Selling Masterfully
RULE #1: FIND OUT IF YOUR HOME IS AS READY AS YOU ARE
A home that shows well sells well. Virtually all buyers are on the lookout for one thing - a clean home. Many will simply walk away if a home looks uncared for and, at the very least, an untidy home will fetch a lower selling price. Ensure your home is spotless and free of clutter. The two most important rooms in a buyer's mind are the kitchen and the bathroom. Pay particular attention to these areas - they should sparkle and shine.
Making Repairs
There are certain items that must be repaired if there are problems. A leaky roof, for example, must be fixed. Any electrical problems will have to be addressed. Furnaces, water heaters and plumbing also fall into this category. Other areas may not need major repairs but will need attention. These can include leaky faucets, holes in window screens and any broken glass, etc. If some of your walls are too dirty to come clean, you may wish to consider a paint job. Carpets and rugs should also be clean and in good repair.
Outside and Inside
Take a close look at the state of your yard. If you are showing your home in the summer and have landscaping, trees and shrubs should be pruned and your lawn kept neat. In the fall, rake leaves regularly and in the winter ensure that your walks and driveway is kept clear of any snow or ice.
To Renovate or not to Renovate
Usually, most renovations do not translate into an increase in selling price of more than the cost of the renovations themselves. Painting, wallpapering and modest landscape improvements usually recover their costs, but major projects such as new patios, decks or additions rarely do.
In most cases, I will not recommend major repairs. A few minor repairs here and there and a thorough cleaning are usually all that are required.
RULE #2: UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME
It is important to do a comparative market analysis to see what similar homes in the area are selling for. This, along with your individual circumstances, will help you determine a suitable price range for your home. You will also decide how long the listing will be. Consider any anomalies including higher than average strata fees. Be familiar with your strata minutes if you selling a townhome or condominium. Are there any upcoming levies? Is the contingency fund maintained at a healthy level?
Most importantly, be realistic. While you will want to get the highest price possible, it doesn’t help to have your home on the market for too long. When buyers see a listing that continues without offers for months, they wonder what is wrong with your property and expect the worst. Perceived value in your home decreases as a result. Simultaneously, there is nothing worse than finding out after your home has sold that a comparable property sold for a significantly higher figure.
Discuss all of Your Needs, Hopes, and Expectations with Your Realtor. Miscommunication can occur when communication is not open and clear in the beginning- prior to problems happening. A fruitful relationship is very possible with your real estate agent and is most possible when you are honest with your thinking, and then diligently listen to what your realtor has to say.
RULE #3: ESTABLISH A MARKETING STRATEGY
One of the first things I will discuss with you is a marketing strategy designed to give your home maximum exposure. I may already know a number of potential buyers but listing your home on the MLS® (Multiple Listing Service) will ensure exposure to all other realtors across the Lower Mainland and the buyers they work with.
Make sure you review anything that may make your home more attractive to buyers- is your home close to unique dining or recreation options? Is it in a safe area? If so, how safe? What is the make-up of the properties around you? Are there children in near-by properties, is the area predominantly made up of one population or working population? Knowing how to promote attractive features about your property and its surroundings is key to being able to sell your home for its maximum value.
Discuss Marketing Tactics
Do you want your home to be featured though Open Houses? While this is something that I recommend, you do need to realize that Open Houses mean you will need to make arrangements to deep clean your home prior to any Open House and not be present during the times of the Open Houses. How much notice time would you like before showings? Do you have before and after photos of any renovation that you did? Is shortness of listing to sale time the most important thing to you or is obtaining the highest possible price more important?
Flexibility on the closing date is another important factor in the successful marketing of a home. Real problems can arise when buyers and sellers cannot agree on a closing date.
Stay Informed
If given the opportunity to help you, I will keep you regularly informed on how the marketing of your home is progressing. If you have any questions or ideas, do not hesitate to discuss them with me.
RULE #4: USE ALL RESOURCES POSSIBLE
With your home in competition with others it is vital to use all resources available to you. Research shows that print media is no longer as effective as it used to be; however, it should still have a place in your overall marketing strategy. Using online social media, online bulletin boards, and other online tools are now effective and efficient ways to get your property in front of the eyes of more individuals than before. With each consumer spending more time online than before though, you need to be savvy with exactly how your property is presented online.
Open Houses still are very effective in bringing individuals to see what you have to offer, but virtual open houses are also just as important. Therefore, photos and/or video of your property well positioned can bring people not just from your local area but from outside the Lower Mainland to view your property. The bottom line is that you want to find ways to have your home shown to the widest audience possible to general as much business as possible.
RULE #5: USE A KNOWLEDGEABLE REALTOR WHO UNDERSTANDS YOU
Understanding all of the above can be daunting at best. What I can offer you is not just advice on the above topics, but step-by-step coordination and assistance with every single detail to ensure that you are able to find the best possible buyer who gives you the best possible price for your home. If given the opportunity to assist you, this is my pledge to you.
