Why hire a REALTOR® to sell your home?

With the evolution of the internet as a source of information, the role of the REALTOR® is evolving into the role of a consultant. We provide knowledge, advice, access to the market place, marketing and negotiation skills. In fact, we manage and oversee the entire transaction for clients right through to closing and beyond, to ensure that all the steps and details have been looked after.

How are we qualified for this role? All licensed salespeople are members of the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), the self-managing body whose mandate is the protection of the consumer. As members, we adhere to the RECO Code of Ethics and to a system of mandatory continuing education, which has raised our level of skill and knowledge considerably.

Through our years of experience, we have refined the process of selling properties while at the same time keeping current with new skills and legislation affecting real estate.

INITIAL MEETING

Together with you, we walk through your home to gather information for preparing a Comparative Market Analysis and to find any minor flaws that may need to be repaired or remedied.

• What improvements have you made in the past few years, such as wiring, roof reshingling, furnace, window or water line replacement — all of which add value?

• How does your home compare to others we have inspected in the neighbourhood?

• Are there little things you can do to get the house ready for the market including painting, window and carpet cleaning, and removing clutter from the basement?

MARKET ANALYSIS

After researching other properties in the area and selecting those with similar lot size and features, we discuss your home with other salespeople in our office to determine the best list price to attract offers. When we sit down with you to discuss our pricing analysis and marketing strategy, we will take time to explain to you:

• The role we play as your REALTOR®;

• What buyers are looking for; and

• What issues they will have to consider. For example, at the present time, knob-and-tube wiring, lead-based paint, mould and other environmental contaminants are of concern to insurance companies.

Regarding marketing strategy, we will discuss the merits of:

• Holding an open house for cooperating salespeople as well as public open houses on the weekend (to facilitate showings, and perhaps second showings where salespeople send their clients back to have another look);

• Delaying the review of any offers for five to seven days to allow for proper exposure of the property to the market;

• Colour interior photographs vs. a 360° virtual tour;

• Computer-generated floor plans (suitable for large houses and/or homes with unique layouts); and

• Which newspaper and internet advertising to attract the most interest.

DOCUMENTATION

Prior to marketing and advertising, we prepare and review the documentation required for the Toronto MLS® system to ensure that we have all the factual information pertaining to ownership, taxes and assessment, or condominium rules and regulations. Once you have signed the Listing Agreement, we are ready to implement the marketing plan by:

• Taking colour digital photographs;

• Scheduling the preparation of a floor plan or virtual tour and installation of the For Sale sign;

• Selecting digital colour photographs for the feature sheets, newspaper and internet advertising;

• Scheduling printing and distribution of flyers or postcards;

• Laying out, editing and copying feature brochures;

• Developing and submitting copy for newspaper advertising to The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, the Annex Gleaner, the Guardian/Villager, etc.;

• Producing an internet advertising package; and

• Emailing information to local cooperating brokers.

Then we can deliver the feature brochures to your home and install a lock box near the front door in time for the first showings.
   

MARKETING

Your home is now on the market. We will remind you gently that your life is on hold until your home sells. Please be flexible with approving appointments, staying out of your home during showings (along with your pets, if possible), keeping everything neat and tidy, and turning on lights each evening. During this time, we:

• Answer telephone calls generated by our sign and advertisements;

• Respond to email inquiries;

• Handle appointment requests to show your home; and

• Hold open houses.

When other salespeople show your home, we followup with them to obtain feedback and encourage offers from their clients, and we keep you informed of our progress and any changes in market conditions. We continue to inspect new listings in the neighbourhood and revise and reprint our advertising and marketing materials as required.

NEGOTIATION

At last the time has come for the presentation of one or more offers to purchase your property.

We will explain to you the process of reviewing offers including:

• Where we conduct the presentation (either in the businesslike setting of our office, if there are multiple offers, or at your home);

• What negotiation strategy to follow;

• What options you have for dealing with offers;

• What clauses or conditions to expect in offers and their implications for you.

Together with you, and your advisor if desired, we will analyze the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, give advice on the completeness of the offer and any conditions, and explain the net results of the offer to you.

THE AGREEMENT

If the agreement contains an inspection clause for the benefit of the buyer, we will coordinate and attend the home inspection and/or termite inspection. When the buyer has reviewed the report and signed a waiver of the conditions, we will bring it to you for your acknowledgement.

FIDUCIARY DUTIES

We also handle:

• The banking of the Buyer's deposit cheque;

• The fulfilment of financing or any other conditions;

• The followup and completion of all documentation for your lawyer;

• The reporting of the sale to the Toronto Real Estate Board;

• The scheduling and supervision of the buyer's visits to your home before closing (as requested in the Agreement); and

• Advice to you on moving concerns.