Selling Your Home

Your Neighbors Can Help
Be prepared for questions from your neighbors.
If possible, refer these inquiries to me - your neighbors obviously like the area, and just might know someone who wants to move in.

Internet Search
Studies show that 70% of homebuyers use the Internet in their home search. You can't afford to miss the worldwide Internet exposure I can offer.

Virtual Reality Tours
As an industry leader and innovator, Royal LePage is constantly sourcing creative ways to market your home. I can effectively market your listing on the World Wide Web with full 360 degree Virtual Reality Tours. Check it out and ask how I can make it a reality for you.

Employee Relocations
Royal LePage Relocations is Canada's largest corporate relocations company enjoying an 80% market share. Our access to out of town buyers will help generate prospective buyers for your property.

Choosing the Right Realtor
  • I speak your language
  • I specialize in the Nanoose, Parksville, Parksvile/Qualicum areas
  • I know the local market - properties that are currently for sale
  • I know the properties that have recently sold and the average asking/selling price
  • I listen and consciously make sure you feel at ease with me throughout the buying/selling process
  • I can skillfully negotiate
  • I have experience and a strong network of satisfied clients

    • Seller's Guide
    Whether this is your first time selling real estate or you have had the opportunity to sell before, there is always more you can learn. I will show you the many sides of the selling process to help you make more informed decisions when selling your home. I can supply answers to many questions that have been asked over the years.

    Before putting your home on the market, you should consider the season and the best time of the year to sell. You should also give careful consideration to the current market conditions. Understanding the market in which you are selling will help you make decisions that will affect the sale of your home.

    First you will need to know whether it is a 'buyer's market" or a "seller's market". A buyer's market is one in which the number of homes on the market is greater than the number of potential buyers. Alternately, a seller's market is one in which most sellers would like to find themselves - a market in which the demand for homes exceeds the supply.

    In a buyer's market, buyers have greater choice. Prospective buyers will compare such things as price, location, size, neighborhood, type of structure, additional features, overall uniqueness of your home, and its level of upkeep before making an offer.

    In a true seller's market you can typically ask top dollar for your home and still attract a few prospects. The hotter the market, the more critical the buyer's timing becomes as homes can be sold virtually overnight so timid buyers tend to lose out over more aggressive buyers.

    Once you have identified the current market conditions, look at how your home fits into the "bigger picture". Try to see it through the eyes of a buyer. Make note of the "pros" - you might be located in a community or neighborhood where recreational facilities, transportation, schools, support services and shopping centers are well established. Look at the "cons" - you might be located on a busy street, which may be seen as unfavorable for families with young children. Compare your home to others for sale in your neighborhood.

    Selling Your Own Home
    Many people try to sell their own homes - most do not succeed. Often For Sale By Owner properties are not taken as seriously and you will simply attract curious neighbors instead of qualified buyers.

    When you choose me to list your home you have picked someone who knows your area, has experience and proven negotiating skills. I will ensure you fully understand the selling process and what you can expect of me as your realtor.

    Buy Or Sell First?
    If you plan to buy another home you should seriously consider selling your current home first. You don't want to be caught without a place to live - nor do you want the expense of two homes. Selling your current home first will remove the burden of uncertainty and assist you to determine the price range for your next home.

    If you do buy first, make your offer to purchase conditional on the sale of your current home. If you don't sell within the specified time period, your offer will lapse without penalty.

    Top 5 Reasons A Property Sells
    1. location
    2. price / financing
    3. terms
    4. condition of the property
    5. the Realtor you select

    5 Steps To Getting Top Value For Your Home
    1. Choose me as your realtor. I will provide you with solid advice and all the necessary follow-up.
    2. Pricing is a very important factor. Be realistic and try to remain unemotional. Use comparable properties and resist the temptation to overprice.
    3. Critique your home before you list it for sale. Be sure it has a clean and fresh appearance.
    4. Have all the required legal documentation and inspections in place. Many buyers insist on a complete home inspection. It is much easier for you to deal with any problems ahead of time as unanticipated repairs and corrective work may cause an offer to fail.
    5. Be prepared to negotiate. Know your bottom line. Be sure you have all the facts and aim for a win/win situation with the prospective buyer.

    How To Properly Price Your Home

    The most commonly asked question when selling a home is: "How much is my home really worth and how should I price it?"

    A buyer determines the value of a property the same way a seller does. They go out and look at comparable properties, in the same area, same condition and same price range. Many times a seller gets confused because he/she doesn't have the correct information on recent sales in the neighborhood. Comparable pricing should be done in the form of a Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) and should use homes similar in size, age and condition. Allowing for the differences that will exist, analyzing this data will assist you to determine a good asking price for your property. Generally, sellers price their property approximately 10% above what they expect to be offered. This, however, is dependent on market conditions. When activity is brisk, you can ask a slightly higher price; when the market is slow, you should price under your competition.

    First Impressions Count!

    You don't get a second chance to make a good first impression. After weighing all the pros and cons, many buyers will choose the home that "feels" right - the one that feels most like a home they would like to live in. So, how do you make your house feel like a home to someone else? By communicating subconsciously and appealing to the five senses. Try these special secrets to tip the scales in your favor.
    1. Clean, clean, clean.
    2. Greet prospective buyers with the scent of fresh flowers or the aroma of freshly baked bread or cookies.
    3. Play pleasant music softly in the background.
    4. Remove bulky furniture, turn on the lights, open the curtains and give the impression of spaciousness.
    5. Display color photos of outdoor views from your home during different seasons.
    6. Build a homey atmosphere by having a few family photographs tastefully arranged.
    7. Make yourself scarce and don't follow perspective buyers from room to room pointing out features they may have missed.

    Homeowners Checklist

    As a homeowner, you can play an important part in the timely sale of your property.

  • Create a list of the things about your home that you think a purchaser would like to know.
  • Make a detailed list of the rooms in your home. This is especially useful if you have a large amount of special features (such as designer decorations, custom drapery, hardwood floors, etc.)
  • Describe the positive features of your home, property and neighborhood.
  • Note the attributes that distinguish your home from others in the neighbor.
  • Make note of the schools, public transportation and places of worship in the area.
  • Show the annual property taxes.
  • Prepare a list of your average monthly costs for electricity, water and sewage; garbage; natural gas; television cable service; etc. It is a good idea to have your records available in case they are requested.
  • Provide maintenance records and warranties for the home.
  • Make a list of all the repairs or renovations that have been completed - be sure to mention those that have long-term benefits to a homebuyer.

    • What To Do When You Get An Offer

    When an Offer to Purchase is presented to you it usually involves myself, you and the buyer's Realtor. The buyer's Realtor will present the offer to me and yourself. You will be informed about the buyers and their reasons for making their offer. Both you and myself will already have a solid idea of the recent listings and sales of comparable properties in your neighborhood, as this will usually be the basis of the offer.

    The negotiating process should not be a battle. It is a method of reaching a compromise to satisfy both parties. The emphasis should be on solving the problem and creating a win/win situation for everyone. Remember - you want to sell and the buyer wants to buy.

    18 Steps to Help You Sell Your Home

    A small investment in time and money can give your home the advantage over competing homes in your neighborhood. A property's condition not only affects whether you'll get an offer or not, but also affects the size of the offer. If there are many items to be repaired, typically the buyer will deduct the cost of the repairs from the Offer to Purchase. Below are some suggestions for preparing your home for sale:

    1. Make the Most of that First Impression - Be sure the front door looks good. Wash it, inside and out, and repaint if necessary. Repair the doorbell if it doesn't work. Clean the porch and foyer. Cut the lawn, trim the hedges and shrubs, and clean the walkway.
    2. Invest a Few Hours for Future Dividends - Go through your house room by room and clean, clean, clean. If the woodwork is scuffed or the paint fading, consider some minor redecoration - a fresh coat of paint does wonders. Prospective buyers would rather see how great your home looks than hear about how great it could look with a bit of work.
    3. Check the Faucets and Bulbs - Repair leaky taps and running toilets. Dripping water suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned out light bulbs leave buyers in the dark. Don't let little problems detract from all that is right with your home.
    4. Oil What Needs Oiling - If interior, exterior, cabinet or closet doors need oiling - oil them. Don't explain that all the squeaks just need a bit of oil - take a moment and fix them.
    5. Think Safety - As a homeowner, you often learn to live with all kinds of self-set traps; roller-skates on the stairs, knotted extension cords, slippery rugs or low-hanging lights. Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for perspective buyers.
    6. Make Room for Storage Space - Remember, potential buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space. They're looking for storage space, too. Make sure your porch, basement, attic, garage and other storage space is clean and free of clutter.
    7. Organize Your Closets - The better organized your closets, the larger they appear. Take the time to box up all those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity.
    8. Make Your Bathrooms Sparkle - Take the time to polish the grout and clean in all the corners. Repair the seals around the tub and basins. Be sure mirrors and faucets are free of watermarks and fingerprints. Clean toilet inside and out.
    9. Create Dream Bedrooms - Get rid of excess furniture. Colorful bedspreads and fresh curtains are a must.
    10. Let the Sun Shine in - Pull back your curtains and drapes and let the sunshine in. Everyone likes a bright, cheery home.
    11. Turn on the Lights - When a perspective buyer is coming to view your home - turn on all the lights - inside and out. Lights add color, warmth and will make your prospects feel welcome.
    12. Avoid Crowd Scenes - Perspective buyers often feel like intruders when they enter a home filled with people. They are likely to hurry through instead of giving your house the attention it deserves. Keep company to a minimum, or better yet, arrange to be absent while your RealtorŪ shows your home.
    13. Secure Your Pets - Dogs and cats are great companions - but not when you are showing your home. Pets have a natural talent for getting underfoot. Do everyone a favor and keep your pets safely out of the way.
    14. Think Volume - Keep the TV turned off and play quiet background music when perspective buyers are viewing your home.
    15. Don't Apologize - No matter how humble you're abode, never apologize for its shortcomings. If a perspective buyer makes derogatory comments about your home's appearance, let me handle the situation.
    16. Don't Turn Your Home into a Second-Hand Store - When perspective buyers come to view your home, don't distract them with offers to sell all the furnishings and items you no longer want or need. You may end up losing the largest sale of all.
    17. Defer to Experience - When perspective buyers are ready to talk price, terms and other matters - let them talk to me. I am trained and experienced to bring your negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion.
    18. Help me! - I will have a much easier time selling your home if all showings are scheduled through my office.

    Step-by-Step Checklist

    Use this handy checklist to ensure your home is in "move-in" condition.


    Kitchen/Bathrooms/Laundry
  • make appliances sparkle - inside and out
  • clean stains from countertops and sinks
  • remove clutter from counters, tables and desks
  • tidy pet areas
  • clean bathtubs, showers, toilets and sinks
  • remove all mildew stains from tiles and grouting
  • clean laundry area
  • fold and put laundry away

    • Walls & Door Frames
  • remove fingerprints
  • clean and dust baseboards
  • remove cobwebs
  • repair nail and thumbtack holes
  • repair cracks, chips and leaks
  • touch up painting
  • replace peeling wallpaper

    • Doors & Windows
  • be sure all windows and doors close easily
  • oil all squeaky hinges
  • repair door knobs, handles and latches
  • replace cracked glass and torn screens
  • repaint and refinish as required
  • remove all obstacles

    • Floor & Window Coverings
  • vacuum and remove all stains
  • steam clean carpets
  • repair areas showing excessive wear or sun damage

    • Lighting & Plumbing
  • replace any burned out light bulbs (be sure to use correct wattage)
  • repair exposed wiring
  • ensure faucets are drip-free and turn on and off easily
  • be sure toilet is in good working order

    • Cupboards/Closets & Storage Areas
  • clean all excess clutter
  • organize dish cupboards and pantry
  • hang all clothes neatly and organize footwear
  • neatly box and label stored items

    • Living Areas
  • dust, air and vacuum
  • remove excess furniture and clutter
  • make beds
  • do dishes
  • neatly organize bookshelves and entertainment units
  • dispose of unnecessary newspapers, magazines and catalogues
  • clean fireplace and remove ashes

    • Basement, Garage & Other Storage Areas
  • remove all excess clutter
  • organize and story everything away neatly
  • sweep or vacuum
  • clearly mark key equipment such as furnace controls, shut-off values, breaker panels, etc.

    • Exterior
  • remove all obstacles from driveway, stairways and walkways
  • repair driveway and walkway surfaces
  • repair trim, window frames and doors as required
  • touch up paint as required
  • clean eaves troughs

    • Yard
  • mow lawn
  • rake leaves
  • trim hedges and shrubs
  • prune trees
  • tend garden
  • stack firewood
  • tidy play areas
  • clean and organize trash area
  • remove or store all "odds & ends"
  • clean dog run
  • haul away all garbage

    • Send Change Of Address To:
  • post office
  • driver's license
  • car registration
  • voter registration
  • magazine/periodical subscriptions
  • charge accounts and credit cards
  • insurance companies (health/medical, life, auto, homeowner, auto)
  • be sure to check with your insurance company(s) on coverage of each item while enroute)

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