Monday, September 24, 2012

How to Sell Your Home Fast

Lately I have been toying with the idea of selling my home.  I have talked to some realtors and here is what I have learned.  Are you selling or have sold a home recently?  I would love to hear from you and any other tips you have. 


1. It's all about the marketing. 

Regardless of what you're selling, you have to have a sound marketing strategy. Home sales are no different. A top-notch brochure with professional-looking photos and a nice layout is a must-have - and make sure it's prepared before the first viewing. In addition, the MLS listing should include a virtual tour, as well as a decent number of photos. And it should be worded nicely, highlighting all the benefits of both your home and the area around it. Put yourself in the potential buyer's shoes - what will they enjoy most about living here?

2. Make your home easy to see. 

If you're really committed to selling your home, you have to be committed to showing it too. This means that if a potential buyer wants to view it, you need to let them - regardless of the time. It also means that your home should be in a relatively tidy state constantly - in the off-chance you get a last minute viewing.

3. Price it right. 

Okay, so nobody really knows how the market will respond to a particular home. That's why you have to do your research by looking at comparables. Your real estate agent should be able to come up with a range and a suggested price tag for your home, but if you'd prefer to list at the high end of that range, make sure you do so with a strategy in mind. The longer a house stays on the market, the more likely you are to get low-balled. Have a plan in place that determines at what point you're willing to drop the price tag should your home fail to move.
Selling your home can be a very emotionally draining process, which is why you don't want to drag it out. By following these tips, and the recommendations of your real estate agent, you'll hopefully attract that perfect buyer sooner rather than later.
 

Saturday, September 22, 2012

It's all @JonChevreau 's fault .... I swear


Today I attended the Canadian Financial Blogger's conference in Toronto and I learned a lot.  Most Canadian Financial Bloggers know and love Preet Banerjee or @PreetBanerjee or Blogger extrodinaire at "Where does all Money Go".  It was inspiring to say the least and I learned so much.  Things are going to be different at Mortgages for Women from here on in.

The biggest lesson I learned today was from Preet himself.  He is a wonderful down to earth great guy.  When you meet him you have to wonder how he got to where he is today.  Today we learned it was all Johnathon Chevreau's fault.  "Back in the day" Mr. Chevreau quoted Preet in a page and half article as saying something that nearly burried him with his employer.  Some quick 2-stepping lead to some intense media training and the rest they say is history.   And it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.  Preet was so generous to share his knowledge and experience with us. 

I admit I'm a blogger by accident and today I learned that a lot of blogger's started the same way.  It was great to connect with others and learn their stories.  And to think the whole journey today was all the fault of Johnathon Chevreau, now the editor of Money Sense, makes me grateful.  I haven't always agreed witih Johnathon's opinions when he was at The Financial Post but I have always respected him.  Well done!