THE SELLING PROCESS
Selling your home is one of the most critical decisions you will ever make.
There is a lot that goes into this process, making it vital that you come prepared and understand exactly what selling a house and purchasing a new one entails. Before you even consider listing your home talk to a REALTOR®, be sure to reach out to a Royal LePage Team Realty Agent.
Our agents are highly experienced with a wealth of relevant knowledge, and with that will be sure to: keep you up to date on all aspects of the sale of your home, devise a compelling marketing plan, provide your home an online presence with the strategic use of social media, and efficiently negotiate on your behalf.
Once you choose your Royal LePage Team Realty Agent, we can not wait to hear more about yourself, your expectations, and your ideal outcome. Our TEAM places great value on respect and transparency, and will be sure to highlight the advantages of having a formal relationship with you, including the excellent support we provide from the listing process all the way through to purchasing a new home. We are fully committed to keeping you informed throughout each stage to ensure you feel confident from beginning to end. Our agent will help you through all the stages of preparing your home to showcase online, and for virtual and in-person tours. When offers are received, we will then explain any conditions and support you in making the decisions that feel most right for you.
Once an offer has been accepted, our agent will then assist you in completing all required documents, and be there to answer any and all questions you may have along the way
.We know these are big decisions, but to us selling your home is more than just a transaction, it's about building relationships with clients and community as we help you to prepare as you move into the next phase of your life.
Pricing Your Property
Reasons behind your decision to sell may vary; you may be looking to downsize, upsize, or potentially move out of town or to a cottage. However, once the decision to sell is official, the potential sale price you set is a crucial factor. When it comes to listing, there are three types of markets to be prepared for: sellers, buyers, and balanced. A buyer's market is the least ideal market for a homeowner and will negatively impact the sale price. Your agent can explain the current situation in your area and work with you to determine the best path forward for you and your family. Our Royal LePage Team Realty Agents are uniquely qualified to provide the current market trends to help determine the best price to list your home. Some of the factors your agent will use in their analysis include:
- Comparable listings in your area
- Houses with similar square footage
- Lot size, is there a pool or deck?
- Level of renovations and finishes
- What homes in the area have sold for?
- How long were they on the market?
- Is the home in a mature neighbourhood?
- Are there good road connections?
- Are there schools close by?
- Is OC Transpo nearby?
- How much are taxes?
There are many factors to consider when deciding on the list price of your home. This is a complex and crucial part of the process. Your Royal LePage Team Realty Agent will conduct a complete analysis and provide you with a suggested list price.
Finding The Right REALTOR®
Buying or selling a home is one of the most important, complex, and sometimes stressful decisions you and your family will make. It is vital that you have a trusted and experienced REALTOR® to work with you as you navigate the process of buying or selling a home. If you are new to the area or have not used an agent for several years, take the time to find the agent who would work best with you.
It would be beneficial to consider several factors when choosing your REALTOR®:
Find a REALTOR® With Expert Knowledge of Your Area:
Check out the names on “For Sale” signs in your neighbourhood, and ask around to see if anyone has any referrals they can pass on to you. It is important to find someone who is highly recommended, but also with experience on the selling market in your neighbourhood.
Check The Credentials:
How long has the agent been in the real estate business? Are they a full-time and licenced REALTOR®? Selling your home is nothing to take lightly, and you will want someone with the proper skill set working alongside you throughout this process.
Look At Established Companies:
Royal LePage Team Realty is your number one brokerage in Ottawa. We fully support our agents and provide them with the most current stats, trends, and support so that they can service you best. When choosing your agent, look at established companies with good track records. You may also want to check out various websites to see which ones are most professional.
Interview Your Shortlist:
Once you have narrowed down a list of agents that you think may be a good fit, interview them to get a better idea of their background, experience, and personality. Do they understand your situation? How will they market your home? What sets them apart from other REALTORS®? What are the details of the agreement that you will sign with them? All of these questions are important when finding someone to sell your home. It’s important to work with an agent that you feel comfortable with to ensure the sale of your home goes as smoothly as possible.
With so many great agents at Royal LePage Team Realty, you should have no problem finding the right REALTOR® for you and your family. We assure you that your interests are always top of mind, and that we will work alongside you so that you understand the entire process in buying and selling real estate. Our team is here to make this a seamless experience that you can enjoy as you navigate your next adventure in your brand new home. We are Ottawa Real Estate!
Preparing Your Home To Sell
Now that you have started working with your Royal LePage Team Realty Agent, you can begin the detailed work that comes with getting your home ready to sell. If you are unsure of where to begin, ask your agent for a checklist to keep track of the many actions required. It is essential to prepare your home well for your listing launch and stay organized throughout the process.
Many sellers and their agents recommend that you start a "House File” where you can store and keep track of all the necessary documents about your home. This would include items such as the deed, mortgage details, bills, records of home maintenance or servicing, and warranties for furnace, roofing, or other appliances. You should also have two sets of house keys made to include in your House File.
This is also the right time to start thinking about what you need to do to begin staging your home for sale. You may need to rent a storage unit, begin packing away personal belongings, and give your home a good deep clean. To brighten your rooms, ensure that all windows are cleaned thoroughly, inside and out and check that all lights are working. Minimize the evidence of pets by having your carpets cleaned, washing floors, wiping down baseboards, and cleaning any surfaces that they sleep on. You will also need to consider where your pets will stay during any showings of your home to potential buyers.
Once your home is ready, your Royal LePage Team Realty Agent will work with you to prepare your home for staging.
Staging Your Home
Selling your home takes a fair amount of work, and it is always a relief when you are finally ready to begin the staging process. Only then can prospective buyers be invited in to see the home's unique assets, and be motivated to put in a great offer.
Work with your Royal LePage Team Realty Agent to develop a staging plan. Be sure to incorporate the outside of your home as well as the inside. First impressions can be lasting, and good curb appeal will often set the tone for what the buyer can expect to find indoors.
Remember that when staging your home, it is best that you no longer think of it as your home. You want other buyers to envision their life unfolding between the walls and imagine what their furniture and personal items will look like throughout.
Here are a few key steps to take to make sure your home is staged well:
- Make any outstanding repairs and deep clean the home
- Remove personal belongings and declutter your space
- Fresh paint will make your home look fresh, clean, and help show pride of ownership
- Transform your home into a “Model Home”
- For empty rooms in your home, or if the home is vacant, virtual staging may be an option
If your eye for design is not your strong suit, ask your Royal LePage Team Realty Agent for assistance in staging your home to show its full potential and maximize on your sale. When you follow the staging plan to make your home clean, open, and depersonalized, potential buyers can easily visualize themselves and their families in their new home and make a great offer.
Selling Your Luxury Home
The Ottawa area has several special luxury neighbourhoods consisting of many incredibly unique and beautifully decorated homes. As this market is smaller and more specialized, when selling a luxury home, several factors and considerations should be made. Sellers should try and see their home from the potential purchaser's perspective. They will have extremely high expectations, and there will be a smaller number interested.
Ask your Agent if offering special items in the home, such as furniture sets, art, or patio furnishings would increase the interest. As you get ready for showing the house, consider the use of a professional stager. Stagers are great at depersonalizing the home, optimizing space, and ultimately allowing potential buyers to visualize their furniture and belongings in the home. If you have a large landscape, you may also want to consider working with an experienced gardener or landscaper to ensure the grounds of your home are ready to be shown at their full potential.
Your Agent may advise that you only have private showings and not invite the public. If this is the case, you may want to utilize your personal social media to reach your friends and any potential buyers to let them know your home is on the market. Selling a luxury property may take more time, however, working alongside your experienced Royal LePage Team Realty Agent will help you to navigate the process and ultimately find the right buyer to make for a successful sale.
Renovating for Resale
When you decide to sell your home, there may be some suggested renovations to complete first. However, it is important to focus on the renovations and repairs that will provide the most significant return on your investment. Most experts agree that the two rooms in your home in which you can recoup most of your investment are the kitchen and the bathrooms. If you're looking to make upgrades before you sell, you might want to begin in these rooms and make them really stand out.
Additional renovations that provide the best return on investment when selling your home include:
- Flooring
- Closets
- Energy upgrades
- Fresh Paint
- Finished Basements
Remember, first impressions are critical. You will want to check the outside of the house as well as inside and address any needed repairs to ensure your curb appeal is as inviting as possible. Selling your home is always an exciting time. By working with your Royal Team Realty Agent and selecting the best renovations to complete carefully, you will be ready to sell your home at the best possible price.
Downsizing
One element that the dynamic Ottawa real estate market has seen more of recently is the increasing number of people and families looking to downsize. Downsizing is most common in the “empty nester” demographic, and there are many reasons behind the decision to take the equity out of their homes. Homeowners may decide it is time to buy a smaller home, condo or cottage; use their equity to help their children purchase new homes; move to a home that requires less maintenance or upkeep; or use the equity from the sale to support retirement costs.
There are also many advantages too downsizing. Homeowners can move closer to family, reduce the yearly costs of taxes, utilities, heating and cooling, and move into a property that does not require as much cleaning or maintenance. Additionally, the money you save on these costs can be used to travel, replenish savings, or enjoy other hobbies and adventures.
While these reasons certainly make downsizing look like an appealing option, it is always important to consider all of the factors before making a decision. You may find some potential challenges to downsizing such as less space for guests, or leaving great neighbours behind. Weigh your options and only make a decision that feels right for you and your family, so that you can move on to the next chapter of your life on a positive note.
If you are looking into downsizing be sure to speak with your Royal LePage Team Realty Agent. They will provide information on the many options available, help you to make a plan to have a place to live before you sell your current home, or guide you in making an offer with a home-sale contingency to ensure your transition is as smooth as possible.
Relocating? - We’re Your Relocation Specialists!
The BGRS was originally founded in 1964 as the Royal LePage Relocation services. Today it is a leading global provider for real estate and relocation services, technology, and knowledge. The Integrated Relocation Program provides government entities with increased flexibility and assistance to relocate their members to new work locations with ease.
Government Employees and Canadian Armed Forces - On the Move
The Brookfield Location Services is a leading global relocation service provider for government and military workers. In a typical year, tens of thousands of women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Government Employees move into and out of Ottawa.
For the Canadian Armed Forces, these moves are required for the Military Personnel System to allow members to have new opportunities, replace members who have retired and allow for promotions. These moves are referred to as a "posting" in the CAF. The Military Personnel System is based on an annual cycle. This culminates in the Active Posting Season (APS). This is the time when most families actually move, typically occurring in the summer months.
When families receive their posting message, this usually triggers them to begin researching the internet to find a new home and neighbourhood details. As the process of planning their move continues, a house-hunting trip to Ottawa and/or the surrounding area will be arranged. This reinforces the importance of having the absolute best online virtual tours possible. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of Defence Department and CAF members working at the Carling Campus of National Defence Headquarters resulting in a shift to military families buying homes in the west of Ottawa and Kanata.
If you are in the Canadian Armed Forces or are a Government Employee, contact your Royal LePage Team Realty agent for all of your selling and buying needs. We understand your unique situation and are dedicated to making the process of selling your home and relocating your family as seamless as possible.