Sutton Group - Select Realty Inc. is proud to be recognized as a back-to-back winner of the Best of London award for the top real estate brokerage in London! Its bonded home sellers' team of over 125 agents deliver 'Select' results, from market research, to negotiations and the finalization of transactions. When you list with a Sutton - Select REALTOR®, you will have the benefit of an all-Canadian company with superior brand recognition, extensive market share, national referral network and marketing muscle. You can expect that our team will:

• Advise on proper market positioning and pricing
• Create a personalized marketing strategy
• Provide advice on readying your property for sale
• Maximize your sale price
• Negotiate a sale in the shortest period of time
• Minimize sale-related stress and hassle

The idea of selling your home is becoming a reality, but much must be done before your house is put for sale on the market. This process begins long before the showings do, and here are some tips to successfully sell your home so that you can take the next step forward in your life.

It is time to let go. You have realized this home is no longer for you, and it is time to disassociate yourself from the home. This is the first and probably most difficult step, but it is paramount that you do this in order to get what you want out of the sale.

It is time to de-clutter and rearrange

• Get rid of all things you no longer use
• Organize and clean everything
• Pack up family pictures or any personal artifacts
• Keep the home in tip-top shape so that it is always ready for optimal viewing

It is important do take action on these steps. You need to make your house open and free of distraction providing potential buyers with the opportunity to envision themselves in your home. Having a house full of unneeded items, and pictures of yourself and your family disables the buyer from seeing the home as theirs, but rather as yours.

Remove/Replace items you don't want to lose

• The negotiation process is full of surprises, and in the heat of the moment you may agree to part ways with something you love in order to make the deal. This often leads to regrets. To avoid such incidents from occurring walk through your home and take down anything you want to take with you. If the buyers never see the item, they will never want it. (People only want what they know)

Home Renovation and Repairs

• It is always a good idea to make improvements where you can. Investing a little money now could bring in a quick return come selling time.
• Minor Repair Checklist
  • Cracked floor or tiles
  • Holes in the walls
  • Leaks
  • Doors or drawers that don't close properly
  • Repainting
• Renovation Checklist
  • Landscaping
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace
  • Bathrooms
  • Flooring

Make your house shine!

• After making the repairs and replacements you deem necessary it is time to add the finishing touches. Examine every room and make it shine!
• Wash windows
• Vacuum
• Get rid of cobwebs
• Re-caulk
• Dust furniture
• Place some air fresheners strategically with a nice neutral smell

Time to roll play

• Walk outside and pretend you're the potential buyer. Would you even consider walking inside? If the answer is no start looking on how you can change that. Proceed to walk through your home and see if it looks like a home you would buy.

After walking through your home you have now completed the pre-selling process. The next step is putting your home on the market. Feel free to fill out the form at the bottom of this page, and we will have one of our realtors contact you within 24 hours to get the process started.  If you already have a sales representative in mind, here is the list of all our REALTORS®

Buying or selling your home is probably the biggest financial commitment you will make in your life. Therefore it is crucial that you pick the REALTOR® that will best suit your needs. The majority of the time, people choose a REALTOR® solely from recommendation, and while recommendations are usually a good solution, they may not be the best fit given your specific scenario.

Here are some tips to help you find that perfect REALTOR® for your needs, because making the right choice will save you time, money, and make the real estate transaction as smooth as possible for you.

Don't hire a friend (at least right away):

It is simple to just hire a friend. One, because it is hassle free at the start, and it is hard to tell a friend "No". After the early stages though, frustration may develop and you may feel uncomfortable revealing personal finances with friends. Sometimes it is best to keep business and pleasure separate.

Do your homework:

Examine potential REALTORS®. Many specialize in specific areas of the city and choosing an agent with expertise in your area is highly beneficial.

Time and Experience:

There are a vast number of REALTORS® to choose from, but only one or two may be right for you. Filtering through them can be challenging, but one way to sort through the masses is to evaluate time and expertise. Looks for an experienced REALTOR® can be advantageous as they bring the expertise that comes from many years in the business. However, if a REALTOR® is overly busy, he or she may not have more than the minimum time to invest in your particular transaction. One cannot therefore eliminate younger or less experienced REALTORS® who may often bring energy, innovation, and determination to the table. With an eagerness to succeed and time to devote to each client, one can expect very close and personal attention. At Sutton - Select, all new REALTORS® also participate in a year-long supplementary training program that provides them with specialized tools and strategies to excel in today's marketplace.

Tech Savvy:

We are in the age of social media, and there are many marketing tools and platforms that support the real estate environment. There are also a variety of digital tools that allow potential buyers to preview your home online.  These include virtual tours, 3D tours and digital floor plans.  Not all REALTORS® have embraced these resources. Finding a REALTOR® who utilizes strategies and solutions that will attract the right buyers for your home and who will use every possible means to find your dream property is crucial.

Personal Fit

There is a good likelihood that you and your REALTOR® will be communicating daily for days, weeks, maybe months depending on the circumstances. Therefore it is critical that you find a REALTOR® that compliments you and your interests. The best REALTORS® will be a very in tune with your needs and desires, and this is what you should look for.

There is the old saying "never judge a book by its cover", but when it comes to selling your home that first impression is crucial. If you can't get potential buyers to walk through the front door, your house more than likely isn't going to sell. While price, location, accessibility, and resources nearby are all big factors when people are looking to purchase their new home, there is also a major emotional investment. Buyers need to be able to imagine themselves in your home, and showcasing your home the right way can enable this process. Therefore we have provided a few steps to get the offers rolling in on your recently listed home:

EXTERIOR APPEARANCE

First things first: you need to get the potential buyers to walk into your home and having an attractive exterior can definitely reel them in. Do not underestimate the value of "curb appeal"!

• Maintain an attractive garden. The space should be neatly manicured and weed free. Overgrown and unruly plants should be removed.
• Seasonal flowers can add a welcome splash of colour. Plants these in the garden or consider urns as a way to enhance your entrance or front porch.
• Keep your lawn freshly cut and edged. With pesticide by-laws, consider the use of natural remedies to control weeds. Don't have a wild jungle out there!
• Remove any debris, tired lawn ornaments, and children's bikes and toys that may be cluttering your property.
• Do some touch-up painting as required. Nothing says "welcome" like an attractive front door!

MAINTENANCE

• Just like the outside, be sure to touch up the paint on the inside
• Clean appliances (fridge, stove, etc.)
• Fix any squeaks in doors.
• Tighten any loose handles
• Check lights bulbs and see if any need to be replaced

CLEAN AND TIDY

• Clean your countertops and mirrors
• Make your windows, doors, and walls shine
• Tidy and freshen up your bathrooms
• Organize your closets
• Banish clutter in every room, hallways, basements, and garages
• Aim to make your place appear uncrowded and spacious. Store any unneeded furniture and personal effects offsite if necessary. Less is definitely more!
• If you share your home with pets, be vigilant about cleaning their food dishes, litter, and pet hair. You may have become accustomed to their odors and pet paraphernalia, but potential buyers may be deterred by their presence.

The nature of real estate means that your home is in competition with others on the market. Statistically, homes that reflect pride of ownership sell quicker and at a higher price point than those that are in disrepair and messy! By following the tips above, your effort and hard work will be rewarded. Make you home the "Select" showcase home, and you will be on your way to a achieving a favourable sale and moving on to your new place of residence!

Should I buy or sell first?

It isn't necessary to have the proceeds of the sale of your home in hand to buy a new one. Bridge financing is just one of the options in such a scenario. However, if your home is sold in advance, you will have an advantage over purchasers who must make their offers conditional on a house sale. If you are already working with a REALTOR® to sell your home, you'll also have belter insight into current market conditions.

Is a "For Sale" sign necessary?

It is surprising how many people request more information after just driving by a house with a For Sale sign. It also gives your neighbours a chance to tell their friends and acquaintances that a home is for sale in their area. A sign can be an excellent marketing tool.

Is it safe to have a lockbox on my house during showings?

Access via lockbox is certainly the industry standard and allows prospective buyers to easily see your home. The London St. Thomas Association of Realtors use the Supra Active Key system to minimize any risk to you. The system keeps a log of everyone who has accessed the home. No member of the public can access your home without being in the presence of a licensed REALTOR®

What is the best time or season to sell my home?

A seller's market, where the number of qualified buyers exceeds the available inventory of homes for sale is a great time to sell. But there are many other factors such as whether your home shows better in a particular season, availability of comparable homes for sale, new by-laws and even weather that can come into play. One of our Sutton - Select REALTORS® will evaluate the best time to sell your home and present you with all your options so you can make an informed decision on when to sell.

Are Open Houses effective?

Buyers come from many sources, and interested parties who attend open houses are one means. Open houses are just part of a comprehensive marketing plan - generating a buzz of interest over the property and minimizing hassle to you interested parties a concentrated opportunity to visit your home.

Can showings be arranged to suit my schedule?

The seller's needs must always be considered. However, you don't want to make it too difficult for prospective buyers to make an appointment to see your home. A common restriction is no showings after a certain time in the evening. You can also request a certain amount of notice prior to showings so you can adjust your schedule and do a quick tidy up if needed.

What does CMA stand for?

A Comparative Market Analysis or CMA is a comprehensive report prepared by a REALTOR® to clients who are thinking about selling. The report details the recent area market activity using the most up to date statistics. It provides the basis for an accurate suggested listing price designed to sell your home for the best price the market will bear.

Do you recommend staging my home before putting it on the market?

Certain repairs and minor renovations that would make your home more saleable, as well as cleaning and decluttering are advisable. Potential buyers often want a sense of how their belongings might fit into your home, so if you can remove excess items and keep rooms sparse and sparkling, your home will have greater appeal. If these tasks are overwhelming for you, professional staging can be very beneficial and can lead to higher sale prices.

Is it advisable to be home when my property is being shown?

Buyers generally prefer to see your home and discuss it openly amongst themselves and with their sales representative, without the seller being present. Your home's features will speak for themselves, along with the detailed, attractive marketing materials prepared by the REALTOR®. Should the buyers have additional questions, you will be consulted. Generally, if there are a number of additional questions, it signals serious interest!

Should I price my home high and then lower the asking price if it doesn't sell?

The final sale price of your home is not based on what you hope to achieve but rather what a buyer will pay for it. This is the fair market value. If you home is priced too high in the beginning, it will be a significant disadvantage. You will exclude some buyers who may have had interest if it were priced more accurately. Overpriced homes attract much less interest, and the longer they stay on the market, the worse the effect. When price is reduced to close to fair market value, prospective buyers may now think you are desperate to sell and offer even lower again. The key strategy is to price the home based on value, and a comprehensive Comparative Market Analysis is one of the tools used to ensure this happens.

Neighbourhood sales, current listings that match your home's features, and your featured amenities will help determine the optimum price that will be attractive against the competition.