Measure twice cut once. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression…
All of these clichés apply when selling your home. And it’s your real estate agent‘s job to look at all the pieces and figure out the best way to arrange them, before you sign a listing agreement. Whether you’re in Lethbridge or Toronto, a buyer’s market or a seller’s market, selling your biggest asset deserves forethought and planning.
In the video below I talk about what that initial conversation with a real estate agent should look like. Creating a plan to sell your home takes longer than 15 minutes. It’s a consultative process that puts the homeowner in the optimal position to get the most money in the shortest time possible. Sit down with a professional, preferably at the office, roll up your sleeves, take notes, ask questions, and prepare to answer a lot of questions too. Top agents ask a lot of them.
Skipping over a thorough consult can cost you thousands later (and a lot of heartache too).
Here is just a sampling of the things an agent should discuss with you during the initial meeting:
- Pre-inspection options
- Staging the home for photos and for buyers
- Repairs and maintenance
- Real property report and municipal compliance
- Absorption rates in your market
- Marketing tactics appropriate to your home
- And on and on!