Your confidence and quality of life throughout the entire real estate transaction, from start to finish, is very important to me. I understand how hectic your life is already, without adding into the mix the daunting task of selling your home. It's my goal to remove as much stress as possible from the home selling process, allowing you to maintain some semblance of day-to-day normality. All the while working hard to get you the best possible price, terms, and conditions for the sale of your home.  I've got your back.

Here's a brief overview of the home selling process, in six simple steps, giving you an outline of what to expect::

Step 1: Decide to Sell

Seems silly I know, but making a commitment to sell your home is the first step. Oftentimes the process moves quickly from the 'for sale' sign going up to accepting an Agreement of Sale. Making a commitment to sell your home means not only being mentally ready to sell, but also willing to present your home, to the buying public, in its best possible shine. Getting your home ready for sale is as important as you being ready to sell. Step #1 helps create the best scenario in which to sell your home for the highest price possible, with the most favourable terms, in the shortest amount of time. 

You can't just dip your toe in the pool. 

Step 2: Hire an Agent

There are tens of thousands of real estate agents to choose from in the GTA alone. How do you chose one that's right for you? Carefully, I would suggest. 

Your agent will be acting as your representative and seeing to your best interests. You will want someone you have confidence in, who truly understands why and what you are trying to accomplish, and who is willing to commit their time and energies to that task. Basically, someone you know, like, and trust. 

A few things to consider when choosing your agent:

• Are they experienced, knowledgeable, and familiar with your neighbourhood?
• Do they have an unique marketing plan, detailing how to obtain the highest possible price for the sale of your home?
• Do they have a proven track record of success with properties similar to yours?
• Do they provide individualized advice and insight into the listing, staging, marketing, negotiation, and closing process?
• Do you sense a good relationship with them? (You will be spending a lot of time with your agent.)
• Are they able to provide past client references and testimonials?

Oftentimes, the best agent for you will meet all of the above criteria AND come highly recommended from a friend or family member. Again, know, like, and trust. 

Step 3: Prep your Home for Sale

This is an important one, as you only get one chance to make a good first impression. That first impression oftentimes plays a critical role in what dollar amount you ultimately receive for the sale of your home.  From simple 'chores' as cleaning, painting, and furniture placement to minor updates and improvements, all the way to in-depth renovations, your agent should provide you a thorough analysis of things that can be done to reduce market time and to achieve the highest sale's price. Investing a bit of sweat equity and a few hundred dollars, can often lead to a profitable return of that investment. Put your best foot forward! 

Step 4: Market your Home

Now that you and your home are ready for market, it's time to entice and invite in the Buyers. How you bring them to your doorstep, deserves a strategic intent. Each marketing plan is tailored, specifically for your home and neighbourhood, to attract the most attention and gain the highest possible purchase price.  It should include most of the following:

• A thorough analysis of comparable neighbourhood sold strategies and their results
• Full or part house staging and design.
• Professional photographic services, marketing and brochure design.
• Personal website address.
• Professional floor plan drafting
• National and global internet marketing presence.
• Citywide Realtor preview tours.
• Open house events at client's discretion.
• Individual showing desk services with Realtor follow-up and feedback.
• 'Multiple offer' or 'Available now' strategies

Step 5: Negotiate the Sale

When all is said and done and an interested buyer or buyers are secured, then the negotiation process begins. This is the purpose and culmination of steps #1- #4 above. Here is where your sweat equity, financial investment, and market strategy pay off. Obtaining the highest possible price, while meeting your desired terms is the ultimate goal of the negotiation process. Sale's price, financing, inspections, conditions, time frames, and legal issues come into play and are finalized during this process and must be agreed upon by you and the buyer both before a legally binding agreement is reached.

However, no two purchase agreements or purchasers are equal. How to determine and flesh this out, needs to be one of your agent's strengths. To provide advice, based on years of experience coupled with current market conditions and to guide you through the ins and outs of condition language and sign-back options, all the while protecting and strengthening your best interests, is the crux of this process and how your agent proves their worth. Here is where the pavement hits the road, as they say. 

Your agent should provide you with a comprehensive negotiation strategy to best obtain the highest possible price, terms, and most convenient time frames. 

Step 6: Closing 

Once both parties have agreed to the terms of the sale and all the conditions have been met, then you've sold your home. At the end of the closing period (usually anywhere from 30-120 days), you will hand over your keys and receive the proceeds from the sale. Done. 

Oh, don't forget to pack at some point too!