Tips for Sellers
Who Needs a REALTOR® Anyway ??
Selling your home? Why pay a REALTOR® when you can do it yourself?
"For Sale By Owner" - It looks pretty easy, doesn't it - decide on a
price, put a sign on the lawn, advertise and wait for the offers... But
how can you ensure you are getting the best price, and are reaching all
the potential buyers ?
Remember the three P's - Price, Presentation, Promotion.
Price - It's very tempting to look at prices others in the area are
asking and maybe try a little higher to test the market. After all, you
can always drop the price later if it doesn't work. That's a big
mistake. Starting with too high an asking price usually results in a
very slow sale and an eventual lower price than if you price it
accurately to start with. The only way to establish a realistic price
is with a thorough C.M.A. (Comparative Market Analysis) which your
REALTOR® can prepare with access to the Real Estate Board records of
listings and sales. Remember the advertised prices are not necessarily
the same as the actual prices realised, and you cannot just assume that
most homes sell at say 5 or 10% less than asking. Certainly during the
current very active market, quite a few well priced homes have
attracted multiple offers and achieved higher than their initial asking
price, while assumable mortgages and other considerations can also
greatly affect the final price. Make sure you have all the facts when
you want to list your home - talk to your REALTOR® first.
Presentation - You wouldn't try and sell a car without a little polish
to make it look as good as possible. The same should apply to your
biggest investment - your home. Clear out the junk and give the house a
good clean. Look around for minor blemishes. You may think your home is
perfect but an impartial and experienced eye may spot little things
that could put off a potential buyer. Your REALTOR® knows what sells and
what doesn't.
Promotion - You can place an ad in the paper, and maybe put something
on your own web site, but how can you be sure to reach the whole
market? By listing with one REALTOR® you have instant access through
MLS® (Multiple Listing System) to more than 7000 licensed REALTORS® throughout Greater Vancouver, from Whistler and the Sunshine Coast to
Maple Ridge, and your home will be listed in the MLS® and Real Estate
Board's website as well as appearing in print in Realtylink.
If your home is seriously on the market, someone has to be on call to
answer questions and arrange showings - sometimes at quite short
notice. Can you afford to take time off work for this ? Why not let
your REALTOR® do it for you ? Give me a call any time on my cellphone
604 808 6788 or send me an email.
Please note that in accordance with the terms of the Personal
Information Protection Act (PIPA) any contact details you give us are
strictly for our own use and we do not pass on mailing lists to any
outside party. For more information see the Privacy Section of the Real
Estate Board brochure "Working with a Real Estate Agent"