selling:

SELLING A HOME

WHEN IS THIS THE RIGHT TIME TO MOVE?

Trading up?

The absolute best time to trade up is in a slow market when prices have been under pressure for some time and there is lots of choice in the market this is when the difference between what you sell for and what you have to pay for your next home is the smallest.

Down-sizing or getting out of the market?

Real Estate in British Columbia has been and we believe , will continue to be one of the most secure, reliable and rewarding long term investments you will find. Sometimes you may want or need your money for other purposes such as lifestyle change, illness or other personal reasons and can't or don't want to stay in the market. Life is about choice and circumstances!
Then again, you may think the hot market has reached its peak and you will buy back in when the prices drop? Not really recommended! This is very high risk strategy and historically prices have continued to rise and timing the market is virtually impossible.

HOW MUCH IS MY HOME WORTH?

Market information is more available now than ever, however without an experienced, highly trained, highly skilled professional to advise and interpret this information many sellers, unknowingly, interpret it to suit their needs. This can have some very unhappy results. An uninformed, overly optimistic sense of value can lead to an overpriced listing, in any market this can cost sellers plenty of time, money, lost opportunity and more. Oh yes! I did forget to mention the stress. Pricing your home can sometimes be difficult for experienced pros. Sellers should select three of the most qualified REALTORS® in their market place to prepare a current market evaluation (CMA) and then make the pricing decision based on the information presented and trust of the person presenting it. Even when you have selected a preferred REALTOR® get another opinion, you may be surprised. Trust you intuition, this is a big deal! Close friends, relatives and club members may not be right for you.

HOW DO I GET THE MOST MONEY FOR MY HOME

DO'S! First you select a full time, experienced REALTOR® by interviewing at least three and reviewing their Plan of Action for selling your home. Next you and your REALTOR® review the CMA and price your home for the current market conditions. Following that you discuss any improvements your REALTOR® suggests you make to make your home more saleable, such as, fluffing, staging and other cosmetic changes. Next, have your home available for showing at all reasonable times, open for Agents and MLS Tours if applicable. Consider offering a selling bonus if your home needs to sell in a tight time frame. Finally, let your REALTOR® do the job. Do let your REALTOR® attract the right buyer for your home, let your REALTOR® get the market exposure your home needs for a speedy, problem free sale. Do pay attention the regular weekly updates and after showing feedback you receive from your REALTOR® for any changes you may want to make to make your home more saleable. Do let your REALTOR guide you in all offer negotiations; this is really what you hired him/her for. Selling a home is a team effort, don't second guess the coach !... Oh yes! Please! Step out when your home is being shown.

DON'T!

Never! Never! Never! Select your REALTOR® based on the price they offer to sell you home for – it's known in the business as, “buying” a listing by promising an get you a lot more money for your home. After they get your listing they will badger you to reduce the price to fair market value. Many times, long after many good buyers have ignored it because of price. Then you start from the beginning once more. Don't get sucked in to believing you will “save money” by offering a reduced commission. What happens in the real world is the buyers agents will put the low commission home at the bottom of their showing list and the buyers will buy before they get to yours. Or the agents working with serious buyers will receive their buyer's written approval to negotiate a full fee with you prior to writing offer. The money you think you might save will be pocket change in comparison to how much you net in the end.