Resolution: Sell Our Whistler Home…

Welcome to the first of our three part series on New Year’s Resolutions for property buyers and sellers. We thought as we dive into the New Year that it might be helpful to have a list of resolutions if you’re thinking about selling a property in the coming year. (Especially if you want to sell your Whistler home!) Whether you’re reading this in December or March, or September, we hope you’ll find this list a helpful place to start.

Selling a property is definitely a process! How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

1. Contact a REALTOR®

Seek professional help! Ok. That sounds a bit like a joke: thinking of selling your home? Seek professional help! But we’re serious. If you engage a real estate agent before you start the following steps to sell your Whistler home, we can help with all of the steps below. A real estate agent will be able to help you with everything from pricing your home to staging it for showings, and will be able to provide valuable insights and advice throughout the process. Book an appointment here:

 Great! You’ve already completed resolution #1 and you’re that much closer to selling your home!

2. Make Necessary Home Repairs and Updates

Make a list of any necessary repairs or updates. These repairs not only increase the value of your home but also make it more attractive to buyers. By making these repairs and updates, you’ll be positioning your home to sell for the best possible price. As your agent, we can recommend what things are really important to update, so you get the most return on your investment.

• Are there leaks that need fixing?
• Which rooms should be painted?
• Do your fixtures need updating?
• Are there any other interior repairs that need to be done?
• What about the exterior?

3. Assess and Address Curb Appeal

• Are there trees that need trimming (or removal?!)
• Are the driveway and walkways free of debris and encumbrances?
• Could your front door use a fresh coat of paint? 
• Are decks, porches and yards free of debris, and tidy?

4. Declutter and Stage Your Home

Remove personal items and store them while your home is on the market. Remove anything that makes your home feel cluttered. Arrange furniture and decor in a way that makes the space feel open and inviting. This will help potential buyers envision themselves living in the space and make a more positive impression on them. Hire a staging company or a personal organizer if this feels overwhelming. (We have great recommendations for professionals who can help!) 

5. Set a Realistic Price

One of the most important factors in selling your home is setting the right price. Work with a real estate agent to determine the right price for your home based on comparable sales and current competition in the area. Your agent will be able to look at your home with an unbiased eye and recommend a pricing strategy to get your home sold in today’s market conditions. Setting a realistic price will help attract more potential buyers and ultimately lead to a quicker sale.

6. Be Flexible with Showings; Find a Way to Work with Tenants

If possible, be flexible with showings. Be prepared to accommodate potential buyers’ schedules and make it easy for them to view your home. This means being flexible with times and days for showings, and ensuring that your home is always show-ready. For tenanted properties, preparing the tenants for potential showings and working with the tenants can also lead to a smoother sale.

7. Consider Your Next Move

Before putting your home on the market, it’s important to think about where you want to move and what you want to do with your revenue from the sale. Do you want to downsize, upgrade, or relocate? This will help you to set realistic goals for your home sale and make informed decisions about pricing, timing, and marketing. This will also help create a great strategy with your real estate agent, and to refocus your thoughts if and when negotiations get stressful. If you’re planning on moving out of town, as your agents, we can recommend trusted REALTORS® almost anywhere in the world.

8. Plan You Finances

Consider the financial implications of selling your home. You will have to plan for the costs of selling your home such as real estate agent’s commission, closing costs, and any repairs or updates that you plan to do. Additionally, think about what you want to do with the proceeds from the sale – pay off debt, invest, or save for your next home. (We also have fabulous recommendations for financial advisors!)

These are some great resolutions to put in your calendar or to do list if you are thinking of selling a property this year. As always, we’re here if you need advice or help. Now, once you’ve sold, where are you going to go? Tune in tomorrow for our New Year’s Resolutions for Buyers! We’ve got you covered there too.