10 Steps to Selling Your Home

Once you have made the decision that you want to sell your home, a shift in the perception of how you view your home will make it a lot easier for you to make smart decisions when it comes to setting a price, getting your home show-ready, and dealing with offers as they start to come in. Remember, how you see your home (filled with many fond memories) and the way a potential Buyer sees your home, are likely to be two very different scenarios. Walk through your home with an objective eye, and pretend that you are a potential Buyer. How does your home feel? How does it present? Are there things that need to be done prior to hosting viewings with potential Buyers? Is there anything that will make your home stand out from the rest? Now is the time to capitalize on your investment!

There are many reasons why a REALTOR^® is essential when selling real estate in Vancouver, but which REALTOR^® is the best choice for you and your family? Remember, a top-performing REALTOR^® will not only save you time and maximize the sale price of your home, but he/she will also negotiate in your best interest , ensure solid contracts, close the deal and secure the sale of your home. Most importantly, a trusted REALTOR^® will give you piece of mind and help to alleviate as much stress as possible from the home selling process. We're here to help!

The establishment of your home's value and the setting of the price point are the most important aspects of the home selling process that you will undertake. The selling price is the key element for all Buyers and their agents, as it is likely the main parameter for the Buyer's home search. It is critical that your home is priced at market value, as opposed to being priced based on emotional attachment or wishful thinking. Remember, a Buyer doesn't care about your memories, or how much you spent on the home. They are interested in buying a home at today's market value and creating their own memories.

There are financial aspects to selling a home that go beyond the fact that you may be able to reap a tidy profit from the actual sale. Prior to signing a listing agreement with your REALTOR^®, it is prudent to look at all associated costs as sellers can sometimes be surprised! The associated expenses of selling real estate in Vancouver can range from a pre-payment penalty on your mortgage to the cost of removing an oil tank from your property.

Deciding when the time is right to sell... The final selling price of your home is absolutely impacted by when you decide to sell. However, many of us do not have the luxury of waiting for a market to change from a Buyer's market to a Seller's market for the sake of securing a higher price.

Signing a listing agreement... Once you have chosen a REALTOR^® to sell your home, you will need to sign a listing agreement. This is a contractual agreement that authorizes your REALTOR^® and his/her brokerage to represent you in the marketing and selling of your home. It also stipulates the period of time for which they will offer their services.

Showing Your Home... The marketing has paid off and buyers are showing an interest in your home. From Agents Opens and public Open Houses to private showings by appointment, this is where our team of Showing Specialists really shine. There are any many tips and techniques that will help to ensure your home is always being shown in its best light.

An offer has been made! This is very exciting, but it can also be a stressful time with emotions running high. Your REALTOR^® has an obligation to show you each and every offer that is submitted on your home. It's possible that you may not like the initial offering price or you may even disagree with some of the other terms and conditions of an offer. In order to get the most out of each offer, it's important to keep your emotions in check, maintain a level head and remain objective.The goal is to negotiate the best deal you can get within the parameters of the current market conditions, while ensuring that the offer is contractually sound, transparent, and in alignment with your real estate objectives.

Unless you've received a firm, no subject offer for your home, there is still important work to be done. Any subject conditions and legal concerns must be dealt with promptly and professionally to ensure that the offer does not collapse.

Congratulations, you've successfully negotiated the sale of your home! The only remaining items are the final steps to closing out the sale. This is where your lawyer and REALTOR^® will take care of all the time consuming details and legal issues on your behalf. Assuming you chose your team of professionals wisely, you can now relax.