What do you gain from selling? It's important to determine what you wish to achieve by selling your home. A bigger home? Is it a downsizing move? Is it relocation or an improvement in living conditions? Begin a three-step process. Start by writing the answer to the following questions.
What is your time frame for selling your home?
What would the ideal home be for you once your present property is sold.
** You can save money and time by working with a real estate professional, a Realtor®, who can help focus your needs and set up an action plan.
PRICING STRATEGY: Fair Market Value
Be reasonable in setting the price of your home. A realistic price will help create the possibility for a quick and successful sale. In determining the fair market value for your home a trained real estate professional can provide valuable service. As your Realtor® of choice The Osika Team will:
Provide information on how to set a fair market price for your home
Provide a detailed comparative market analysis to determine the selling price of homes similar to yours in the community
Help arrange an objective appraisal of your home
Help you sell your home within your desired time frame
PROPERTY READINESS: Presentation or "Setting the Stage"
You have the power to get the more for your home. That power lies in your ability to make your home as attractive as possible to buyers. A Realtor® can offer suggestions to highlight the latest consumer trend in demand. Some of these include:
Property upgrades
Painting - inside and outside
Cleaning the windows inside and out
Removing odours
Repairs to the home inside and out
Property, home, and room accessibility
Highlighting space in a positive manner
Organization of closets and rooms
De-cluttering suggestions
Some Realtors® are qualified to provide valuable suggestions that can dramatically increase the value of your home. Sometimes we use a professional Staging Service. Unlike interior decorating which concentrates on making the owners feel more at home in their interior space, the objective of Staging is to increase home market value or price. In many cases Staging involves "depersonalizing" a home and it is always done with your approval. An accredited Home Stager will follow professional guidelines in preparing your home for sale. You always have a choice in what suggestions to implement.
MARKETING STRATEGY: Finding the Buyer
It's essential that The Osika Team convey information about your home to the right people who are qualified potential buyers. There are various marketing steps we put in place, including "For Sale" signs, newspaper listings, flyers and variations on the open house concept. These market tools, without any type of plan, are hit and miss at best. An experienced Realtor® who understands how your property fits into current market will help sell your property at the best price and in the least amount of time. As your Realtors® we will:
Design a marketing plan
Create effective advertising in newspapers, flyers, and journals where appropriate
Contact qualified potential buyers and their agents
Create professional marketing materials and distribute them effectively to accredited cooperating offices
Distribute information to the local community about the property
Update advertising information and maintain currency
Report to you with comments from visiting buyers
RECEIVING AN OFFER: When to Accept
You've received a written offer - now what? should you accept? The answer is simple - when you are satisfied with every aspect of that offer. However, arriving at the point of acceptance can be challenging. An offer is a contract and, a legal document. A Realtor® is essential. A Realtor® will determine if the offer is worth considering. We consult with you and advise you if the offer is written in according to accepted practice, covering all essential areas including:
Legal Contract details: legal description of the property
Offering price
Amount of the deposit
Financing arrangements and timing
A list of fees and who will pay them
Inspection rights and possible repair allowances
Clauses that place restrictive conditions on the value of the offer
The method of conveying the title and who will handle the closing
A list of appliances and furnishings (chattels and fixtures) that stay with the home
The closing date and other time related conditions
NEGOTIATING TO SELL: Making this a Win/Win Agreement
All offers to purchase involve some level of negotiation. The process may require practical communicating skills and market strategy. In dealing with this aspect of the real estate transaction it is essential that you have a Realtor® experienced in negotiating with other Realtors®. A Realtor® will save you money and time. The services The Osika Team offer include:
Representing you throughout the offer process, receiving, negotiating, transmitting and acceptance.
Reviewing the written offer with you to make sure that you thoroughly understand what the buyer is offering and what he/she is asking in return.
Rewriting or amending the offer where necessary
Clarifying - helping you understand the issues contained in the offer and how they affect you.
Protecting your best interest throughout negotiations until well past the closing date!
Points of negotiation may include:
Price
Deposit
Financing
Home inspection results - responsibilities
Appliances and fixtures (fixtures and chattels)
Insurance
Time - Irrevocability
Closing and occupancy time frame
Tax liabilities
Restrictive conditions that may or may not be acceptable
Sign, SELL and CELEBRATE! This is the first stage of the success!
SOLD: Now What?
You've sold your house but are you finished? You have a list of things that must be accomplished prior to closing. Your Realtor® can coordinate everything that needs to be done to insure the sale. Ways in which an Realtor® can help you include:
Creating a time frame for repairs and improvements
Coordinating any actions needed to finalize the sale
Notifying Mortgage brokers and Lawyers and forward documents to them
Locate a new home for you quickly!
PRE-CLOSING PREPARATION: Approaching the Closing Day!
For both sellers and buyers, nerves may become frayed as the closing date approaches. An experienced Realtor® can help assure a quick and easy closing by:
Coordinating the necessary documentation with your solicitor
Communicating with the mortgage company
A few days prior to closing you will want to contact your lawyer to make sure all paper work is in order. Additionally, you'll make arrangements for your move. A Realtor® can be a big help during this time.
