I will work for you every step of the way!
My combination of skill, experience, and technology ensures that I can sell your home for the highest possible price and in the shortest period of time. I have the tools to meet the demands of our highly competitive, modern market.
My Unique Automated Internet Marketing System
Online Presence: Available 24 hours a day!
My online marketing system allows me to make information accessible 24-hours a day, and to respond immediately and directly to each and every prospective buyer. From my website, prospective buyers can get information immediately about your home. They can access my site 24 hours a day and view your property listing! Through my Personal Home Search, your listing will be sent by e-mail to every prospective buyer in my database, where your home meets their criteria. Plus it will be e-mailed automatically to future prospective buyers as well.
Traditional Marketing
As soon as you list your home with me, I will enter your home in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database. Other agents can immediately access your property information by computer. Plus, your property will be included in any printed MLS books. I may publish in magazines and newspapers in the area and send out direct mail pieces to potential buyers.
Pricing Your Home
When you think about it, there are several other homes for sale competing with your home. I will help you price your home competitively to attract qualified buyers. The way I do this is by generating a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) report, which will show you a range of prices being currently paid for homes in your area. You can complete my online form to get a feel for your home's market value.
Every Step Of The Way...
Remember, I will be working for you every step of the way to make sure that you get the highest possible price for your home in the shortest period of time.
Although there is no substitute for doing your homework (start by asking your family and friends who have recently moved for their experiences) the following list of common pitfalls may be helpful.
1. Pricing Incorrectly (too high or too low):
Make sure you determine the market value of your home correctly: If your asking price is significantly higher than what the market is currently bearing, many potential buyers looking for your style of home will view similar but lower priced homes first. Not only does this limit the pool of potential buyers but it also increases the chances that your home will sell for less than it's actual value. This is due to the "discount" often associated with properties that have been on the market for a longer than average time. Buyers are often overheard asking their Agent... "What's wrong with that home? It's been for sale forever".
Alternatively, if your asking price is too low, you are literally giving away your hard-earned equity just because you did not know what the market would bear.
2. "Merchandise" and "Showcase" your home:
A little work can improve the first impression of your home a thousand-fold. First impressions are lasting impressions and can dramatically affect a property's perceived value. Select this link for staging tips to prepare your home for market. http://www.remax-western.ca/are-you-fit-sell
3. Bank's appraisal or a new Tax Assessment is notÊyour home's actual market value:
These processes are based on general guidelines such as lot size and square footage, not the specific qualities and improvements of your home. Using either of these as a baseline could cause you to over-price or under-price your property. It requires detailed background knowledge of all recent neighbourhood sales as well as homes currently for sale in order to estimate value accurately. Ask your REALTOR for a detailed market evaluation.
4. Choosing the wrong REALTOR or choosing a REALTOR for the wrong reasons:
It is critical that you have full confidence in your REALTOR's experience and abilities. You want a REALTOR who can explain the whole selling process to you, has a good feel for the market, has access to potential buyers and offers sound advice on how to improve your chances of selling. Try to avoid choosing a REALTOR on the basis of which one gives the highest estimate of your home's value. In order to achieve the best sale price within a reasonable period of time you need an accurate indication of what the true market value of your property is. Knowing this allows you to properly price your home, thus maximizing your chances of selling and allowing you to make your future plans with the sure knowledge that your goals can be attained.
5. Failing to take current market conditions/trends into account:
Is it a Buyer's market, a Seller's market, a Balanced market? What do future trends look like? Ask your REALTOR for a full analysis.
6. Not taking advantage of market fluctuations: The Big Picture...
Moving up in a market downturn? If your $150,000 home has dropped 10% in value, so has your $300,000 dream home. Yes, you lose $15,000 on your current home, but you save $30,000 on your next purchase! Always keep in mind the big picture.
7. Using "Hard Sell" during showings:
No one likes being pressured. As well, buyers might wonder why you are so anxious to sell. Let your home speak for itself.
8. Mistaking "Lookers" for "Buyers":
Many people who look at homes for sale may just be getting a feel for the market, seeing how others 'showcase' their homes, or even just looking for decorating ideas. Your REALTOR deals with these situations on a full-time basis and has the experience needed to separate the "Lookers" from the actual "Buyers".
9. Relying too heavily on advice from the Buyer's REALTOR:
The interests of buyers and sellers are often opposing. In an agency relationship it is very difficult for one REALTOR to look out for the interests of both the buyer and the seller. You want to make sure you are familiar with Real Estate relationships and the difference between being a client or a customer before accepting advice from an agent or entering into any formal relationship with an agent.
10. Limiting the marketing and exposure of your property:
Part of what a good REALTOR does is to ensure that your property is showcased and marketed in the best and most productive manner possible. Not allowing a "For Sale" sign on the front yard, or limiting viewing times can dramatically reduce the number of prospective purchasers seeing your home and have a serious impact on your bottom line.
11. A realistic asking price will help to sell your home quickly and for top dollar:
By properly pricing your home you ensure that the gap between the asking and selling price is small and that there will be a greater likelihood of competing offers. Your home will also maintain its 'marketability' for a longer period of time before people start to say... "That home has been for sale forever. What's wrong with it?"
A house that is priced 10% over its actual market value is many times less likely to sell in the initial 30 days of marketing than one priced within 5% of its true value. Not only will an over-priced home take longer to sell, it is also likely to sell for less than it's actual value. This is due to the "discount" often associated with properties that have been on the market for a longer than average time.
It should be pointed out that recommended listing prices are based on historical sales and current market conditions. It is always difficult to walk the fine line between getting the most for a property while at the same time ensuring your asking price is competitive enough to attract serious offers.
How you feel about testing the market will determine how much higher than the current selling prices of similar properties you'll wish to ask for your home. You can always start at a higher price than the market is currently bearing and then, if necessary, reduce your price at a future date. The drawback to this is that it could take longer than normal to sell and you could end up helping to sell other similar homes as they may look comparably less expensive than yours.
This is where the experience and knowledge of a good REALTOR is invaluable. REALTORS spend a lot of time and energy making sure they know their local market inside and out. They keep their finger on the pulse of the market and have the resources, connections and ability to keep you up-to-date with its constant changes. They know all of the properties currently for sale in your area, and are literally your best resource for determining and getting the highest price possible.
The Main Factors That Affect Market Value Are...
Location:
availability of community amenities, such as public transportation, parks, stores, churches and schools
quality and consistency of neighbourhood planning
future development plans and local zoning
Property:
style, layout, size, age and quality of construction of the building
size, shape, privacy and landscaping of the yard
Condition of the Home:
first appearances
floor layout
quality and appearance of fixtures
general overall condition of main systems (such as roof, furnace, electrical system, central air, etc.)
Comparable Properties:
the asking and selling prices of comparable neighbouring homes
The best way of establishing an accurate range of value for your property is to have your REALTOR prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). This will give you a detailed and accurate overview of the current market.
Market Conditions and the Economy:
number of homes currently on the market
number of people looking to buy
the state of the local and national economy
current mortgage rates
Market Conditions and the Value of Your Home
No matter the condition or desirability of your home, its value will be affected by current market conditions. Here are the various conditions you may encounter and how they will affect you:
Balanced Market:
The number of homes on the market is equal to the number of buyers (supply equals demand). In this market, prices are stable and homes sell within a reasonable period of time. It is a calm atmosphere with buyers having a satisfactory number of homes from which to choose.
Seller's Market:
The number of buyers exceeds the number of homes on the market (demand greater than supply). In this market prices are increasing and homes sell quickly. As a seller you will probably have more negotiating power and obtain a higher selling price for your property. Unfortunately you will be on the other side of the fence when purchasing your next home.
Buyer's Market:
The supply of homes exceeds the number of buyers (supply greater than demand). In this market prices tend to drop and the homes stay on the market longer. Thus your home may take longer to sell and you will have less negotiating power in terms of the selling price. Fortunately you will be in the driver's seat when making an offer on your next home.
IN SUMMARY:
When you understand current market conditions, you are better able to position yourself as a Seller. It helps to know if you are in a Seller's, Buyer's or Balanced market when setting your asking price. In a Seller's market, there is little competition and you may ask for and achieve a slightly higher price than you anticipated. In a Buyer's market there is a lot more competition and Buyers have plenty of choices and room to negotiate, forcing you to be very competitive when setting your price. In a Balanced market you will have a fair number of showings and sell in a reasonable amount of time if properly priced.
For an evaluation of your home, please fill in the form below. I will contact you with a report outlining other homes currently listed and recently sold that are similar to yours.