Page 11 - August/September 2007 The Game

Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
The Game, August/September 2007 11
Mike Catania Knows the Business
A thoroughbred trainer for more than 20 years, Mike Catania knows the business of horseracing and has a good feel for the challenges that horsepeople face. With that in mind, Mike is offering his services as a real estate salesperson to his colleagues in horseracing. “Being a racetracker myself, I understand their needs,” Mike stated in a recent interview on the Woodbine backstretch,” especially when it comes to buying and selling farms. I am a still a horseperson first and not your typical real estate agent.” says Mike, “I still drive my pick-up truck and listen to country music. I’m a horseperson first and foremost.”
Over the past few years Mike had supplemented his training career by doing home renovations. Getting into real estate seemed a natural progression for him. “By doing renovations I know what to look for when working with a home buyer,” says Mike about the benefits of his experiences, “My experience is also beneficial for people selling their homes as I can recommend ways to make the house more attractive to potential buyers.”
Although Mike still holds his trainers license he is now focusing on his growing real estate business and helping his friends and colleagues realize that they can own their own homes, “Training is a
very tough business,” Mike explains when asked about his switch to real estate, “you need one of two things; owners that stick with you through good and bad times or enough capital of your own to sustain you through the bad times. Neither of which I had.”
Mike says real estate has become as much of a passion for him as training was and his plan is to do well and re-invest in some horses of his own.
“I have spent most of my life at the track and I know most of the people here.” Says Mike explaining that everyone has the potential to own a home, even if they don’t realize it at first.
“Quite a few people that are renting would dearly love to own their own home and build equity for themselves. I find
that a lot of the people I talk to don’t feel they are financially capable and may not be aware of how easy it is to get a mort- gage and the great rates that are available.
“You can now make smaller pay- ments over 25 to 40 years which makes it a little more affordable than it used to be. There are many other incentives available as well such as 0% down- payment. I would be glad to discuss the options with anyone.”
Did You Know....By Nigel Griffiths
Eccentric(GB), the recent King Edward BC Stakes winner trained by Roger Attfield, once raced in a claimer. On his 3yo debut, he raced for a first prize of C$7,400, finishing fourth on the Polytrack over
a mile at Lingfield. No claim was filed.
5/8 mile Indoor Training Track
20 Minutes from Woodbine
Yearling Breaking & Training
Our ‘06 Yearling Graduates include: Undefeated Stakes Winner DONERAILE GEM
& Winners
Sergeant Matt & Energy Center
Limited Stalls Available Call Today! Call Paul or Gemini Caine 416-254-0967 or 416-518-4690
You Can Afford to Own Your Own Home Ask Me How
Michael Catania
Salesperson
Bus: 416-537-2441
24 Hr. Pager
Cell: 416-433-5208
Fax: 416-537-6871
HomeLife/LocalReal Estate Ltd.
Brokerage, Independently Owned & Operated 1058BloorSt.West,Toronto,ON M6H1M3
Yearling sires represented include:
British columbia
YEARLING & MIXED SALE
Tuesday, September 11th yearling parade Monday, September 10th
Thunderbird Show Park 24550 - 72nd Avenue, Langley, B.C.
British Columbia
For catalogue information: 604.574.0145 ~ cthsbc@uniserve.com 17687 - 56a Avenue. Surrey, B.C. V3S 1G4 www.cthsbc.org
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