Mike, first off, you don't have to spend a lot of time researching MPAC before calling in to question their ability to assess property values and "allegiance".
file this under anecdotal, given we recently went through the insanity of moving. Not sure how familiar you are with Durham region, but for the sake of bandwidth, will assume you know it. We looked at very many properties, put offers in on four. While we ran into a number of things, that really would take too much to relate concisely. Here's two things we found.
Properties inside Whitby, Oshawa, Courtice, Bowmanville. Would sell in 1 day, always with multiple offers ranging in number from 3-5 to 20 offers. And would sell for anywhere between 20,000 over ask, and 120,000 over ask.
properties around Port Perry (rural) would sell in one day, with multiple offers. Fewer offers (3-6) and 20-80k over ask. That surprised us, thinking the further out we looked, we'd avoid the insanity. Uh uh. One place on Scugog Island we bid on, I offered 50,000 over list. We lost to someone who offered 10,000 less, but was willing to waive septic and well inspections. I wasn't. In short, everything no matter how good, or run down are selling. In a day.
we looked at 5 houses in Bethany. Where turbines are going up and where the 407 will link to 115 a little down the road. It's a prime place. All but 1 of those house sat. And sat and sat. Likely until the sellers lowered their asking price.
and we ultimately decided those turbines and who knows how many more coming. Not worth the risk. Mind you $ talks, and I will always at least look at and consider good bargains, for the right price