When selling your house, your number one goal is usually to maximize your results and earn the highest amount possible. A few people may have other priorities, such as a fast sale or a flexible closing date. But given the choice, it’s understandable to always want to obtain the most value out of your house. It’s one of your most significant assets, and the results you get determine what and where you can buy next.

With the rising prices and unprecedented demand in the current market, maximizing your sale is more critical than ever. Conditions are shifting, and nothing is certain anymore. A successful transaction gives you a sense of security about whatever happens next in your journey. This detailed back-to-basics guide will help you get the best results during any market conditions.

Avoid Complacency

Complacency is the enemy of results. This is true in most aspects of life, especially in real estate. But since the last few years have primarily favoured sellers, many homeowners have become more passive about getting their homes ready for the market. They assume their house will sell quickly and that multiple buyers will deliver well over the asking price through competition and bidding wars. While this may happen, it is not guaranteed and overconfidence can lead to disappointment.

The real estate market is more unpredictable than ever. Even though competition is high, not every listing sells. It has never been more important to have a comprehensive strategy to bring your listing to the attention of as many potential buyers as possible.

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A successful sale in the current market relies on research, preparation and an extensive marketing plan. Find out more in the posts below:

• What’s Your House Really Worth?
• Minor Upgrades, Maximum Results
• Our Full-Service Real Estate Team’s Guide to Marketing Your Home

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Start With Realistic Expectations

Do you know how much your house is currently worth if you were to sell it today? Perhaps you had a home evaluation back in 2021 when houses were selling as fast as they could hit the market and nearly every listing went into a fierce bidding war.

But conditions change quickly, and the value of your house has almost certainly changed. Since a realistic price point is the foundation of a successful sale, getting an up-to-date evaluation is an essential first step.

Prepare Your House to Dazzle

Unless you’re okay with earning less from your transaction, selling as-is is almost always a mistake even when supply is low. Buyers may not have unlimited houses to choose from, but they do have some choices. And, of course, they can always decide to put their plans on hold and not purchase at all as many did once interest rates began to rise. 

What does this mean for you when putting your house on the market? Even when conditions are in your favour, you must still pull out all of the stops to get the best results. Once again, there’s no time for complacency!

• Begin with thoroughly cleaning and decluttering every inch of your home. It costs nothing but time and effort, and this alone can have a significant impact.
• Look for minor improvements that can yield big results. Fresh paint, updated lighting fixtures and redoing the silicone on your sinks and bathtubs cost very little but can add substantially to your final sale price.
• Think about staging your home. This means designing it in a way that transforms your space into a blank canvas and allows buyers to imagine themselves living there. All signs and studies point to staging helping you sell your house faster and for more money. 

Did you know that all of our clients receive complete, complimentary staging services when listing with us? Read more in The Power of Staging When Selling Your Home.

Expert Help Is Critical

Regardless of the market, it can be tempting to forgo the services of an experienced real estate team. When sales activity is slow, you may believe it’s better to go it alone and save on commissions. When demand picks up, you might not think an outside expert is necessary because you’re confident your house will sell regardless.

However, a skilled real estate agent takes the vast majority of stress and effort off your shoulders, and more often than not, you will end up with more money once your sale finalizes. How much more? It depends on the market and depends on the house. Still, experienced real estate agents have been known to command as much as 20% more, all from knowing how to price, prepare and market your listing effectively. Earning more money with less effort on your part is well worth the small percentage you end up paying in commissions!

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Looking for even more resources to help you with your unique situation? Here are some articles you may find helpful:

• Should You Sell Your House or Rent It?
• Should You Use the Same Agent to Sell and Buy a House?
• Selling a Home for Someone Else? Here’s What You Need to Know

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Professional Photography Sells Homes Faster

Most potential buyers, especially younger ones, begin their search for a new home online. Often, they’ll only arrange to see a house in person once they have fallen in love with it via photos and videos online and on social media. That’s why professional, high-quality photography and videography are so critical to a successful sale. While you may be able to take pictures with your smartphone, it can be difficult to capture the lighting and quality that effectively showcase the best features of your home.

Marketing for Maximum Exposure

Now that all the background work is complete and your house is ready and looking its best, one significant piece of the puzzle remains. It’s time to bring your listing to those who are searching for a home just like yours. And when it comes to potential buyers, the more the merrier! If your home generates interest from multiple buyers, you stand an excellent chance of receiving an offer that’s over your initial asking price.

That’s why you need a Realtor® who will leave no stone unturned in promoting and advertising your listing everywhere, using the most advanced online and offline marketing tools. Email blasts, print ads and online advertising are just the beginning. Your listing will appear on the MLS®, on local real estate boards and on the brokerage’s website. A professional real estate agent will do all this and more to generate the maximum amount of interest in your home.

However, keep in mind that the best exposure doesn’t always come from advertising. It often comes from working with a real estate professional with an extensive network of other agents who all have buyers actively searching for homes. When all these pieces come together, you may soon have a steady stream of potential buyers beating a path to your door!

At Woolcott Real Estate, we carefully formulate and implement a unique plan for every homeowner to get the best results possible in any market. Do you want to know more? Reach out today with any questions you have, or call 905-332-9223 to connect with our office.

It’s no secret that buying a home isn’t a simple transaction. You can’t swipe your debit card or tap your phone for this purchase. Our experts at Woolcott Real Estate don’t want you to get caught off guard by a hidden fee while buying a new home. That’s why we have rounded up the most common fees associated with the purchase of a home that you will most likely come across.

If you’re buying a house or want to educate yourself before you begin the process, keep reading!

Insurance

Home Insurance

It’s imperative that you have a quality home insurance policy to protect your house and the belongings inside. The cost of this annual insurance can range from $500 to $2,000 and can be paid monthly over the course of 12 months or in a lump sum. As a standard, home insurance often protects your house from severe weather, flooding, fires, and theft.

For more information about your protection, speak with your insurance company directly.

Mortgage Life Insurance

Mortgage life insurance offers protection in the case of death. If one or both of the homeowners pass away, this insurance will pay a portion of the mortgage or the entire amount. This insurance is optional and can be paid via lump sum or monthly payments.

Title Insurance

Ensure a peace of mind with this insurance. This insurance is optional, often ranges between $150-$350, is based on both location and price, and is a one-time fee at the point of sale. It can protect you from unsolved problems left behind by the previous owner, title fraud and encroachments, among many other issues.

High-Ratio Mortgage Insurance

Home buyers with a down payment of less than 20% of the home’s purchase price will likely be required to pay high-ratio mortgage insurance. This fee insures the mortgage and is usually about 0.5% to 4.5% of the entire loan amount. This fee can be paid upfront in a lump sum or divided equally across your mortgage payments.

Legal Fees

The services of both a lawyer and notary will be required during the purchase of your future home. Their services ensure that the transaction is legal. These fees generally cost between $1,000 and $3,000. When getting quotes from different notaries and lawyers, our experts at Woolcott Real Estate highly suggest that you acquire services that are all-inclusive, as to avoid any additional or unforeseen fees.

If you’re having trouble finding a lawyer or notary to work with, speak with our team of realtors at Woolcott Real Estate today. One of our realtors would be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Taxes

Harmonized Sales Tax

Also known as HST, the harmonized sales tax is generally in place when purchasing a new-build home. Most often, this tax is included in the overall price. This tax is based on the overall price of the property and is usually 13% of the price. Check with your lawyer to see if your home is subject to HST. The good news is that HST typically does not apply for resale residential homes!

Land Transfer Tax

When a property changes hands in Ontario, it is subject to the land transfer tax. The Land Transfer Tax is calculated as a percentage of the sale price of the home. The tax is done a sliding scale, with the first $55,000 taxed at a rate of 0.5% up to any amount over $2,000,000 being taxed at 2.5%. For those living in Toronto, a property is also subject to a separate land transfer tax. There is an incentive in place for first time home buyers that helps to alleviate some of the financial burdens.

Inspections

The standard cost of a home inspection can range between $300 to $1,000. This inspection is essentially an evaluation of the property, examining the structure, current issues and any potential issues that could arise in the future.

This fee may feel tedious at first, but if an issue is found, that can be the leverage you require to negotiate a lower price or even have it fixed by the seller prior to you moving in. In some cases, it could be the saving grace that stands between you and a problematic house that causes you thousands of dollars of future repairs.

Surveys

A property survey may or may not be required by the lender. This outlines the boundaries of the property, utility placement, structures, easements, encroachments, and more. Property surveys generally cost between $1,000 and $2,000, depending on your location.

Valuations

Your mortgage lender will require an appraisal or valuation of your home prior to approving a loan. This inspection will give your lender a better idea of the actual value of the home and act as collateral. The sale price may or may not reflect on the actual value of the home, which can prove to be a big eye-opener for the buyer. If the home is greatly overpriced and the seller won’t budge on the selling price, it may not be worth the buyers time or money to invest.

The appraisal takes many factors into consideration, including the number of rooms, any problem areas, square footage, age, and location. The home valuation usually costs between $200 and $400 and takes place after the inspection.

Woolcott Real Estate

Are you looking for the best real estate agent in Hamilton, Burlington or Waterdown? Woolcott Real Estate might have the solution you’ve been looking for. Our team of local realtors has years of experience under their belts, making them the experts in local real estate. To get started, contact us today or browse through our buyer’s resources!

What a time it has been for the real estate market lately! If you’re a homeowner considering selling, you may feel as if you’ve been hit with a non-stop barrage of conflicting information. Is it a good time for sellers, or is it better to hold off until things stabilize a little more? The advice seems to change on a daily basis. 

The most common tendency is to hesitate during uncertain times. It feels like a good idea to sit back and wait to see if prices will rise before listing their homes for sale. This might be an acceptable path if you’re flexible with your timeline. But what happens if you have concrete plans that are time sensitive and depend on the sale of your house? Being at the mercy of an uncertain market is the last thing you want. 

Luckily, every condition under the sun offers opportunities even when it appears that the market and the economy are plotting against you. In this post, we’ll take a look at the different scenarios that might make you hesitate to list your home and how you can make the most of any situation.

High Inventory With Few Buyers in the Market

In this case, there are “For Sale” signs everywhere you look. But unfortunately, few people are interested in searching for a new home, which can be a very stressful situation as a seller. This scenario can happen when severe economic uncertainty hits and causes many people to freeze in their tracks. Hesitation from both buyers and sellers is normal. Plans go on the back burner as market activity slows to a crawl. Will we ever see conditions like this again?

With the growing population in Canada, especially the GTA, it’s not likely to happen anytime soon. However, if it does, there are still opportunities for sellers. You may see fewer buyers in the market, but those who are searching are highly motivated and very serious about finding a new home. Expert guidance and a strategic marketing plan will help you target the right pool of potential buyers for your home. And once you accept an offer, then you are in a very advantageous situation. Now it’s your turn to be a buyer where there are nearly unlimited options, almost no competition and low prices.

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Who knew selling a house could involve so many choices? The posts below will help you stay on the right path:

• Should You Sell Your House or Rent It?
• Worth It or Not? What Renovations Really Help When Selling Your Home
• Should You Use the Same Agent to Sell and Buy a House?

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High Inventory – High Buyer Activity

In this scenario, the market is bustling with plenty of houses for sale and enough buyers to snap them all up. Also called a “balanced market,” it offers plenty of opportunities for sellers who know how to make their homes stand out and appeal to buyers. Again, we might not see a scenario like this for some time due to the rising demand for housing in Canada. It is a great time to sell a house when it happens. However, some people may still hesitate to list in the hopes that conditions will swing even more in their favour. 

Low Inventory With Few Buyers

Now we come to one of the most challenging markets for both sellers and buyers. In this case, very few listings are available. But oddly enough, there are also very few people searching. For sellers, it’s difficult because there are not enough buyers. And there are not enough listings for the few buyers who are in the market!

This exact scenario happened not long ago in 2022, on the heels of one of the busiest seller’s markets the nation had ever seen. The Bank of Canada began hiking interest rates and buyers left the market in droves. Homes that previously took days to sell began sitting on the market for weeks. Gone were the multiple offers and bidding wars. The few buyers that remained suddenly found themselves with more options and more bargaining power than they had for a long time. Suddenly, it was the sellers’ turn to worry about what might happen. Many people decided to hold off on listing their homes to see if prices would rise again.

However, plenty of opportunities remained for savvy homeowners to capitalize on the changing market. It all begins with research and understanding your competition. Some people couldn’t accept that the value of their home had decreased. As a result, they set their prices too high for the market. 

Homeowners who worked with an experienced real estate agent priced their homes competitively and sold quickly, sometimes with multiple offers. And while they may not have earned quite as much as they would have earlier, they still saw the silver lining. 

With their own home sold, they could reenter the market as a buyer where prices were down substantially. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade!

Listing During Low Inventory With Intense Buyer Competition

Now we come to the most ideal conditions you could ever ask for as a seller–when multiple buyers frantically compete over very few listings. This is common in a busy market, but it can also happen when sales activity is slow overall. Listing during low inventory and high competition often results in receiving multiple offers for your home, which could result in a higher sale price. 

Would anyone hesitate in what seems to be such an advantageous situation? The market leans heavily in your favour, but there are still challenges to be aware of. First and foremost, you will have to find a place to live very quickly after your house sells. When selling is easy and buying is difficult, you might decide to secure your next home before listing your existing property.

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When you have knowledge and expert guidance on your side, you don’t have to worry about what the market is doing. The posts below will help:

• What Everyone Needs to Know About Selling Their First Home
• Our Full-Service Real Estate Team’s Guide to Marketing Your Home
• Fact Vs Fiction About Working With A Real Estate Agent

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The Perfect Time to List Your Home

On paper, a market with few listings and a ton of demand is the perfect time to list your home. However, it’s better to act when the time is right for you rather than basing your decision on anything the market is doing. Prices rise, prices fall. There are advantages and disadvantages in every situation. And sometimes, it’s best to zig when everyone else zags. One seller’s hesitation just might become your golden opportunity!

Expert guidance and up-to-date information are the keys to a successful sale, no matter what the market does. For more information, contact our offices today or reach out at 905-332-9223. We are happy to answer all of your questions!

“Show me the money!” This famous quote from the movie Jerry Maguire could apply equally to the real estate market, especially as buyer demand begins to heat up. High demand and low supply put you in a solid position as a seller. Often, you can choose from the best of multiple offers. And there’s no way around it. The potential buyer who offers the most money will likely be the one you choose. 

As much as you might like to be altruistic and select the buyer with the young family that needs a home the most, you also have to be practical. In a tough market, you need to earn a top dollar to have the financial resources to take the next step in your life. That said, money may be your top priority when evaluating offers, but it’s not the only one. Here are just a few things to keep in mind should you receive multiple offers when selling your home. 

A Look Beyond the Money

What else matters beyond the bottom line? The highest dollar amount may be enticing, but asking a few questions first can save you a lot of headaches. For example, has the buyer received a pre-approval from a lender that they can obtain the financing they’re agreeing to?

Few things are worse than having a transaction fall through at the last minute because the buyer didn’t qualify for the amount they were sure they were entitled to. If this happens, it’s not all bad. You’ll likely get to keep the deposit for your inconvenience. But is it worth the time and hassle of delaying your plans while your house goes back onto the market?

Another question to ask is how the amount offered compares with the fair market value of your home. Many buyers overlook this in their eagerness to place a winning bid. However, lenders typically will not provide more funding than the house is worth. 

Even if a potential buyer qualifies for financing, they will have to make up any difference between the appraised value and what they’ve offered in cash. 

If they are able to do so, you’ve got yourself a successful sale at a price you are sure to celebrate! If they can’t, then it’s back to the drawing board. In that case, it might be better to accept an offer that’s more of a sure thing, even if it is slightly lower. Appraisals are a complex subject that often trips up both buyers and sellers. It’s best to draw on the experience and expertise of a local real estate agent to help you navigate these pitfalls. Let’s take a look at some other reasons you may not always gravitate to the highest offer.

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It’s no secret that you’ll get the best results when your home sparkles and shines. What upgrades have the most impact? Find out in the resources below:

• Minor Upgrades, Maximum Results
• Worth It or Not? What Renovations Really Help When Selling Your Home
• The Power of Staging When Selling Your Home

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All Cash – No Contingencies

Imagine this scenario: You’ve listed your house for sale, and the offers start pouring in almost immediately. All are good, but your top offer comes in way over your asking price. The catch? It’s a conditional offer based on the buyer being able to sell their existing home and obtain sufficient financing. If either condition fails to materialize, the buyer can back out with zero consequences.

And now, picture this: You receive a cash offer with no conditions. The amount is a few thousand dollars less than the preceding offer. But is the ease and certainty of the transaction worth the slight difference? Some homeowners will hold out for the highest amount possible. Others are happy to take the easier path so they can move on without fuss. There is no right or wrong answer. Your decision depends on your goals and how involved you want to be.

The Appeal of Flexibility

Financial matters aside, selling a house can be a stressful time. Once you accept an offer, the countdown begins as to when you must be out of the house. The clock is ticking, and packing isn’t the only task on your to-do list. You’ve also got to find and secure a new place if you haven’t done so already. 

Now imagine you’ve found a buyer who didn’t necessarily offer the most money. Instead, they’ve offered something else of value: flexibility. Suddenly, the pressure is off, allowing you extra time to find a new place that’s just right for you. This is one more scenario where you might sacrifice a little bit of money for peace of mind.

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Selling a house isn’t just about the money. Often, it’s also about the legalities. The following resources will help you stay on the up and up:

• What Real Estate Lawyers Do
• How To Negotiate A Real Estate Contract
• Selling a Home for Someone Else? Here’s What You Need to Know

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An Emotional Connection

If you’ve owned a home for any length of time, you have undoubtedly received one of those letters from a potential buyer pleading with you to sell your home at a steep discount. These messages are cleverly designed to tug at your heartstrings, but an emotional appeal from a complete stranger isn’t likely enough to convince you to pack up and move. 

An emotional connection might matter when it comes to a family member or younger relative that you want to help. In that case, you might consider taking less money even though you could earn more in the open market. Whether you decide to do so depends on your own financial stability. Helping out a friend or family member may be a noble endeavour, but there is no reason to sacrifice your own future or well-being.

The bottom line is that selling a home is and always will be an emotional experience. However, it is still a transaction and you can’t lose sight of your goals. Remember that the more successful your sale is, the more empowered you will be to make your next move. Only you can decide what terms are necessary for a seamless transition to this new and exciting chapter in your life. 

Whatever your next step may be, we are committed to helping you achieve the best possible outcome when selling your home. Do you have questions about our process? Reach out to us right here or call 905-332-9223 to connect with us today.

When selling your home, what’s the first thing most people notice? If it’s your first time or the first time in a long time, you may experience a serious case of the butterflies.

Listing your house for sale is a big decision. It’s the grand finale of one chapter in your life as you embark on a whole new adventure. Even without factoring in the complexities of the fast-moving real estate market, selling your home can put you on an emotional rollercoaster. 

What you need is a plan to help you stay organized and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. In this post, we’ll give you a detailed overview of what you might expect when selling your house in today’s market.

Welcome to the Fast Moving World of Real Estate

Understanding “today’s market” is the first step in your journey, but describing what that looks like is challenging. While you can review the latest real estate stats online, they might already be outdated by the time you see them. The market moves fast, especially when buyer demand starts to heat up. To top it all off, conditions can vary by city and even by neighbourhood! How can anyone keep up? Remember that the market will generally boil down to one of three scenarios:

A balanced market: This means buyers and sellers are fairly evenly matched. The buyers are searching and have some options, but must still act quickly when they find that perfect listing. Sellers are also in a good position, especially with a strategic marketing plan.

A buyer’s market: In this scenario, buyers have most of the bargaining power. Sellers often have to make concessions to stand out. More people are selling than searching, which means you must be patient and thorough. And that marketing strategy that was so helpful during a balanced market becomes absolutely critical when conditions are no longer in your favour.

A seller’s market: Buyers are scrambling, but there are too few houses available to meet the insatiable demand. Selling under these conditions is ideal, and you may even get over your asking price if your listing goes into multiple offers. But here’s the thing: Even though your sale is almost certain, you don’t want to get complacent. A solid strategy can still help you maximize your selling price to empower you to make your next move.

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Expert guidance is a must if you want to achieve the best possible results with the least amount of stress when selling your home. Here are some articles to help find the right real estate team:

• Fact Vs Fiction About Working With A Real Estate Agent
• What’s in Your Listing Agreement?
• Our Full-Service Real Estate Team’s Guide to Marketing Your Home

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What if the Market Isn’t in My Favour?

What happens if you want to sell but it’s a buyer’s or balanced market? Should you put your plans on hold and wait for a better time? That is precisely what many people do in challenging situations. But here’s a fact that may surprise you. The market is always in your favour in one way or another. How can this be?

Let’s imagine the absolute worst-case scenario you can be in as a seller. Buyers are scarce, and those that are searching have a bounty of options available to them. Your house takes much longer to sell than you anticipated. You lower your price, and no one bites. You lower your price again. Still nothing. You make every concession you can think of, and finally your house sells! The only problem is you earned much less than you initially hoped for.

As a seller, this sounds like a nightmare. How on earth can any of this actually be good news? The good part comes when your sale is over. Now you are the buyer in a market where you have the negotiating power, with plenty of options to choose from and at a much lower price than you thought possible. The adage “there is always a silver lining” is true in this case!

The Market Is in My Favour! Now What?

There are some benefits to selling in a buyer’s market. Of course, you can’t discount the advantages of working in a market that is on your side. And with growing demand and current housing shortages, conditions are likely to favour sellers for the foreseeable future. What does selling in a hot market look like?

You list your house for sale, and buyers show interest almost immediately. The demand snowballs from this point on. The more interest your listing generates, the more offers you receive. Your house sells fast and for significantly more than your asking price. The good news is that the hard work of keeping your home meticulously clean and show-ready is over. 

However, now it’s time to reenter the market as a buyer. Buying during a busy market can seem challenging, but getting outstanding results from your sale puts you in a strong position. From there, your real estate agent can help you uncover hard-to-find listings and negotiate the best terms for you. 

If the market is exceptionally competitive and prices are rising fast, they may even recommend securing a new place even before your current home sells. In that case, you stand to gain even more equity during the short time that you carry two properties.

When deciding when to list your home, you should always base your decision on your own goals and wishes rather than trying to time the market just right. No matter what happens, there will always be hidden opportunities available for those who are ready to make their move. An experienced local real estate agent can help you spot and capitalize on them.

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When selling your house, preparation is half the battle. The following resources will help keep you on the right track:

• What’s Your House Really Worth?
• Minor Upgrades, Maximum Results
• Worth It or Not? What Renovations Really Help When Selling Your Home

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How to Prepare for a Successful Home Sale

Regardless of the market, there are many steps you can take to achieve the best possible results. At the very least, you’ll want to clean and declutter your house thoroughly so buyers won’t have any distractions. 

In addition, a few minor updates may have a modest investment but will pay off greatly once your transaction closes. Here are a few upgrades to consider:

• Add fresh paint throughout your home.
• Have carpets professionally cleaned.
• Apply new silicone around sinks, shower stalls and bathtubs.
• Install attractive new kitchen backsplash. Peel and stick tiles are easy to install and can have a dramatic impact.
• Consider smart technology to appeal to young buyers, such as smart thermostats and doorbells.

Did you know that all Woolcott clients get complimentary staging included in their services? Find out more about our process right here.

What Is Staging and Should You Invest in It?

Staging is the art of designing your home for maximum appeal to buyers. And according to the Real Estate Staging Association, it can help you earn more and sell your house faster. 

Staging begins with depersonalizing your space so that those visiting can imagine themselves and their families living in your home. A few tasteful decor items and a well-organized layout complete the effect and help to create a lasting impression on potential buyers. The end result is often an easier sale than you dreamed of while earning the highest amount the market will allow.

Are you ready to enjoy a seamless sale with outstanding results? We are here to guide you every step of the way. Reach out today with any questions you have, or call 905-332-9223 to connect with our office.

You’ve cleaned, scrubbed, decluttered and organized every nook and cranny of your home from top to bottom. The floor shines, the windows sparkle and the countertops gleam. Your house has never looked so incredible. And with a fresh coat of paint on the walls, you barely recognize the place. If you didn’t know better, you’d swear your home was about to grace the cover of a magazine. Your hard work has paid off, and your home is ready for the market. But is the market ready for you?

Your home looking spectacular is meaningless if the right buyers don’t see your listing. That’s why the next critical step is a comprehensive strategy to bring your home to the attention of those eager to buy. At Woolcott Real Estate, our effective marketing and advertising plans set us far apart from other real estate services.

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Knowing the market is the first step to a seamless real estate transaction. Arm yourself with information with the resources below:

• What’s in Your Listing Agreement?
• FSBO vs Real Estate Agent Assisted Sales: What’s Better?
• How To Negotiate A Real Estate Contract

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If Buyers Hesitate, They Will Be Too Late®

Our goals are simple; to provide a seamless and stress-free experience while selling your home as fast as possible for the highest possible amount. Our innovative system has proven so effective that we actually trademarked the phrase “Too Late®” for our fast-selling listings. In other words, if buyers don’t act swiftly, they’ll be too late.

These consistent results come from the following four-step plan, which we follow meticulously:

1. Establishing Value
2. Pre-Listing Preparation
3. Customized Marketing
4. Making the Move

At first glance, the plan seems deceptively simple. However, each step is a critical piece of the puzzle. There is both an art and a science to getting it right! No shortcuts are allowed if you want to get the best possible results regardless of the market. 

Here is a detailed breakdown of each step.

Establishing Value

When selling your home, the real estate market can be forgiving of some missteps. However, a faulty price point is not one of them. If you want to capture interest from the most qualified buyers, a realistic expectation of your home’s value is an absolute necessity. 

An attractive price point is particularly critical if the market is in a lull, with fewer buyers searching. It can mean the difference between selling and not selling. 

Even when the market strongly favours sellers, a competitive price can generate even more interest in your home and help you maximize the value of your sale. 

How do you pinpoint the perfect spot where you will gain the most exposure without sacrificing value? Here are three things to consider before setting your list price:

• The current market and how many competing sellers are in your neighbourhood
• The condition of your home
• Your location

Effective pricing is so foundational that many real estate agents will first visit in person to conduct an extensive home evaluation.

Pre-Listing Preparation

A successful sale begins with preparation long before the listing appears on the MLS®. Start by thinking about your timeline and the date you plan to list your home. From there, this checklist will help you get your house ready to welcome buyers while you lay the groundwork for your comprehensive marketing strategy.

• Cleaning
• Decluttering
• Making minor repairs and updates
• Staging
• Professional photography and videography
• Creating virtual floor plans
• “Coming Soon” advertising

This background work will help reach the maximum number of qualified buyers and wow them the minute they step inside your home.

Customized Marketing

If you’ve conducted a thorough Pre-listing Preparation, creating your customized marketing plan will follow seamlessly. Who is your most likely buyer, and what is the best way to reach them? 

Effective marketing means your listing will show up wherever they are searching. For example, most buyers begin their search online. The faster your listing pops up, the more interest it will generate. 

However, online inquiries alone are not enough. Buying a house is still a highly personal milestone, and many people love having marketing materials they can hold and touch. That’s why the best marketing plans involve a combination of online and offline methods.

Making the Move

Accepting an offer may mean the battle is won, and the hard task of keeping your house show worthy is behind you. However, there is still plenty of work to do. Now the packing and moving process begins, and there are countless details to attend to. It’s time to start searching for movers, collecting boxes and organizing your belongings. 

It can seem overwhelming, but a full-service real estate team will be there to support you even after your sale is over.

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Looking for even more detail on how to prepare your home for maximum impact? The articles below are a great place to start:

• Minor Upgrades, Maximum Results
• The Power of Staging When Selling Your Home
• Worth It or Not? What Renovations Really Help When Selling Your Home

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Woolcott Real Estate At Your Service

What can you expect when you work with Woolcott to sell your home? For starters, you can automatically cross many items off your “to-do” list because we handle them for you. 

Every member of our staff has their own area of expertise, and everyone plays to their strengths to ensure the highest level of service and best selling experience. Below is just a sample of what we will do to find the right buyer for your home with as little effort as possible on your part:

• Expert staging to allow buyers to “see” themselves living in your home. Many real estate agents charge extra, but we provide this service free to every client we work with.
• A series of crisp, high-resolution photos to capture interest from potential buyers, both online and in print.
• Professional videography to highlight your home and bring its story to life
• High visibility signage that captures the attention of neighbours and all passersby. 
• Stunning marketing books that showcase the details and features of your home, all illustrated by professional, eye-catching photos. This printed keepsake will keep your home at the forefront of your buyer’s mind.

Our Built-In Marketing Machine Brings the Buyers

Best of all, our built-in marketing machine can reach qualified buyers who can’t wait to see your home, often before your listing even hits the market. Overall, the average Woolcott listing receives 2.5 million impressions across print outlets, social media and other digital platforms. Your listing will be featured everywhere we work, including:

• Our own website with over 50,000 views each month
• The “Market Watch” print newsletter distributed to over 140,000 homes throughout Waterdown, Flamborough, Burlington, Hamilton, Carlisle, Dundas and Ancaster
• Our network of 4,000 engaged followers on various social media platforms

As a result of our fully individualized marketing plans, we often find a buyer before it even officially reaches the market. For you, this means much less work and more privacy with fewer people coming through your home.

Are you ready to maximize your results when selling your home with a full-service real estate team? Reach out today right here or call 905-332-9223 with any questions or to get started today.