It is obvious that the Internet has changed our lives forever, and changed is also the real estate industry. The times when properties were placed on MLS and sold with no effort are also gone…
We changed as a society, home buyers and sellers’ behaviour has evolved. If you have not been following the trends in the real estate industry - which is hard to believe - make sure you get up to date before you decide to sell your home. Sellers that do not understand the new trends in the industry can make costly mistakes, jeopardizing their chance to have a successful sale.
 
Myth #1: My house is great and it will sell in no time.

I’ve heard that before and most of the times I agree with the fact that your house is great. But nowadays, having a great product does not guarantee having a successful sale. HGTV shows are amazing, but they are only meant to be entertaining. They are creating high expectations in the buyers’ minds. Home buyers-to-be see beautiful homes featured on TV and social media and they want no less for their dream home. Buyers are less and less willing to compromise on the house’s condition. If you want a successful sale, the process should start with a thorough assessment of your property. Comparing your home with other similar ones that are or have been on the market recently will help you determine what you can do to improve your home's condition before it hits the market. An experienced realtor can help you decide what you can do to increase the chances of selling fast and for top dollars. If the improvement and preparation is done right, the success is guaranteed. Local MLS stats can help you determine how many homes sell out of the amount of homes are listed. Some neighbourhoods face a fierce competition, more homes for sale than interested buyers. If one property out of 10 sells, you want to be the one selling. Pricing your home right and preparing it well are keys in having a successful sale
 
Myth #2: My house doesn’t need staging.

Many of us think highly of our homes and that’s the right way to feel about our castles. While our homes should keep us comfortable and reflect our personality, when it’s time to sell, we need to remove the personal touch. The house should appeal to as many people as possible, hence we suggest neutral décor, coordinated accents, and improved light and flow. Staging creates all that, professionally. Prospective buyers scroll through listings all the time through their social media feeds, agent’s websites or real estate platforms. Your home has to impress them, otherwise it will just be one of the many homes available for sale.
 
Myth #3: I need to wait for spring to list my home

Timing used to be an important factor when it came to selling a home. Many people believe that there are more buyers in the market in spring. But the truth is, good homes sold in winter just as well as in spring as buyers nowadays have the information at their fingertips all year round. More important is choosing the price, improving the condition and hiring the right, experienced agent to work for you.
 
Myth #4: If someone really wants my house they will pay more for it
The truth is, buyers that work with experienced, local agents will look at all comparable homes that are or have been in the market recently and will come up with a price that is reasonable to them.  As sellers, insisting on a higher price without having the support of the comparable homes in the area will only set you up for disappointment. In a buyer’s market, negotiating a higher than market price is not only impossible, it might not be in the seller’s interest. If the bank appraises the property at a lower value than what they paid for it, the buyer might have difficulties closing the deal.
 
Myth #5: My house will sell, I don’t need to pay for an experienced, full service agent.
Many people feel like selling a home is an easy task and anyone can do it. In reality, it takes more than an ad in the newspaper to sell a home nowadays. In some micro markets around the GTA, one out of the 8 to 10 houses listed for sale will actually sell. Which house do you think will sell and why? Well... If you can answer this question, you can take the right decision on whom do you want on your end of the table. An experienced Realtor researches your local market in detail, puts your property in front of the largest number of prospective buyers and negotiates hard for your asset. And what you are left with after the transaction is closed, is most of the time more than what a discount broker could get you for the same house. So if your goal is to pay less, a discount brokerage is your best choice. But if you want more money in your pocket, hire the right agent that has the expertise to handle that for you.

Call us today at  647-261-1405 if you would like to know what your home is worth in today's market. Happy selling!