There comes a time when you’re ready to sell your home. Maybe your family has outgrown your current accommodations and you need a larger house or perhaps you’re downsizing. Then again, you may have bought your current residence as a starter home and you’re ready to move up to a larger and newer house. Selling your dwelling is a big undertaking and you can benefit from all the advice that you can find! Here are some do’s and don’ts to get you started.
 

Do consider when peak selling time is in your area. In Calgary, this is usually in the spring when snow has disappeared and landscaping is visible again. Think as well about your circumstances such as cash flow, when you want to purchase a new home and what the best time to move is for your family.
Don’t list your house for sale until you’re ready. Take the time you need to get your home looking great and to feel prepared emotionally. Allow extra time for larger jobs like painting and anything unexpected such as the hardware store needing to order in a product for you.
 

Do complete a thorough cleaning, make minor repairs, freshen up paint and remove clutter. When a prospective buyer sees that your home has been maintained well, it will give them confidence that it is a good purchase and there will be no surprizes.
Don’t forget that this takes effort. Even if you’ve kept on top of cleaning and repair work, doing the deep cleaning and preparation to get your home ready to show is time-consuming. You want to feel that you’ve done your best. Having a friend or neighbour help identify anything that you’ve overlooked can be worthwhile.
 

Do take recommendations from family and friends. However, take a look at the agent’s wider reputation. Do they have a website where you can read about the services they offer, see awards that they’ve won and find testimonials from their customers?
Don’t hold back on any questions you have for your agent. Your realtor is there to assist you to sell your home and they want to make sure you’re fully aware of the process. Plus, they have a wealth of helpful information just for the asking.
 

Do imagine what your home will look like to those attending the open house when they first walk in. Does it look appealing with colourful hanging flower baskets and sparkling clean windows? Or is the front hall closet overflowing with shoes, coats and sporting equipment?
Don’t stay for the open house. Take your children and pets and leave for the afternoon. Your realtor has all the information that they need to show your home to its best advantage. And if they can’t answer a question, they’ll let you know and get back to the prospective buyer.
As you can tell, there’s quite a bit to think about when selling your home. Actually, we’ve only just scratched the surface! As your realtor, I’m here to make the process go as smoothly as possible and take as much of the stress and uncertainty away for you as I can. I’m driven to go above and beyond for my clients and deliver the very best service that I can. Your success is my success!