If you have a home to sell, you’re probably excited to get the process started. There are many things you need to consider when selling your property, and it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by the task. The good news is we’ve done extensive research about what you need to know about selling your home – and we’ve answered the questions you’re probably wondering:
How will you determine my home’s value?
To determine your home’s value and set a listing price, we will complete a Comparative Market Analysis. The CMA uses recent sales of homes that are similar in neighbourhood, age, size, and features/finishes. Keep in mind that a CMA is not the same as an appraisal, which a licensed appraiser can perform.
Is it a good idea to start the list price high?
Many sellers like the idea of “starting high” to see if they get higher offers, but this strategy isn’t usually practical. First, buyers may not see your listing if they use a price filter set to what they expect prices in the area to run. Second, if your listing price puts your home higher than your neighborhood value, your home will likely sit on the market longer as buyers wait for you to make a reduction. It’s best to set a realistic listing price that will bring you buyers quickly. Our goal is always to get you the highest possible price in the shortest amount of time.
How soon can I get my home on MLS?
Once we agree to work together, we will begin entering your home information on the MLS system. We will also schedule a time for a professional photographer to take photos of the property. As soon as all the information and pictures are uploaded items, your listing can go live on MLS.
How will showings be conducted?
Yourself and our team will agree on the terms you are comfortable with for showings. We want to make the home accessible to buyers without too much disruption to your personal life. We can use a showing schedule, and unless we agree otherwise, we will notify you in advance of showing requests. We typically use electronic lockboxes that only active members of our local Realtors association can access. We can set the lockbox on a schedule, if necessary. Any time the lockbox is accessed, we receive a notification.
How will you market my property?
Marketing your listing is of utmost importance. Most buyers find their properties online through MLS (via their agent,) Realtor.ca, Viewpoint.ca, or other search engines. Listings in our MLS system automatically show up on these sites within a day of becoming active. In addition, we share our listings with the agents in our network, on our website, and on our social media. We can discuss additional opportunities such as hosting open houses and marketing within your neighbourhood.
How often will we communicate?
Communication is key to an easy and successful sale. We will keep you updated every step of the way. You are always welcome to reach out to us with questions or concerns. When we go over the listing information, we will discuss our preferred means of communication and schedules to make sure we know each other’s availability and boundaries.
How long will it take to find a buyer?
Several factors influence the time it takes to find a buyer. These include the market conditions, price range (higher-priced or luxury homes typically take longer to sell), location (whether your home is in a desirable neighbourhood or a unique location), and the condition of the home (is move-in ready or in need of renovation?). In a balanced market, most homes, when priced accurately and without significant damage or extenuating circumstances, go under contract within thirty days. In our current seller’s market, homes typically come under contract within 5-7 days.