A Home Seller’s Guide
from start to finish
Selling your home is a big decision, and my goal is to make the process as seamless and rewarding as possible. With my extensive local knowledge and commitment to exceptional service, I'm here to help you every step of the way.
What to Expect
Tailored Marketing Strategies
Every home is unique and I believe in showcasing its best features to attract the right buyers. From professional photography and virtual tours to targeted online advertising and open houses, I create a customized marketing plan that maximizes your home's exposure.
Transparent Communication
Clear and consistent communication is key to a successful sale. I’ll keep you informed at every stage of the process, providing regular updates and detailed feedback from showings. My goal is to ensure you feel confident and in control from listing to closing.
Expert Negotiation
With my experience and market knowledge, I’ll negotiate on your behalf to secure the best price and terms for your sale. I’ll handle the details and work to minimize stress, allowing you to focus on your next steps.
Steps to a Successful Sale
1. Home Evaluation
Contributing factors:
Neighbourhood and location within the neighbourhood
Square footage of home and lot size
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
Year home was built, condition of the home (dated or home improvements completed)
Things to consider: Financial needs or wants, working timeline, or other restrictions that should factor into choosing the appropriate list price.
2. Paperwork
To list your home, several documents need to be completed or obtained. These documents are required by the Government of Canada or the Alberta Real Estate Board to ensure transparency in real estate transactions.
Listing agreement
The Seller Representation Agreement outlines the listing details, such as the list price, inclusions and exclusions, possession date, and the obligations of both the client and the agent.
Customer relationship guide
This guide outlines the various types of relationships you can have with a real estate professional and ensures you understand an agent's responsibilities and potential conflicts of interest.
FINTRACT
FINTRAC, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, mandates that forms be completed to record information from government-issued photo ID. This helps in detecting and preventing money laundering.
Real Property Report (RPR)
An RPR (Real Property Report) is a legal document prepared by a surveyor, indicating your property lines and the structures on your lot. If significant changes have been made to the property, a new RPR may need to be obtained.
3. Preparing the home
Staging
Staging focuses on presenting a captivating, move-in ready home that resonates emotionally with buyers. Refreshing the décor with contemporary, inviting styles—especially in living rooms, primary bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms—can leave a lasting impression. Engaged buyers are often more committed, potentially willing to offer more, and less likely to back out or request concessions. According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2021 Profile of Home Staging, 82% of buyers’ agents reported that staging helped their clients envision the property as their future home. If it is decided that staging is needed, the seller would cover this expense.
What you can do on your own?
Staging involves minimizing a property’s negatives and highlighting its positives to create the best impression. Sometime a little can make a big impact. Begin by decluttering and depersonalizing to eliminate distractions. Next, apply a neutral wall color to brighten the space, remove outdated window treatments, and strategically arrange furniture while eliminating bulky pieces. These straightforward updates can accentuate the home's unique features and enhance its perceived value.
4. Marketing Your Home
Photos
Including high-quality photos is essential for showcasing your home at its best. Effective real estate photos provide buyers with the information they want to see. I hire a professional photographer to capture both interior and exterior images. A great first impression can make a significant difference in attracting potential buyers.
Videos
Video is proven to convert at a higher percentage, by standing out and attracting more viewers. I visit each listing with my videographer to ensure the highest quality video is created for your home.
Virtual Tour
This tool allows potential buyers to virtually walk through the home, giving them a better sense of the listing. It is especially helpful for remote buyers.
Floor Plan
An interactive floor plan allows buyers to measure the various spaces in a listing, helping them easily determine if it will be a good fit.
Social Media
The listing will be posted on my social media accounts (Instagram, and Facebook ) and website, featuring a series of photos and videos. The full listing video will be uploaded to YouTube and emailed to all my client contacts.
Open House
Open houses provide a low-pressure environment that attracts buyers searching for a home. Our unique open house strategy is one-of-a-kind and has proven highly effective. Ask me about it!
5. Showings
Agents make showing requests through an app called Showing Time. You will receive a text notification when showings are requested, and you can simply reply to confirm or deny them. During showings, you will need to leave for the scheduled time, which is typically about 30-60 minutes. After the showing, I will request feedback from the buyer's agent.
A lockbox will be installed on your front railing or door handle a few days before the scheduled photos and video.
6. Offers
You can either accept the offer as is….Congratulations, you've just sold your home!
Alternatively, you can make a counter-offer by adjusting the price, changing conditions, the closing date, inclusions, or exclusions. The buyer can then accept, decline, or make another counter-offer. If you choose to decline the offer, you can walk away. I will provide recommendations based on my knowledge and experience, but ultimately, you are in control and should never feel pressured to accept anything you’re not comfortable with.
7. Conditionally sold and firm sold
An offer to purchase a home can be firm, meaning it has no attached conditions. Alternatively, a conditional offer requires specific terms to be met for it to be valid. The buyer will specify a due date by which these conditions must be fulfilled, usually within 1 to 2 weeks. Once these conditions are removed by the buyers agent, the home will be firm sold.
8. Closing
After the buyer has met all the conditions in their offer, their real estate agent will have them sign a Waiver of Conditions, which will then be passed on to you for acknowledgment. This document confirms that the buyer has satisfied specific conditions of the purchase. Once all conditions are waived, you officially have a firm sale!
To prepare for closing, contact your mortgage broker or bank if you plan to use proceeds from the sale to pay off any remaining mortgage on the property. Additionally, schedule a meeting with your lawyer to sign and review documents about one week before the closing day.
Costs associated with closing:
RPR: $800-$1000
Tax Adjustment (if applicable)
Lawyer Fees: $1200-$1600
Realtor Fees: 7% on $100,000 and 3% on the balance of purchase price
9. Preparing to move
Complete any repairs requested by the buyer as written in the contract
Contact post office to forward mail to new address
Cancel home insurance for 1 day after possession
Cancel utilities for 1 day after possesion
Make sure home is clean and clear of any unattached items that are not included
Leave out house keys, garage openers, mail keys, and a note with mailbox # and waste collection days
Let’s Get Started!
Selling your home is a significant milestone, and I’m here to make it as successful and stress-free as possible. Ready to take the next step?
Why Sell With Me?
Having lived in various parts of Alberta and watched Calgary and Edmonton grow and transform, I bring a deep understanding of these markets. Whether you’re selling a family home or an investment property, I’m dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for you.
Resources for Home Sellers
