Selling a house isn’t easy. If you’re considering going about it on your own, be sure to give it some serious thought from every angle.
Even the easiest real estate transaction requires time, organization and knowledge. A single mistake can cost you plenty. For most owners, working with a real estate agent remains the best solution. Here are seven reasons why.
According to the Government of Canada Job Bank, all provinces and territories (with the exception of Nunavut) regulate the real estate agent profession. Both training and a work permit are required to work in the field. What this means for you is that your broker will be familiar with real estate valuation and transactions.
Working with a real estate agent is all about creating a partnership with someone who is able to analyze the market. Is your property for sale in a buyer’s or a seller’s market? What price can you ask? What other properties can you compare yours with? A real estate agent has the answer to these questions.
A real estate agent can suggest a few tricks that will enhance your property’s appeal and let you sell your home faster. He or she can also put you in contact with home staging professionals who can suggest how to streamline your decor. Some freshly painted walls in the front hall can work miracles worth much more than the price of a can of paint.
The sales folder groups together numerous documents. In addition to photos and a description of the property, it contains technical and legal documents as well. They might include a location certificate, certificate of title and inspection certificates. Working with a real estate agent is your assurance that nothing has been left out.
Of course, the agent will hang the traditional “for sale” sign in front of your property, a sales method that is well proven. He or she will schedule an open house and place ads in newspaper classifieds and on the Internet. According to real estate association, 85 per cent of Canadians on the market for a property consult the Web first during their search. Specialized web sites of real estate boards are the most popular.
It’s the agent’s responsibility to manage calls regarding your property and to plan visits, identify serious potential buyers and negotiate transactions. All you have to do is make your house shine and leave the premises for a few hours when visits are planned—it’s an ideal time to catch a movie or to head for the coffee shop. It’s as easy as that.
Lastly, working with a real estate agent lets you benefit from the support of an expert from the beginning of the listing process right up to the final signatures at the notary’s or lawyer’s office. Other home sellers will tell you: you’ll be glad for the support every step of the way.
