Selling

Get the Straight Facts About What Can Make or Break the Sale of Your Home

Selling your home is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. Your home is likely your largest asset - this may be the biggest financial move you've ever made, one that requires significant thought and strategy.

Countless questions are unearthed during the process. How much is it really worth? How long will it take to sell in the current Fraser Valley real estate market? How do you handle buyers making undesirable offers?

As a professional Abbotsford Realtor, it is my job to guide you through this complicated process, from beginning to end. I want you to get the maximum value for your home, in the shortest period of time, and with the least possible inconvenience to you.

Here are some tips to help you begin:

1. Establish the Reasons you want to sell your home

Before you begin the selling process, closely evaluate why you are moving. Do you have too little space or too much?  Has your company transferred you to a new city and you are relocating? Or are you simply looking for a change?

A complete analysis of your current position will set a good foundation for your home-selling strategy, as well as for your next home hunt. If, for example, you have already purchased a new home and your goal is to make a quick sale on your current home, this reason will chart the path you take in the home-selling process. If, on the other hand, you aim to net the highest price possible for your home, you need to prepare yourself for a potentially slower process.

Be clear about these reasons, as they will directly influence the amount of time and effort you put into preparing your home for sale, and the amount you set for your asking price.

2.  Choose a Professional Realtor!

It’s important to partner with a REALTOR® you feel completely comfortable with. Don’t fall for the trap of partnering with the first REALTOR® who suggests the highest asking price.  I will help you price your home to sell, answer all your questions like, “When is a good time to sell?”.  I have in-depth knowledge of the market and will work tirelessly on your behalf to make this complex transaction as stress free as posssible.

3.  Buy or sell first? Be clear.

This can be a tricky question. After all, if you find a purchaser for your existing home before you've found a new home, you may find yourself living out of a suitcase if convenient closing dates cannot be negotiated. On the other hand, if you find your dream home before you've sold your old one, you may be faced with having to finance both homes and shoulder the extra debt until you sell.

So how do you manage? It can be quite simple. Do your homework and have a good idea about the neighbourhood and type of home you are looking for. Do an honest evaluation of your family's needs and budget.

Speak to me to start your new home search in the area you want to purchase in as soon as your existing home hits the market.

If you've found a home before you've sold your existing one, use "sale of your existing home" as a condition on your offer. If you don't sell your house within a fixed period of time, you can choose not to go through with the offer. This, however, is a difficult condition for many vendors to agree upon and you may find that you have to forgo your price negotiating power.

Purchasing a home before you sell could be a risky strategy if you're counting on the proceeds from the sale.

Again, it will only be for a fixed time. Even if you have not found the ideal next house by the time the deal closes, you may still wish to proceed with the offer. As a buyer with a "sold house" you will be in a better position to negotiate price.  If you are still paying off your existing mortgage, you have several options depending on the type of mortgage you have.

Do your homework, get your finances in order, and meet with your lender before you proceed.

4.  Pricing:

The competitive nature of the current Abbotsford and Fraser Valley real estate market means that over-pricing by a few thousand dollars could make the difference between your home selling quickly or not selling at all.

Overpricing your home might mean minimized offers, fewer showings, fewer agent responses, limited financing, limited buyers qualified for your type of home, or a smaller net price. Avoid these outcomes by setting the price of your home at its fair market value when you first list on the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board.

I will help you price your home fairly and competitively to attract more potential buyers and give your home more exposure. The first step I'll take is to generate a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) report, which will show you a range of prices being paid for homes in your area.  I will explain to you the multitude of factors influencing pricing, including: competitive pricing, current market stats, and of course the estimated value of your home.

Visit my short online Home Evaluation Form that will give you an initial idea of your home's market value.

5.  Make Your House More "Sellable":

While we all believe that our home is our castle, our personal tastes may not appeal to everyone. I will work with you to provide you with an impartial analysis of your home - how it relates to other "competing" homes on the Abbotsford real estate market and how your home reflects current design and style trends. I'll also closely evaluate the general condition and upkeep of your property.

6.  Use my Professional Marketing Program to Promote and Sell Your Home!

I will work with you to position your home on the market and develop a unique marketing program, catered specifically to your needs and goals. As soon as you list your home with me, I will post your property listing on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database. Other agents can immediately access your property information online.

I will market your home through a variety of mediums and inform other realtors that your property is on the market.  My Automated Internet Marketing System - Online Presence: 24 hours a day allows me to respond immediately and directly to every prospective buyer. On my website, buyers can get information immediately about your home. They can access my site any time and view your property listing!

As well, through my Personal Home Search, your listing will be sent to every prospective Abbotsford buyer in my database, where your home meets their personal criteria. 

7. Closing

After the hard work of marketing and promoting your home pays off, you’ll have offers on the table.  Once you’ve accepted an offer, your buyer will want to conduct a home inspection and (potentially) negotiate the cost of any repairs. Finally, your lawyer and I will walk you through the paperwork and legalities needed to close.

Congratulations on the sale of your home!

Remember, I will be working with you every step of the way to ensure you get the highest possible price for your home in the shortest period of time, with the least possible inconvenience to you.