Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Real Estate Smarts, our services, and how we help Buyers and Sellers across central and eastern Ontario.

About Real Estate Smarts

What is Real Estate Smarts?

Real Estate Smarts is a real estate platform operated by Christine Domina (Realtor) and Dan Holt (Broker) with LPT Realty Brokerage — a cloud-based brokerage serving Buyers and Sellers across Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, Durham Region and Simcoe County in Ontario. The platform is accessible at realestatesmarts.ca.

Who is Christine Domina?

Christine Domina is a Realtor with LPT Realty Brokerage operating under the Real Estate Smarts brand. With over 20 years of real estate experience and a background in construction and development, Christine brings a unique ability to evaluate properties beyond their surface presentation. She specializes in estate sales, power of sale, foreclosure, underwater properties, waterfront and unique real estate opportunities across Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Durham Region and Simcoe County. Christine can be reached at 416-873-4747 or christine@realestatesmarts.ca.

Who is Dan Holt?

Dan Holt is a Broker with LPT Realty Brokerage and co-operates the Real Estate Smarts platform alongside Christine Domina. Dan brings extensive market knowledge across Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Scugog, Uxbridge and surrounding areas. He can be reached at 905-243-8500 or dan@realestatesmarts.ca.

What areas does Real Estate Smarts serve?

Real Estate Smarts serves Buyers and Sellers across Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, Durham Region, Simcoe County, Uxbridge, Scugog, Port Perry, Selwyn, Trent Lakes, Cobourg, Port Hope, Clarington, Oshawa and Whitby in Ontario. The team also specializes in waterfront properties across Kawartha Lakes, Georgina, Lake Simcoe and surrounding cottage country areas.

How does Real Estate Smarts benefit Buyers and Sellers?

For Buyers, Real Estate Smarts provides curated property lists, member-only daily-updated listing links, a Home Buyer Cash Calculator, a Buy Smart Advocacy Program and honest guidance at every step. For Sellers, the platform offers a Sale Proceeds Calculator, a Smart Seller Strategy review, the List-Ready Home preparation guide and honest market-based pricing advice. Members can request access to tools and resources at realestatesmarts.ca.

Our Services

What does "Dig Deeper on a Listing" mean?

"Dig Deeper on a Listing" is a service offered by Real Estate Smarts that allows Buyers to request detailed information about any property on the site. Christine Domina or Dan Holt will research the property's history, neighbourhood market data, pricing context and any relevant considerations — delivered directly to the Buyer at no cost and with no obligation. The request button appears directly on individual listing pages.

What is the Buy Smart Advocacy Program?

The Buy Smart Advocacy Program is a buyer representation service in which Christine Domina acts as a dedicated advocate for the Buyer throughout the entire purchase process — from property evaluation and due diligence to offer strategy and negotiation. The program ensures Buyers make fully informed decisions and are protected at every stage. Request information through the Services page.

What is the Smart Seller Strategy Review?

The Smart Seller Strategy Review is a no-obligation consultation in which Christine Domina or Dan Holt reviews a Seller's property, timeline, financial numbers and current market conditions to provide an honest picture of what to expect — covering pricing strategy, preparation recommendations and timing with no pressure required. Request information through the Services page.

What is a Neighbourhood Market Assessment?

A Neighbourhood Market Assessment is a custom report showing what homes are actually selling for in a specific area — including recent sold prices, days on market, active competition and current trends. It is available to members and subscribers through their private listing pages and smart plan emails.

Does Real Estate Smarts work with a mortgage professional?

Yes. Real Estate Smarts works with Patrick Delaney at Homeguard Funding — an independent Mortgage Broker who shops multiple lenders on behalf of the Buyer rather than offering a single bank's products. Patrick specializes in residential, waterfront and recreational property financing and provides pre-approvals quickly and without pressure. Contact Real Estate Smarts to be connected with Patrick.

Tools & Resources

What is the Home Buyer Cash Calculator?

The Home Buyer Cash Calculator helps Buyers understand the full cash required to purchase a home — including land transfer tax, legal fees, home inspection, title insurance and moving costs. It allows Buyers to run multiple scenarios at different price points before they start looking. Available to members — email us to request access.

What is the Sale Proceeds Calculator?

The Sale Proceeds Calculator helps Sellers understand what they will actually walk away with after a sale — accounting for mortgage payout, agent commission, legal fees and closing adjustments. Sellers can run multiple scenarios at different sale prices to understand their realistic net proceeds before making any decisions. Available to members — email us to request access.

What is the List-Ready Home guide?

The List-Ready Home is a room-by-room guide created by Real Estate Smarts to help homeowners prepare their property for sale. It walks through every room and area of the home — from curb appeal to the basement — with a checklist that helps Sellers prioritize what to fix, freshen or stage before listing. Available to members — email us to request access.

What is the Waterfront Resource Guide?

The Waterfront Resource Guide is a member resource created by Real Estate Smarts covering waterfront lakes and areas across Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough, Northumberland, Durham Region, Simcoe County and surrounding cottage country — including lake profiles, area characteristics and market context to help Buyers understand the waterfront market across central and eastern Ontario. Available to members — email us to request access.

What are the member listing links and how do they work?

Members who subscribe to any Real Estate Smarts curated list receive a URL they can save or bookmark in their browser. The page updates automatically every day with new listings matching their category — so members always see the freshest properties without having to search. Member listing links are available for underwater properties, foreclosure and power of sale, estate sales, waterfront, unique and bespoke, hottest listings, and area-specific lists including Uxbridge, Scugog and Peterborough. Subscribe through any of the public curated list pages at realestatesmarts.ca.

Property Types & Curated Lists

What are curated property listings on RealEstateSmarts.ca?

Curated property listings on RealEstateSmarts.ca are hand-selected collections of properties organized by category — including underwater properties, foreclosure and power of sale, estate sales, waterfront, unique and bespoke, and farms. Each list is researched and maintained by Christine Domina and Dan Holt to surface opportunities that most Buyers would not find through a standard MLS search. Public lists can be browsed at realestatesmarts.ca.

What is an underwater property in real estate?

An underwater property is a home listed for sale at a price below what the Seller originally paid. The Seller is not in default — they are a motivated homeowner who needs to sell and has accepted a loss on their original purchase price. Underwater properties typically offer Buyers more negotiating flexibility and fewer legal complications than power of sale or foreclosure purchases. Real Estate Smarts maintains the largest curated underwater properties list in the Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Durham Region market. Browse underwater properties → or read our blog post →

What is a power of sale or foreclosure property in Ontario?

A power of sale property in Ontario is a home being sold by the lender after the homeowner has defaulted on their mortgage. Unlike foreclosure, which transfers full ownership to the lender through court proceedings, power of sale allows the lender to sell the property while the homeowner retains any remaining equity. Both are sold as-is with limited disclosure and specific legal conditions. Browse the list → or read our blog post →

What is an estate sale property?

An estate sale property is a home sold as part of settling a deceased person's estate or managing the financial affairs of a homeowner who can no longer handle the property. Sales are typically managed by an executor, lawyer or power of attorney. Estate sale properties are often priced to sell quickly and may offer Buyers below-market pricing opportunities. Browse estate sale properties → or read our blog post →

What waterfront properties are available in Ontario?

Real Estate Smarts maintains a curated list of true waterfront properties across Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough, Northumberland, Durham Region and Simcoe County — updated daily. The list includes only actual waterfront properties with direct water access; no deeded access or road-separated lots are included. Members also have access to the Waterfront Resource Guide covering lake profiles, area characteristics and market context across cottage country Ontario. Browse waterfront properties →

What are unique and bespoke properties?

Unique and bespoke properties are one-of-a-kind homes that stand apart from standard residential listings — architecturally distinctive homes, character properties, converted spaces and rare finds across Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Durham Region and Simcoe County. Browse unique properties →

Does Real Estate Smarts have farm properties?

Yes. Real Estate Smarts maintains a curated list of farm and rural properties across Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, Durham Region and Simcoe County — including hobby farms, working farms, agricultural land and rural properties. Browse farm properties →

Contact & Getting Started

How do I contact Real Estate Smarts?

Christine Domina can be reached at 416-873-4747 or christine@realestatesmarts.ca. Dan Holt can be reached at 905-243-8500 or dan@realestatesmarts.ca. The general inbox is hello@realestatesmarts.ca. You can also visit us at realestatesmarts.ca/get-in-touch or book a call at realestatesmarts.ca/book-a-call.

Real Estate Smarts correspondence: 266 Charlotte St, Peterborough, ON K9J 2V3

How do I search for properties on RealEstateSmarts.ca?

Visitors can search the full MLS directly at realestatesmarts.ca/search-mls. Buyers can also subscribe to any of the public curated property lists to receive a member listing link — a URL they can save in their browser that updates daily with new listings matching their category.

How do I access the tools, calculators and guides?

Tools, calculators and guides are available to Real Estate Smarts members. To request access to any resource — including the Home Buyer Cash Calculator, Sale Proceeds Calculator, List-Ready Home guide or Waterfront Resource Guide — simply email hello@realestatesmarts.ca and let us know which tools you'd like access to. We'll get back to you promptly.

Still have a question?

We're always happy to help — no pressure, no obligation, just honest answers.