1. Get help from a real estate agent, if necessary
One of the first decisions you need to make is to choose between a real estate agent and a real estate service that assists you in the sale of your property.
A real estate agent takes care of preparing contracts and sales forms and ensures that the client understands everything in each document. In addition to coordinating visits, agents also more optimally promote the sale of your house on the market. These services come at a cost, however, with the agent taking a commission of about 5% of the house’s selling price. This amounts to $15,000 for a $300,000 property.
Services that assist with the sale help you avoid having to pay a commission, but you have to be available for calls and to host visits. Depending on the selected package, notaries and real estate specialists may be available to help you.
Keep in mind that selling your house can be an emotional process, so make sure you have the support you need.
2. Settle on a fair price—not too low, not too high
Settling on a selling price for your property (linked article available in French only) is a crucial and sometimes stressful step. There are many aspects to consider, most notably market data and your time constraints. To get a clearer picture, seek assistance from your real estate agent, from experts at your disposal through your assisted sale service, or from a valuation professional.
Valuation professionals have the qualifications to produce a complete report on your property’s market value. You will be charged a fee. Contrary to a real estate agent, they do not earn any commissions on the sale, therefore they are impartial.
3. Showcase the distinctive aspects of your house
Your house surely has aspects that set it apart from others. To attract attention to your property, showcase distinctive aspects such as:
- a freshly renovated kitchen or bathroom;
- large and bright common areas; or
- a beautiful, flowery backyard or a pool surrounded by landscaping worthy of a magazine.
These elements should stand out in your listing. Don’t overlook your property’s presentation photo, because that’s what will grab potential buyers’ attention!
You could also add plants and a few decorations to set your property apart from your neighbours’ and give it a warmer feel.
4. Reinvest in your property
When selling a house, investing 1% to 3% of its market value in home staging is recommended. This investment will make your house feel warmer and enhance the way certain rooms look. You should also consider finishing the renovations you’ve started to make the future buyer’s life easier.
Need to take out a loan to complete those renovations? There are different options you can look at, like a home improvement line of credit, or you can meet with your financial advisor to talk it over.
5. Pay attention to the front door
Don’t forget your front door when establishing a presentation plan for your property. It’s the first physical contact a buyer will have with your house.
A damaged, dirty or worn-out door won’t do your house any favours. Take the time to clean it meticulously or replace it. Investing a few hundred dollars can make a big difference!
6. Repaint the interiors white
Is your living room painted blue? Did your teenager decide to paint one wall in their room black? You’ll need to repaint to showcase your property in the real estate photos.
Sometimes repainting everything white, or at least the most important rooms, can have a positive impact. It will help lighten up the space and make the property seem larger.
7. Create some space
It’s easy to accumulate furniture you don’t need, clothes you don’t wear, piles of leftover construction material or books you’ll never reread. And generally, the more space you have, the more you want to fill it. You’ll be getting rid of a lot of things when you move, so you might as well start now.
Creating more room will make your property look bigger and interested buyers will be able to picture themselves in the house more easily.
8. Put away personal items
To help potential buyers feel at home in the house from their very first visit, it’s best to put away all personal items. To depersonalize the house, avoid having kids’ drawings on the fridge, family photos on dressers and clothes hanging outside on a laundry line.
That being said, your property shouldn’t feel cold either. A nice recipe book on the island in the kitchen or a little bouquet of flowers in the living room will bring a touch warmth that can convince even the most hesitant of buyers.
9. Think about how your house smells
When you’re ready to have visitors, make sure potential buyers like how your house smells. Odour can greatly influence how a person feels about a place, even if they don’t realize it.
Pay particular attention to closets and cupboards—make sure they don’t smell dusty or stale. They should smell fresh and clean, but without the scent of cleaning products. It’s all about balance.
10. Be generous with potential buyers
Does a buyer seem interested? Don’t be afraid to show some generosity. For example, if you can’t use your patio furniture in the new home you want to buy, why not give it to them for free? Or you could offer to sell them your appliances at a great price. You could also give them your curtains. These are things that buyers will appreciate, and it will make their lives easier too.
Selling a property isn’t an easy task, especially if you want to find a buyer quickly. However, with the right strategies, you can accelerate the process and still settle on a fair price.