pumps, servicing boilers and water heaters, cleaning ducts and dryer vents, using smart thermostats, getting an energy audit, cleaning chimneys, and even using a thermal gun to find heat loss. Homeownership is expensive enough without funding waste for fun.We also touch on a headline-grabbing story involving possible pathways for some Americans to claim Canadian citizenship under changes tied to Canada’s Citizenship Act. As always, when legal rights and relocation are involved, proper legal advice is not optional.You will also hear about useful tools and gadgets to bring on property showings, including laser tape measures, thermal guns, moisture meters, flashlights, binoculars, checklists, and a few simple items that can help you spot problems before they become your problem.On the negotiation side, we tackle a question that listing agents hear all the time: why is the seller moving? We share smart, polished answers that protect the seller, avoid giving away leverage, and keep the conversation focused where it belongs. Because once you reveal urgency, pressure, or motivation, you may as well hand the buyer a discount coupon.We also get into a great legal reality check: does a contract to buy or sell a house have to be fair? Not exactly. It does not have to be fair — it just cannot cross legal lines like fraud, coercion, or being so wildly one-sided that a court cannot stomach it.And because real estate always finds a way to stay weird, there is also a showing story involving an unusual front-yard obstacle from BC: sheep. Yes, actual sheep. Real estate remains undefeated.We wrap with practical advice on what you can hear from inside a house, why sound matters more than many buyers think, how insulation affects both comfort and noise, and a look at the psychology behind listing a multi-million-dollar home versus a $150,000 property. Same industry, very different mindset.A practical, blunt, and wide-ranging episode for buyers, sellers, and homeowners who want fewer surprises and better decisions. 🔥
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🏡 AI, Overpricing & Real Estate Truth Bombs 💥🤖
Apr 2500:45:43Tap to summarizeWhat happens when AI gives a real estate contract a failing grade, a seller chases fantasy pricing, and a listing tries to impress buyers with a drone shot from practically another postcode? In this episode, we cut through the fluff and talk about what really matters in real estate right now. 🏡🎙️🤖We start with a quick look at CREA Canada stats and explain why national averages do not always match what buyers and sellers are actually feeling on the ground, especially in PEI and Atlantic Canada. From there, we dive into ChatGPT grading a purchase and sale form at just 58 out of 100, opening up a bigger conversation about clunky documents, legal risk, and how AI is already putting pressure on real estate and legal professionals. 📊📄We also explore how AI can identify parts from a photo, help source replacements, and even assist with maintenance and renovation troubleshooting. Useful? Very. Infallible? Not a chance. Then we get into a familiar real estate lesson: overpriced homes almost always end up meeting the market eventually, usually after wasting time and losing leverage. 💰🔧The episode also covers summer home buying, misleading listing photos, curb appeal disasters like lime green doors, what agents should say when buyers ask why a seller is moving, why quality video and photography matter, how to properly assess lot sizes, and why bad smells can quietly destroy a showing. 🌊📷🚪It is a fast-moving episode packed with real estate truths, practical advice, and a few hard opinions on pricing, marketing, AI, and what actually helps homes sell.PEI Real Estate real-time search/videos/government links: https://michaelshomes.com/links.html🎧🏡 #PEIRealEstate #DreamPropertyOffer #LivingInPEI #ExplorePEI #PEIConnect with Michael: 🔗 YouTube: Michael Poczynek 🔗 Website: Michael's Homes 🔗 Twitter (X): Michael's TwitterMy mailing list and weekly newsletter. This will deliver to your inbox New listings before they are on MLS®, PEI Real Estate Tips, Tricks and Traps and general information about PEI.Subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/b8yULfConnect with Patty: 🔗 YouTube: Powerhouse Realty PEI 🔗 Website: Powerhouse Real Estate PEIJoin our new Facebook Group for people Moving to Prince Edward Island with Michael and Patty at https://www.facebook.com/groups/movetopei/New! LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4771212/Prefer a more personal touch? Call or text us at:📞 Michael: 902-626-6912 (Century 21 Northumberland Realty (1987) Limited)📞 Patty: 902-626-6622 (Powerhouse Realty PEI Inc.)Want to start your own Podcast? Visit https://rss.com/?via=michaelThank you for tuning in, and may your day be filled with great opportunities in the world of Real Estate! 🏡🌟
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🚨 PEI Water Test Clauses, Price Reductions & Real Estate Red Flags 🏡
Apr 1800:44:47Tap to summarizeThinking of buying or selling real estate in Prince Edward Island? 🏡 This episode dives into some of the most important issues buyers, sellers, and agents need to understand before a deal goes sideways. From PEI MLS water test clauses to price reductions, conflict-of-interest concerns, fraudulent advertising, and pre-closing inspections, this is packed with practical real estate advice that can save people time, money, and headaches. 🎙️In this episode, we break down what happened when ChatGPT was used to analyze a PEI MLS water test clause and what that says about the wording found in real estate agreements. We also tackle the growing issue of buyers contacting sellers directly, why that can create problems, and where professional boundaries matter in a real estate transaction.Honesty is another big theme in this episode. We talk about why people should stop exaggerating, spinning, or flat-out lying about what they sold their property for or what they paid. In many cases, that information is public and can be verified through government records, so trying to create a false narrative is not only pointless — it can make you look foolish. 📉We also discuss concerns around fraudulent advertising of for-sale listings in the rental market, including how property photos and listings can be misused in ways that create confusion or worse. On top of that, we get into the tricky subject of buying your own listing and why avoiding conflicts of interest is critical for protecting trust, reputation, and professionalism in real estate. ⚖️Another hot topic is price reductions — and why they are far too often used as a lazy sales tactic. Instead of relying on repeated markdowns, more attention should be paid to the things that actually help sell a property: strong marketing, quality photos, compelling video, and a seller who takes the time to review how their home is being presented to the public. A price cut is not a magic wand, and bad marketing is bad marketing. 📸🎥We also touch on a very important question for land buyers and sellers: are there any requirements to build within a certain timeframe? That is one of those questions that can cause major problems later if it is not asked early enough. And finally, we wrap up with advice on how to create a flawless, super smooth pre-closing inspection so there are no nasty surprises right before possession day. ✅This episode is full of straight talk, real-world experience, and practical PEI real estate insight for buyers, sellers, investors, and agents alike. Whether you are navigating an offer, reviewing marketing, questioning a price reduction, or trying to avoid deal-killing mistakes, this one is worth a listen. 🚨Join our new Facebook Group for people Moving to Prince Edward Island with Michael and Patty at https://www.facebook.com/groups/movetopei/New! LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4771212/Prefer a more personal touch? Call or text us at:📞 Michael: 902-626-6912 (Century 21 Northumberland Realty (1987) Limited)📞 Patty: 902-626-6622 (Powerhouse Realty PEI Inc.)
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🏡 Probate, Waterfront Tips & PEI Property Mistakes to Avoid 🌊
Apr 1100:26:58Tap to summarize🏡 Thinking about buying, selling, inheriting, or investing in Prince Edward Island real estate? This episode is packed with practical PEI real estate advice, legal caution points, and smart property insights that could save you time, money, and headaches. From probate and septic field surprises to waterfront showing tips and neighbour boundary nonsense, this is one of those episodes where the little details can make a very big difference.🌊 We dig into the realities of PEI real estate that buyers, sellers, investors, and out-of-province movers need to understand before making costly mistakes. Whether you are dealing with an estate sale, considering a detached garage, reviewing a water test clause, or trying to separate good advice from useless noise, this episode is full of the kind of real-world guidance that rarely shows up in glossy brochures.In this episode, we continue the conversation on net multiples and remind listeners that sometimes a topic gets dropped and picked back up later — because this show is a passion project, not some overproduced boardroom production. We also talk about probate and listing time frames, including why it is so important to have issues cleaned up before a property hits the market.We cover a key warning for buyers: if you are purchasing a property where someone wants to build a detached garage over a septic field, make sure your lawyer handles the application and gets formal acceptance before closing. That is not the kind of surprise you want after the keys are in your hand.There is also a classic PEI-style real estate curveball: what happens when someone moves to the Island from out of province and a neighbour suddenly claims it is “customary” to hand over part of your land — or tries to buy a slice of your property for next to nothing. Spoiler alert: that kind of story deserves a very hard look before anyone signs anything.We also share tips for showing waterfront and waterview properties properly, including one simple trick Islanders often overlook because they are so used to the beauty around them. Plus, we touch on water test clause sign-offs, why asking your investor mates for opinions on your personal real estate purchase can be a terrible idea, and the news that Prince Edward Island celebrated a record-breaking 2025 tourism season.If you care about PEI real estate, waterfront homes, probate property sales, due diligence, rural property issues, and avoiding bad advice, this episode delivers plenty of useful takeaways with a bit of humour along the way. 🎙️🍁My mailing list and weekly newsletter. This will deliver to your inbox New listings before they are on MLS®, PEI Real Estate Tips, Tricks and Traps and general information about PEI.Subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/b8yULfConnect with Patty: 🔗 YouTube: Powerhouse Realty PEI 🔗 Website: Powerhouse Real Estate PEIJoin our new Facebook Group for people Moving to Prince Edward Island with Michael and Patty at https://www.facebook.com/groups/movetopei/New! LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4771212/Prefer a more personal touch? Call or text us at:📞 Michael: 902-626-6912 (Century 21 Northumberland Realty (1987) Limited)📞 Patty: 902-626-6622 (Powerhouse Realty PEI Inc.)
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🏡 Real Estate Mistakes, Radon Risks & Why Everyone’s Moving to PEI 🌊
Apr 400:46:51Tap to summarize🌊 Thinking about moving to Prince Edward Island… buying land… or navigating the real estate world like a pro? This episode of the podcast dives into real-world lessons, insider strategies, and a few brutally honest truths about buying and selling property. If you want practical knowledge that could save you time, money, and frustration, this episode is packed with it.From negotiation strategy to common mistakes buyers make, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how real estate actually works — especially here on PEI. Whether you're relocating, investing, or simply curious about the Island lifestyle, there’s a lot to unpack.One of the big topics discussed is BATNA — “Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement.” It’s a concept used in serious negotiations and can dramatically impact how deals unfold in real estate. Understanding your leverage — and the other party’s — can make the difference between a smart deal and a costly mistake.The episode also welcomes Kelly Campbell from Island Radon Testing, discussing radon risks in homes and why testing has become an increasingly important part of home ownership. Many buyers overlook this step, but it can have serious implications for health and property value.You’ll also hear a discussion about a detail many buyers and sellers miss in agreements: the HST checkbox on a Purchase & Sale agreement. A tiny box on a contract can create big financial consequences if it’s misunderstood or left unchecked.Another topic that sparks debate: why buyers should never bypass their own agent and contact the listing agent for a showing. It wastes time, creates confusion, and signals you may not be serious about the process. The importance of buyer representation and formal agreements is explored in detail.Ever thought about becoming a real estate broker or buying a brokerage? The show breaks down what you’re actually purchasing when acquiring a brokerage — systems, liabilities, staff, regulatory compliance like FINTRAC, and the difference between tangible assets and goodwill.Experience matters in real estate, and the discussion touches on the importance of working with experts who truly know their markets. Inexperienced pricing can dramatically distort property values — and a real example illustrates how wildly wrong listings can happen when someone doesn’t understand local data.Other topics include:🏗 Applying for building permits on land you don’t own — and why failing to get the owner’s sign-off can stall your project for weeks 📱 The hilarious (and slightly maddening) ways people accidentally annoy others using iPhones 📊 Real estate contract mistakes — including selling off part of a parcel without proper documentation or surveysThe episode wraps with a Top 10 list of reasons people are moving to Prince Edward Island, including remote work, lower stress lifestyles, ocean air, safer communities, and the ability to reclaim time from long commutes.And interestingly, the surge of interest in PEI appears to be accelerating — something reflected in the rapid growth of a new Facebook group dedicated to people exploring a move to the Island.If you’re thinking about buying, selling, relocating, or just love learning how real estate really works, this episode delivers practical insights with a few laughs along the way.Prefer a more personal touch? Call or text us at:📞 Michael: 902-626-6912 (Century 21 Northumberland Realty (1987) Limited)📞 Patty: 902-626-6622 (Powerhouse Realty PEI Inc.)Want to start your own Podcast? Visit https://rss.com/?via=michaelThank you for tuning in, and may your day be filled with great opportunities in the world of Real Estate! 🏡🌟
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❄️ Winter Real Estate Secrets: Overpriced Listings, Advertising Myths & The Truth About Showings
Mar 2800:42:36Tap to summarizeIs winter really a slow season for real estate? Think again. ❄️🏡 In this episode, we break down why January and February can actually be some of the most active months in the real estate market — and why sellers who wait until spring may already be missing serious buyers who are out looking the moment the weather improves.If you’re thinking about selling, timing matters. A well-priced property hitting the market early can attract motivated buyers and position you perfectly for a spring closing at a stronger price. 💰📈 But pricing is where things get interesting — and sometimes messy.We dive into one of the biggest debates in residential real estate: Should an agent take an overpriced listing? In commercial real estate, formal AACI appraisals are common, but residential often turns into a negotiation between a seller’s expectations and actual market data. We discuss why rushing to price a property can be a mistake, why some agents “buy listings” by promising unrealistic numbers, and why experienced agents sometimes take overpriced listings — knowing the price will need to come down over time.Another hot topic: showing feedback. Sellers constantly ask for it, but does it actually help sell the property? We look at what studies suggest about feedback requests and whether constantly chasing buyer comments actually improves your negotiating position.We also talk about a common concern from sellers: “My agent says they’re advertising my property, but I’m not seeing any ads.” 📱 The reality is that effective marketing isn’t about blasting ads everywhere — it’s about delivering the right message to the right audience at the right time.Along the way, we share a classic story that perfectly illustrates how deals — whether it’s real estate or even selling a used car — often start with a story and end with a story. Every transaction has a narrative behind it.We also clear up a major misconception about share sales, explaining how these transactions can actually be completed surprisingly quickly — sometimes within hours — when structured properly.Finally, we discuss IRAC approval contingencies and snow-day scenarios, including situations where multiple deals are stacked together depending on regulatory approvals to purchase another property. It’s a reminder that in real estate, deals can become interconnected very quickly.If you’re buying, selling, or simply curious about how the real estate market really works behind the scenes, this episode is packed with insights, practical advice, and a few entertaining stories along the way.Real estate is never just numbers and contracts — it’s timing, strategy, psychology, and sometimes a little patience. 🏠Join our new Facebook Group for people Moving to Prince Edward Island with Michael and Patty at https://www.facebook.com/groups/movetopei/New! LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4771212/Prefer a more personal touch? Call or text us at:📞 Michael: 902-626-6912 (Century 21 Northumberland Realty (1987) Limited)📞 Patty: 902-626-6622 (Powerhouse Realty PEI Inc.)
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The Hourly Billing Trap 🧾⏳ + Pricing Disasters, Stale Listings & ICF Wall Truths 🏡🧱
Mar 2100:47:44Tap to summarizeEver wonder why a “simple” deal can suddenly take forever—and cost a small fortune? 😅 In this episode we pull back the curtain on the real reasons timelines stretch, invoices grow legs, and listings stall… and what you can do about it. 🏡🧠We kick things off with the “hourly billing trap” 🧾⏳—that awkward reality where clients want speed, but many professionals get paid for time. Most accountants and lawyers aren’t out to scam anyone… but incentives can still nudge behaviour in weird directions. We unpack how “complexity” often balloons from risk avoidance (nobody wants to step on a legal landmine 💣), how junior learning curves and over-documentation quietly inflate hours, and why scope creep (“while we’re here…”) is the sneakiest budget killer.Then we get practical: how to protect yourself with clear scope, assumptions, and deliverables ✅, how to ask for a budget range, and the underrated power move of a “call me when this hits $X” trigger 📞💵. We also lay out the green flags (options at multiple price levels, proactive updates, itemized invoices in plain English) 🟢 and the red flags (vague invoices, surprise charges, overstaffed calls, and total refusal to talk cost) 🔴.From there, we jump into real-world market stories and lessons:A jaw-dropper where a lot was listed at $215K and sold for $75,000 🤯—plus what that says about pricing, expectations, and reality.A look at a (gov.pe.ca) Down Payment Assistance Program (DPAP)—what it can do, who it helps, and how it changes buyer conversations 🏦🔑.“Why hasn’t this sold?”—sometimes the answer is brutally simple: bad aerial photos 🚁❌ and a description that’s… let’s say “not doing the property any favours.”A quick reality check on delays and fees: when processes drag on, costs rarely shrink with them—so buyers and sellers need a plan, not just patience 🧾📈.Why 2-bedroom properties can be a tougher sell in certain buyer mindsets—and how buyers sometimes spin it as “good for me” 😏.And a nerdy-but-useful build segment: ICF walls 🧱—rare (roughly 1–3%), thicker (about 11–12"), super quiet, often paired with triple-pane windows, and how they compare to typical wood wall thickness.If you like straight talk, real examples, and practical “do this, not that” advice—this one’s loaded. 🎧🔥Connect with Michael: 🔗 YouTube: Michael Poczynek 🔗 Website: Michael's Homes 🔗 Twitter (X): Michael's TwitterConnect with Patty: 🔗 YouTube: Powerhouse Realty PEI 🔗 Website: Powerhouse Real Estate PEIJoin our new Facebook Group for people Moving to Prince Edward Island with Michael and Patty at https://www.facebook.com/groups/movetopei/Prefer a more personal touch? Call or text us at:📞 Michael: 902-626-6912 (Century 21 Northumberland Realty (1987) Limited)📞 Patty: 902-626-6622 (Powerhouse Realty PEI Inc.)
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Hidden Deals, Costly Mistakes & PEI’s Real Estate Truths 🏡💡🌊
Mar 1400:50:51Tap to summarizeThinking about buying or selling real estate on Prince Edward Island? 🏡 This episode dives into the practical realities buyers and sellers wish they knew before making costly decisions. From hidden buying opportunities to legal pitfalls and market truths, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes in PEI real estate.Discover why some properties that look like cottages might actually be your smartest path into a year-round home — even though they may never appear in a traditional MLS® house search. 🌊 Learn how environmental buffer zones and inaccessible shoreline areas can dramatically change what you can actually use or enjoy on a property, especially along PEI’s famous tall banks and beaches.We also tackle critical rules around showings and why buyers should never be left touring properties without a licensed agent present — plus the risks when sellers allow it. ⚖️ On the investment side, major renovations can cross an unexpected line where you may be treated as a commercial developer, triggering HST implications and higher taxation that many owners never see coming.You’ll also hear practical ownership tips, including why water leak and freeze detectors are becoming essential tools for cottages and rental properties, and how photography choices, twilight shots, and even bad driveways can quietly influence buyer perception. 📸For sellers, we break down how poor communication and lack of real market data can create unnecessary anxiety — and why absorption rates and honest updates matter more than constant reassurance. We also discuss pre-closing inspection misunderstandings that can lead to serious problems if not handled properly.If you want smarter strategies, fewer surprises, and insider knowledge about buying, selling, and owning property in PEI, this episode delivers real-world advice you can actually use.PEI Real Estate real-time search/videos/government links: https://michaelshomes.com/links.htmlConnect with Michael: 🔗 YouTube: Michael Poczynek 🔗 Website: Michael's Homes 🔗 Twitter (X): Michael's TwitterMy mailing list and weekly newsletter. This will deliver to your inbox New listings before they are on MLS®, PEI Real Estate Tips, Tricks and Traps and general information about PEI.Subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/b8yULfConnect with Patty: 🔗 YouTube: Powerhouse Realty PEI 🔗 Website: Powerhouse Real Estate PEIJoin our new Facebook Group for people Moving to Prince Edward Island with Michael and Patty at https://www.facebook.com/groups/movetopei/New! LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4771212/Prefer a more personal touch? Call or text us at:📞 Michael: 902-626-6912 (Century 21 Northumberland Realty (1987) Limited)📞 Patty: 902-626-6622 (Powerhouse Realty PEI Inc.)
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