So you’ve decided to sell your home. Congratulations!

It’s a very exciting time, but one that can be fraught with stress, especially for those home-owners who aren’t really sure what they should be doing to get the process underway. Let me suggest that the first step is to find yourself a real estate professional, like me, who can guide you through each of the necessary steps while helping you to avoid potential errors that could cost you plenty.

An experienced realtor will be an unbiased “extra set of eyes” who can look at your house with a critical eye and point out the things that need to be done (or that don’t need to be done) to help you sell quickly. Most people, being overly familiar with their home, will look at it much more critically than will the average buyer. The homeowner sees all the incomplete projects and annoying little flaws and problems, and may feel pressured by all the work he or she believes must be done before anyone will buy the home. The truth is potential buyers may love the place just the way it is!

My ‘pre-listing’ inspection can often save those clients a whole lot of work and money. While new flooring and paint may spruce the place up, many buyers will want to do those things themselves once they move in, regardless of whether or not it was just done. It’s part of making the home their own.

The question I consider when it comes to pre-selling fix-ups is, “Will doing this help the home to sell?” Often, considerably less money can be spent – for instance by cleaning the carpet instead of replacing it – and perhaps by adding some décor touches like throw cushions. De-cluttering, of course, is always important.

The goal is to make the home warmer and more inviting. My experienced and objective eye for such details can save you considerable time, money and effort.

One of the many benefits of working with a professional realtor to sell your home is the ability to provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (or CMA) of your home’s value.  I will determine how to price your home competitively, and at the highest price that the market is likely to bear. This CMA will be based on other, similar properties currently for sale, and those that have already sold.

Once the asking price has been agreed upon, and the home is ready for sale, photos and room measurements will be taken, and the information submitted to the MLS system. Your home will also be featured on this website, and in other advertising I may be doing.

I’ll be there with you every step of the way, handling enquiries and arranging showings of your home, and when an offer to buy your home is received, I will advise you of your options in negotiating favourable terms and conditions with the buyer.

It’s important to have a realtor on your side during the selling process, and I would be pleased to be your real estate professional.