Our 2025 Team Ballas
Christmas Letter

We’re wrapping up 2025 with our annual Christmas letter from Team Ballas, a heartfelt recap of the year, some big news from the team, updates on the local real estate market, and a special family recipe straight from our kitchen to yours.

Be sure to RSVP to our 2025 Client Appreciation Event at the end of the email, we’d love to see you there!

If you’re short on time, feel free to skim the headings below and jump to the sections that matter most to you. Otherwise, grab a cozy drink and enjoy the full read. 🎄✨

🎄 Holiday greetings & gratitude

Hello friends and clients. We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May your 2026 be filled with Health, Happiness and Prosperity. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support as well as past, present and future business with TEAM BALLAS, EXPERTISE WITH HEART.  

❤️ Giving back to our community

As we approach the Holiday season we also want to give thanks for what we do have and for family. Here at TEAM BALLAS we believe in the power of family, friends and the close knit community of our real estate clientele. We always try to give back to them with valuable timely information as well as exceptional customer service. We also try to give back to our community, whenever able. Throughout the year, but especially at Christmas, it is important to help those who are in need. We just donated to and attended a Rotary Charity fundraiser for the new Campbellford Hospital foundation.

We have donated to the renovations at the Centre Theatre in Trenton and we have donated some amazing gift baskets to the local Radio Stations in Belleville, MIX 97, ROCK 107 and CJBQ800. We put together 3 great gift baskets that we call “A TASTE OF ITALY” and the gift basket provided everything you need to make an authentic Italian pasta meal from start to finish, including some dessert options.

Back by popular demand for recipes, we have also included our secret family sauce (with meatballs) recipe along with this Christmas letter so that you can all try this great meal at home. With some simple ingredients and a Sunday afternoon, you too can enjoy a gourmet Italian feast. Hope you enjoy it. BUON APPETITO.  

🏡 What’s new at Team Ballas

Things at TEAM BALLAS have been good overall with us. There are a few new updates that we would like to share, but for the most part, things remain status quo. For 2025 we have launched our monthly newsletter, where every month we provide to all of our valued followers with a quick snapshot with what is going on in the world of Real Estate. We usually have a short video to entertain you, we provide you with the latest real estate news, give you a closer look at what is happening in terms of sales, and provide our readers with upcoming events in the community each month.

We continue to have fun with our videos, whether it be a video showcasing a great new listing, a local restaurant or business, community parks or other relevant events. For this, we have our fantastic marketing team “For The Love Of Marketing” to thank, as well as the energy, enthusiasm and creativity of our team members…..Jason, Rochelle, Janet and Max.

We have also had a few great competitions for different draws, we just ran a Movember moustache competition, had several giveaways throughout the year, and more. Moving forward you will also see us on the big screen at the Centre Theatre in Trenton as we run a short 15 second promotional video before every movie played.

Also, listen to the radio stations Mix97 and CJBQ800 for a Christmas Real Estate Jingle that Rochelle and I are actually singing. This 30 second jingle will be airing now through Christmas. It’s our rendition of the famous song “Baby, it’s cold outside” but named “Baby, it sold so high” that we wrote.  

📉 A look at the 2025 real estate market

So, what on earth is happening in the 2025 Real Estate market? This is a whole topic all on its own. For that reason, we try to provide you with timely information through our monthly newsletter so that we can concentrate on the fun stuff that everyone would rather hear about. If you haven’t already done so, subscribe to receive our monthly newsletter so you do not miss out on the latest real estate news, events, and promotions that TEAM BALLAS has to offer.

Regarding the Real Estate market, I don’t imagine that it will come as a big surprise to everyone that things have certainly changed. This is NOT a bad thing. Things are finally starting to “normalize” after the crazy market we saw during the Pandemic. Since then, there have been several new challenges affecting Real Estate including: fluctuating mortgage rates, cost of living, re-calibration of the values for properties, inflation, unemployment and, of course, the effect of tariffs for imported goods. Canada is a resilient, self-sufficient country and, as we have done in the past, we WILL get through this.

There is still a need for housing in Canada, albeit AFFORDABLE housing. We have seen a shift to more renting, more multi-generational living (families living together), secondary dwellings on the same lot, and a push for medium density housing (semi-detached, townhomes and smaller single family homes).  Further, we continue to see homes selling, as there is still a housing/accommodation shortage.

One difference is with people that don’t necessarily NEED to move. They are staying put in their current homes and potentially putting savings into improvements, renovations, and making great outdoor living spaces. At the end of the day, pricing your home properly is key. With only 1 out of every 4 or 5 homes selling, pricing your home with consideration to your competition is the best way to improve your chances of selling in a challenging market.

This is also a great opportunity to enter the market as a Buyer! People that are downsizing may have a great opportunity to be in a better financial position. Those who are looking to get into a higher-end property are realizing that these types of properties are ON SALE. First-time Buyers, or those looking for a secondary investment property are seeing strong negotiability with great deals to be HAD! If any of these situations describe your personal situation, reach out to TEAM BALLAS for an individual Buying or Selling plan to suit your needs. 

💬 Your real estate questions, answered

In today's market there are so many questions…

• Capital Gains,

• Short Term Accommodations,

• Investment properties,

• Secondary Dwelling units,

• Multi-family units,

• In-Law suites,

• Variable versus Fixed Rate Mortgages,

• Renovations,

• best improvements for ROI (Return on Investment),

• trustworthy contractors, leveraging equity, etc.

Please feel free to reach out to us for an in-depth discussion about these, and many other topics. TEAM BALLAS strives to be your one-stop shop for everything real estate. If we cannot help you with something, we will direct you to a professional that can. 

🎉 Celebrating 20 years of Team Ballas

2026 WILL MARK AN INCREDIBLE 20 YEARS IN
REAL ESTATE FOR TEAM BALLAS.

It is hard to believe that in the fall of 2006 I started taking my Real Estate courses and began working as an unlicensed assistant. In April of 2007 I was finally licensed and began trading, finding success in hosting open houses and providing the best customer service I could, in a friendly and pressure-free manner.

I quickly gained recognition and success, and started completely on my own in 2010. It wasn’t long after that I was getting so busy that I needed a part-time assistant. That was the point that Janet Burghgraef came into our lives, at first as a part-time administrator. It did not take long to recognize her value and I decided to hire Janet full-time. About 15 years later, we are still a team and not only is she my full-time assistant but she is also a skilled licensed agent and a person I call FRIEND.

Let’s talk about my other assistant Max. I sold Max his first home when Max was only 19 years old. Max was working as an Aviation Technician in the Canadian Military, but I must have made a good impression on him. About 3 years after I sold Max his home he invited me out to lunch to discuss joining Real Estate. A year later Max was licensed and has remained a valuable team member of the Ballas family. Not only is Max an excellent Realtor, but Max is an Audio Video Jedi and is a big part of the photo and videography side that you see from our team.

Last but not least is my loving wife Rochelle. Rochelle is the main reason that I am even in Real Estate. In my younger years I always took the conservative approach to life. The stable investments with little risk, the reliable automobiles, the safe neighbourhoods, the stable job, etc. Rochelle was the one that gave me the confidence to leave the stable Military job that I was doing to venture out into the world of Real Estate and become an entrepreneur. Later, when I had about 3 years of experience, it was Rochelle that encouraged me to branch out on my own to become an independent agent, and eventually create a team of my own. For this I thank you, my love.

During this time of reflection and giving, I encourage you all to take a moment to recognize the important people in your lives and give thanks to them. Even small gestures can go a long way, and make the people most important to you feel appreciated and acknowledged. 

🙏 A heartfelt thank you to our clients

To that point, the success of TEAM BALLAS would not be realized if it weren’t for all of our great clients….people that I consider friends. From  repeat business with TEAM BALLAS or referrals to your closest friends and family, YOU, our clients consistently prove to be our BEST advocates.

The vast majority of our sales consistently come from repeat business and referrals.. We feel this is the best way to do business. For this, TEAM BALLAS thanks you from the bottom of our hearts.

For 2026 we strive to continue with  exceptional customer service and real estate competence that is second to none. Stand by for more client appreciation events, more client giveaways and contests, as well as timely newsletters, videos and updates to the market.

We are now at 61 - 5 STAR reviews on GOOGLE. Our goal is to reach over 100 reviews by the end of 2026 and, in this season of giving, I implore you to give us a review if you are/were happy with our service.

No matter if you are looking to buy or sell, everyone on the team has great things to offer. Whether it is to see some homes for sale, new construction, land purchases, get an up-to-date market evaluation on your current home, or just chat about “the market”, we are never too busy for our valued clients, and never too busy for any of your referrals.

Recommending us to your friends and family is the greatest compliment you can give us. After all, word of mouth is what has made, and will continue to make, TEAM BALLAS your trusted Real Estate source for professional, courteous service WITH RESULTS. 

🏡 Life updates from the Ballas family

On a personal note, Rochelle and I still reside in the Rossmore area and are enjoying our downsized home. We continue to use both of our properties and still plan on building on the waterfront property in the future. Part of the waterfront home is currently being rented as well as being home to our youngest son Nathan.

Nathan is in his first year of College at Loyalist College and is taking Film making and Videography. We are hoping that Nathan can be a great addition to the Team, helping with our fun videos, photography and more. Perhaps one day he will take the reins from dear ol’ Dad so that I can retire… or at least slow down.

Rochelle and I love spending our summer at the waterfront property on the Bay, enjoying our time together cutting the acre and a half of grass, with an occasional break to take in the gorgeous sunsets and a glass of wine.

🎬 Client Appreciation Event 2025,
you’re invited!

The Centre Theatre and TEAM BALLAS are back! Last year in 2024, after 14 consecutive years of movie days at the Centre Theatre, they sold the building and we held our Client Appreciation event at a new venue located at Quinte Bowl in Belleville. We had a great turnout of bowling, pizza, pop and pins. In 2025 the Centre Theatre re-opened under new management and Team Ballas has been their biggest sponsor to improve the Theatre.

You may have seen the new outside mural on the North wall of the building. This mural was created using donations from local businesses, and Team Ballas was their biggest donation of over $4000.00.

As a result of this new partnership, TEAM BALLAS is proud to announce that our annual Client Appreciation event is to be held on December 28th, 2025 (nicely between Christmas and New Years) at 6:30pm (try to arrive by 6:00pm) at the Centre Theatre (now known as Film.ca) located at 120 Dundas Street West, Trenton, Ontario. We will have 2 great movie choices for you to choose from.

MOVIE 1 (for the kids, big and small) - THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SEARCH FOR SQUARE PANTS. This is the 4th theatrical film in the franchise. SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends set sail in their biggest, all-new, can’t miss cinematic event ever. Desperate to be a big guy, SpongeBob sets out to prove his bravery to Mr. Krabs by following the Flying Dutchman - a mysterious swashbuckling ghost pirate - on a seafaring comedy-adventure that takes him to the deepest depths of the deep sea, where no Sponge has gone before. 

MOVIE 2 - AVATAR FIRE AND ASH - From Director James Cameron, Avatar Fire and Ash is the 3rd movie in the franchise. Jake and Neytiri’s family grapples with grief after Neteyam’s death, encountering a new, aggressive Na’vi tribe, the Ash People, who are led by the fiery Varang. The conflict on Pandora escalates and a new moral focus emerges.

🎬How to Attend

PLEASE EMAIL JANET AT janetb@royallepage.ca (or call her at the office at 613-394-4837) WITH YOUR NAME, NUMBER OF GUESTS AND MOVIE CHOICE. AS USUAL, PLEASE KEEP NUMBER OF GUESTS TO IMMEDIATE FAMILY SO THAT EVERYONE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND.

IMPORTANT DETAILS!

• THIS IS A FREE EVENT AND WILL INCLUDE COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION TO THE MOVE OF YOUR CHOICE, SMALL POPCORN AND A DRINK.

• EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON DECEMBER 28th, 2025 at 6:30pm

• TRY TO ARRIVE BETWEEN 6pm and 6:15pm TO COLLECT YOUR REFRESHMENTS

Once again, I thank you all for your loyalty and referrals. From myself and the team, wish you and yours all the best for 2026.