When it comes to selling your home, clients usually have a ton of questions but often find that reliable answers are difficult to come by. I understand that everyone wants the best possible rate, but don’t know how to get it. To arm you with the most accurate information that will help you get the best rate, I have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about selling your home.
1. How much does it cost to sell your home and who pays the bill?
There are different ways to go about selling your home. It typically costs between two to five percent of the sale price of your home in commissions that are paid to Realtors and this is paid by the Seller and it is deducted from the sale proceeds on the conclusion of the transaction. The amount of commission can vary depending on the level of services that you are signing up for on the listing side, but you will know exactly the cost of what you are signing up for. Keep in mind that a great Realtor with excellent advice on preparing your home for sale will normally get you a higher price than if you attempt to sell on your own which means getting you a higher price which far exceeds the commission costs.
2. How long does it take to sell your house?
The amount of time it takes to sell your house can vary depending on many factors which your Realtor can help you to understand your specific case. To give you an idea, these factors can include the time of year, the business of the market in your area, the attractiveness of the style, and the condition of your home to buyers that are looking in your area.
3. Is it worth renovating your home before you sell it?
It is generally always worthwhile getting your home clean, uncluttered, freshly painted and general maintenance items fully under control. Also, addressing curb appeal can often make or break the success of selling your home for top dollar. Replacing carpets with hardwood, or at least new carpets, is highly recommended. Your Realtor can help you to understand if going further with renovations will result in a profit for you and this can easily be anticipated by looking at comparable sales in your area for homes with and without renovations.
4. Why are you advised to leave all of your lights on for showings, can’t they just turn them on themselves?
The reason that all lights should be left on is to make the showing as convenient as possible and for each room to have the maximum impact when entering. Also, sometimes it is inconvenient to turn on lights and lamps and your rooms will not be seen in the best way. A key point to keep in mind that people usually decide within the first minute how they feel about your home and this is why you want them to walk into a bright, clean and uncluttered space that is welcoming and feels like it could be their new home.
5. What is the best way to advertise your house for sale?
These days most homes are marketed on the Internet and by Realtors. Print marketing is of very low importance in general. The way to make your home get maximum exposure is to ensure that your home is ready to be sold and is photographed very well. Most homes are viewed on the MLS system and if your Realtor is doing their best work, they will ensure that you are on more than one real estate board with your listing. For example, in the GTA, there is a large trend of people moving from Toronto to Burlington, Oakville, and Hamilton. All listings are well served to be on the local board and the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) to maximize exposure.
6. Do I need to allow an open house to sell my home?
Open houses are highly recommended, but they are optional. A significant number of buyers do attend open houses and if yours is not available to see, they may skip over your listing. A lot of times, open houses are a convenient way for a buyer to take a quick peek at your house without causing you the need for a specific appointment. This can lead to a more serious showing to follow. I have heard that as many as five percent of home transactions started from open houses.
If you have any more questions about selling your home, get in touch with Clinton Howell. I am a reputable real estate agent in Burlington, Hamilton, Flamborough and Oakville areas with Re/Max Escarpment Realty Inc., Brokerage, I may not be huge, but I’m very effective and very good at what I do as I get you top dollar with the quickest turnaround. To learn more about how I can help you, contact me.
