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SellingUnderstanding the Process

In Preparation

For a lot of reasons we are confident that RE/MAX Garden City Realty is the right choice. Frankly, we know how to get the job done, and when we sit down together we’ll explain why we say that and how we do it. But first, we’d like to walk you through the process, step by step.

Before the Agent arrives at your door, there are a number of things you can do to help prepare for the listing appointment.

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1. SURVEY

Signing a contractYou have decided to sell your property. That can be stressful. But the difference between a smooth, rewarding experience and one filled with frustrations and disappointment is often dependent on the Agent and brokerage you select to guide you through the process.

While not necessary, if you do have one, it’ll answer a lot of questions such as where are boundary lines, are there encroachments, what are the side yard and front and back set-backs. Have a look and if you can find one the Agent will want to see it.

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2. DEED

You would have gotten this from your lawyer when you purchased the property. If you can find those papers, have them ready.

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3. TAX BILL

Buyers will want to know the current assessment and taxes. It will be needed for the listing as well.

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4. EXCLUDED ITEMS

Are there any fixtures that you intend to take with you – lights? Mirror? Make a list of any and have this ready to discuss with the Agent.

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5. EQUIPMENT LEASES

Often your hot water heater is rented. Is it on a long term lease? Are there any other lease items (furnace, air conditioner, solar panels, etc.) in the property? See if you can locate those lease documents.

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6. LATENT DEFECTS

Latent defects are flaws or deficiencies in the property that cannot be seen during a general walk through. Foundation issues, water infiltration, sewers prone to backing up etc. By law these need to be disclosed.

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7. HISTORY OF REPAIRS/REMEDIAL WORK

Give some thought to the repair history of your property. What have you done and when? When were the shingles replaced on the roof? How long has the A/C been in place? Did you ever have foundation work done to resolve a leak in the basement? What did they do?

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8. DEFICIENCIES

Make a list of things that should be repaired around the house. A floor that squeaks, a door that sticks, a fuse that trips often. Be ready to discuss them with the Agent.They will help you decide what should be addressed. What can be let go. What need to be disclosed. What falls under ‘caveat exemptor’.

THE APPOINTMENT

INSPECT YOUR HOME

Soon after arrival, the Agent will want to have a walk through your home. Show it to him/her just like you would a prospective buyer. Show them what you love about your home and also what you don’t. Point out its positive features. Point out its flaws. If it’s in the country they’ll want to see where the septic and well are located. Also the boundaries.

MARKETING PLAN

After tour your Agent will want to sit down and go over his/her marketing plan. And I stress ‘plan’. They will show you why they are successful at what they do and why so many people have relied on them with very positive results. They will take you step by step through the process. Tried and true procedures, proven results!

PRICING

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1. CMA

Pricing in its simplest form is based on current activity in the marketplace. Essentially what is currently for sale and what has recently sold. The one gives you an idea of how your house compares with the competition. People will be looking at what is out there.

And secondly, knowing what people have paid for properties similar to yours will give a pretty good idea of what they are prepared to pay for yours, once adjustments have been made for conditions, age, size, upgrades and amenities. How does your property stack up against current inventory? And what have people paid for similar properties, making adjustments for condition, age, size and amenities?

That process is called a CMA or Comparative Market Analysis. The Agent will have a number of comparables available to show you, and from that, what the market is saying.

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2. HIGHEST AND BEST USE

Sometimes there is hidden potential in your property which can affect the marketingand ultimate price you can expect to get. It may be, for example, that you have alarge lot, with the house situated in such a way that severing a lot off is a possibility.That doesn’t mean that you need to do it. But that potential can be marketed.Maybe the lower level would be ideal for a granny flat. Or maybe your home is idealfor a residence/home office or student accommodation.RE/MAX Agents are entrepreneurial. They can spot potential and that potential maymake your home more saleable and more valuable.

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3. DRESS FOR SUCCESS – STAGING

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Think of a first date. You are not going to pretend to be somebody you are not. You want the person to like you for who you are, but you are going to look your best. Ladies, it may be special care with make-up and hair care. And, of course wearing that dazzling dress.

Men, you’ll want to dress sharp. Get your hair cut, wash your car. Make a good first impression.

It’s exactly the same as marketing your home. You want someone to fall in love with your home, so you’ll want to make a good impression.

Your Agent can help you with this. See your home with a fresh set of eyes. We hear a lot about staging these days. That work conjures up visions of warehouses or furniture temporarily replacing yours. And we can do that. But nothing that drastic is likely necessary. A single re-arrangement of furniture can make a huge difference in the apparent size of a room.

People will generally pay more for a ‘showpiece’ than the price of a makeover.That’s why so much money is made every year through ‘fix and flips’. The same principal applies. You may not wish to do a lot, you may not need to, but sometimes little things can have a huge impact. Your Agent can help with recommendations in this regard.

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4. THE PRICING DILEMMA

You would like to get the full market value for your home. And your Agent can help you determine what that is. They can also give you suggestions to assure you realize its full worth and potential. But ultimately you will have to come up with a price.

As a rule of thumb, too high and it’ll sit on the shelf and get overlooked. Too low might result in multiple offers and a handsome reward. Or it might not. The goal is to price it as close to actual market value as you can. Here again, your Agent is critically important in arriving at that number.

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