Information for sellers

BEFORE YOU LIST:

1. Choosing the right realtor

-I will sit down with you and come up with a strategic and thoughtful plan to sell your home and for a good price without undercutting my professional services

- Local Experience and knowledge is key

- Understanding the current market and market trends

- Always available, and putting the client first

- Honest and personable

2. Curb Appeal

- Yes, for better or worse, buyers do tend to judge a book by its cover. You want to make sure potential buyer’s first impression of your home is a good one; and inspires them to stop by the open house or schedule a showing so they can see more.

- By investing some effort in easy fixes, like planting colourful flowers and repainting your front door, the outside of your house can beckon prospective buyers to come on in.

3.  Declutter living areas

- Less is definitely more when it comes to getting your house ready to show

- Do a clean sweep of counters, windowsills, tables, and all other visible areas, and then tackle behind closed doors: closets, drawers, and cupboards—since virtually nothing is off-limits for curious buyers.

- If the house is overflowing with stuff, buyers might worry that the house won’t have ample space for their own belongings. They won't sign up to pay a mortgage if they think they'll also have to rent a storage space.

4. Depersonalize your space 

- The next step on your declutter list? Sellers should remove any distractions so the buyers can visualize themselves and their family living in the property

- Sellers should remove personal items and family photos, as well as bold artwork and furniture that might make the home less appealing to the general public. The goal is to create a blank canvas on which buyers can project their own visions of living there, and loving it.

- You might love that orange accent wall, but if it’s your potential buyer’s least favorite color, that could be a turnoff.

6. Touch up any scuff marks

- Even if you’re not doing a full-on repainting project, pay special attention to scrubbing and then touching up baseboards, walls, and doors to make the house sparkle and look cared-for.

- Selling almost any home can be tricky, but selling a home with lots of little problems and small repair needs can be downright difficult. When buyers walk into an open house, or go on a home tour, they want to fall in love with the house, not add a bunch of small repairs to their to-do list.

7. Fix any loose handles, and repair light bulbs

- It's a small thing, sure, but you’d be surprised by the negative effect a loose handle or missing lightbulb can have on a buyer.

- “It can make them stop and think ‘What else is broken here?’" 

8. Make sure the place is smelling good

- Foul odours, even slight ones, can be a deal breaker, and the problem is that you might not even notice them.

- If the smells are pervasive, prepare to do some deep cleaning as many buyers are on to seller's “masking techniques” such as candles or plug-in room deodorizers. Plus, covering up odors with a stronger scent might backfire if the buyer doesn't like the smell of lavender or artificial citrus.

9. Hide Valuables 

- Art, jewelry, Money, and Medication; should be kept out of sight, either locked up or stored off-site.

10. Consider staging

- Stagers know the real estate market, and what sells, so it's important to take their advice and not take offense when they make big changes. Their job is to help drum up interest from potential buyers, which is always good news to the seller.

11. Clean, Clean, Clean!

- Once you're done cleaning your house, Clean some more. Even if you're not worried about what buyers will think of your home's scent, you want your property to look spotless.

- Think of it this way: You'll probably have professional photos taken of your house when it looks its best. Naturally, you'll want your house to always look like it does in those pictures.

- When selling your home, it's important to keep everything tidy for buyers, and you never know when a buyer is going to want to schedule a last-minute tour. Remember to take special care with the bathroom, making sure the tile, counters, shower, and floors shine.

12. Set the mood for potential buyers 

- Have a speaker in your place playing some good relaxing music 

13. Take professional photos

- Professional photos and lighting can make a world of a difference when viewing the property online and making a great first impression

14. What is included in the sale

- Any appliances you are considering taking with you, any rental equipment and amount

- Any fixtures must be noted if you are planning on removing from the property on closing Eg. Blinds. Shutters, light fixtures, any built in equipment

Once Your property is listed

-For sale sign 

15. A for sale sign 

A for sale sign is always recommended as neighbours or passers by might know a potential buyer

16. If condo, does the condo corp. allow for sale signs 

17. for Sale” sign installation and removal when to install and remove

- Lock box and showings

- There will be an Electrical lockbox placed somewhere on the property 

- The first Week is critical in any listing as it will be the busiest and if you are able to find alternate accommodations for the first week it will be great as there will be plenty of showings.

- Realtors will request showings on our showing app. And once a showing request is received I will contact you to confirm time 

- Always prepare for showings by ensuring place is clean, tidy, smelling good, and some relaxing music is playing in the background

- I will place a sign by the front door for potential buyer and realtors to remove their shoes

- I will place a sign for realtors to leave their business cards, please leave the card on the counter as the more cards present the more appealing the property will appear

- Please make sure that you leave the property 15 minutes before the showing and if they are still there by the time you get back wait outside and do not disturb them. 

- If anyone comes knocking on your door because they saw the sign, DO NOT LET THEM IN, have them call me immediately as they can pose a serious security & liability risk to you and anyone else living on the property.

18. Offer presentation

- How offers will be submitted and full review and understanding of the clauses in the agreement