To Sell
Are you thinking of selling?
Advice that you will find useful when thinking of selling your home:
Advice…
- Should I buy or sell first?
- Major factors that influence the selling price
- The advantages of a realistic selling price
- Costs related to the purchase of a property
- Helpful Hints For Selling Your Home
Services that we offer:
Should I buy or sell first?
There is no right or wrong decision. Each case must be considered individually. We can give you professional advice regarding this matter.
The PROS and CONS in SELLING BEFORE BUYING
PROS
- Peace of mind
- You will know the exact amount available towards the purchase of your new home.
- All your energy could be devoted towards the purchase of your new home
- You will be in a stronger position when negociating the purchase price of your new home
CONS
You may not have found the right home before the date that you have to vacate your property. The options are as follows :
- You may have to move into a temporary rental property
- You may have to purchase a home that is not necessarily your first choice
- You may have to purchase a property at a higher price (above the maximum amount established in the budget)
Major factors that influence the selling price :
- Timing
- Competition
- Location
- Condition of the property
As agents, we determine the selling price as follows:
- Our primary method is to use the price obtained in recent sales of properties comparable to yours and in the same general area
- We also take into account the asking price of comparable properties actually for sale
- The general market conditions are also an important factor
«An unrealistic selling price only serves to sell other properties while yours remains on the market»
The advantages of a realistic selling price
- Your home will attract many more potential buyers and will sell more rapidly
- Your home will remain "saleable"
- The closer the price is to real market value, the higher the average price on offers received
- The closer the price is to real market value, the higher is the number of offers received
- Sales agents will show your property to a larger number of potential buyers and this with greater enthusiasm
Costs incurred by sellers
- Reimbursement of your mortgage (if any)
- Mortgage penalty (check with your financial institution)
- Quittance
- Updated certificate of location (if needed)
- Selling commission to real estate broker (+taxes on commission)
- Moving expenses
Helpful hints for selling your home
Please follow these simple suggestions to help us sell your home quickly and for the best possible price. Remember, we do not get a second chance to make a good first impression.
Cleaning & Fixing Up
First impressions are lasting - a bright and cheery home invites inspection.
Home stagers will tell you that a clutter-free home looks better in the eyes of a potential buyer. It makes your home look cleaner, and appear larger. This makes it easier for home buyers to envision their furniture in your home. Plus, it can result in a higher offer.
Exterior
- Keep your lawn trimmed and edged - remove cuttings or clutter from yard.
- Weed and cultivate gardens and flowerbeds - plant some flowers for color and brightness.
- Clean sidewalks of dirt, snow or ice.
- Wash all windows - repair damaged screens and windows.
- Remove objects from sidewalk such as children’s toys.
- Make sure the Real Estate sign is visible and upright.
Interior
- Clean walls, floors and windows.
- Remove clutter from halls & stairs to give a wider appearance.
- Clean out your closets and shelves to the point where they almost look empty. Well organized pantries and closets look larger.
- Clean around furnace and hot water tank.
- Could the room with too much furniture be made to look better with a few pieces taken out? Does the den look better with less books and cherished knick-knacks? Be willing to box up some things for a few months to keep the feeling of your house more spacious. Move furniture around to create a better walking pattern through the house.
- Repair plumbing such as leaking faucets, toilets. Tighten loose screws, oil squeaky doors, fix dripping faucets, and pay attention to detail. If the little things aren’t taken care of, buyers will wonder about the rest of the house.
- Repair burnt out light bulbs - add higher wattage bulbs for brightness in areas such as the basement.
- Tighten all hardware such as kitchen cabinets, door knobs and closet doors.
- In general, fix any minor defects and especially wash marked walls and dust.
These Items Are Really Critical:
Kitchen
- Stove, refrigerator, sink and floors should be spotless.
- Leave all work space clear and remove dirty dishes from sink.
- Wash all cupboard exteriors.
- Neat, spotless and fresh.
- Fix minor things such as caulking around bathtub.
- Three's a crowd - More will lose the sale. Avoid having too many people present during showings. The prospect will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the home. Please try to be out during showings.
- In the shadows - Please do not accompany the Prospect and the Salesperson. They know the Buyer’s requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home when alone. They will call you if needed.
- Love me, love my dog - Does not apply in house selling. Keep your pets out of the way and preferably out of the home.
- Silence is golden - Be courteous but do not force conversation with the Prospect. He is there to inspect your house - not pay a social call.
- Be it ever so humble - Never apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it has been lived in. Let our trained Real Estate Salesperson answer any objections that may be raised.
- Music is mellow - But not when showing a house. Turn off the TV and radio - they are distractions. Let the Salesperson and the Prospect talk, free of such disturbances.
- Open doors in the daytime and close them at night. Turn on all lights or let us turn them on for the entire showing. Strong odors can ruin a sale. Make sure your home is as fresh as possible.
- Not discussing price, terms, possessions or other factors with prospective purchasers is best. Refer them to your Royal Lepage agent. He or she is better equipped to bring the negotiation to a quick and favorable conclusion.
- PLEASE remember that this is not meant as criticism of your property, but merely as an aid to market your property more effectively.
- Your property will be visible around the world with the Royal Lepage website as well as our own website.
www.royallepage.ca
www.laredding.com - With the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) www.sia.ca ou www.mls.com
- Our full-page ad in the local newspaper (Weekly edition of l'Express du Mont-Royal) Distribution of approximately 26,000:
Mont-Royal • Mile-End • Outremont • Côte-des-Neiges • Glenmount - Our front page banner (l'Express de Mont-Royal and Journal de Mont-Royal)
- Open Houses
- Caravans open to all agents
- Our «For Sale» sign
- Very wide personal and professional networking
- Instant messaging through pagers and e-mails of your listing to all real estate agents of Royal Lepage