Your home is on the cusp of its market debut! The culmination of your meticulous preparations is about to unfold, and you might find yourself wondering, “What comes next?” Let’s embark on an in-depth exploration of the key moments awaiting you on this exciting journey of selling your west Toronto home.

The first steps…

A well-chosen real estate professional is your guiding star in this venture. Engaging their services well in advance allows you to tap into their wealth of knowledge and guidance. From essential home improvements to pre-listing inspections, you’ve strategically aligned yourself with a timeline that ensures your home is in its prime condition when it hits the market. All these important home preparation steps will ultimately help you maximize the sale, ensuring you aren’t leaving any money on the table.

Trust in the power of staging…

As the listing date approaches, it’s time for your real estate agent to orchestrate the magic of staging. This isn’t merely about arranging furniture, it’s about telling a compelling story that resonates with potential buyers. The phrase “professional staging sells homes for more money” has so much truth! The stagers job is to transform your home into the best version of itself and a memorable first impression. Why wouldn’t you want that? This not only increases your potential earnings, but also expedites the selling process. Remember, when buyers fall in love with a property, they’re more likely to submit a strong offer in a short period of time.

The 4-5 days leading up to your house being publicly listed on MLS are crucial. Your marketing-focused agent will use this time to craft a unique story around your home, making it more interesting and appealing to a broader audience. Seeing all the marketing pieces comes together can be a very emotional process for many home sellers, especially after weeks of late night decluttering and last minute home improvements. This is the exciting part, your home is finally ready for its debut!

Let’s delve into the most common questions our clients ask before their home hits the market…

1) How long will my home take to sell?

In a fast-paced market like Toronto, particularly in desirable West Toronto areas like Bloor West Village, The Junction, or Roncesvalles, realistic pricing and strategic listing can lead to a sale within 7-10 days. In a seller’s market, homes are often strategically priced lower to attract multiple offers on a specific offer day. This offer day is typically scheduled six or seven days after the listing date.

TIP: Your pricing strategy will have direct impact on the selling timeline. Review recent sales strategies and the number of days it took to sell those homes. This will give you good idea of your expected timeline.

2) Do I need to move out during the sale?

Professional home staging will be the major deciding factor whether you stay or go during the sale. Using a professional and trendy home stager will attract the right type of buyer to your home. This buyer may instantly fall in love, aggressively compete with other buyers and pay a high price for your house. Since home staging inventory can’t be lived in, if you believe in the power of staging (and you definitely should), you will need to move out for the duration of the sale. 

If your home is expected to sell on a scheduled offer day (usually within 7 days), you will most likely need to move out for about 11 days. This timeline typically includes 4 days for staging, photography and marketing. This will also depend on the size of the house and how much staging is required. Most professional stagers require 1-2 days to stage a home. Next comes photography, video and important marketing pieces that will ensure your property shines online and in person.  

TIP: Be wary of agents who cut this timeline short. Give your agent and the stager enough time to make your house a stand-out and attract the right buyer. In a world where 81% of buyers do their research online before making a big purchase, mediocre online marketing will ultimately cost you money. Review your agents past listings and marketing pieces, if you like what you see, trust in the process!  It will be well worth it. 

3) What happens after staging?

Once staging is complete, your agent orchestrates the next steps, involving a photographer, videographer, and floor plan measurer. These professionals play a crucial role in ensuring your house stands out online. Quality photographers usually have a 24-48 hour turnaround time, but once these elements are received, your property is ready to be listed on MLS and the world of social media.

TIP: Trust your agent’s choice of photographer, assuming you liked the listing photos your agent has shown you.

4) How do we determine the listing price?

The pricing strategy can be a make-or-break factor in your home sale. Consistency with other listings in the area is vital. For example, if your neighbourhood is typically seeing homes priced below market value to generate multiple offers, pricing too high can result in less interest as active buyers who have been competing for home may think your house is overpriced or that the seller’s expectations are unrealistic. Trust your realtor’s expertise and align with neighborhood trends to ensure your home attracts the right buyers.

TIP: Hire a local realtor to ensure they are in tune with the neighbourhood nuances. The wrong pricing strategy can have a big negative impact on the sold price and your timeline.

5) How are showings booked?

A typical buyer showing will look like something like this… The buyer’s agent will book a showing online through MLS or by calling the real estate office. Their credentials are verified by the online booking system and the lockbox information is released to them through an app called Broker Bay. During the showing, the buyer’s agent is present with their client. Your agent should be available to answer any immediate questions and always follow up for feedback and to answer any questions they may have about the house.  

TIP: Avoid pressuring your agent to be present in person for all showings. Unless your home has some major bells and whistles or impressive functions that should be explained in detail, buyers will almost always feel less comfortable with the listing agent circling around. Let them have their space to experience and take in the home how they wish.  

6) How do we review offers?

The process of reviewing offers has evolved, particularly after the pandemic. Most offer presentations are now held via zoom or email, offering a smoother and more focused experience. Online presentations eliminate many distractions and pomp and circumstance involved in a face to face meeting. 

If you have a scheduled offer presentation day, all offers will be sent to your agent by a specified time. You will then review all the offers with your realtor and decide on how to proceed with your negotiation together.  

TIP: Prior to the offer presentation, make sure you discuss the process with your agent in detail. It’s important to share your expectation, such as price, closing, deposit and conditions in offer. Your agent should relay most of these elements (except price of course) to the interested parties through an instructions email. This ensures a smoother process for all parties involved.

In conclusion: Trust the process, reap the rewards

As your home takes center stage, trust in the comprehensive process orchestrated by your expert real estate team. The careful planning, strategic staging, and effective marketing are the pillars that support a successful sale. With your dream sale just around the corner, embrace the journey and savor the anticipation of unveiling your Toronto home to its new owners.

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