Are you thinking about selling? Before you list, learn more about the process to get the most money from your home.
Before listing, all home sellers should know about their local markets -- Collingwood, Tobermory and Owen Sound are solid real estate markets, except each is different and has seasonal fluctuations. One of the best things you can do is look at comparable homes for sale by neighbourhood -- "comps" in real estate lingo, which have sold recently. Look for homes with the same features as yours regarding the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, garage capacity and amenities.
A good REALTOR® will have this information on hand. In addition, they will know what other SOLD Homes went for and give you a reasonable estimate of what to expect for your own home.
If you are not in a hurry to sell your home, it may pay to wait until a more favourable season; depending on which market your house resides. For example, it generally takes longer to sell in the winter -- such as homes for sale in Owen Sound and Tobermory-- compared to homes in Collingwood (which is a four-season area), which could sell faster. As a result, prices often drop, and you will have more competition. On the other hand, it may be well worth the wait if you can wait until spring or summer. It pays to consult with real estate agents like us to learn when is the best time to market your house.
When looking for a REALTOR® that specializes in helping home sellers, eliminate agents whose listings look sloppy or uninviting. Photography should entice the buyer, as should the wording. Misspellings or photographs that look like they were taken from a cell phone should disqualify an agent from consideration. Look for advertisements that make you want to get out and see the properties for sale in person.
Once you have a shortlist of contenders, you should interview each REALTOR® in person. Ask to see their credentials -- ask about their availability. You do not want someone who won't answer your calls or those of potential home buyers. Ask for references and recommendations from friends and colleagues. Finally, think about the agent's personality and work style. You want an agent with whom you feel comfortable. We know that people want to get to know us before hiring us.
Now that you have chosen a REALTOR® to sell your home, you need to get your home ready to sell:
Cosmetic and mechanical fixes can pay off big dividends in the final sale price of your home.
It's important to let us know who you have chosen for your financial situation. For example, if you need to find a new home but haven't found one yet, you can ask your agent for a longer closing time to give you more time to find a new one. If you still have a mortgage, look at its terms. You may have to pay the penalty if you pay it off early. Look into the taxes and other fees you'll need to pay during the process. Consult an accountant if you need to. Learn how to best leverage your situation to come out on top. Remember that your agent may have creative solutions to help with your specific problem learned through experience with other offers.
With a professional REALTOR® at your side, you can be confident that your home will bring the best price it can in any real estate market.
You, too, can do your part by telling us about some of your home's features that have brought you the most pleasure so that he can highlight those features in advertisements and online.
Keep your home clean and uncluttered. Make sure your lawn is ready, your garden weeded and watered. Plan to spend plenty of time away from home during all showings.
When the time comes for an open house, try creating a light, airy feeling. Open blinds and curtains and turn the lights on in every room. Put vases of flowers out in strategic locations. Put out refreshments -- finger foods and refreshing drinks that will nourish and entice without making a mess. Scented candles and oil warmers can set the stage for an experience to create a sense of home in the space. Make potential home buyers feel as if they are already at home.
Learn about the terms the buyer offers. Some home buyers may want you to include particular things, such as furniture or appliances, that you may want to consider to move the sale of your home. Other times, they might request that you make some repairs before closing. If the offer is conditional, the buyer may require that the house passes an inspection, sells their current home, or is approved for financing before the sale is final. We will help you sort through the offers and contingencies so you can decide whether to accept the offer.
If you do not want to reject the buyer's offer outright, you can make a counteroffer. This is when having a REALTOR® at your side comes in handy. If the price they offered is too low, he can talk with you about a compromise that might satisfy both you and the buyer. For example, if they're asking for Grandma's prized painting that hangs over your fireplace, you may want to offer something else in its place.
If you are lucky enough to have multiple offers, we can help you compare them. With multiple offers, it's not all about the price. For example, suppose one buyer offers a little less but can close immediately with no extra demands or contingencies. In that case, that buyer might be a better bet than the one that hasn't received any pre-approved financing, wants to make the purchase contingent on the sale of their current home, or has other demands.
Before the closing day comes, you need to pack up everything and arrange for a mover to take your belongings to your new house:
Closing is more than just handing over the keys. You will need to pay any required fees to wrap up the sale. Do not be afraid to ask for referrals for lawyers from your real estate agent and friends. We highly recommend meeting with your lawyer before the closing day to discuss the plan and make acquaintances.
With all of the challenges that come with selling a house, home sellers need to have experienced real estate agents like us. If you are thinking about selling your Grey Bruce or South Georgian Bay home, you owe it to yourself to look at your options with a home sales expert.
