The following questions are designed to help sellers of real estate analyze their pricing strategy. I can help with the answers to many of the questions after completing a detailed current market analysis.

1. Am I selecting a realtor based on service or price?
2. Is the local market rising, falling or staying even?
3. Is my opinion of value based on the actual neighbourhood sale price?
4. How many homes in this area are competing against mine right now?
5. How does mine compare?
6. Have any neighbouring homes been on the market too long? Why?
7. Is my home comparable to, larger or smaller than surrounding area homes?
8. Which improvements have I made since my purchase of the home that will actually increase value? Which improvements might not?
9.  Are my personal financial needs influence my asking price?
10.  Is my original purchase price influencing my asking price?
11.  Am I willing to price right and stand firm?
12.  Are the benefits of moving important enough to price my home at its current market value?

Legal process

     Offer

     Acceptance

     Removal of subjects

     Closing

     Possession

The contract of purchase and sale

An offer to purchase real estate must be in writing & is generally written by the Buyer's Realtor on a standard form "Contract of Purchase and Sale" which contains all the standard terms & conditions, as well as places for the specific details of this offer.

The offer will have an expiration time & date. Unless rescinded, the offer is binding as it is written. The offer contract must be signed by the Buyer.

Aside from the offer price, the contract will also specify the list of inclusions & exclusions, the amount of deposit, a list of subject conditions, closing date & possession date.

The seller will either accept or counter the offer. When an offer is countered, it forms a commitment by the signing party; when both parties indicate acceptance of all terms, the document is a binding contract.

Following acceptance, the Buyer need to remove subjects in order for the sale to be "firm".

Conveyancing

Conveyancing is the process of transferring title of the property from the Seller to the Buyer.

Usually, the Buyer & the Seller use the services of lawyers for the conveyancing. Before "closing" the Buyer transfers the balance of the money required for the purchase to their lawyer, in trust. The lawyer holds the money, confirms true ownership of the property, calculate the exact amount of money that must change hands, files paperwork with the Registry, then releases the cash to the Sellers after the Title has been registered in the Buyer's name.

1)  Does the Realtor work as a full-time Realtor?

2)  Does the Realtor have a written marketing system? (To ensure your home sells quickly for Top $$)

3)  How many ways will the Realtor expose your home to the maximum number of potential Buyers?

4)  Will the Realtor create a Feature List of your home's special features (to ensure all potential Buyers know all the good features of your home)?

5)  Will the Realtor do a Floor Plan of your home (so Buyers can easily see room sizes & layout, allowing them to easily make a decision to buy your home)?

6)  Will the Realtor pre-qualify potential Buyers (to ensure Buyers are financially qualified to buy your home before showing them the home)?

7)  Will the Realtor give ongoing market activity reports (so at all time you know of all new listings & sales in your area)?

8)  How will the Realtor show your home to potential Buyers? (Will they be personally present to show your home & point out all the good features? Or will they just hand out keys or put on a lock box?)

9)  Will the Realtor give you regular feedback & comments after all the showings?

10)  Will the Realtor advertise your home in the Real Estate Newspaper(s) & on the internet? (Will they have full photo tour, inside & out, of your home?)

If the answer to any of these questions is "no", you are limiting the chances of selling your home for Top $$ in any market.

Don't sell yourself short!  Enlist the services of a Realtor like Marie, who guarantees to deliver all these 10 items & more.