Home Seller Information

The Value Of Your Home

The market ultimately determines the true value of your property.

Before you compare your home to similar properties and establish a competitive list price, the following points should be considered:

• Location
• Size
• Style
• Condition
• Community Amenities
• Buyer Supply
• Financing Options

Getting To Know Your Market

A comparative market analysis is an indicator of what today's buyers are willing to pay for a home. It compares the market activity of homes similar to yours in your neighborhood. Those that have recently sold represent what buyers are willing to pay. The homes currently listed for sale represent the price sellers hope to obtain. And those listings that have expired were generally overpriced or poorly marketed.

As your Real Estate Professionals, we will prepare a comparative market analysis for your home based on the most current market information. Together, we will establish the proper list price for your home.

Overpricing Your Home

Many sellers believe that if they price their home high initially, they can lower it later.

Often, when a home is priced too high, it experiences little activity. Gradually the price will come down to market value, but by that time it's been for sale too long and some buyers will be wary and reject the property. On occasion, the price is dropped below the market value because the seller runs out of time. The property sells for less than it's worth.

Missing The Right Buyer

You may think that interested buyers "can always make an offer," but if the home is overpriced, potential buyers looking in a lower price range will never see it.

Those who can afford a home at your asking price will soon recognize that they can get a better value elsewhere.

Early Activity

As soon as a home comes on the market, there is a flurry of activity surrounding it. This is a crucial time when Real Estate Professionals and potential buyers sit up and take notice.

If the home is overpriced, it doesn't take long for interested parties to lose interest. By the time the price drops, a majority of buyers are lost.

Preparing A Market Plan

Your property is not something you sell everyday. In fact, for many people it is their largest asset. A house is very complex to market and the process needs to be well organized. To do the job properly a plan is needed.

As your Real Estate Professionals, we will prepare a personalized plan for you containing all activities intended to market your property. Your property will be aggressively promoted via this Internet site, other Real Estate Professionals, the MLS information library (unless it's an exclusive listing), and mailings to potential buyers in your area.

Listing Agreements

The first formal step in marketing your property is to enter into a Listing Agreement - a contract that commits us as your Real Estate Professionals to actively market your home for a specified period of time. It also commits you to a pre-established marketing fee that is to be paid upon the successful closing of the sale.

We may also require the following documents:

• Plan of Survey or Location Certificate
  A Survey of your property which outlines the lot size and location of buildings as well as details of encroachments from neighbouring properties. This may be required in certain areas to complete the sale of your home. Your legal professional may recommend a survey, especially if significant changes have been made to your property.
  
• Property Tax Receipts
  Most Listing Agreements require that the current annual property tax assessments be shown.
  
• Mortgage Verification
  Few homeowners know the exact balance of their mortgage as it is paid down. You will be asked to authorize your mortgage lender to provide the figures required.
  
• Deed or Title Search
  This document is a legal description of your property and the proof that you own it.
  
• Other Documentation
  In some instances, it may help the sale of your property if you can provide prospective buyers with information on such items as annual heating, electrical, and water expenses, as well as any recent home improvement costs.

Show Your Home

First impressions are lasting impressions. You will want to make sure the buyers looking at your home are left with the best possible impression. As your Real Estate Professionals, we can help you achieve that goal.

Exterior Of Your Home

• House in good repair
• House number easy to read
• Eaves troughs, down spouts and soffits in good repair
• Garage/car port clean and tidy
• Litter picked up
• Cracked or broken window panes replaced
• Lawns and hedges cut and trimmed, garden weeded and edged
• Walks shoveled and salted
• Boot tray inside front door
• Doorbell and door hardware in good repair
• Porch and foyer clean and tidy

Interior Of Your Home

• Chipped plaster and paint touched-up and replaced
• Doors and cupboards properly closed
• Leaky taps and toilets repaired
• Burned out light bulbs replaced
• Squeaky doors oiled
• Mirrors, fixtures, and taps cleaned and polished
• Seals around tubs and basins in good repair
• Floors cleaned, garbage containers empty
• Inside of closets and cupboards neat and tidy
• Appliances cleaned
• Countertops neat and polished
• All lights turned on
• Air conditioner turned on in warm weather
• Fresh air in house
• Fireplace lit in cooler weather
• Halls and stairs cleaned
• Drapes opened during daylight
• Carpets freshly vacuumed
• Fresh flowers in various rooms
• Jewelry and valuables locked safely away or taken with you
• Valuable property, such as objects of art, vases and figurines out of reach, out of sight, or locked away
• Pets absent, where possible, or contained during the showing, and litter boxes clean