From the initial idea of selling to signing a final contract, there are many professionals you’ll need during the home selling process to help ensure it goes smoothly. Without a doubt, enlisting the help of a REALTOR® is the first step to navigating the housing market.
But what about the other professionals who don’t always cross our minds? From inspectors to stagers,
lawyers to handymen, there are many types of people who can help get your home in order and bring in the best possible offers. These are some of the professionals you’ll encounter on your journey, from a seller’s perspective.
A REALTOR®
REALTORS® come with a wealth of invaluable information and connections. A REALTOR® is a member of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), and therefore adheres to a standard of practices and regulations. Their No. 1 job is to make sure your best interests are kept at the forefront during the selling process. They’re knowledgeable about housing trends, market conditions, and what’s happening in the industry as a whole, which makes them an incredible asset when it comes to selling your home.
If you’re thinking of selling your home soon, or you’re just curious about whether now might be a good time, reach out to a local REALTOR® who can answer all your questions.
A real estate lawyer
Your REALTOR® will likely have a lawyer they’ll refer you to — typically someone who knows the market you’re selling in. Of course, you’re under no obligation to go with their recommendation.
A real estate lawyer is an expert in all aspects of the home selling and purchasing process. They help to prepare your sales contract and make sure closing, inspection, and title insurance are properly accounted for. Real estate lawyers will prepare the deed for your home, remedy title issues as they arise, make sure all financial conditions have been met, and eventually exchange legal documents with the buyer’s lawyer — as well as hand them the keys.
A mortgage broker
Mortgage brokers are synonymous with the buying process, but we don’t often think about these professionals when it’s time to sell. Getting in touch with a mortgage broker before selling can be advantageous for many reasons. They can help you get a clearer picture of your finances as they can determine the current balance or any amount owing on your mortgage. Moreover, if you haven’t yet purchased a new place they can help determine if you qualify for another home that’s suitable for your future.
A home inspector
A home inspector can point you to things that could be addressed before listing in order to save headaches down the line. Getting a pre-listing home inspection will provide you with a report about the conditions of the inside and outside of the home.
In some cases you may not need to hire an inspector as the seller. If you know what issues are present — and fixing them won’t break the bank — taking care of them before you list your property can prevent issues down the line for potential buyers, which in turn may make them more comfortable putting in an offer. You can make this pre-listing home inspection available to would-be buyers to give them peace of mind when looking at the property. Information from an inspector can also help your REALTOR® accurately price your home.
Home stagers
Often the cost of hiring stagers is taken care of by your REALTOR® to make the property look as good as possible.
Before putting your home up for sale, declutter anything that isn’t entirely necessary. This doesn’t mean throwing things away, but just getting it out of sight so that potential buyers can focus on the home, rather than the little knick knacks. Then, let the stager design the space based on how they think it should look, rather than how you want it to look, as they’re probably going to give it a more appealing, yet neutral design.
Joanne Vroom, president of Unique Home Solutions, which stages homes in Quebec and Ontario, previously told us staging a home is all about attracting the largest pool of buyers.
“When a potential buyer walks into your home, they feel the vibes during the first few minutes. If your home is cluttered, they’ll want to leave,” explains Vroom. “Many homeowners think staging is decorating, but it’s not. Decorating is about your personal style — the colours and objects you love. Staging is about the function of your home.”
Professional cleaners
A professional cleaner will take care of the nitty gritty, making sure your home is spotless so buyers get the best first impression. From windows to trimming to doors to lights, a cleaner will address all those areas you likely didn’t even think of. Professional cleaners can also get rid of lingering smells in the home, something Ben Sweet, a REALTOR® from Alberta, previously told us can affect the sale of your home.
“People aren’t able to look past smells,” he said. “Think about it this way: when a buyer goes to look at homes, they’re typically going to look at everything that’s available within a certain price range and area, as well as some features. They’ll be seeing anywhere from three to eight properties in one day. If one smells, it can be a major turn off and completely prevent the sale.”
Maintenance professionals
You want your house to look its best. That includes the exterior. Consider hiring a professional to clean the windows and balcony if you’re in a condo, or hiring lawn care professionals if you’re in a house with a yard. Clean up the driveway, cut the grass, and if possible, plant some flowers.
On the inside, consider hiring a handyman to tighten up any loose cabinets, patch up holes in the wall, fix squeaky floorboards, or complete any other small jobs around the home. Bringing in a painter to add a fresh coat to high-touch areas can also be a good idea. Essentially, you’re trying to bring the home to near-perfect aesthetic condition so potential buyers don’t see it as a project. The less they have to do when they move in, the better.
Movers
Typically, movers don’t get involved in the process until after you sell your home, but you may want to reach out a little sooner to help declutter and move unneeded items into storage. It’s also a good idea to talk to movers to get a better understanding of what they’ll take and what they won’t. Some companies won’t transport house plants because they can make a mess, for example. Others can’t move cans of paint because they’re flammable.
Understanding ahead of time what can be taken on a moving truck and what can’t will allow you to better plan for your big day. Another reason to look into movers before selling is to reserve your spot. Companies can book up weeks in advance if you’re moving at a busy time of year, so book early.
Professionals like home appraisers or land surveyors are typically found through the buyer, as is the home inspector they’ll use to conduct the inspection as part of the offer. You’ll also need to speak with a mortgage broker or financial advisor in regards to buying your new home, but in terms of selling, these are the professionals you’ll typically run into. Your REALTOR® can help you find most of the professionals on this list thanks to their past experiences and vast array of connections — some agents include the cost of these professionals (like staging) in their price, so be sure to ask.
Connect with a REALTOR® as soon as you’re thinking about selling your home to make sure you’re covered every step of the way.
— Realtor.ca