Getting the best price for your home involves more than hanging a “For Sale” sign and waiting for the offers to roll in. Careful preparation and an understanding of the entire home selling process will reduce your stress and get you the best results possible.

Should I use a realtor?
Using a realtor will ensure that your home is exposed to many more potential buyers than if you try selling it yourself. Also, many buyers shy away from having to negotiate directly with a seller and prefer to focus on properties that are represented by a brokerage.

When should I list my home?
No one can predict the future, but your realtor can give you information about market trends in your area.

How can I get the best price possible?
The price your home sells for depends on many factors, but you can maximize your home's appeal with the following strategies:

• Keep it clean and clutter-free. Buyers like clean, tidy, airy homes.
• Boost your curb appeal. Does your property look inviting or run-down? Consider investing in some landscaping or a new coat of exterior paint to spruce up a tired-looking home.
• Depersonalize your home. A buyer as to be able to visualize living in your home—personal mementos and photos make this difficult.

Should I renovate?
Don't assume that a renovation will automatically boost your selling price. Talk to your realtor to find out which renovations are worth the money.

Should I use a home stager?
Using a stager is entirely a matter of personal choice. If you need to sell your home quickly, using a stager may be a helpful strategy.

How much will I have to pay my realtor?
Realtors typically charge a commission fee in the form of a percentage of the total sales price. As a seller you are also responsible for the buyer's realtor's fees; traditionally, the seller's brokerage works out an arrangement to share their commission with the buyer's brokerage.

What is the difference between an exclusive listing and a multiple listing?
The only difference is that a multiple listing means that your property will be registered in a Multiple Listing Service. In both cases, your brokerage has the exclusive right to sell your home.

What are my responsibilities as a seller?
You are responsible for giving your realtor complete and accurate information about your property, including any defects.

What are my options when I receive an offer to buy?

1. Accept it exactly as is. You may wish to consult a lawyer before you sign the deal.
2. Make a counter-offer. You can propose changes to the original offer; the new version is called a counter-offer. There can be legal implications if you decide you don't want to proceed after making a counter-offer, so exercise caution when using this option.
3. You can reject any offer. Be aware that if you reject an offer that exactly matches all the terms specified in your listing contract you could be legally obligated to pay your brokerage's commission.

What are subject clauses?
Buyers commonly include subject clauses when they make an offer to buy. A subject clause is a condition that must be met before the sale can be completed. A common subject clause is that your property must be inspected (at the buyer's expense) by a home inspector before the sale can proceed.

Can I keep my property on the market while a buyer completes the subject clauses in an offer to buy?
Although you are in a firm and binding contract on your end, the buyers still have conditions in the contract that must be met.  You cannot sell your home to anyone else during this subject period, but you can still show your home to potential buyers.

Is it a good idea to let a buyer assume my remaining mortgage?
The only concern in this scenario is that you could potentially be held responsible for future repayment obligations if the buyer defaults on the mortgage. Check with your mortgage lender to be 100% certain this will not happen to you.

I have no mortgage and the buyer wants to give me payments over a period of time, at a specified interest rate, instead of getting a mortgage. Is this advisable?
This arrangement means that you, instead of a mortgage lender, are the party financing the sale. Always check with a lawyer before agreeing to this type of arrangement.

Do I need to use a lawyer?
It's customary for the buyer to hire a lawyer or notary public to handle the transfer of the ownership of the property, but you should consider hiring your own lawyer to make sure that your best interests are protected.

What fees will I have to pay?

• Legal fees for discharging an existing mortgage, whether or not you use your own lawyer.
• Your real estate brokerage's commission.
• GST on the commission and your legal fees.
• Your share of the property taxes for the year if they have not yet been paid, as well as any penalties for late payments.
• Any penalty set by your mortgage lender for early pay-out of your mortgage.