If you are thinking of selling your home, before you become overwhelmed at the task we need to discuss 10 steps that will help bring you the objective of making this process easier for you.

1. Determine Why And When You Would Like To Sell. 

Motivation plays a critical factor in determining what course of action you need to take. Spring is typically a faster paced season to sell, and winter tends to be a little slower. Regardless, there are always people looking to buy and seasons are only one factor to consider. Give us a call.  We will be able to help get you in the right direction.

2. Find A Realtor Who Is Right for You. 

Think locally as they will know your area. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, interview the candidates. A good Realtor will know the market well, supply you with information on past sales, current listings and their background from previous clients. They should also provide a solid marketing plan which should indicate how much your home should go for. lf you feel comfortable with us and feel that we have a genuine interest in helping you, then you are on the right track.

3. Sign A Listing Agreement With Us.

lt authorizes us and our brokerage to market and sell your home. The agreement serves 3 purposes:

a) lt defines our relationship and every detail and limits of your Realtor’s authority.
b) lt provides detailed information on the home which can be posted the boards Multiple Listing Service.
c) lt forms a basis for drafting offers on your home, formal offers start with the Listing Agreement.

4. Set Your Price. 

You want to attract buyers, the right asking price will attract not deter. We know the factors affecting the market. For example: Your neighbourhood may be under development with larger families and houses, there may be a large company opening up bringing jobs and a demand for housing in general, interest rates may be affecting people’s willingness to take out mortgages. We will do a comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to the homes recently sold, active and expired in your area and we will set the price.

5. Find A Lawyer. 

You need to find a lawyer to do your conveyance; it’s where they transfer the title of the property to your name. Ask them how they structure their fees and get an estimate of all other costs you can expect.

6. Prepare Your Home For Viewing. 

Get your mop, vacuum, tool belt & paint brush and let’s get your home a mini make-over. It’s the little things you can do to attract an offer. Get rid of the clutter, clean everything, repair as much as you can within reason, add some beautifying touches like new door handles on cupboards and perhaps even paint.

7. Let Me Market Your Home. 

This is our expertise, and this is where we can be at most benefit to you and your success. You will find step by step how I will help you achieve your goal. We will use combinations of marketing from traditional media to MLS, my own website and networking. Open House for Realtors and the public is also very beneficial.

8. Prepare Your Finances. 

Is your mortgage portable without any penalties? Can the buyer assume your mortgage? Can you discharge your mortgage without any penalties? Does capital gains tax apply to you? Talk with your mortgage broker and perhaps your accountant to see what applies.

9. Offers! Let’s Look At Offers. 

We will walk you through the process, you will see every offer. There may be some conditions you may want to change; we will discuss each and every detail. This is one of the most important tasks and reasons you have hired us - the negotiation skills. Don't be offended if your offer is well below the asking price. Instead, evaluate it for what it’s worth and counter back. Successful negotiation is an art and because it is a highly emotional time and we am here to guide you through with success.

10. Close The Deal! 

Excellent, negotiations are successful and we have time for the most vital steps now. 

A) Contact your lawyer and let them know an Agreement has been signed.
B) Immediately begin satisfying any conditions that require your actions to complete
C) Notify the lawyer and lending institution if the buyer is assuming your mortgage
D) Contact utilities, telephone and cable companies about transfer or removal of service
E) Call insurance agent and arrange cancellation or transfer of your homeowners insurance
F) Call a moving company
G) Send out change of address cards including Ministry of Transportation for your BCDL etc.
H) Notify me immediately if there are any changes to your property or situation.

Congratulations!!! You have sold your house! We are pleased to have helped you :-)

Here’s What We Will Do For You…
Our Commitment
Is to get as many QUALIFIED buyers as possible into your home until it is SOLD!

1. Suggest and advise you of any changes you might want to make to your property to make it even more marketable for the buyers. Professional staging may be an option.

2. Have a professional floor plan drawn as part of our service

3. Have a professional photographer take photos of your home. Also our service.

4. Immediately alert all RE/MAX Select Properties sales staff to your property.

5. Immediately place our recognized sign on your property.

6. If your home is listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), over 8000 salespeople will have the details of your property at their fingertips computerized listing service MLXchange; your listing will be included in the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver website www.realtylink.org 

7. If your home is listed on the MLS system, an open house for all Realtors will be held at your convenience.

8. Develop a four-page, full colour feature sheet detailing photos, features and benefits of your home for co-operating agents and potential buyers.

9. Advertise on the internet, our website, and through our many marketing sources.

10. Host an open house for buyers by appointment only: Open House for Public if desired.

11. Follow-up with all the sales people that have shown your home.

12. COMMUNICATE the results of our activities weekly to you.

13. Assist you in getting the HIGHEST POSSIBLE DOLLAR VALUE for your property with the least inconvenience.

14. Constantly look for the best possible methods of exposing your property to the potential buyers in the market.

15. Keep you up to date on current market conditions.

16. Represent you upon the presentation of ALL offers by the co-operating agents and to help in negotiating the best possible price and terms for you.

17. Handle follow-up and keep you informed, after the contract has been accepted, on all mortgage and other closing procedures.

Seller’s Checklist

Please provide us with the following items as soon as possible

Contact Information

• Your work number
• Spouse work number
• Neighbour’s phone numbers
• Utility bills (electric, gas, water)
• Brochures/information about your property
• Attractive exterior photos of your home in other seasons
• Your thoughts on special features of your home or community
• Personal property which may be included in the sale – whatever you feel might have special marketing value to the average buyer

Documents

• Property survey; Oil Tank certificate, if available
• Most recent property tax bill
• All permits and plans available
• Mortgage note
• Lender’s name, address, phone, contact person, mortgage account number and present balance
• If there are other loans/mortgages against the property, supply the same information as above
• Your lawyer’s name, address and phone number
• House keys

For Condominium or Townhouse

• Association Declaration and Bylaws
• Association Certificate of Insurance
• Association Current Budget

Staging Tips

1. Your Home is Your Product

To maximize the value of your home and the speed of its sale, your home should be properly merchandised and displayed like any 'product' that is offered for sale. Packaging and merchandising are critical factors in the world of sales and you are now on the market!

2. First Impressions Count

You never get a second chance at a first impression, so attempt to walk through your property in the shoes of your prospective buyer. Look at your entire home with an honest eye and discern what needs improvement and/or enhancement. Don’t forget the outside of your home as many people simply drive by a listing and make a decision based on your home’s curb appeal. It’s important to create a well-manicured entryway to entice potential buyers. Maintaining a neat and attractive exterior to your home will show buyers that you take pride in your property. Consider planting a few bushes and colourful mature flowers to create an eye-catching display. Ensure your lawn has been freshly mowed and watered. Look critically at your front entrance—perhaps the door or porch railing needs a fresh coat of paint. Polish the door handle and invest in a new welcome mat. Many serious buyers will want to drive by your home after the sun goes down. Remember to ensure that all outdoor lights are turned on in order to show your home in its best light.

3. De-clutter!

You're not hiring an agent to sell your personal things. Organize! Purge! If it's not in daily use, does it really need to be here? It's OK to have storage for your “stuff.” We all have stuff, but keep it minimized, neat and organized. You will have to think 'show home' while you are de-cluttering and that less does mean more. Don't forget the cupboards, display cabinets and closets ~ it may be time for that garage sale!

4. De-personalize

Why take down the family reunion photo and the wedding pictures? Prospective buyers are walking through imagining themselves living in your home. They can easily become distracted by your personal photos and mementos, and they will start to focus on who you are and how you live rather than imagining themselves living there.

5. Clean, Clean, Clean

Your home should be “hotel clean” and odour free before you consider putting it on the market and showing it to prospective buyers (again, the first impression). A lack of cleanliness says much more than words to those who are touring through, and it can literally cost you thousands at the bottom line. If you cannot do it yourself, spend a small amount and have the professionals come in. Ask them to tend to the areas that are time consuming for you such as baseboards, window treatments, and other infrequent stops in your cleaning routine.

6. Repair

If a door squeaks, a handle is wobbly or a drawer does not open or close smoothly; then get it fixed. Buyers will notice and they will make judgments on the maintenance level and upkeep of the rest of your property, based on that one small thing. A $500 repair to you means a $5000 reduction in the price to them!

7. Paint Colour and Condition

Keep it neutral! Boring? To you, maybe, but highly desirable to prospective buyers. Their thought process simply put is that they can move in without having to first spend time and money to paint over your colours! All the decorating shows love to reveal “after” photos of dramatic, colourful rooms. That may help to sell a TV show to a viewer but it will not help sell a home to a buyer. If it did, we would see more show suites at new developments, painted red, or mauve, or fuchsia!

8. Reduce

Reduce the amount of furnishings in your home. Are any rooms in your home filled with too much furniture? Are there furnishings too large for the room? Aim to give your room some breathing space for two immediate reasons. First, it allows the prospective buyer to fully appreciate the space. Second, it allows an easy traffic flow. Pedestrian gridlock while viewers are walking through your home does not mean spacious living.

9. Light

Sunny and bright interiors are more appealing and therefore easier to sell. Clean your windows inside and out. Check for burnt out bulbs. Replace low wattage with brighter bulbs. We may not want to live in such bright light all the time but it does reinforce the fact that you have a bright interior to offer. Also remember to ensure that you have plenty of working outdoor lighting, as well, for those potential buyers driving by in the evening.

10.Décor Touches

Pay very close attention to the small details that help in forming the overall impression. Fresh cut flowers? A bowl of fresh fruit?  A small, lush potted plant? A coffee table book? When your prospective buyer leaves after viewing, they will be discussing what they saw based on their overall impression of the home.

Pricing Your Home 

Getting the price right is another critical step in the marketing of your home. Pricing right at the beginning results in:

• Higher offers
• Less inconvenience
• A timely sale

Buyers are looking for maximum value:  What determines value?

• Market conditions
• Location
• Size
• Amenities
• Condition

Ultimately, the market determines value.

 Our role as your RE/MAX real estate agent is to:

• Show you a range of prices being paid for similar homes in your area
• Together with you, establish the appropriate asking price

The role of the market conditions in pricing

• Are we in a buyer’s or seller’s market?
• Are prices trending up or down?
• How will either impact my plans?
• How many homes like mine are currently for sale and what is their impact on the sale of my home?

Just how much are buyers prepared to pay for a home like ours?

Our Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) considers recently sold, comparable homes as well as homes with which your home will be competing. It will help us determine the optimum asking price for your property.

We can’t control market conditions, competition, location or size
Our focus will be on factors we can control to get maximum value:

• Price 
• Condition
• Marketing for maximum exposure

Click here to Download our Full Seller Package