A Guide To Selling With Janine

STEP 1

Get Educated

Let me take a tour of your home, virtually or in person, so I can give you a better idea of fair market value. I will then assess the other homes in the area that are comparable to yours, make financial adjustments for the differences and give you an approximate value. This process is called a CMA, or Comparative Market Analysis.

STEP 2

Document and Material Preparation

In order to sell, there are certain documents you will need to obtain. These include an updated Real Property Report (You likely have one from when you bought the home), any relevant repair or maintenance receipts, any home warranty documents, rental or lease agreements, a spare set of keys etc. If you live in a condo you will want to pull all the documents you have received from the board or management company.

STEP 3

Home Preparation

Simple De-cluttering and furniture placement can make all the difference to a buyer. I have an amazing stager/designer I work with who will provide a consult with my sellers prior to the professional photographer coming, so we can be sure to make a great first impression! If there are major repairs that need to be made, consider fixing them before listing, or offering a credit to the buyer.

STEP 4

Listing Documents

When the time comes to sign the listing documents, I will take the time to ensure you understand what you are signing. I will explain each clause and the implications, and your rights and responsibilities within the agreement. This is a legal contract written to protect you (the seller) and the brokerage as well.

STEP 5

Marketing

I will collect information from you about your home & neighbourhood and what you love most about them. These are important factors in my marketing plan, as any home will sell if the value exists, or is perceived, in the mind of the buyer. I use this information in conjunction with other resources such as Open Houses, virtual tours, door knocking, mailings etc for target market promotions.

STEP 6

Showings

You never get a second chance to make a first impression! Making sure your home is neat and tidy for every showing is crucial. Be sure you have a plan to be absent when showings are scheduled as it can be very uncomfortable for a buyer to view the property if you are present. The more flexible you can be, the better. However, if there are specific times that don't work, be sure to discuss this prior to listing so I can block these for you and avoid any confusion or frustration for potential buyers.

STEP 7

Strategy Assessment

After a couple of weeks on the market, we should have enough feedback to assess the current marketing strategy and decide if adjustments need to be made. This may include changing the marketing medium, the features we focus on, price etc. I will remain proactive so your listing sells for top value!

STEP 8

Offer and Negotiation

When someone decides to write an offer, I will contact you and arrange a time to present it to you. After some negotiations, signatures and initials will be required to finalize the agreement. The goal in a successful negotiation is to come to a win-win situation where all parties are satisfied!

STEP 9

Conditions

It is common for an offer to have some sort of condition to it. This may be that the buyer will purchase your home if they can have a satisfactory home inspection first, or subject to their financing being approved. This condition period is usually between 7-10 days and your house is considered "conditionally sold" during this time. The shorter the condition dates the better; However, it is important to give the buyers a reasonable amount of time to avoid extensions on dates.

STEP 10

Preparation for Possession

Once the conditions are removed, the deal is considered "firm" and you can begin preparing for possession. If there are any terms you have agreed to, they must be fulfilled prior to possession in order to avoid a breach of contract. You will need to book an appointment with the lawyer (about a week prior to possession) for signing. I have a great relationships with reputable lawyers who I can refer you to if you do not have your own.

STEP 11

Closing Day

Possession typically happens midday unless otherwise agreed to in writing. It is best to have your things moved the previous day to avoid any issues on possession (this is not a requirement, simply a show of good faith). Keys do not get released to the new owners until all the funds have been transferred; the lawyer will notify me directly when this happens. Typically, your cheque will be ready a few days later, and if you have purchased a new home, the lawyers will handle any necessary money transfers.