Selling

I will work for you every step of the way when selling Vancouver Island Real Estate!

My combination of skill, experience, and technology ensures that I can sell your home or any real estate for the highest possible price and in the shortest period of time. I have the tools to meet the demands of a highly competitive, modern market.

I am always familiar with the current homes on the market by searching every day the new listings and sales, and I know neighborhood values well, so I can help you determine fair market value for your property. I attend Multiple Listing tours, office meetings and office tours to always be knowledgeable about all the new listings that come on the market.

My Unique Automated Internet Marketing System

Online Presence: Available 24 hours a day!

My online marketing system allows me to make information accessible 24-hours a day, and to respond immediately and directly to each and every prospective buyer. From my website, prospective buyers can get information immediately about your home. They can access my site 24 hours a day and view your property listing! Through my Personal Home Search, your listing will be sent by e-mail to every prospective buyer in my database, where your home meets their criteria. Plus it will be e-mailed automatically to future prospective buyers as well.

Traditional Marketing

As soon as you list your home with me, I will enter your home in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database. Other agents can immediately access your property information by computer. Plus, your property will be included in any printed Vancouver Island MLS books. I also regularly publish in magazines and newspapers in the Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Nanaimo areas and send out direct mail pieces to potential buyers.

I advertise in the local monthly Real Estate Guide which is distributed to over 16,000 households. Our office also distributes additional copies through mail outs across the country as well as distribution to information centers, Chamber of Commerce, motels, hotels, stores and restaurants for visitors to our area. I also advertise in the Western Investor and the Nanaimo Real Estate Review. I put all my listings on my own personal web site and on the Multiple Listing Board web site which are both accessible to potential buyers anywhere in the world.

Pricing Your Home

When you think about it, there are several other homes for sale competing with your home. I will help you price your home competitively to attract qualified buyers. The way I do this is by generating a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) report, which will show you a range of prices being paid for homes in your area. You can complete my online form to get a feel for your home's market value.

Every Step Of The Way...

Remember, I will be working for you every step of the way to make sure that you get the highest possible price for your home or any real estate in the shortest period of time.

Sellers Information Guideersf to Purchase

Offers to Purchase

An interested buyer will prepare a written offer, usually on a standard form called the Contract of Purchase and Sale. Your Realtor must present you with all written offers and if you receive several at one time, you are under no obligation to accept one over the other.

When you receive an offer, you can accept it exactly as it stands, reject the offer, or make a counter-offer to the buyers, with the changes you want.

An offer usually contains subject clauses that the buyer needs to remove by a specific date. A subject clause is a special condition that must be met before the sale can take place. For example, a buyer may want to have a certified home inspection done before they commit to the sale. Once the subjects are removed and you've signed the offer, it becomes legally binding.
Completion
Completion

The Contract of Purchase and Sale will specify a completion day for the sale. On this day, legal ownership of the home will transfer from you to the buyer.

Before the completion day you should hire a lawyer or notary public to handle the completion procedures. Your Realtor will be able to recommend some lawyers or notaries. The lawyer/notary will:

Ensure that your mortgage has been properly discharged.
Arrange for you to sign papers transferring title.
Confirm that all payments you are responsible for have been made.
Give you a cheque for the balance .
pletion Costs
Completion Costs

Although you will receive a payment upon the sale of your home, there are still some costs you need to be prepared to pay. They include:

The Realtor's commission.
Legal fees.
Any penalties for paying off your mortgage early.
GST on the commission and legal fees.
Your portion of the property taxes.

Preparing Your Home For Sale

Exterior Touch Ups

Your home's exterior is the first thing a potential buyer sees, when visiting your home. The following tips will help you increase your home's curbside appeal and create a strong first impression to potential home buyers.

Fence
Replace missing slats, stakes and posts.
Repair broken hinges and paint or stain the fence if necessary.

Yard
Mow, trim and fertilize the lawn.
Weed flower beds and replace dead plants and trees.

Driveway, Garage, Carport
Clean up grease or oil spots on concrete surfaces.
Make sure the garage door opens freely and the automatic door opener is working.
Provide an unobstructed view of your home from the street by not parking cars, boats or other vehicles in the driveway.

Front Entry
Polish door handles and door knockers.
Replace worn or broken items, such as an unsightly mailbox or rusty doorbell.
Be sure porch lights are working and add welcoming features such as a new door mat and flowering plants.

Siding and Trim
Consider painting the highlight features of your home, such as trim work, shutters, gutters, down spouts and railings.
If necessary, add a fresh coat of exterior paint to the exterior siding.

Roof
Remove debris such as tree branches and leaves.
Straighten the TV antenna.
Make any necessary repairs to worn shingles or cracked surfaces.

Patio, Deck
Flowering plants and outdoor furniture add appeal.
Remove any unnecessary items such as gardening equipment.
Tidy any visible items, such as an outdoor grill or barbecue.

Interior Touch ups

Experience shows that creating a house warming feeling inside your home increases its desirability. View your home with a critical eye. Clean, complete minor repairs, and add finishing touches.

Doors and Windows
Consider adding a fresh coat of paint to your front door.
Polish brass fixtures and be sure door locks work properly.
Oil hinges to both doors and windows.
Keep stairways tidy and secure handrail.
Repair or replace bent or damaged screens and window glass.
Cut back outdoor plants that restrict natural light.
Keep windows clean and tidy with draperies firmly affixed and in proper working order.

Floors and Carpets
Repair or replace missing or damaged tile, hardwood, vinyl and baseboards.
Steam-clean or shampoo carpets.
Secure loose carpeting and replace damaged areas.
Be conscious of odors caused by dampness, high-traffic areas or pets.

Closets and Storage Areas
Ample storage space increases the desirability of the home.
Keep closets tidy.
Discard any unnecessary items and consider storing those you do not use frequently.

Bedrooms and Living Areas
Keep living areas clean and inviting.
Arrange furniture to allow a spacious atmosphere.
Make beds, arrange couch cushions, dust shelves, vacuum carpets and touch-up walls with paint or spackling as necessary.
Wallpaper should be clean and adhere smoothly to the walls.
Finishing touches such as flowers or candles add to the home's house warming appeal.

Kitchens and Bathrooms
Clear counters, drawers and cabinets of unnecessary items.
Clean soap dishes, mirrors, faucets and appliances (inside and out).
Store cleaning supplies and hang freshly washed towels.
Be conscious of odors caused by dampness, hampers, garbage and various foods.

Counters and Cabinets
Store infrequently used counter-top items to allow a spacious look in the kitchen and bathroom.
Keep drawers and cabinets tidy and organized.

Garage or Workshop
Items should be neatly stored in shelving or wall units.
Allow appropriate space for the home buyer to visualize their vehicle or workbench.
Consider moving excess or over-sized items to mini-storage.

Showing your home

With buyers, first impressions count. A small investment in time and money will give your home an edge over other listings in the area when the time comes to show it to a prospective buyer.

PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR SHOW

General Maintenance
Oil squeaky doors
Tighten doorknobs
Replace burned-out lights
Clean and repair windows
Touch up chipped paint
Repair cracked plaster
Repair leaking taps and toilets Spic and Span
Shampoo carpets
Clean washer, dryer, and tubs
Clean furnace
Clean fridge and stove
Clean and freshen bathrooms

The Buying Atmosphere
Be absent during showings
Turn on all lights
Light fireplace
Open drapes in the day time
Play quiet background music
Keep pets outdoors

Curb Appeal
Cut lawns
Trim shrubs
Weed and edge gardens
Pick up any litter
Clear walk and driveway of leaves
Repair gutters and eaves
Touch up exterior paint

The Spacious Look
Clear stairs and halls
Store excess furniture
Clear counters and stove
Make closets neat and tidy The First Impression
Clean and tidy entrance
Ensure doorbell functions
Polish door hardware

SHOW YOUR HOME WELL
Keep room draperies and shades open to let in light, and make rooms appear larger.
Tag items not included in sale (i.e., water conditioner).
Have your home well-lighted during showing.
At night, turn on porch light and outdoor lighting in back if you have it.
Neatness makes a room look bigger. Avoid clutter.
Avoid having dirty dishes in the sink or on counters.
Keep any toys in the children's rooms.
Bikes, wagons, and skateboards should not be out front, but made as inconspicuous as possible.
Keep stereo or TV turned way down.
Keep pets outdoors when your house is being shown.
Remove and replace items not included in the sale of your house (i.e., Chandelier).
Remember.....to be a seller you have to look at your home like a buyer.