Sellers

​Roles of the listing REALTOR®

During the listing process

• Prepares a competitive market analysis of the seller’s home or property
• Develops and implements effective marketing strategies for the seller, including helping to establish asking price, staging, and positioning of the property
• Informs the seller what prices other homes and properties have sold for in the area.

During the negotiating process

• Presents all offers and counsels seller on what price to accept
• Negotiates exclusively on the seller’s behalf
• Updates the seller on market conditions

During the closing process

• Works closely with the seller to ensure a smooth closing
• Monitors all dates, events and requirements for the seller
• Represents the Seller’s interest at the buyer’s walk-through inspection

​It is very risky to sign a contract to sell your home before you know if you are qualified to buy another. If your financial circumstances have changed since your last purchase, you may not qualify for another loan, or the market may not provide a price that will allow you to buy the type of replacement home you want. The last thing you want is to end up renting or buying something that was far from ideal.

Call your lender to check the payoff for your current mortgage. Be sure to request the breakdown of any additional administration fees or penalties.

Most houses need at least a little work before they are shown to potential buyers, to maximize resale value. Could be as simple as repainting, closet and cabinet organizers, and general cleaning, a clutter free look tends to be most appealing to buyers.

• Real Estate fees
• Lawyer fees and disbursements (typical disbursements include: land transfer taxes, title insurance, courier fees, banking charges, government registration fees, etc.)
• Prorated costs for your share of annual expenses, such as property taxes, home owner association fees, fuel tank rentals, etc. (such are commonly referred to as “adjustments”)
• Any costs associated with maintenance and preparing your home for sale.

This authorizes your REALTOR® and their brokerage to market and sell your home. It will define the legal relationship between you and the real estate brokerage. 

• Improve your landscaping – Curb appeal is crucial to a good first impression, so make sure your home’s lawn is immaculate. Mow the lawn, prune the bushes, weed the garden and plant flowers.
• Clean the outside​ – A sloppy exterior will make buyers think you’ve slacked off on interior maintenance as well. Be sure to clean the gutters and pressure wash your home’s siding.
• Make repairs –  In a buyer’s market, you want your home to be in the best condition possible. Take care of major defects like broken windows or a leaky roof that could discourage buyers.
• Make the front door inviting – A fresh coat of paint, especially in a color that contrasts with the home, will make the front door stand out. Replace faded house numbers so buyers can see them from the curb.
• Remove clutter and depersonalize –  Buyers want to envision their belongings in your home. Clean up by renting a storage unit for knickknacks, photos, extra furniture and other personal items.
• Organize closets and drawers – Messy closets give the appearance that your home doesn’t have enough storage space.
• Make every surface shine – From ceiling fans to floors and everything in between, clean your home until it sparkles.
• Eliminate bad odors –  Hide the litter box and spray air neutralizer throughout your home. When showing the home, fill it with inviting smells by putting out fresh flowers and baking a batch of cookies.
• Lighting – When you know someone is coming by to tour your home, turn on all the indoor and outdoor lights  even during the day. At night, a lit house gives a “homey” impression when viewed from the street.
• Pets – If you have pets, make sure your listing agent puts a notice with your listing in the multiple listing service. The last thing you want is to have your pet running out the front door and getting lost. If you know someone is coming, it would be best to try to take the pets with you while the home buyers tour your home. If you cannot do that, it is best to keep dogs in a penned area in the back yard. Try to keep indoor cat in a specific room when you expect visitors, and put a sign on the door.
• Keep the House Tidy – Not everyone makes his or her bed every day, but when selling a home it is recommended that you develop the habit. Pick up papers, do not leave empty glasses in the family room, keep everything freshly dusted and vacuumed. Try your best to have it look like a model home – a home with furniture but nobody really lives there.

Your home has never looked so good and now it’s time for your REALTOR® to market it to potential buyers. This happens with a “For Sale” sign, open houses, newspaper ads, a listing on the MLS®, the internet, and, of course, through your REALTORS®’ relationship with other REALTORS®.

You will see every offer, since it’s required that your REALTOR® show you every offer that’s submitted. You will have three options: you can accept, you can reject or you can “sign back” or “counter”. Ask your REALTOR® what these terms mean. 

You were successful and have drafted a legally binding agreement. Are you done? Not quite yet. Contact your lawyer or notary public, contact your lending institution and consult your REALTOR®. Immediately start satisfying any conditions of the agreement that require action on your part. On closing day, your lawyer or notary public will finalize all the details and give you a cheque for the net proceeds.