How to sell your property

Selling your house is a big step, whether you are planning on moving a few blocks or around the world, it’s definitely a period of stress and upheaval. Because of this it is vitally important to get everything right. Normally, real estate is the biggest purchase any of us make, and getting the best price we can for it is essential. That is why we have created this guide to help you through the entire process when you have property for sale, for a stress-free result that gives you the best price for your home.

1. Welcome buyers. Make your front door visible and accessible to buyers. Paint the door, clear debris and clutter from the walkway and yard, mow the lawn and prune hedges. Pot or plant colorful annuals and perennials to attract attention from the street. Fix broken screens, doorbells, roof tiles, shingles and outdoor lighting, and replace your doormat. Exterior defects can make a poor first impression on buyers.

2. Make it sparkle. Cleanliness implies a home has been well taken care of, so deep cleaning can win points with buyers. Buyers scrutinize homes, especially kitchens and bathrooms. Recaulk and repaint to give these grime-prone rooms a fresh and clean look. Clean rugs and carpets to eliminate unsightly stains or dinginess and eliminate odors. Tidy each room, including cabinets, closets and the garage, before showing. And if it seems daunting to do all that cleaning yourself, consider hiring a professional cleaning company to take care of all of it for you.

3. Start packing. Cramped and cluttered rooms turn buyers off and make your house look smaller. A home packed with your personal belongings also makes it difficult for others to envision living there. Start by storing away excess furniture, toys and personal decorations, such as family photos. Pack up things you don’t use on a daily basis, and put them in storage or ask a friend to hold onto them. Decluttering your house also gives you a head start on your move.

4. Paint wisely. A well-done, no-frills paint job is all you need. Put a fresh coat of paint on white or beige walls, and repaint walls that have eccentric or unconventional colors. Nature- and spainspired neutral colors, such as taupe and subtle gray, are the best choices. Definitely don’t forget the trim and molding either. And a fresh paint job on outdated or worn cabinetry goes a long way, too.

5. Fix the small stuff. Repair or replace broken or outdated hardware throughout your home. You can install new door handles, faucets, towel bars and curtain rods – fixtures that are readily visible to homebuyers – rather inexpensively. New hardware in the bathroom, kitchen and on windows and doors also improves the functionality and safety of these components.

6. Update lighting. Replace decorative light fixtures that no longer fit your home’s cleaner, fresher look. Install new bulbs with the appropriate lighting for specific areas of your home. For example, ambient, low-key lighting fills a room, whereas directional or task lighting works better in areas like a reading nook. Use accent lighting to highlight focal points in a room, such as the artwork above a mantle, to draw buyers’ attention to certain selling points.

7. Frame windows. Ensure you have the right window treatments, which enhance natural brightness and boost the appearance of a home. Window treatments also can impact a room’s temperature because they reduce or increase the amount of light entering the space. Adjust window treatments appropriately when showing your home in the mornings, afternoon and evenings.

8. Set the table. Fresh, decorative flowers in the kitchen or on the dining room table are always a nice touch. Also, keep place settings handy for your tables so you can quickly set them out right before showings or an open house. Pull out all the formal stops for a dining room, and keep the table casual in the kitchen.

9. Hide unsightly everyday items. Don’t leave children’s toys and pet belongings out in the open during showings and open houses. Move litter boxes, pet dishes, toys, animal crates and kids’ entertainment to less conspicuous areas of the home, such as an outdoor storage unit or garage before each showing or open house. Also think about where you can store things like dirty laundry and dirty kitchen sponges.

10. Don’t forget the back. Keep your backyard looking spacious and functional. Plant or pot colorful flowers and keep the landscaping trimmed and neat. Consistently pick up after your pets so buyers feel comfortable touring the yard.

Finding the right real estate agent to sell your home is a primary step which must be conducted with due diligence. You should base your decision on cold, hard facts, and not any hype or spin that you may be subjected to. The real estate professional that you choose to entrust the sale of your residential property should possess these characteristics: Knowledgeable about the current market dynamics in your local area and familiar with all the comparables. Has been a professional realtor in the community for years and is well-recognized, reputable and respected. Engages buyers and has extensive lists of potential purchasers. Is well connected with the best legal and financial professionals as well as appraisers, home inspectors and the other experts in your area involved in the real estate transaction. Markets aggressively but not in a blatant over-spending manner: In real estate it’s better to buy the right advertising than the biggest. Empathizes with your needs as to what your preferences and requirements are. Is realistic about pricing and sale expectations: You may find the right realtor is the one who does not quote you the highest expected sale price. Has an encyclopaedic comprehension of financial and legal issues to help steer you through the real estate minefield. Consults with you on ways to economically improve your home to make it more appealing to buyers. Is a superlative and skilled negotiator in order to best represent your interests at every step of the transaction. Does not hesitate to tell you what you might not want to hear, as long as it is based on undeniable facts. Is willing to go through the process of qualifying buyers to ensure that no time-waster offers are tendered. Understands that the commission is going to be sizeable and therefore has to be motivated to make themselves available when you need them to handle whatever issues come up. When you locate such an agent you can now rest assured that you have taken care of the single most important factor in ensuring that the entire property transaction goes smoothly from start to finish. It’s important to find a professional that will suit your needs. But how?

• Word of mouth referrals
• Get recommendations from your friends and neighbours about their experiences with real estate professionals.
• Search online: Almost all real estate professionals have an online presence, whether it’s a personal website or profiles on various social media sites. Do some searching online and find someone who appeals to you.
• Find out if they’re licensed: Real estate professionals need a licence to work in our agent. Once you’ve found the name(s) of professionals you’re considering, do a public licence search on RECA’s website to make sure their licence is current. Visit www.reca.ca and click on “Searching for an industry professional.”
• Check the RECA website: RECA posts disciplinary decisions on its website. Check the Complaints & Discipline tab on the Consumer side of RECA’s website for two years of disciplinary history, to see if RECA disciplined the professional with whom you want to work.
• Interview some residential real estate professionals: While the above suggestions will help you find professionals to talk to, they won’t tell you exactly which professionals are right for you. Your next step should be to interview those you are considering. Make sure they have the experience, background, and knowledge necessary to assist you in your purchase or sale. You need to feel comfortable with your choice, so it’s a good idea to ask them for references, and let them know you’re interviewing multiple professionals.
• Ask them:
  1. how long have you been in the business?
  2. do you have a job other than as a real estate professional?
  3. how many sellers did you represent last year
  4. what services will you provide to me?
  5. what geographic areas do you serve?
  6. do you specialize in certain property types?
  7. how will you market my home?
  8. how do you handle multiple offers?
  9. how do you present buyers’ offers to me?
  10. what are the top three things that separate you from your competition?
  11. are you working as part of a team or will I always deal directly with you?
  12. how do you get paid?
  13. how much do you charge for your services?
  14. will you work for me exclusively, not the buyer?
  15. how do you handle conflicts of interest?
  16. how do you keep me informed?
  17. how many clients do you work with at any one time?
• The real estate professionals you interview will likely also have questions for you. These could include:
  1. your motivation for selling
  2. your preferred timing
  3. if you’re also planning to buy a home