Selling Process
The Selling process could vary slightly from client to client but in general looks something like this:
- I’ll take down a description of your home (if I haven’t already seen it) so and do a Comparable Market Analysis to bring with me when we meet. In it I’ll compare your home to homes presently on the market, ones that have recently sold and ones that have recently failed to sell.
- We’ll have an open and honest talk about what your goals are through the process so that we can work together to achieve them.
- We’ll develop a plan to list your home which will include a timeline for anything that you may need/want to get fixed or upgrade. I’ll set a date with my photography team for the pictures to be taken which will be used for the MLS listing, the virtual tour and the 4-page feature sheets that.
- We’ll develop a full staging plan which could encompass taking out or moving some items/furniture in your home and either myself or you are bringing items or furniture in. We’ll ensure that your home is perfectly staged prior to the date of photography.
- I’ll make a list of every upgrade and feature that your home has so I can include that on both the feature sheets and as an attachment on the MLS listing for agents and buyers to see. I want to justify the listing price to potential buyers and their agents’ and this process will help me do that.
- I’ll make a list of every upgrade and feature that your home has so I can include that on both the feature sheets and as an attachment on the MLS listing for agents and buyers to see. I want to justify the listing price to potential buyers and their agents’ and this process will help me do that.
- I’ll personally upload your listing on the morning of the listing start date to ensure that everything is perfect and send you a link to it so that you can be the first to view it and ensure that it is up to your satisfaction. I don’t just hand your listing off to a secretary or an administrator to load.
- Prior to the listing going up, I will keep you posted on any listing or sale in the area that may be a comparable to your home. This may influence the price that we end up listing at. After the property goes onto the market, I will continue to update you on any home that lists, sells, sells conditional, incurs a price change or fails to sell.
- I’ll field calls from Agents and potential buyers without agents who contact me directly. Please note that anyone who wishes to make an offer and use me as their agent will be signed as a customer and not a client. There is a subtle difference here (one that I can explain to you more in person), but bottom line is that you are always my client and always my priority. I will ALWAYS be working in YOUR BEST INTERESTS.
- I will provide you with any feedback given to me by Agents or potential buyers. Should we plan on having an open house (I will discuss the pros and cons of this when we meet) I will facilitate that and make sure that it runs smoothly
- I’ll negotiate your sale to ensure that you get the best price and terms possible and explain/discuss all items included in the Agreement of Purchase.
- If your sale becomes conditional (as opposed to accepting a firm offer) I will keep you abreast of the conditions and do everything I can to ensure that they are fulfilled to your benefit.
- Once firm I will continue to be here to guide you right up until your closing date. I’ll be here to answer any questions and deal with any issues that may arise.
- After closing I’ll make myself available for the housewarming party in your mew home!
Of course, every sale is different but the above is a general guideline of how the sales process works with me.
Buying Process
Just like with the Selling Process, the Buying Process could vary slightly from client to client, but the premise remains the same. Come up with a plan and execute that plan to get you the best home at the best price and terms possible. That strategy in general looks something like this:
- We’ll have a conversation about what you are looking for in a home and develop some parameters including wants and must haves.
- I’ll help you understand a general price range of the homes that we are searching
- I always encourage clients to communicate with their lender (if they are using one) to understand what it is they can and cannot afford. I have some outstanding mortgage brokers that I can refer to you who will shop around for the best mortgage terms available. Getting a mortgage pre-approval which guarantees you a rate for a certain period of time, even if rates go up, is essential to the process
- Most clients prefer to be set up on an email list based on some of the parameters above so that they receive listings daily that meet the criteria we are looking for (e.g. location, price etc.). I look daily along with my clients to provide any input that I can. Alternatively, I have clients that ask me to search for them and send them listings or take them directly to properties that I think they would have an interest in
- We would begin the process of going to see houses and have conversations about what you liked and did not like about each house. This helps me to better understand the home that you are looking for so that I can make recommendations to you
- Once an interest is expressed in a home, my job becomes to research the listing history of the home, the age and particulars of the home and do an analysis of recent comparable sales to show to you and discuss. Once that is complete, if there is still an interest my job then becomes to reach out to the listing agent for a conversation and then to help my clients determine what the best strategy would be before making an offer in writing
- I would create an Agreement of Purchase & Sale and fully explain to you all of its details. Once again, I will ALWAYS be working in YOUR BEST INTERESTS. My job is not only to get the best price and terms I can get for you but to protect your interests at all times. I include a detailed schedule in my offers that provides for this and discuss in detail
- Once an Agreement is accepted by both parties, my job becomes to ensure that all conditions are fulfilled (if there are any) and speak to you regarding the waiving or changing of any condition or terms written in the Agreement and what those ramifications might be (if any)
- During the closing period I would facilitate any visits to the property and help to ensure a smooth closing. In the unlikely event any issue should arise, I am there to help ensure that it is dealt with accordingly and to your satisfaction
- Post closing, I am still there if need be to answer any questions and provide any recommendations that may be needed from a home improvement standpoint which includes the referral of contractors and trades if necessary
- And of course, I am available for the celebratory housewarming party!