Selling a Home 

*Click here for information on downsizing and retirement

When should I sell my home?

Most professional realtors agree that your situation should determine the time when you sell. It also depends upon your objectives. Perhaps you are an investor looking to capitalize on market conditions, or require the funds of the sale for financial obligations. In most cases, however, the best time to sell is when you have the motivation and you feel ready.

Costs associated with selling
As the seller, you are typically responsible for:

1) Survey certificate
2) Legal fees
3) Real estate fees
4) Outstanding adjustments owed to the buyer
5) Outstanding municipal/school taxes or public service  
6) Assessments
7) Outstanding mortgage balance and any charges associated with discharging your mortgage early (if you are not transferring your mortgage to your new home, or the buyer is not assuming it)

*Fees and costs differ in each province and city.

Selling Your Home/My Commitment to you

Accurate Evaluation
The correct selling price of a property is the highest the market will bear.  To assist you in determining the correct asking price, I will prepare a “Comparative Market Analysis”, or “CMA” for you.  This compares your property to other current, recently sold or withdrawn properties in your immediate neighbourhood.

Professional Advice
As your personal realtor, I will assist you on how best to prepare your home for showings.  You will be kept up to date on current market conditions, similar property sales and any other relevant factors which may affect the progress of sale.

Advertising
Your property will be listed on the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS).  Approximately 80-85% of all residential sales in Greater Victoria use MLS as their main advertising source.
A recent Victoria Real Estate Board’s Buyer’s Survey indicated that an increasing number of property buyers located their properties on the internet.  To take advantage of this trend, your home will be advertised here on my website and on www.mls.ca, Canada’s largest real estate portal.  Site statistics have shown that Victoria area properties are typically viewed by prospective buyers over 500,000 times per month.  This translates to well over 200 internet showings of your home each month.

Promoting Your Property
As your personal realtor, I will provide the highest quality of service, ensuring your home is promoted extensively including:

1) My office will be given a personal tour, be kept up to date and display your details.
2) I network on a regular basis with other Greater Victoria realtors, making a concerted effort to connect and maintain good relations, thus promoting your home further.
3) The major selling points of your property will be distributed to over 900 realtors in the Victoria area via MLS.  As a group we will work together to sell your home.

Signage
I will provide a For Sale sign for your home to attract prospective buyers passing by.
Contacting Potential Buyers
Using my extensive database of people who have been looking for properties in your neighbourhood, I will contact potential buyers directly, provide them with details of your property and have them pre-qualified.
Open Houses/Tours
I will arrange for Open Houses, Agent Tours and my own personal Office Tour during times that are mutually convenient as required.
Progress Reports
Once your contract is signed and my sign is on your lawn, it doesn’t stop there.  As your personal realtor, I will continue to work hard to promote your home.  You will be kept informed on a regular basis as my marketing programme progresses.

***When I begin working for you as your Personal Realtor, I will discuss and implement my “26 point Marketing Plan” with you.
 
Preparing Your Home For Sale
First impressions count!  With a small investment in time and money, we can give your home an edge over other listings in the area when the time comes to show it to a prospective buyer.
Here are some suggestions that will help you to get top market value:

Spic and Span     Shampoo carpets     Clean washer, dryer and tubs     Clean furnace      Clean fridge and stove Clean and freshen bathroom	The First Impression Clean and tidy entrance Ensure doorbell is functional  Polish door hardware
The Spacious Look Clear stairs and halls   Store excess furniture Clear closets and stove Make closets neat and tidy	The Buying Atmosphere Be absent during showings Turn on all lights Light fireplace Open drapes in the daytime Play quiet background music Keep pets outdoors
General Maintenance Oil squeaky doors Tighten doorknobs Replace burned out lights Clean and repair windows Touch up chipped paint Repair cracked plaster Repair leaking taps and toilets	Curb Appeal Cut lawns Trim shrubs and lawns Weed and edge gardens Pick up any litter Clear walk and driveway of leaves Repair gutters and eaves Touch up exterior paint

Please call me at any time ( 24 hours ) if I can be of any assistance in the sale of your new home:1-800-574-7491

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“Baby Boomers”
According to “Canada’s Urban Futures Institute” some 9.8 million Canadian baby boomers are approaching retirement.  About 225,000 Canadians retired in 2004 and the number will increase to 265,000 by the end of 2005.  By 2020, the estimated number of Canadians retiring each year will be 425,000    Of course with all these new retirees, there also comes the question “Where will they be looking to settle down and retire?”  You would usually expect the norm to be downsizing to a cosy 2 bed rancher or condo.  Wrong!  Infact, this generation of retirees are changing the trend.  They are younger, still have their health, their energy and affluence.  It now seems ranchers and condos are a thing of the past.  Developers report newer and larger homes are in demand, especially those situated close to good amenities, such as golf courses and walking trails – Victoria is the perfect city.  
As baby boomers begin to retire, prices may continue to rise in Victoria.
A new record was set again in December 2004 with the average sale price at $427,842, with the 6 month average at $401,006.

Thinking about moving to Victoria?
Buy now and avoid the possible higher prices yet to come.
Call me toll free at 1-800-574-7100       
to have Victoria area listings e-mailed to you daily.