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Selling a Home with a Real Estate Agent
Here are some of the advantages of listing your home with professional real estate agents:
- They will help you establish a fair asking price for your home.
- They will promote your home to other agents and list your property in multiple listing networks is a computer
database that all real estate agents who subscribe to the service can access for up to the minute listings.
- They will create, pay for and place advertising for you.
- They will schedule appointments to show your home to prospective buyers even when you are not there.
- They can weed out buyers who will not qualify for a mortgage.
- They will help you negotiate with the buyer.
- They can make suggestions to help make your home more attractive to a potential buyer.
Do not list your home with a real estate agent just because he or she suggests a highest asking price. If you are
looking for professional representation or are just considering selling and need a little more information, please
give me a call and I will be glad to help. If you are considering a "for sale by owner", I wish you all the best and
hope some of the tips bellow come in handy. Here are some home selling tips to make the selling a home as
smooth as possible.
When Selling a Home Time is Money
When selling a home it's a good practice to place your home for sell on the market as far in advance as possible of
buying a home. This is important because it provides you with time to prepare and coordinate the selling of your
home and buying a new home. If you find a new home first and then try to sell your home, you may wind up with two
mortgages. Remember that when people move, sell and buy, there typically is a domino effect. Closing and moving
dates have to be coordinated, and the more firmly everyone commits to a window of dates and sticks to them, the
better for all involved. Put all agreements about dates in writing, and protect yourself by negotiating financial
penalties for failure to comply.
Talk to a Mortgage Professional before selling your home
Why talk to a mortgage professional before selling my home? This is a common question but the reason is
simple. Before selling your home, you want to make sure that you can qualify for and afford a mortgage to buy a
home in the price range and area you want. If you do not qualify for a mortgage to buy your next home, you will
probably decide not to sell your home. Once you know that you can buy another home then you can begin the
following steps of selling your home. If you find the process exhausting at any time, contact a Elite Realty agent at
905-346-2000.
Before Selling a Home Check The Curb Appeal
A home that is visually appealing and in good condition will attract potential buyers driving down the street and
yield a quicker and higher price sell. Use this checklist to view the home through an outsider’s eyes.
- Are the lawn and shrubs well maintained?
- Are there cracks in the foundation or walkways?
- Does the driveway need resurfacing?
- Is the garage door closed?
- Are the gutters, chimney and walls in good condition?
- Do the window casings, shutters, siding or doors need painting?
- Are garbage and debris stored out of sight?
- Are lawn mowers and hoses properly stored?
- Selling a Home The Inside Matters Most
Strong curb appeal will lure home buyers inside, but the inside will sell your home. It may not seem fair, but a
home buyer looks at the inside of your home and judges how well you have kept it up overall. Here is a checklist of
easy improvements you should consider before showing it to potential buyers:
- Clean windows (inside & out), floors and bathroom tiles
- Make sure you have clean heating and air conditioning filters
- Shampoo and clean all carpets
- Clean tubs and showers, repair dripping faucets and oil squeaky doors
- Keep your home neat, clean and picked-up at all times
- If a room needs a fresh coat of paint, use a neutral colour
- Remove unnecessary clutter from the garage, closets, etc and straighten stored items
- If your home is crowded with too much furniture, consider putting some things into storage
Think about how your home smells. You may be used to the smell of a pet or cigarettes, but such odors can
be a strong turn-off to home buyers.
Setting the Mood for the showing
Finally, set a mood for the buyer to help you to sell more quickly and get a maximum selling price. Here are some
last minutes details you should do every time you show your home to a buyer:
- Make your house homey with live flowers and fresh fruit
- Set out fresh guest towels and soap in the bathroom
- Place scented potpourri around the house
- Pop a batch of frozen cinnamon rolls into the oven for a welcoming aroma
- Keep all room doors open
- Soft music in the background may help as well
- Open blinds and curtains and allow natural light and turn on all lights
Remember, cosmetic changes do not have to be expensive. Attention to the basics—anything that says
“this home has been carefully maintained”—that will help you get the price you want.
Some home owners decide to sell their homes "for sale by owner"
to save the commission charged by a real estate agent. The
commission rate may vary but it is generally upwardsof 5% - 6%.
Selling your home for sale by owner also means you will be
responsible for placing ads, answering phones and showing your
home to strangers. What’s more, home buyers who know you are
saving on the real estate commission may offer less for your home
to take advantage of the commission portion, wiping out the financial
benefit of doing it yourself.
The fact remains, 9 out of 10 houses sold in Ontario are sold
through professional brokerages. Of those homes that end up in a
"for sale by owner", 75% eventually get listed with an agent.
What's on Your Lawn ?