1. Warming Up

Prior to our initial meeting, I will send you an information package outlining my background, experience and services. Feel free to mark it up with any questions you may have. Next, we will get together to discuss the overall scope and expectations of your project and possible strategies to make it happen.

2. Property and Market Evaluation 

After a thorough walk-through of your home, I will prepare a comprehensive analysis of the property emphasizing neighbourhood comparisons, statistics, market trends and conditions.

3. Pricing

Based on property and market details, we can confidently establish an appropriate listing price for your home and together construct a selling strategy.

Clearly, there’s no question that the best way to sell your house in this competitive market is to present it in the most attractive way possible. Here are some suggestions that I have found help enormously in how your property is perceived and valued by prospective buyers:

1. Look Organized = De-clutter

You want to enable prospective buyers to envision themselves living in, and their belongings occupying, your home which, of course, is much easier to do when the ‘space’ is organized. So, de-clutter every room and space possible and keep surfaces and cupboards free of junk.

2. Clean, Clean, Clean

Your home appears more valuable when it is clean. Yes, all rooms, floors, and surfaces should be clean but, equally important, they should smell clean too – free of pet, food and smoking odors.

Maintaining your house in this ‘clean state’ throughout the selling period is also important and will require daily upkeep. (If you require assistance in this regard, I have a professional team to help.)

3. Exterior:

Your yard is likely the first impression people with have of your home.

• Remove unnecessary elements and ensure the trees are pruned and the lawn cut.
• Clean up after pets.
• Keep your property looking seasonal if possible – adding flowers and arranging patio furniture attractively.
• Don’t forget the garage if you have one – organize tools, garbage, cars and storage.
• Painting and small repairs will also help.

Now that your property is prepped, it is time to attract the attention of prospective buyers:

1. Advertising Strategy

Ads that picture and profile your home will be placed in appropriate media including the Vancouver Sun and the Real Estate Weekly.

Aware that most home purchasers, today, begin seeking property opportunities online, I place ads for your house on MLS.com, Realtor.ca, Remax.ca, REW.ca and Realtylink.org. And, my website featuring in depth details about your house, is constantly updated.

2. For Sale Signs

Placed on your property and containing all my contact information to attract foot and car traffic.

3. Private Open Houses

I will be working around your schedule to arrange a private open house for other real estate agents to view your property. This typically occurs on a weekday morning. Other open houses include a public ‘sneaky peak’ on a Thursday between 4:00 and 6:00 and an open house on Saturday or Sunday.

After all the hard work preparing and marketing your home, an offer will undoubtedly be received. I will phone to inform you of the offer and arrange a confidential meeting with you, bringing along a current CMA. Together you will review the offer and terms. Rest assured that my 23 years of experience in negotiating real estate transactions assures you the best price, date and terms. With subjects removed and the deposit cheque in trust, the ReMax conveyance team will take over and ensure that all paper work is sent to lawyers and financial institutions to complete the sale on time. Upon moving out, professional cleaners will prepare your property for its new owners.

I enjoy working with home buyers. It can be like a treasure hunt but one that must begin with a meeting and discussion concerning the following basic factors:

• Where you want to live
• Type of home – condo, detached, single family
• Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.
• Proximity to schools, work, shopping, special needs
• Pets
• Price point and down-payment

I will assist you in locating a suitable property that fits your objectives and the parameters set out in our initial discussion. I have also had many years of experience renovating and building homes from the ground up and can therefore confidently assess the pros and cons that affect livability and resale and advise accordingly. A few initial considerations:

I will arrange a tour of homes to view according to key features:

• Appropriateness of the neighbourhood
• Type of heating
• Condition of the roof and building envelope
• How solid is the structure … the foundation?
• Plumbing updates? Windows?
• Are improvements done with a city permit?

Naturally, I will recommend a home inspector for a thorough assessment.

Factors in your offer:

• The price you are willing to pay
• A closing or completion date
• Offer expiry date
• Other conditions in your favour

Of course, the owner may make a counter-offer which we will either accept or counter. I have negotiated many properties over the years and this experience will be of considerable help to you at this stage.

After the offer is accepted and conditions* are met, it becomes binding on both parties. A deposit of 5% of the purchase price will then be due and payable to my office, ReMax Select Realty, in trust.

*Conditions may include such issues as mortgage approval, home inspection, title search, insurance, and the like. I will always be available to monitor all details required in this process to be certain your purchase successful.

And once the final factors affecting the closing of the Sale are handled (title transfer, payment of transfer tax, GST and lawyer fees), I will meet you at your new home with keys to the front door... and declare...

LET'S CELEBRATE!