Your satisfaction and happiness is something that is very important to me. I understand how hectic it is to sell a house and it can be difficult if it’s not handled properly. To help you through the entire process, I’ve put together five simple steps:

Step 1: Decide to Sell

When you sell, you want to get as much value as you can for your home. So you might want to consider the timing of the sale because it definitely has an effect on the value. You don’t want to sell when it’s a “buyer’s market,” when too many homes are for sale and there are not enough buyers. Seasonality is something to consider as well because typically more homes are sold in the spring rather than the winter.

You can also increase the value by enhancing the appeal of your house. There are various ways to do this and it all depends on the amount of monetary resources available. You can renovate your house by remodelling an area or just freshen up the walls with a new coat of paint. See the articles on this website dealing with “Staging”.

Even just keeping your front lawn tidy can make a big difference. Buyers love seeing green grass and flowers outside because it feels more warm and inviting to them. Or when the fireplace is emitting a warm glow on a cold winter day, Buyers immediately are drawn to your cozy home.

Home inspections are also something that you can do to prove the value of your home. Buyers will usually ask for a home inspection, so if you do it ahead of time it will definitely impress them. It also gives you a chance to prevent unpleasant surprises and make any major repairs. Download my app to get some suggestions on home inspection companies.

Now you’re ready for the for sale sign! 

Step 2: Hire an Agent

There are thousands of real estate agents, so how do you chose one that’s right for you?

Choose carefully. She will be acting as your representative and you will need someone to look out for your best interests. You will need someone that you can trust and someone who understands what you want. You will also need to like and trust her. After all, you will be working together to sell your very valuable asset. You don’t want the job to be taken lightly, nor do you want the procedure to be so rushed you feel overwhelmed.

There are a few ways to look for your perfect Realtor:

·        Jot down some names and numbers that you find on “For Sale” signs

·        Ask friends and family for a recommendation

·        Visit one of the local offices in your area

She has to be a trained professional who knows your area inside out. Someone with lots of experience with the type of property you have, in the area you reside. A great agent is someone who offers you quality services to help you accomplish your goal.

Step 3: List your Home

Now that you’ve found the perfect real estate agent, she will list your home. First she will value your house and help you to set a price. A report on market data will be complied to properly value your home based on the prices in your area. The report will be thoroughly evaluated with you so you have complete understanding of current market conditions. This is a partnership, and you are not left out of the procedure.

Your property will be thoroughly evaluated so all details can be known, and easily communicated to potential buyers and their realtors. Accurate information is vitally important; inaccuracies can cause havoc and disappointment when the truth becomes apparent. Lot lines, location of services, including well and septic, room sizes, and amenities will all be noted. You will be given advice should any of these items need attention or improvement so there will be no cause for buyer concern.

Once they’ve done that your agent will market your home through various media outlets and listing sites to create strong buyer interest. It will be posted on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), social media, blogs, and other websites, such as Royal Lepage and of course this website.

An agents’ open house will be scheduled, and perhaps a public open house, if you are willing, to showcase the potential of your home to a wide variety of potential buyers and their realtors. At this point, we may also suggest that the home be staged to help these individuals imagine themselves living in your house. See the articles on staging on this website.

Step 4: Receive an Offer

Not all offers are equal and that’s where your real estate agent comes in. She will help you get to know the terms and conditions regarding the price that the buyer wants to pay, financing conditions, or other things like inclusions and exclusions that the buyer wants to make. Your realtor should take time to explain all aspects of the transaction, and patiently help you make the right decisions.

Not only is it about the price of the house but carefully examine the other details included in the sale of your property. Appliances, light fixtures, or even minor renovations can also be part of the deal. With recreational properties in the Mulmur or Mono area, furniture is sometimes included. Shorter or longer closing dates can also be specified in the offer. If there is something in the offer that doesn’t satisfy you, counter offers or negotiations can also be presented to help get you what you want. As always, your realtor is there to guide you through the whole process.

Step 5: Close the Sale

There will be closing costs associated with the sale that need to be paid either by or on the closing date. It can include mortgage application fees, inspections, and legal fees. There may be fees for septic pump-out and water flow tests. But once that’s taken care of, you can pass your old keys to the new owners. Congrats!

You’ve officially sold your house!