What are the benefits?
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Faster sales time.Â
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Higher sales price. Nationally, most staged homes are selling for their original asking price which is 4-8% higher than other sold properties.
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Stand out from the competition. Get the edge by having the best buy on the market.
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Buyers feel home is well maintained helping eliminate low offers.
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Increase showing times. Buyers have an invitation to stay longer and make an offer.
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Buyers are focused on the features of the home and not the stuff in it.
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Staged homes showcase better on websites and in other advertising.
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Create buzz with brokers. Who doesn’t want to sell a house that looks like a cover of a magazine?
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Professional stagers provide an honest independent third party assessment of a home from curb to closet. Sellers cannot truly be objective in a house they have been living in. Stagers have the experience and ideas to help sellers get their house ready and work closely with Realtors to help get a house sold.
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Staging is investment in getting a house sold and the investment in staging is always less than a price reduction! A good stager works with a sellers’ budget and time frame to properly Stage a house. When compared with the other costs associated with the sale or purchase of a home, staging is very reasonable.
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They showcase very well on virtual tours.
For questions on the Brampton or Georgetown / Halton Hills real estate markets you can reach me at textvic@gmail.com
Brampton (actually pretty much all of Canada) has enjoyed a seller’s market for several years now. The tables are however turning. The U.S economic crisis has finally started effecting Canada and most of the world. In November 2007 543 houses were sold in Brampton and so far this November only 283 houses have been sold in Brampton.
Not everyone is complaining though. Buyers couldn’t be happier. Those who have job security are all smiles because finally the prices have started to stabilize, and there are more listings on the market to choose from. For a few years if there was a property that a buyer wanted to buy chances were 10 other people wanted to buy it also. Bidding wars became very common and the prices kept skyrocketing.
So how do you sell in a buyer’s market? First off: if you don’t have to sell then don’t. Just wait it out till it becomes a seller’s market again. If you must sell because of your situation then be sure to price it right. You just cannot these days price it high to test the market or to leave lots of room for negotiation. If the house is worth $300,000 then be sure to price between $294,000 to $301,000. Ask your agent to give you weekly updates on market conditions. If similar houses start selling for $295,000 then you need to know that and unfortunately keep adjusting your price.
Second thing you can do to increase your chances of getting your house sold in Brampton (or Georgetown / Halton Hills) is to offer the buyer agent a bonus. There are so many listings competing for that one buyer now. The buyer relies on his agent to show him the appropriate houses. If you offer that agent a bonus then you can be sure your house will be on his list to show. Some listings I’ve seen are also offering buyers bonuses. A multimillion dollar listing was offering a brand new car to attract buyers!
Renovations help. However, keep your budget in mind. No point in spending $10,000 on renovations and gaining only $5,000 in the selling price. Another thing you can do is to hire an agent who has the experience and skills needed to sell in this kind of market. He will be able to give you more specific pointers.
One of the best ways to understand about a home’s condition, habitability and safety is to hire a professional home inspector1. A properly trained home inspector will review your house as a system, looking at how one component of the house might affect the operability or lifespan of another. Home inspectors will go through the property and perform a comprehensive visual inspection to assess the condition of the house and all of its systems. They will determine the components that are not performing properly as well as items that are beyond their useful life or are unsafe. They will also identify areas where repairs may be needed or where there may have been problems in the past. Inspections are intended to provide the client with a better understanding of property conditions, as observed at the time of the inspection.
Following the inspection, the buyer is presented with a written report, consolidating the details of the inspection. The home inspector should be willing to answer any questions a buyer might have and to clarify the limitations of the inspection to avoid misunderstandings. CMHC recommends that potential buyers accompany the inspector as the inspection takes place. It can be a valuable learning experience.
The inspector will check exterior components including roofing, flashing, chimneys, gutters, downspouts, wall surfaces, windows, doors, the foundation and the grading around it. Interior systems the home inspector will check include electrical, heating, air conditioning, ventilation, plumbing, insulation, flooring, ceiling and walls, windows and doors. Unless otherwise arranged, typically a home inspection does not include appraisals, exact quotes for repairs, or determine compliance with regulatory requirements. A home inspection is not intended to provide warranties or guarantees.
In today’s Brampton market, many homeowners have considered “going it alone” and selling their homes without the help of a REALTOR® to “save the commission.” However, once they realize how complex and intimidating a real estate transaction can be, many people reconsider and enlist the services of a REALTOR®. There are more than 145 steps to complete a real estate transaction. It requires an organized, step-by-step approach that many homeowners just don’t have the time, or experience to carry out.
A REALTOR® provides a variety of services including help in setting a listing price within current market guidelines. The Brampton market has changed dramatically over the past few months, your agent can provide you with up to date data. They also develop a marketing plan, offer recommendations and advice to make your home more attractive and “saleable,” and act on your behalf during negotiations to ensure your interests are protected.
Another advantage of working with a REALTOR® (especially someone specializing in Brampton) is the far-reaching market exposure your home will receive through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®). This co-operative marketing system relays information about your home to a vast network of REALTORS® and therefore, potential homebuyers in your market. The greater the exposure your home receives, the more likely you are to find a buyer willing to pay your price.
Selling your home is not a simple procedure. It involves large sums of money, stringent legal requirements and the potential for costly mistakes. A REALTOR® is committed to spending the time it takes to help you sell your home in the least amount of time and for the best possible price.
A REALTOR® must disclose to you in writing, who exactly they represent in any real estate deal. A REALTOR® may represent a buyer or a seller; they may also represent both buyer and seller in the same transaction. Your listing REALTOR® is, in law, your agent. An agent owes his or her client the duties of utmost care, integrity, confidentiality and loyalty. Make sure you discuss agency with your listing REALTOR®. If you own a house in Brampton or Georgetown you can email for a free home evaluation or just a second opinion.
