Sellers

If you're thinking of selling your home, before you become overwhelmed at the task here are 9 steps to get you on track

1. Determine When You Would Like To Sell. Motivation plays a critical factor in determining what course of action you need to take. Spring is typically a faster paced season to sell and winter tends to be a little slower. Regardless, there are always people looking to buy and seasons are only one factor to consider.

2. Find an Agent Who Is Right For You. Think locally (as they will know your area) Market Globally. Don't be afraid to ask questions, interview the candidates. A good Agent will know the market well, supply you with information on past sales, current listings and his/her references form previous clients. They should also provide a solid marketing plan . Bottom line, you should be working with someone you feel comfortable with and can trust. But also someone who can be ruthless in fighting for your best interests. Like a Pitbull in sheeps clothing : )

3. Sign A Listing Agreement With me. It authorizes me and our brokerage to market and sell your home. The agreement serves 3 purposes. a) It defines our relationship in every detail and states the limits of your Agents authority. b) It provides detailed information on the home which can be posted on the boards Multiple Listing Service. c) It forms a basis for drafting offers on your home. Formal offers start with the Listing Agreement.

4. Set Your Price. You want to attract buyers, the right asking price will attract alot of interested buyers. I will do a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) of the homes recently sold, active and expired in your area and we will set the price together. There are diferent pricing stratagies and I will discuss them with you and we can work on which one you are most comfortable pursuing.

5. Find A Lawyer. You need to find a lawyer to do your conveyance, it's where they transfer the title of the property to your name. Ask them how they structure their fees and get an estimate of all other costs you can expect. This is also a good time to look at your existing mortgage, Talk to your lender- is your mortgage assumable? portable? will you pay a penalty if you pay it off when you sell?

6. Prepare Your Home For Viewing. Clean your house from top to bottom. Remove all clutter and start packing. Staging your house for sale starts with removing all those piles of paperwork and " stuff".Repair minor deficiencies and spruce it up. It's the little things you can do to attract an offer.

7. Let us Market Your Home, this is my expertise and this is where I can be of most benefit to you and your success. I will market in print media, Multiple Listing service, through my website, through open houses and peer networking.

8. Offers! Let's Look At Offers. will walk you through the process, you will see every offer. There may be some conditions you may want to change, we will discuss each and every detail. This is one of the most important tasks and reasons you have hired me, the negotiation skills. Don't be offended if an offer is well below the asking price. Instead, evaluate it for what it's worth and counter back. Successful negotiation is a skill and because it's a highly emotional time , having a person inbetween the seller and buyer strips away the emotion and we get down to business.

9. Close The Deal! Excellent, negotiations are successful and we have time for the most vital steps now. A) Contact your lawyer and let them know an Agreement has been signed. B) Immediately begin satisfying any conditions that require your actions to complete C) Notify the lawyer and lending institution if the buyer is assuming your mortgage D) Contact utilities, telephone and cable companies about transfer or removal of service E) Call insurance agent and arrange cancellation or transfer of your homeowners insurance F) Call a moving company G) Send out change of address cards including Ministry of Transportation for your BCDL etc. H) Notify me immediately if there are any changes to your property or situation.

Congratulations!!! You have sold your house! and I am happy to have been of service