Hiring the right real estate agent is a major factor in successfully selling your home. Working with the ideal agent can give you more assurance that you can sell your property quickly and for the right price. But how do you know which agent is the right one?

Should you go with someone who is new in the industry or with someone who has more experience? There are pros and cons when working with either newly licensed or veteran agents. And although experience is an advantage, there are so many other factors to consider. Therefore, how long they have been in the business shouldn’t be the only requirement when you pick who to work with.

Family and friends will certainly have their own recommendations, and online searches & reviews are sure to provide even more options. So, to narrow it down, you should look for a real estate agent who specialises in your neighbourhood. Why?

Agents who have a good track record of selling homes in your locality will be familiar with the trends and pricing in the local market and they will be up to date on current developments in the community that can affect property prices and sales.

Once you’ve found several options, whittle your list even more by reading agent reviews. And most importantly, schedule an initial meeting so you can personally interview them and get a first impression of your prospects.

The questions below will be your guide to finding the right real estate agent to sell your home.

1. Do you specialise in working with buyers or sellers?

In the process of acquiring their license, agents will typically get a basic background in real estate investing, buying, and selling. Generally, most will focus on working with buyers in their first few years since it requires less knowledge of pricing solutions and marketing properties—factors that are important to sellers.

Check if prospective agents have a more or less equal number of clients who are buyers and sellers to gauge how well-rounded their experience is.

2. How many homes have you sold in the past year?

This can further support your first question and give you a better idea of how good someone is in selling real estate. Even if somebody has been in the business for just a few years, you can determine how successful they already are by the number of homes they sold in the past 12 months. The bigger the number the more likely you’re dealing with a skilled and efficient agent.

You can dig a bit deeper by asking the type, location, and selling price of the properties they sold.

3. How much do you charge and what are the other fees?

Expect higher charges from top agents with more experience and success. Don’t forget to also ask what other fees you’ll be paying for aside from their commission. They should be transparent and upfront when it comes to charges so you can be prepared for all expenses and fees.

4. How do you decide on the listing price?

You want to work with somebody who understands the market and knows how much other properties similar to yours have sold for recently. It also helps to know their success rate in selling homes for the listing price in your area.

5. What is your plan to sell my home?

How aggressive and resourceful are they in marketing? What methods do they use? Do they work with staging agents and photographers? Do they have a clear-cut plan?

Lean towards real estate agents who understand the diverse advertising tools used today such as videos, social media, and online listings.

6. Can you help me find other professionals to help with the selling process?

How well-connected are they in the industry? Can they recommend specialists in home staging, real estate photography, settlement, property inspections, etc.?

Ask why they recommend these professionals. Check if they are affiliated with these service providers or have a mutual parent company. If they are, it’s most likely these agents are getting a commission from these vendors.

7. Can I check all documents before signing them?

Professional real estate agents will make sure you get to review all papers and understand the contents of each one before placing your signature on them. They are willing to accommodate any clarifications and this should not be a hassle for them.

What about if you decide you are unhappy with a deal and want to cancel the agreement? Will they still help you and prioritise your needs as a seller?

While doing the interviews, try and gauge how accommodating they are in answering your questions. Ask also if there is anything else they think you should know. Did they give you more helpful information?

Good agents will be willing to spend the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and provide you with options. Most importantly, they are honest and transparent so you are fully aware of what you are getting yourself into.

Of course, respect their time too since they are giving it to you for free during the first meeting. Avoid asking them a hundred questions no matter how tempted you are to learn every single detail about them. Instead, use the 7 guide questions above as an initial screening method. Then, supplement with your own research so you can arrive at the best decision.

Steps you need to take while moving.

One of the most stressful experiences in life is moving house, but it doesn’t have to be!

With some planning and help, the process can be a much smoother one, so here’s our top tips to ease you through the journey.

Get organised

Avoid making last minute arrangements, as these can be very stressful. Provided that you don’t have to pack up and move in a hurry, take your time and start packing well in advance. Start collecting packing supplies in the months and weeks leading up to the move and start by packing the items that you use the least early on.

Get rid of things you no longer need

You’ll find that when you’re packing, there will be a LOT of items that you no longer want, nor need, so this is the perfect excuse to get rid of or donate these unwanted things. It will also mean that you have fewer items to pack and take to your new home.

Plan your packing

Strategically plan your packing! By using smaller boxes for heavier items and larger boxes for lighter items you can easily manage to carry the boxes into your new home. Ensure that you label your boxes so that you know the contents of each box, and be specific! Labelling a box as “kitchen” won’t cut it. Be descriptive of exactly what’s in each box. Keep the boxes that you require first easily accessible, as when you move into your new home, you may not want to unpack everything at once.

Some other useful packing tips:

• Wrap breakable dishes in your shirts – not only do you save on bubble wrap or newspaper, but you’re wrapping two items at once!
• Use suitcases for your heavier items – they can hold way more than a box ever will and the wheels make maneuvering around your new home a breeze.
• Cut “handles” into your moving boxes to make them easier to lift – simply cut rectangle shapes on each side so you avoid trying to hold a box with nothing to grip onto.
• Pack a separate bag for all your essentials – that way if you don’t unpack everything on day one (and who actually will!) you can feel human again with your essentials in one handy location.
• Roll up your clothes instead of folding to save space and keep them organised.
• Label your boxes on the side, not the top, so when they’re stacked you can quickly see what belongs where.

Arrange help

Unless you have some great friends or family that have an accessible, empty van, then you will probably need to organise a professional to assist you. Hiring help can be great for those heavy boxes…they also have all their own packing supplies and are experienced in helping people move.

Homeowners can gain an allowance on their competition with some low-cost home repair and redecorating projects that can remarkably improve the elegance and value of their homes.

Look around your home before you put it on the Market

Some home sellers often find that by looking around their residence, they can discover areas they can easily make more engaging to expected home buyers looking to buy in Brampton Ontario.

For example, the real estate source reports one pair of home sellers in Brampton stripped the carpet from areas of their home, which revealed nice hardwood floors underneath. These floors may be more attractive to home buyers, which can improve the home sellers’ chances to sell their residence.

Additionally, dated or harsh paint colors on the walls can be distasteful to some home buyers. Applying muted color paint, such as off-white, to replace these old coats could lead to more offers on one’s home for sale.

Remove unnecessary stuff from your Home before putting it up For Sale

Another way in which home sellers can improve their hardship of selling their property is to remove unnecessary stuff from their home. By doing so, they can make the home neater and cleaner, which is something many home buyers prefer to see when checking out the residence. Even personal possessions should be removed while the home is up for sale.

Should home sellers find that they have numerous belongings they want to take out of sight during the period, in which their home is on the market, they may want to donate or recycle items they do not use anymore.

Homeowners can also keep their possessions in their basement or attic, somewhere they can easily access them but where they are not as visible to possible home buyers.

Most home maintenance activities are seasonal. Seeing as we are well into the dead of winter here in Brampton Ontario, here are some great maintenance ideas for your Brampton home.

• Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season. If you have ventilation system, such as an
• HRV, filters should be checked every two months.
• Vacuum bathroom fan grill.
• Vacuum fire and smoke detectors, as dust or spider webs can prevent them from functioning properly.
• Vacuum radiator grilles on back of refrigerators and freezers.
• Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms and replace batteries.
• Check the pressure gauge on all fire extinguishers; recharge or replace if necessary.
• Check the basement floor drain to ensure the trap contains water; refill with water if necessary.
• Monitor the interior of your home for excessive moisture levels. Over time excessive moisture can cause damage over time and    pose health problems. Take corrective action if required.
• Make sure gas meters, gas appliance vents, exhaust vents and basement windows are clear of snow.
• Examine windows and doors for ice accumulation or cold air leaks, take note to repair or replace in the spring.
• Monitor outdoor vents, gas meters and chimneys for ice and snow build up.

Consult with an appropriate Brampton contractor or your gas utility for information on how to safely deal with any ice problems you may discover.

Check sump pump alien to ensure proper operation, and to ensure that there are no line obstructions or visible leaks.

Remove interior insect screens from windows to allow air from the heating system to keep condensation off window glass and to allow more free solar energy into your home.

Winter is one of the most expensive seasons with the holidays so the opportunity to cut costs on your heating bill is absolutely a must. Prepare for winter and find out how you can keep your heating bill low this winter.

Here are some suggestions

Zone Heating

Basically zone heating means a few small changes. While you’re asleep and when you are away from home you can see a savings of up to 6% on your heating bill by turning the thermostat down by 3 degrees Celsius. During winter months while you are at work, out shopping and sleeping this is a great way to save on energy costs.

Next, invest in a thermostat that is programmable and adjust indoor temperatures to match your schedule. Consider investing in a thermostat that allows you to choose which rooms to heat in various areas of your home. When the bedrooms are not being used during the daytime, it’s the perfect time to stop heating those rooms. Additionally, you can choose to do this on your own by closing the vents in each room and shutting the doors.

Maximize Air Circulation

One of the biggest mistakes people make is not keeping furniture and curtains from obstructing heating vents. This results in heat going into the furniture and in front of the curtains, and is a major waste of heat. Ensure that you weekly use a vacuum to remove all pet hairs and dust from cold air returns and from warm air registers. Next, use ceiling fans to help circulate and distribute heat throughout your home. Ensure that you basement is warm, as the heat from downstairs will rise up into the rest of the home. Lastly, if you have a fireplace that’s not in use, make sure you have closed the damper.

Sunshine

Remember, during nice sunny days, that if you leave the curtains open and let the sun in; it is a great way to help heat your home and reduce heating costs. Be sure to close them once the sun has set.

More Solutions

Make sure your furnace is running at peak performance by having it inspected yearly by a professional. Look for leaks that can be sealed to ensure no air is escaping and if you have a fireplace, consider the value of installing one that is natural gas.

Attention All Home Owners!!! You may not be thinking of selling your home just yet however there are a few important things you should keep in mind…especially with regards to rental contracts.

Be very careful of what you venture in to. Items that can be rented under contract such as, air conditioners, furnaces, water heaters, water softeners, hot water tanks etc. can impact the sale of your home down the road, even if you’re not thinking of selling in the near future. Some consumers choose the rental route due to affordability at the time. However, the buyout for these items can be staggering. We’ve had clients that had to pay the buyout amount of $14,000 for the rental of their furnace & air conditioner in order to sell their home. Keep in mind, the equipment was not even top of the line and a couple of years old by this time. This was including the penalty for breaking the contract!

Only are buyouts incredibly high, the length of these contracts can go on for years. We’ve seen a water heater contract that would only conclude in 2045  It is good idea to check with your trusted Brampton Realtor before committing to these rental contracts, even if you’re not thinking of selling right away.

Finally, before you do any renovations to your home, it is also a good idea to contact your Realtor. They will be able to suggest areas in your home that you may want to look at, but that will give you the most return-on-investment (ROI) when it comes time to sell. Be sure to not over-do the renovations in your home for the neighborhood you live in. You may not get the return-on-investment that you are expecting. The simple task of applying fresh paint to your home will usually give you the biggest return. Secondly, updating the kitchen(s) and bathroom(s) generally gives you a good ROI. Be aware that certain upgrades or custom preferences may be for your personal enjoyment only. For future buyers, your improvements and custom upgrades may not be in their interest or taste. Just because you paid an exorbitant amount to have gold in-lay in your floors, does not mean the next buyer will want to pay for it.

Tip: What you do to your home today can affect the sale of your home even if that’s years from now. Best practice is to contact your local, trusted and knowledgeable Brampton Realtor to get the facts with regards to rental items, renovations and much more. We have a list of preferred contractors that we know provide excellent quality and service at an affordable price.