Are you thinking of selling your home in the Burlington or Hamilton area? If so, 2022 might be the best time to do it. Right on the heels of the hottest seller’s market in 2021, things are looking even better for sellers in the coming year.
Even with recent changes to the market, housing prices are still higher than they were this time last year. From now on, all predictions are pure speculation. It is possible that economic changes and new government policies and regulations will further cool things off in 2023 and beyond.
If you want to get the most out of your sale, now is the time to act.
Should you use a local agent?
While an agent from another city can certainly handle the legal implications of listing your home, a local agent will likely help you make far more money from the sale.
Looking for the most recent updates to the real estate market? Take a look at some of our more recent posts:
- The Steepest Interest Rate Hike in Decades: Should You Be Worried?
- How To Stand Out In A Changing Market
- The Market is Changing. Is Real Estate Still A Good Investment?
If you want to get the absolute top dollar for your home, with the least amount of effort and expense, a knowledgeable local agent is the way to go.
Here are three ways a local agent can help:
Handling Open Houses and Walk-Throughs
Very few people have the professional sales skills to showcase their home in the best possible light. This is where your local agent shines. They can call attention to the finest details to increase the perceived value in a buyer’s mind. This is something an outside agent can’t do because they’re not available in person. A local agent also saves you from having to leave work in the middle of the day because a potential buyer wants a walk-through.
Knowing What Upgrades will Pay Off the Most
In general, small repairs and upgrades pay big dividends when it comes to selling your home. But what repairs should you make? And what should you leave for the new owners?
The market in general may appreciate a fine upgrade to granite countertops. But every city is different. In fact, every neighbourhood is different. A local agent has a deeper understanding of a local buyer’s mindset and what matters to them. This expertise can prevent you from tearing up your home and paying thousands of dollars on an upgrade that won’t result in a higher price.
Researching the Market
Although the market is up overall, the situation varies from one neighbourhood to another. An outside agent knows that there may only be 300 homes listed in the city. But they might not know that a new meat processing plant is about to go up, prompting the sale of a dozen houses in a certain neighbourhood.
If you list when the timing isn’t right, you can lose a lot of money on your sale.
These are things that can and have happened, even in a seller’s market. A local agent is finely tuned into everything going on, and can guide you to the perfect time to list your house.
Want to know more about the dos and don’ts of selling your house? Check out some of our other articles:
- Top Five Mistakes Home Sellers Make
- Four Things to Focus on When Selling Your Home
- How Real Estate Agent Fees Work
Marketing and Pricing Strategy
Your local agent has a pulse on the neighbourhood at all times. While everyone knows to list your house on the MLS, there are often better ways to attract more qualified buyers.
Strategic pricing is another critical marketing component, and failing to price correctly is a common error. Set the price too low, and two things can happen.
- You can earn much less than your home’s potential.
- Or worse, set off warning bells that something is wrong, and buyers will avoid you.
And even in a seller’s market, you don’t want to set the price too high. If you do, you might miss out on buyers looking in specific budget brackets.
In every market, home prices can fluctuate wildly. A local agent knows what houses in the area have sold for in the past, and can give you the best estimate of what to list for.
Negotiating Top Dollar
No one understands the sheer value of your home and amenities better than a local agent. Anyone can research nearby restaurants and attractions online. For example, an outside agent can look at pictures of a park on Google Maps and talk about how beautiful it is.
But an agent who lives in the area has seen that beautiful park with their own eyes. They’ve experienced it in the winter, covered under a blanket of snow and in the spring, when all the buds are blooming.
A local agent has eaten at the restaurants and shopped at the stores. They know what the Internet speed is like.
Selling with the Passion of a Local
It takes more than fancy listings and enthusiasm to fully communicate the value of your property.
A local agent will present your home and your neighbourhood with the enthusiasm and appreciation of someone who lives there. These subtle details make a powerful impression on a potential buyer.
We have teams local in every district, including Burlington, Waterdown, Flamborough, Carlisle, Milton and Hamilton. To find out more about how we bring our local passion to every sale, visit us here.
